At the breakfast table, Casius was his usual hungry self. Defeating demons always created a hunger within him. Evelyn was seated opposite him as he told her of his exploits that morning, making sure to leave out the more intimate details so as not to embarrass the young woman. "You are so brave Casius, and yet another young woman is safe because of your deeds. Is the lady here also?"
"Yes she will be down... ah here she is now." He stood and took the offered hand as he turned to Evelyn. "May I present the Lady Meridiana. Meridiana, this is the Lady Evelyn. Now please sit for breakfast. It is simple fayre, but all the better for your recent ordeal."
"Thank you Casius, and good morning to you Evelyn. It is a pleasure to meet you at last, as Casius talked about little else on our walk back to this castle." Evelyn blushed and looked down. Very pleased with herself that she had had such an impact on the man. But being mindful of her dream the night before, it was evident that he had had a profound impact on her too.
"It seems that we both have much to thank Casius for Meridiana? I understand that he rescued you too from the clutches of an evil demon? Was the ordeal terrible?"
"It was, and more besides, too delicate to be raised at the food table, but enough to say," she looked directly at Evelyn. "It was chivalrous of Casius to help me back into all of my clothes before someone else had seen more of me than I would have wanted."
"Why you were fully naked? But Casius did not say." Evelyn was immediately tinged with jealousy at Casius having seen this woman completely naked. Though she realised this was irrational, she could not help herself.
Casius responded, "I left out the details that I thought might upset you Evelyn. As the demon had done much in his depravity. Much to demean, torture and torment Diana. Such things you do not need to hear. Particularly after you own ordeal."
Evelyn nodded, accepting what he said, and looked down at her food. She found herself blushing terribly under his gaze and could not get the thought out of her head that she had dreamt of him entering her room naked, and how she had allowed him to touch and fondle her breasts. The burning in her lower stomach started again, she was beginning to understand just what it meant.
"So ladies," Casius continued. "I am off to Court today, as the King has demanded an audience. I will be leaving shortly and will not return until nightfall as the journey is some leagues. Though you both have something in common, I would suggest that you do not discuss your experience in case it does upset. However, if you feel you can, often sharing these traumatic things can make you feel better. And talking to a woman is usually better than speaking with an unsympathetic man."