“Welcome, Lady Auros, Miss Gabrielle. It is nice seeing you again and in better circumstances"

Having arrived at the place where they would share a romantic dinner, the couple were greeted by a three-meters-tall, blue-skinned ogre wearing a fine suit and holding a couple of menus that had a fine leather cover.

Furthermore, the ogre seemed to know the couple, judging by his words.

“Oh my, what a surprise. So this is your humble pub, Mister Pol?”

“Ahahaha…I may have downplayed it a bit back at the ball, but for me this will always be the small pub I started with.”

“Umu, that is a commendable mindset to have, Mister Pol. And, if you were wondering, Gabrielle did not fail in delivering your invitation to your establishment.”

“Of course! I never doubted it to be otherwise! I just needed one look to know that she was quite the dependable person.”

“Why, you are going to make me blush, Mister Pol.”

“Hahahaha, I’m simply being honest, Miss Gabrielle. But let us not dwindle here, please, follow me.”

And know them he did, as he was not just one of the ball’s guests who had approached Gabrielle with an invitation to his establishment, but he was also one of the several people that Auros saved from being forcefully teleported by a certain traitor king.

“Honestly, I was waiting for a chance to pay all of you back for what you did back then. Saving us, saving the city, Miss Gabrielle here kicking that Mad Bull’s ass, heh, everything. So, when Miss Jules came to make the reservation, I knew that this was going to be my chance to start with the right foot and like we do in Zenji, I was not going to hold back while doing so.”

With a smile on his face and a tone that showed just how much he liked what he was doing, Mister Pol proceeded to guide the couple through the lively restaurant while saying that, diners greeting him left to right as he did.

Some would tell him that the food was as great as always and were not afraid to recommend some dishes to the couple behind him, that is until they realized who they were and got starstruck.

Meanwhile, others had the opposite reaction, and instead of being starstruck, they were unable to hold themselves back from the very beginning and immediately got up from their tables to thank the couple for their deeds, and among them there were those who had children, children who did not waste any time to go and say hello to their new heroes, hugging them with the innocent love a child has for such figures.

All while the restaurant staff worked in the background, never losing focus, and doing everything they could to ensure every diner had an excellent night in the establishment, showing Auros that it was not just the palace’s staff who were incredible at their jobs.

“And here we are.”

“My…this place is beautiful.”

“Yes, it…certainly is.”

“Hahaha, I’m glad you like it. This place is normally as busy as the base floor, but I did away with the extra tables for tonight since I wanted to provide you with the peace and intimacy you have more than earned.”

Such scenes repeated themselves until they arrived at the place where their table was located, and that place was none other than at the center of the restaurant’s very own roof terrace, which was beautifully decorated with arches covered in flowers that let out a certain warm, yellowish glow, perfectly setting up the mood for an intimate dinner.

“And of course, I personally will be tending to you for the evening, both as your waiter and the chef.”

Not only that, but the terrace was also equipped with its own open kitchen, which would provide the couple with a view of the chef and the food that was being made.

Motioning with his hand to the table, Mister Pol helped the couple take a seat–which they thanked him for–before he pulled out the couple of menus under his arm and asked…

“Now, may I interest you in the menu or would you prefer my recommendation?”

…that in a more formal tone, showing that his work as both waiter and chef had started.

So, Auros motioned at Gabrielle with her hand, telling her to go first, and she obliged.

“Hmmm…I shall leave the choosing to my very wise date.”

Although, not in a way that Auros expected, as she said that with a playful smile.

‘Ohhh, I see how it is, eh. Alright, if you want to play, Gabby, let’s play.’

A smile that Auros answered to with one of her own, holding such thought in her mind before…

“Then, in the words of a dull man who became wise, surprise us.”

…she said that with gusto.

“Hahaha, very well then! Leave it to me!”

And those very words brought a smile to Mister Pol’s face, so much so that he could not help but give a hearty response to Auros before he went to the kitchen, put on his chef jacket, and got to work, immediately bringing the kitchen to life with the many sounds and scents involved in the preparation of the couple’s dinner.

And while that was certainly something worth watching, it could not compare to the vista that opened before Auros.

One that shined under the light of the night sky.

One that filled her eyes with nothing but beauty.

“I will never get tired of this view…”

“My, and here I thought you would be more interested in looking at me.”

“From where I am seated, all I see is you. Perhaps…you are the one not looking at me?”

“…! Uhuhu…oh dear me…this is the second time you have struck my heart like this…”

“Heh…wait, second time? When was the first?”

