You Still the Same

The cook from Marseille's castle worked hard today, as the guests who came were considered quite prestigious. They served luxurious food, such as roasted pigeons, rabbits, and, of course, fish emitting the fragrant aroma of valuable spices.

However, all of this was not special because Bree was already accustomed to it. Marseilles had never been stingy about providing her with food. What was special, of course, was Rad's presence at the dining table, which was unusual.

The man had never been at the dining table except during official banquets, and welcoming Trey was indeed an official banquet. Now, someone has occupied the main chair, which is usually empty. Bree's left side was no longer empty, as her father sat on Rad's left side. On Bree's right was Amber.

Once they all sat down, the waitstaff began serving the food.

"I hope the dishes are delicious, please." Rad invited them all to eat. Rad's eating habits, it seemed, were a bit unique, according to Bree.

Rad only took small pieces from various dishes on the table and ate them slowly. But that didn't catch Bree's attention too much. She was more interested in the conversation between Rad and her father. She wanted to know what the purpose of her father's visit was.

In the past, Bree had not been concerned, assuming her father's visit connected to the agreement between Marseilles and Le Mans. But now, Bree was more concerned and wanted to know the core of their conversation.

Bree hoped that the discussion would provide clues about the future murder of her father.

However, their conversation was safe. As before, her father talked a lot, while Rad mostly listened and responded if necessary.

They talked about the city and the agreements and assistance provided by Marseilles to Le Mans. The conversation was nothing special; Bree already knew the contents of the agreement well, and nothing seemed strange. The agreement was beneficial for both parties. Marseilles got Bree, and Le Mans got assistance.

Indeed, if roughly judged, it seemed that Bree's father had sold her, but she was willing to do this for him. She didn't feel sold, and Bree didn't mind. This hasty and sudden marriage was for the greater good. Bree was just unlucky to get Rad as her husband.

"Bree, are you not feeling well? Why are you eating so little?" Trey asked, looking at Bree.

Trey seemed to notice how Bree was more daydreaming than eating. The food on Bree's plate had not decreased much because she had been more focused on the conversation between her father and Rad.

"No, I'm fine, father. I seem to have eaten too many cookies before dinner." Bree gave a random excuse and began spooning food into her mouth.

"Ah, that bad habit is still there, it seems. You prefer snacks to proper meals. Rad, did you know? Bree can usually devour thirty biscuits in one sitting." Trey gestured with his hand to illustrate the size of the biscuits Bree consumed.

"Father!" Bree scolded him with a red face. She was embarrassed and annoyed that her father had just said such embarrassing things in front of Rad.

Rad responded with a faint smile, glancing at Bree. "I didn't know Bree had such a unique habit," Rad said.

Bree had already lowered her gaze to her plate, stirring the remaining food there in frustration.

"Bree has always been unique since she was little. The habit of preferring snacks emerged because Bree usually forgets to eat when busy painting. When concentrating on finishing a painting, Bree forgets to eat. That's why the servants at our house make a lot of biscuits for her. Those biscuits keep her alive."

Trey explained it in detail, considering all of it as Bree's funny quirks, while Bree felt like sinking into the ground. To her, it was embarrassing.

"Is that so?" Rad didn't want to show interest, but it turned out that Trey's story about Bree was quite intriguing.

From Trey's story, it was clear that Bree loved painting immensely. This puzzled Rad even more, as Bree had not touched any painting tools since she arrived here. The chaotic eating habits also explained why Bree's body was frail. Bree ate more regularly in Marseilles, wanting to be healthier.

Rad became more curious because it was evident that Bree was trying to hide the fact that she had stopped painting from her father. This conclusion came easily when Rad saw Bree pretending to be normal in front of Trey. The Bree that sat next to Rad right now was the same Bree that Rad had met on his wedding day.

"Don't say you still have such habits." Amber suddenly interjected.

The embarrassment immediately left Bree. She straightened up and turned to look directly at Amber. Something she had never done before.

"Why, what's wrong if I'm still like that?"

The response came unexpectedly from Amber, but Bree was more prepared than when she first arrived.

"That's not a good attitude, Bree. You can't just focus on painting. You are now a wife, so you must set aside time to serve your husband. You shouldn't be selfish by only doing what you like."

Amber's advice was piercing, conveyed in a friendly tone and with a sweet smile, implying that Amber could be a better wife than Bree. Amber wasn't helping Bree with advice; she just wanted to make Bree look bad in Irene and Rad's eyes.

In the past, Amber did the same thing, though the wording and context were different, but the intention was the same. This situation reminded Bree of Irene, who continued to insult Bree even though she had tried to change.

"Thank you for your advice, Amber. I'll remember it. After this, I'll reduce my painting activities and try to pay more attention to my husband."

A calm response, without strong resistance, because Bree hadn't decided what steps to take regarding Rad and Amber.

At the beginning of this retaliation period, Bree certainly wanted to prevent them from being together. She wanted to make them have no relationship and make their lives miserable. But that was a thought full of angry desires. Bree wanted to consider other options.

Bree wanted to be consistent in her effort to ignore Rad by letting them both reconnect as they used to. Bree felt they would both fit together. Fit because they both were rotten inside.

Bree didn't know how they could both be in a relationship, as she heard about their closeness after she was in jail. News that made her feel even more desolate at that time.

Bree was blind back then and didn't see Amber's efforts to get closer to Rad while she was here. She missed how Amber always seemed to stick to Rad, wanting to get closer. Bree was not blind now. In just one sentence, Bree could guess Amber's intentions. She was still the same; her purpose for coming here was the same. She wanted to seduce Bree's husband.

"There is no need to go that far. Bree can do whatever she likes. I'm satisfied enough with her right now. No need to change anything."

Bree's mouth opened, astonished to hear Rad's words. The sentence was simple, spoken in Rad's usual flat tone. Moving on, because Rad didn't even look directly at Amber, although it was clear that Rad said it for Amber.

Bree felt like she misheard, but seeing her father's reaction, who smiled broadly and patted Rad's shoulder, meant the statement was real.

Rad defended Bree with that sentence. Not fiery or angry, but still a change. Amber didn't change, but Rad underwent a slight change.