The Cursed King

Elise scooted closer to Loriel and showed him the screen of the phone. She motioned to one of the apps. "Ah, I'm having trouble with how to use this one and then this…" 

"Oh, this one? Well, this is simple enough. How about you open the app first and I'll walk you through it?"

"Sounds great."

For the next half hour or so, Loriel and Elise were stuck close to each other enough for him to take in the fragrance of Elise's hair and feel the warmth of her body right next to his. 

Loriel taught Elise how to maneuver through various functions of her new phone and also the ins and outs of how to use each one of them. The two of them went over it at a nice pace that kept them a little busy.

It was easy for time to slip by, until finally, Elise opened up the camera app. 

The two of them appeared in the front camera to which Elise quickly shifted over to the proper camera. The phone quickly showed the image of the coffee table right in front of them and she smiled. 

"This camera really is crystal clear, and I know how to use this one just fine." Elise glanced over their shoulders and right out the windows. "I'd love to head back to Central Park and take a picture of those trees and flowers in bloom again."

That was an easy request.

"Yeah, it's quite beautiful there," Loriel said.

He always thought Central Park was overrated, but hey, Elise seemed to love that place. So, he would like it too. But his mind went to other places in the world that he would love to show her.

Once the two of them traveled, Elise would be able to see a lot more things than just that.

Elise nodded happily. "Yes, it will be lovely. Maybe I will go there again next weekend. With this phone, I would already know the way." 

"You'll get to look back on the photos and refresh your memory on those particular moments or encounters, that is the brilliance of devices today." Loriel smiled briefly.

"Some people do forget to live in the moment though," Elise said. "But yes, I'd like to take photos and videos to help me remember how things went. It's good for a keepsake too."

Loriel held his breath. He truly wished to know what happened in the past. What led to his wife forgetting about him?

He quickly removed the thoughts from his mind. It could wait, he told himself. What's important was to get Elise to feel comfortable around him and trusted him enough to let him help her.

Yes, he could already help her with accommodation and clothes, but it was not nearly enough. He must know what happened to her in the York's home. She seemed to notice someone in Bloomingrose that she wanted to avoid.

Did the person hurt his Elise? Loriel wanted to know. He would make them pay dearly.

"I will let you play with your phone and get used to using it," said the man. Loriel eventually got up from the sofa and stretched. It was time to prepare for dinner. 

Although it was nice that he managed to spend time with Elise and teach her how to use her phone, Loriel wanted to prepare a sumptuous meal for Elise to eat. 

He wanted to make something that she'd love.

"I'll need to start cooking since my friend is coming over. Please take a seat and relax for a bit," Loriel told her with a smile. He then made his way to the kitchen. 

But like a cat, Elise followed him and gave him her best smile.

"What will you be making for dinner, Loriel?" Elise asked. She was on standby and prepared to help him with whatever task that the man might ask of her tonight.

Loriel smiled at her. "We're making one of the most delicious cuisines in the entire world right now, Elise."

Elise tilted her head. "And which cuisine is that, Loriel?" 

"Italian," Loriel said with a big smile. He made a chef's kiss with his fingers, a gesture that made Elise chuckle. 

"Ah, that sounds really nice for dinner. I also like Italian." Elise smiled at him. "Does your friend like Italian food?"

"He does. So, I'm sure he'll be happy once he comes here," Loriel answered. "We haven't been able to keep in touch for quite some time, so tonight is a little special. You can think of it as a celebration of a reunion."

"Oh, your friend must be so close to you," Elise commented.

Loriel glanced at her.

Elise was actually the one Loriel had in mind when he said he wanted to celebrate a reunion with.

This meticulous preparation wasn't for his nephew at all. Who cared what Marc ate for dinner? He could go hungry for days for all Loriel cared. Hmph.

Loriel wouldn't go to such lengths for other people like what he was doing now. Secretly, he thought it would be the perfect dinner date for him and Elise. To celebrate their reunion after being separated for fifteen centuries.

Loriel would cook and play beautiful music, set the mood right for a pleasant evening for the two of them.

Inviting Marc for dinner was just an excuse on his part.

While Marc would visit them for dinner, it was only to inform Elise about her job acceptance and schedule, and then the man might as well leave.

More than anything though, Loriel wanted to bring a smile to Elise's face.

Enjoying a meal together was one thing he had in mind. Delicious dishes enough to make one's mouth water and drinks to finish it off like how Loriel and Elise used to do in the past. 

He thought if he could have their routine back, Elise would slowly remember him. 

Loriel glanced at his phone for a moment.

There were several dishes that he wanted to make for tonight from Veal Osso Buco, veal shanks braised in wine and broth, then slowly simmered with vegetables and Risotto ai Fruitti di Mare otherwise known as seafood risotto.

It was the perfect meal for a candlelit dinner too.

Rich, savory, and delectable.