Page 119 of King of Ruin

"And he accepted it?"

"No." Elise laughed harder, already knowing where Astrid's thoughts had gone. "He refused every single time. He'd frown, tell me to take it away, and even scold me for bringing it."

She paused, the corners of her lips lifting into a smile so affectionate that it softened her entire face.

"But eventually he'd eat it."

Astrid raised an eyebrow.

"And every time he did..." Elise said quietly, "...he looked so happy."

A gentle warmth spread across her features as she remembered those moments.

"He always tried to hide it. He'd pretend to be annoyed and lecture me for ignoring his instructions, but I could see right through him." She chuckled under her breath. "He was enjoying every bite."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Elise's expression gradually grew thoughtful again.

"Eventually, I told him he didn't have to stop eating seafood because of me." She looked up at Astrid, her voice calm but firm. "I was the one with the allergy, not him. Just because I couldn't eat it didn't mean he had to erase it from his life completely."

A gentle smile touched her lips.

"I promised I'd be careful. I'd make sure I never accidentally ate anything with seafood in it. There were so many other dishes I could enjoy instead." She shrugged lightly. "Why should both of us have to give something up when only one of us couldn't have it?"

Her smile became almost nostalgic.

"And honestly..."

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as though she were sharing a secret.

"I could see how happy it made him."

A quiet laugh escaped her.

"He tried so hard not to show it." She smiled to herself. "That's just how Xavier is. He hides everything, especially his feelings."

She settled back into her chair, her expression filled with quiet affection.

"He works harder than anyone I've ever met. Most of his life revolves around work, meetings, and responsibilities, but somehow..." Her eyes softened. "He still makes time for his parents. He calls them. He visits them whenever he can."

She smiled, warmth filling every word.

"He's a really good son."

There was a brief pause before she continued, almost as though she were speaking more to herself than to Astrid.

"He's actually a very loving person. He just doesn't show it the way most people do." Her voice softened. "But when someone truly matters to him... he loves them deeply. I've seen that side of him."

Astrid studied her in silence before a small smile appeared on her lips.

"I know what you mean," she admitted. Then the smile slowly faded, replaced by something more contemplative. "But men change."

Elise tilted her head.

"Maybe not now," Astrid continued quietly, "but after marriage... men become different. Life changes them. The person someone is today isn't always the same person they'll be a year from now."

Elise's smile slowly disappeared as Astrid's words echoed in her mind. She lowered her gaze to her folded hands resting in her lap, gently rubbing her thumb across her fingers.