Daedric realized how deeply his words had hurt Hazel. He lowered his gaze and, with sincerity, offered an apology.
"Hazel, I'm sorry. Don't take your anger out on the food. And… I love teasing you. You should be used to it by now. You can do the same to me. I won't mind," he said gently.
Hazel straightened up, placing her hands on her knees. "If I start doing that, His Grace might complain," she replied, her voice calmer.
"I won't. Besides, we agreed to be friends. And teasing each other is part of that," Daedric said with a soft smile. Then, raising his hand, he gently wiped the tear beneath her right eye with his thumb, and then the one beneath her left.
Daedric extended his hand toward Hazel, waiting patiently for her to accept it. But she didn't. Instead, she rose to her feet on her own, refusing to meet his gaze.
Without a word, Hazel turned and walked back to the dining room. Daedric followed her silently, his expression unreadable.
