[He doesn't refute that, but it feels unfair to linger on it. He was treated, he imagines, much better than Himeka, especially after her attempt at escape.

Jaskier blinks in surprise. The admonishment comes so swiftly and so pointedly, his hand goes to his heart as if struck by an arrow] Oh! My apologies! I had no idea you were so gifted in the culinary arts. You can blame Estinien on that one, it's one of your traits he failed to mention.

[He's only throwing him under the horsecart. A little.

Is he going to run out of grapes? Ah, fuck it. If they're here to converse and be comfortable (minus the engagement part), they should be actually comfortable. With a wave of his hand, he summons them a pair of elaborate chairs, large enough to curl up in if needed, and offers hers with a gesture. Ladies first.

A tiny table between them appears, and a line of grapes, like ants crawling up a hill, begin plucking themselves from the vines and nestling into the bowl. Less chance of eating little caterpillars or the sort (yes, he made caterpillars.)] I find that as strange as our reception in the Free Cities. If I know anything of politics [And boy, he does,] they all are intending to use us. I simply cannot believe they are content with us taking their land, their coin, and their time, in exchange for... being citizens.

[He hasn't even been taxed, for gods's sake! That's simply suspicious on its own.]