“That…is a secret.”

“Hooh~~, really? We shall see about that, huhuhu…”

“…! Oh my…as expected of that bolder side of yours, Auros.”

And it was due to that ‘vista’ that such lovely exchange took place, one that took a turn for the daring as Auros smiled playfully in a not-so-innocent manner and leaned forward while she gently caressed Gabrielle’s leg with her exposed right foot, having made her shoe disappear for a moment with her magic.

A move that was more than welcome, judging by Gabrielle’s own not-so-innocent playful expression.

“Sadly…”

“…!”

“…you will need to be bolder if you desire to make this lady confess, hm?”

A move that just as she stated, was not enough. Furthermore, not only did she pay Auros in kind as she said so while leaning forward, but her smile had turned into a fully seductive one by the end of it, making her intentions quite clear and causing Auros’ mind to go haywire in a way that could be reduced to a continuous ‘HNNNNNNGHHHHHHH OJOU-SAMA GOOOOOOD!!’ train of thought.

It was so effective in fact, that Auros even considered jumping at her right then and there, but fortunately she perished the thought immediately, still having some decency in her.

In any case, soon after that, Mister Pol arrived at their table easily carrying a silver tray with their first dishes and a bottle of what would be their drink for the night, which seemed to be quite special since the bottle itself looked majestic.

“I’m sorry if I took too long—”

“My, perish the thought, Mister Pol. It was not too long at all.”

“Hmph, and even if it was, we have been enjoying ourselves so much that such thing is meaningless.”

“…heh, very well. Then, without further ado, here are your first dishes.”

With a smile on his face caused by the couple’s words, Mister Pol went ahead and proceeded to put the first plate down on Auros’ side the table.

“First, we have Pale Treeshen filets for Lady Auros.”

The dish consisted of four round and thinly sliced white filets bathed in a special kind of dressing oil with a mix of grounded herbs, making it look quite a lot like a carpaccio.

“Hooh~~, how curious…”

Still, the moment Auros saw such dish she was both surprised and very, very interested, as the name of the main ingredient and the very clear ripple in each of the filets implied that they came from something that should not produce meat.

A tree.

Noticing this, Mister Pol laughed softly before he explained his reasoning behind his choice for Auros’ dish.

“I’ve heard from my fellow peers that you enjoy meat and vegetables equally, so I thought you might also enjoy one of the best representatives of the group that lies in the middle, the Platial’s Pale Treeshen. It being quite the common sight in the general region of Zenji and some regions of the Empire, it’s noted to have a great versatility as an ingredient, and believe me when I say this, it is absolutely delicious no matter if you cook it or not.  Back home we even have a saying that goes ‘no one is a bad cook when it comes to the Pale Treeshen’, hehe. Still, I hope you enjoy it, Lady Auros.”

“Oh, judging by the smell I sure shall.”

“And for Miss Gabrielle we have…”

Being pleased by Auros’ words and her clear eagerness, Mister Pol nodded happily before turning to Gabrielle and placing the plate containing her first dish on her side of the table.

“Oh my…”

A dish that immediately brought out a reaction from her as he did.

“…Sea Serpentaquila tartar, whose soft flavor–complemented by the juice of the citric Parpla fruit–I believe should be to your liking. And it should also serve as a great example of this kingdom’s fishing region gastronomy. Believe me, the people over there go to great lengths to get their delicious ingredients, no matter if that means fighting a flying sea serpent. I could even say that they give my home country’s fishermen a run for their money, ahahaha!”

“Uhuhu…I think I can imagine that quite clearly.”

Just like he did with Auros, he then explained the reasoning behind his choice, which this time had him taking Gabrielle’s and Auros’ cover story of being people from a hidden country into account, completely unaware that she was actually quite familiarized with such region and its dishes, not only because she had been a citizen of the Kingdom, but because that region was none other than the home of one of her best friends.

The strongest Maid Knight in terms of brute strength, Kris.

As for the dish itself, it was just as Mister Pol had said, a tartar, one made up of a near transparent meat marinated in a mix of water, Arte’s equivalent of vinegar, and shallots, along with some herbs and seasoned with a special citric sauce. Regarding its presentation, it was set up in a cylindrical manner with a slice of the Parpla fruit carefully placed beside it, giving the dish quite the fresh look.

“As for the drinks…”

*fwiiish* *tink*

And right after he was done with his explanation, Mister Pol grabbed the two glass cups that were on his tray and put them on the table before grabbing the majestic bottle that was also on the tray, easily uncorking it with his finger–a feat of precise strength on itself–and pouring its contents into said glass cups with the grace of someone experienced in serving wine.

