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The King of Blackmail, Charles Augustus Milverton, aside from his merciless and sadistic nature, was famous for one more thing and it was a rather obscure trait to mention during a conversation. His obsessive love for strawberries. However, no one, not even his most trusted employee, Ruskin knew how this obsession exactly started, when actually, everything began with him. Milverton remembered that afternoon well and the memory always made him smile. He often recalled it on his worst days to comfort himself, though, he didn’t take note of this tendency.
He failed one of his evil plans that day and it made his mood to become insufferably grumpy. Even his own employees were terrified of him when he was like that, his golden eyes glowing in a hellish light like he was really a demon from hell. But this was really for the best - Milverton didn't like anyone around him when he was angry. So he was surprised, really surprised that despite that he was clearly bothered, he still heard a knock on the door of his study. Milverton raised his eyebrows. Who could that be?
"Come in." He said in the end with slight annoyance. The door opened and it was his secretary, a brown-haired young man who peeked inside. Ruskin only recently started to work for him but Milverton didn't expect that he would last long. Secretaries never lasted long in Milverton's service - they couldn't keep up with their boss' tempo and Milverton also had a hard time with developing trust, so his assistants changed often. Milverton didn't even bother with memorizing their names. He didn't understand why his secretary was here when he didn't even get orders to come - and especially when Milverton was in his threatening mood. No one in their right mind should have just dared to come here. What does this young man want? To die? Then he noticed the tray that he was holding in his hands. There was a tea kettle and a slice of cake on it. A strawberry cake. Was this… for him? This confused Milverton even more.
"I apologize for disturbing you, sir." The secretary started talking. "But it is teatime and I thought you would like a cake."
He walked to the table without a sign of fear and put the tray down in front of Milverton. Milverton blinked, the secretary's strange behaviour made him forget about his anger for a moment. He first stared at the cake then he redirected his attention to the young man standing before him. He couldn't read anything from his expression but he was clearly not afraid. Strange, really strange. And he brought him some cake. What for?
"Why?" He couldn't keep himself from asking the question.
"Excuse me, sir?" The secretary looked at him.
"Why did you bring me a cake?"
A wide smile appeared on the man's face.
"Cakes are good for a bad day. And I can see that you are having a bad day, sir." He gently added.
Milverton blinked again. This was not the answer he expected to hear. Why did his secretary care if he had a bad day or not? He should have just stayed away from him instead of making more efforts - but he didn't. He brought him cake to make him feel better.
An unusual warmth flooded Milverton when he realized this. For the first time in his life, he wished that this secretary would not go away. He wanted him to stay, even if he didn't fully understand why. And the cake looked very good, too.
"Ruskin." He suddenly remembered the young man's name. A light blush appeared on Ruskin's cheeks when Milverton first called him like that.
"Sir?"
"Did you make that cake yourself?"
Ruskin's eyes sparkled up.
"Yes, sir. I don't want to brag but I am quite skilled in the kitchen."
"I appreciate this." Milverton picked up his plate and took a bite. "It tastes good."
He didn't feel angry anymore - the cake and even more, Ruskin's gesture finally calmed him down. He licked down the strawberry and let the sweet taste spread in his mouth.
"Ruskin, did you know that strawberries are my favourite food?" He asked playfully. And from that moment, it truly was.