CHAPTER 22 MARAI'S LOSS

Marai took it and tasted a bite, then she smiled. "Thank you, Xander, it's delicious. You judge gives you nine point nine over ten,” she said smiling. At this moment, Erin also returned from the forest outside, picking some fruits and handing them to Marai after cleaning them in the creek. "Dear Marai, try these. I picked the ripest ones; they must be sweet." “Hmm, let’s see,” Marai said lazily as she picked up a fruit and took a bite with a smile, chewed for a moment, then paused. "How is it? Tasty?" Xander glanced at Marai, his smile meaningful as he looked at Erin. "Very sweet, thank you, Erin," Marai smiled, cutting the fruit in half with a knife and handing the intact half to Erin to eat from it too. Without much thought, Erin took it, giving Xander a triumphant look. "Marai's so good to me, giving me delicious treats." Erin said purposefully looking at Xander. "Aren't you going to eat?" Noel asked lightly while grilling fish. "If anyone should Miss Marai, that would be