“…the best wine we have, Evermillion Fruit Wine.”

“Goodness gracious…is this truly alright?

“…?”

Realizing what kind of drink it was, and being honestly surprised by it, Gabrielle asked that in disbelief while Auros slightly tilted her head in curiosity, for it was the contrary in her case, she knew nothing about such drink.

“Hahaha, yes, of course! I did say that I was going all out, right? This is just part of that. Now, please, enjoy. Your main dish will be done shortly.”

With that, Mister Pol retreated to the terrace’s kitchen, leaving the couple alone to eat their food, which of course they began to do.

“This is…”

‘…strange, but in a good way, it has the texture of the jicama but instead of being hard, it’s soft. At least, in a meaty kind of way and it tastes fresh, like it literally gives you an effect similar to that of mint but with a pinch of saltiness. And that must come from the dressing oil mixed with herbs that Mister Pol used, which is not heavy at all, it’s more like it complements…mm…no, that is not the right word…it melds, yes, melds well with the filets’ juices. Like…really well. I gotta give some to Gabby, I think she’ll like this…’

“…!”

As Auros prepared to feed Gabrielle one of the filets she had found strangely delicious and raised her gaze from her plate, she was surprised not only by a smiling Gabrielle already leaning forward, ready to do just that with her own food, but also because it was clear she had been waiting–and joyfully watching–while Auros enjoyed her first taste of such dish, which made her blush.

“Uhuhu…you were so focused with that filet that you did not notice me moving.”

“I…”

“Shush now. Open wide.”

“…aaa…”

Auros obliged, sheepishly and unable to say anything back to Gabrielle, as she was completely and utterly right. Soon enough, the Sea Serpentaquila tartar filled Auros’ mouth along with its taste.

‘So embarrassing…while I did detect her, I indeed was paying far more attention to the food and she is looking at me again! AND OF COURSE, I IMMEDIATELY LOOK AWAY LIKE A BLOODY EMBARRASSED TSUNDERE! AHHH!! I WANT TO SMASH MY HEAD ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW! MAYBE THAT WAY I’LL STOP BEING THIS WAY!!! Ok…ok…calm down me…focus on the food…focus on the fact that while they share names, this tartar is nothing like the one from earth. Why? Because once you start chomping down on the meat, it literally turns into a mellow sort of broth, which then enhances the bittersweetness of the jui—'

“So…how was it, Auros?”

“…!”

‘I…did it again…didn’t I? Yes, I did…and she clearly knows it! Just look at her smile! L-let’s just…let’s just answer her question…’

“*ahem*…it was good. Like mine, it is a perfect dish to open one’s appetite with how light it is.”

“Oh? Then, may I?”

“Hm? Ah! Of course!”

With that, Gabrielle gracefully opened her mouth and was fed by Auros, who was finally able to recover as she watched her date happily eat the filet, which in turn made her smile sweetly.

‘Ahh…she really likes to keep me on my toes but man, I really am lucky…’

Such were her thoughts as her eyes never left her date, the eyes of someone truly in love with the person before her.

And that is how they spent the rest of their time with their first dishes, talking, laughing, and sharing their food with one another until the wine was the only thing left.

But that was not bad, not bad at all.

On the contrary, it was good.

It was...an opportunity.

After all, what is more romantic than sharing a glass of wine with someone you love? Even more so, when such wine is as magical as the night was shaping up to be.

Indeed, for the wine that had started as red in color and tame in taste slowly changed in both respects as the couple took their first sip, turning yellow in color and more bodied in taste.

“Hooh~, now this is quite the interesting drink, isn’t it? I could even say that I have never tasted a wine like this before.”

‘And I mean it! There’s obviously nothing like this back on Earth! Well, I never drank wine back then…but who cares?! A wine changing its taste with every sip one takes sounds crazy, even bad, but just like the tea from before…it just works! The flavors flow seamlessly to the next in a way that is…ahhh so good!! Although, it might give a heart attack to some wine enthusiasts from over there. Then again, it’s isekai wine! And in a world like Arte, magic was sure to seep into it! So deal with it!’

Auros’ reactions to it were the expected ones, as she once again found something more to love and be amazed about the world that she found herself in, a thing that indeed could only be offered by such a magical world.

“Uhuhu, I wholeheartedly agree. Evermillion Fruit Wine is not something that one is able to drink every other day. Why, I can even say that this is my second time ever drinking it and it is as good as I remember it to be. And I am not as enthusiastic about wine as Evangeline.”

