On the long dining table, elegant demoness-carved candlesticks burned with clear yellow flames, while a faint fragrance drifted through the air.
Exquisite ceramic tableware sat before Angel, filled with brightly colored delicacies.
Little Six and Helen, seated opposite him, had the same. Only the food before Helen was lighter, seemingly specially prepared.
After treating Helen's spiritual force injury, Angel had originally planned to leave. However, Helen seemed to feel indebted to him, yet she had no suitable gift with which to repay him. She could only try to persuade Angel to stay, if only for a meal.
Angel considered it for a moment and ultimately stayed.
For one thing, he did not want Helen to keep carrying that sense of indebtedness. For another... Toby had awakened.
During their time aboard the Cloud Conch, Helen had come to know Toby's preferences like the back of her hand.
Dried fish was served right away. Toby, who had not smelled the tang of the sea for a long time, drooled all over Angel's shoulder.
Amid the flickering lamplight, Angel casually ate a little before stopping. He set the rich seafood soup before Toby, and Toby did not stand on ceremony. One moment he was munching salted dried fish, the next he was bent over drinking the fragrant fish soup. From beginning to end, he never raised his head. In the silent room, only the sound of Toby slurping saliva could be heard.
Little Six was reserved, and stopping Angel earlier had already exhausted every scrap of courage she possessed. Now, she did not say a single word and remained silent throughout the meal.
Helen had wanted to say something, but the quiet atmosphere was so comfortable that it made her feel as though she had returned to her days aboard the Cloud Conch.