''Don't say a word,'' Raegar warned, pointing his chopsticks at her, though his grin betrayed him.

Nivara, mid-bite, let out a similar sound of delight, her eyes fluttering shut as the flavors danced across her palate. ''Oh, gods,'' she murmured, leaning back. ''These are dangerous. How are they this good?''

She reached for another, her movements quick and greedy, as if afraid the tray might vanish like the others. Raegar watched the Dark Elf, his amusement deepening into something warmer, quieter. The way her face lit up made the noisy Rest Stop feel distant, like they were the only two people in the room.

He turned to the stall owner, who was already bustling back toward them. ''More of these,' Raegar said, his voice firm but warm as he dropped a handful of gold coins onto the table. ''Keep the sweet ones coming. We're not done yet.''

The owner's eyes gleamed at the coins, and he gave a quick nod. ''Right away, my prince! My wife'll be thrilled, those honey-nut dumplings are her pride and joy.''

He scurried off, already shouting instructions to someone behind the stall. Nivara raised an eyebrow, swallowing another bite. ''More? Rae, you're gonna bankrupt yourself before we even reach Alice's home. Or we'll be too stuffed to climb onto that wyvern.''

''Let me worry about the gold, I have more than enough,'' Raegar replied, snagging another dumpling with a charming smile. ''And as for the wyvern, Marlow's used to carrying heavy loads. A few extra won't faze him, my Aether strengthens him anyway.''

He winked, popping the treat into his mouth and savoring the burst of sweetness. ''Besides, since giving up sake, it's left me with a void to fill. Food's a better vice than ale.''

Nivara laughed, the sound bright, compared to her moody self. ''You're hopeless,'' she said, nudging his arm. ''But I'm not complaining. These are worth every coin.''

She paused, her expression softening as she met his gaze. ''You know, for a noble, you're not half bad at picking dinner spots.''

''High praise my beautiful assassin,'' Raegar said, smirking. ''Stick with me, and I'll show you more than just good dumplings.''

He leaned back, wiping a bit of honey from the corner of his mouth. ''Though I'll admit, these are a strong argument for staying put.''

The owner returned with another tray of sweet dumplings, their golden surfaces shimmering with fresh glaze. He set it down with a proud grin. ''Fresh from the steamer,'' he revealed. ''And I've told the wife to keep more coming. You two look like you're settling in for a feast.''

''Something like that," Nivara said, her voice teasing as she reached for the new tray. She glanced at Raegar, her red eyes sparkling with a mix of challenge and contentment. ''So, what's the plan? Eat until we burst, then roll ourselves to Marlow? Or are you storing these in that ring too?''

Raegar chuckled, shaking his head. ''These stay out,'' he said, gesturing to the fresh tray. "The rest of the world can wait a bit longer. Right now, it's just us, some honey-nut dumplings, and a night that's not half bad.''

He lifted a dumpling in a mock toast, his gaze locking with hers. ''To good company and better food.''

Nivara clinked her chopsticks against his, her smile wide and genuine. ''To surviving dragon fire and chasing sweetness,'' she replied.

As they dove into the new tray, the Rest Stop became a warm hum around them. The Aether lanterns cast a golden glow over their table, and for a moment, the road ahead felt like it could wait. They ate, laughed, and traded stories until some time later, Nivara leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms above her head with a happy sigh.

''Well,'' she said, red eyes glinting. ''You've officially ruined me for any other dumplings. How am I supposed to go back to trail rations after this?''

Raegar grinned. ''That's the plan,'' he teased. ''Keep you hooked on the good stuff so you'll never ditch me.''

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his gaze meeting hers. ''Admit it, I'm spoiling you.''

Nivara snorted, brushing a strand of silver hair from her face. ''Spoiling me? More like trying to fatten me up so Marlow groans under the weight.''

She smirked, but her expression softened as she glanced at the empty trays in front of them. ''Still worth every bite.''

The stall owner approached one last time, his apron now speckled with flour and grease. ''Hope you enjoyed the feast, my prince,'' he said, bowing slightly. ''Safe travels to you and the lady. Come back when you're passing through again, I'll have more of those sweet ones ready.''

Raegar nodded, slipping a few extra coins into the man's hand as he stood. ''You've got a deal,'' he replied. ''Keep that steamer hot for us.''

The owner's eyes lit up at the coins, and he scurried off, already calling out to another customer with renewed energy. Nivara rose, adjusting her cloak and giving the bustling marketplace one last glance. The dessert stall still tempted with its colorful display, but her stomach was pleasantly full, and the road ahead called.

''Come on, prince,'' she said, grabbing his arm. ''If we stay any longer, I'll be eyeing those pastries, and we'll never make it to Alice's home.''

Raegar chuckled, his fingers brushing the silver ring on his hand, ensuring the stored dumplings were secure. "Fair point," he said, stepping away from the table. "Let's get moving before we end up renting a room here for the night.''

Together, they wove through the crowded Rest Stop, dodging a merchant balancing a tray of spiced nuts and sidestepping a group of travelers laughing over mugs of ale. The air grew cooler as they approached the exit, the noise of the marketplace fading behind them. Outside, the night had deepened, the sky a velvet canvas studded with stars.

The fields of flowers they'd passed earlier stretched out in all directions, their colors muted under the moonlight but still swaying gently in the breeze. The stone bridge loomed ahead, its arch a silent sentinel marking the edge of the Rest Stop's warmth.

Nivara paused at the threshold, her gaze lingering on the swinging sign of the inn, then shifting to the barracks across the way. ''This place,'' she said softly, almost to herself. ''It's like a little world of its own. Makes you forget the road for a while.''

Raegar followed her gaze, his expression thoughtful. ''That's what these places do,'' he said. ''Give you a moment to breathe before the world pulls you back in.''

He glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ''But we've got the others waiting. Ready to sleep in a fancy soft bed?''

Nivara met his eyes, her smile returning. ''Ready,'' she said, falling into step beside him. ''But I'm holding you to more stops like this. Dumplings or not, you're not getting rid of me that easily.''

He laughed, the sound carrying into the cool night air as they crossed the stone bridge on the opposite side of the Rest Stop, lights fading behind them. The road stretched out ahead, flanked by endless fields that would take them to Alice's home, where the others were waiting.

For now, though, it was just the two, the crunch of gravel under their boots, and the lingering taste of the meals. Fields of flowers stretched endlessly on either side, their colors now softened to shades of silver and shadow under the deepening twilight. A gentle breeze carried the faint scent of blooms, mingling with the approaching night.

The road ahead wound lazily through the landscape, its path illuminated by the last vestiges of daylight clinging to the horizon. Nivara walked with a light step, her silver hair catching the fading light like a beacon. She hummed a quiet tune, barely audible, eyes scanning the fields with a mix of curiosity and vigilance.

Raegar, a few paces ahead, kept a steady rhythm, his cloak swaying slightly with each step. He pulled out some dumplings and began eating as they walked. As the sky darkened, stars began to prick through the velvet expanse above, and the air turned sharp, nipping at their exposed skin.

The road, once clear in the dusk, now blurred into shadow, the fields merging into an indistinct sea of swaying shapes. Raegar slowed, his sharp red eyes squinting into the darkness ahead. ''This is as good a place as any,'' he said, with the confidence of someone used to the road. ''No sense stumbling around in the dark.''

Nivara stopped beside him, tilting her head. ''Camping already? Thought you'd want to push on a bit longer,'' she teased, though her tone held a trace of approval.

She crossed her arms, her gaze flicking to the fields. ''I'll keep watch while you set up, and we can relax before arriving at Alice's tomorrow morning.''