Wine.
While it was an Italian specialty, Esme had grown up smelling the scent of wine on her mother's lips after a long night. She had tasted it once as a child when Miss Lana wanted to get her to bed without question. She had gotten yelled at for having fed a child alcohol, yet it had done the trick without a doubt. Of course, she hadn't been allowed to have it again until she was older. Until she was 18, which was an awful long time to make someone wait when you have it beside nearly each and every dinner. Her mother said she had to abide by the law she had made a point to change while she was in office.
She paused and watched as he poured her glass with the wine before passing it towards her, gently placing it beside her plate. She smiled and lifted it gracefully towards her lips, enjoying the flavor that it had to offer alongside the meal. As she took her sip, her eyes lit up once more, her lips tugging upwards, "That as well. That must be one of the best I've ever had." She praised, her eyes lighting up, "Though... I suppose that they do say that everything tastes better alongside good company." She giggled, glad to enjoy such a lovely meal with someone as kind as him.
"I--" Esme paused and looked down towards her lap, hesitantly noticing that she had slipped into her normal behavior without even meaning to. "Yes.." She smiled softly and looking down, "When I was child, my mother required I go through a quite strict finishing school." She admitted, her gaze softening on the napkin. "The teacher though... she was quite a strict lady." She smile and lifted a bite of potatoes to her lips before speaking once more. "She would lash me on the backs of my knees and calves each time I forgot. I suppose... after enough lashings I started doing it without even thinking about it."
She smiled softly, though for a moment it looked just a bit sad. For the most part, practices such as lashing students was entirely outdated. Yet it seemed that it still existed in some places. Esme was quite aware of it, after all, the finishing school she attended quite thoroughly believed in it and as a surprisingly unruly student, she had often been the recipient of such harshness.
Her attention shifted as he praised her, eyes lighting up as he admitted that she had a decent job. After all, the English weren't exactly known for knowing how to season things well. They were known as a rather bland country in regards to food after all. Still, she thought his chicken was wonderfully seasoned. Of course, her cheeks reddened at his second comment, "Is that so?" She laughed, rolling her eyes at him claiming she didn't deserve a spanking.
"I...I know." She looked down, her gaze shifting away from him once more. "I didn't mind...just... caught me off guard a bit." She smiled sweetly, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear. While she was clearly shy, she was surprisingly comfortable with the fact that he had touched her in such a way. Perhaps... it even excited her in a way that she did not entirely understand. In a way she may not entirely admit just yet. She paused and lifted her drink to her lip, taking a rather large swig of her drink before glancing back towards him, her cheeks a soft shade of pink. "I know you won't hurt me." She admitted before lifting her fork to her lips once more.
@SebXDragon