Ilyien nodded when Sabev said she would learn their ways. "It would be wise," he agreed. "We should not be timorous creatures; but neither should we be foolish. Blend, whenever you can."
He would not always be there to protect her. Teaching her self-reliance and intelligent decision-making in the wide world would be key. Still, he hated the thought that his innocent Little Flame would be alone at all. He despised the thought that he could not be there for every moment. She deserved as much.
When she enjoined him to eat, he laughed and twirled his fork into the noodles. "As you command, milady," he said, with a bit of a smile. She was a little princess... but he would never take that away from her.
Dinner was over as quickly as Ilyien could manage. He helped with cleaning the dishes and returning them to where she thought they belonged. And then, pulling on his suit jacket, he straightened his tie and waited for Sabev to be ready. She already looked beautiful.