Deviating from the original plot

Chapter thirty-seven

"I also brought you some of this, since I noticed you ate them a lot," the man said and brought a plate of skewers for her.

"Thank you," Victoria beamed, taking the plate from him. The man's expression softened, a hint of bashfulness in his smile. Evelyn, however, frowned at the exchange.

"Well, my friends over there were wondering if they could join you," he went on, glancing toward a small group in the crowd. "If that's all right. I promise, we're very respectful."

Victoria glanced toward the group he indicated—a cluster of young men and women chatting near a stall—then back at him. "I don't see why not, if everyone here is fine with it." She looked toward her companions.

Celeste gave a nod, though Evelyn's expression stayed neutral. 

"Sure," Freya said with an easy shrug, "the more, the merrier."

The man's grin returned in full. "Excellent. I'll let them know." With that, he headed back toward his friends.

"That's kind of cute," Victoria said as she picked up a skewer.

"I don't know about you," Anne sighed dreamily, "but if someone gave me food as a gift, I'd probably fall in love on the spot."

"You're actually eating that?" Evelyn's voice cut in, tight with disapproval.

"Why not? Want some?" Victoria offered, holding the plate toward her.

"What... no." Evelyn frowned. "Why would you accept food from a stranger like that?"

"He seemed nice. And besides, he's already coming over with his friends—he's not going to do anything to me in public," Victoria said, taking a bite of the skewer without hesitation.

"We can't be uptight all the time, Caramel. "It's just a harmless gesture," Celeste chimed in. "Everyone here knows that man doesn't actually stand a chance with Honey anyways—he's a peasant."

"Maple, that's offensive," Victoria said with a sigh.

"But it's true," Celeste replied, looking genuinely puzzled.

"Yeah, but it's still disrespectful to call people 'peasants'," Victoria pointed out firmly.

Celeste blinked, still confused, just as the man returned—this time with his group trailing behind him.

The man approached with three companions—two men and a woman—each dressed modestly but with a certain tidy charm. They carried plates of food and drinks.

"Ladies," he greeted with a courteous nod, "these are my friends—Corin, Ezra, and Lila—and I'm Mason."

Victoria returned the gesture with an open smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Please, have a seat—there's plenty of room."

Anne quickly shifted over to make space, while Celeste gave the newcomers a slow, assessing glance. Evelyn, however, sat stiffly, her eyes scanning the group with a guarded expression.

"We brought a little extra for everyone," Lila said warmly, setting a plate down in the centre.

"That's so sweet, thank you," Anne replied, immediately plucking a skewer and taking a bite without hesitation.

"Careful, Caramel," Freya teased in a singsong tone, "if you keep glaring like that, you'll scare away the whole table."

Evelyn only hummed in response, her gaze never leaving Mason, who seemed oblivious to her scrutiny. His attention remained fixed entirely on Victoria, leaning in slightly as though the others were a blur in the background.