Those fins

''Cough Cough...'' The food was stuck in her throat and Esme drank some water. ''How do you know?" She asked after calming down. She was talking to Duchess Flora, ''You... were you sitting on the tree?'' She remembered there was some noise in the back. 

Aleister paused, ''It was Rowan.'' 

''You are keeping an eye on me?" 

''For your safety,'' And to ensure your distance from unwanted flies. He added in his mind. 

Esme lowered her head before she continued eating without saying anything. She had no face left. 

She did not want to talk to him. She cried in her heart.

Aleister let her have her peace without further pushing her buttons.

After breakfast, Aleister said, ''Would you like to go to the Royal hunting ground?" 

Esme, who was reading a book on her bed tilted her head to look at him, ''To hunt?" 

Aleister quirked a brow, ''Anything else that you would like to do?"