He laughed lightly at her obvious concern for his feelings. "I appreciate it," he told her, still crouched ever so close. "I can handle being giggled at now and then, especially when I say something silly. I know I'm not the most well-rounded person out there, so I expect to put my foot in my mouth now and then." He grinned. "But if you would like to learn, I'd be happy to show you anytime. Maybe the next night I catch something."

He settled down and resumed watching her, his warm eyes carefully flicking between her face and the cooking she did. He wanted to learn it all.

"Sounds good to me," he agreed. "You can teach me what spices are good for what, and maybe we can make some more interesting meals. I'm afraid what I'm used to making isn't exactly glamorous." As soon as he said it he had a sudden realization: he was dragging a princess through the woods, on a single horse, and making her cook. Somewhere along the way, he'd forgotten her royalty somehow and begun to see her as just an ordinary woman.
"Sorry," he murmured glumly. "I know all this is a lot less than you're used to."