Meanwhile, Gabrielle’s were not, as she surprised Auros with such declaration, so much so that she could not help but ask her the following question:

“Is this truly your second time to ever drink it?”

“My, is it so difficult to believe? Even with my shared past with the others, it is not as if we had many chances to enjoy a luxury amongst luxuries like this one.”

“Luxury amongst luxuries…interesting…then, let me ask you another thing. How difficult to obtain is this wine?”

“Hm? I would say that it is very difficult, Auros, as the Evermillion Fruit is quite hard to cultivate, making the wine from it very rar—! Auros you…! Oh goodness! You…! Ohohohoho!!”

And it was then, as Gabrielle was stating how difficult it was to obtain the Evermillion Fruit Wine, that Auros made a smile, one that clearly meant ‘well, not anymore’, something Gabrielle immediately picked up on, stopping in her tracks, and becoming flustered at the absurdity of it, but never doubting it because she knew that the woman before her was not kidding.

She had already seen her use her power to will ingredients and even prepared foods into existence back in the castle that is their home, so there was no reason for her to not be able to do the same with what was arguably one of the most difficult to obtain wines in Arte.

“Ohohohoho…if…ohoho…if Evangeline hears this, Auros, she will probably faint on the spot. Ohohohoho!”

“Huhuhu, then it shall be our secret until the next time she is rewarded.”

"Oh my...I wonder what the feat shall be to match the reward."

"Well, we shall see what the future holds."

"In more ways than one, I hope."

“Then let us toast to that, Gabby. And also…to a better future.”

“Why, yes, to a better future.”

*clink*

Thus, with such a hopeful toast serving as the perfect first dish for the heart, they kept enjoying themselves and the romantic dinner that Mister Pol provided to them.

A dinner that included a ‘made to share’ main dish, whose main ingredient reacted in a very particular manner when infused with the mana of people in love, making the saying ‘the best seasoning is love’ something very literal.

A dinner that truly surprised Auros with the dessert, for she thought that she was going to enjoy yet another type of fantastical sweet, but that was not the case as she was greeted by a traditional sweet of the Demonic Kingdom of Zenji, one that was as spicy as it was sweet, and it was very, very sweet.

Of course, just like with all the other stops they made in their date, the time for them to move on came unexpectedly fast, but they at least did so very satisfied and bearing tasty gifts for everyone else back at the castle, all courtesy of Mister Pol–who had them made while the couple enjoyed their dinner–and immediately delivered via Auros’ spatial magic.

And so, with a stomach full and a smile on their faces, Gabrielle and Auros did as they had planned and took a nightly stroll through the streets of the kingdom, aiming to reach the very gardens they had visited at the start of their little ‘tour’.

As they did though, Auros could not help but notice that they were not the only the couple doing such thing, with many other pairs and more enjoying a lovely walk under the night sky, holding hands, locking arms, flying together, carrying the other, and so on, and so forth.

Truly, love was in the air.

And it was then that something suddenly appeared in her mind, a little yet insidious thought that made her…

“Haha…”

“What?”

…laugh while shaking her head, which of course piqued Gabrielle’s curiosity and prompted her to ask that.

“Oh, it’s nothing, Gabby.”

“My, it’s clear that it is not nothing, Auros. Come on, tell me.”

“It’s…hmm…how do I say it…I was thinking about love.”

“Oh me, oh my, the fearsome Nightmare of the Dragon Lords is thinking about love? Why, this makes me even more interested, uhuhu.”

“Ahaha…stop it, you beautiful spring maiden…”

Sharing a giggle with each other, a slightly embarrassed Auros interlocked fingers with Gabrielle and pulled her before continuing.

“…it’s just that where I come from there is this idea that relationships, that love, has a certain order, a certain set of steps that must be followed and if one doesn’t, then it is not normal, it is rushed, and maybe even not ‘real’.”

“My, my, and judging by those words, you did not follow them.”

“Exactly, but I immediately realized how dumb that idea was, seeing how happy I am and have been ever since I came to this place, and that is despite not having followed them in that order.”

“And what are those steps, pray tell? They must be quite effective if they managed to put all that is love in such a box.”

“Well, I suppose those steps involve going through many misunderstandings, many failed and interrupted attempts at confessing one’s feelings, outings where neither of the two are able to communicate or one fails at making the other realize what they feel. Thus, staying stuck in that sort of repetitive limbo until an axe comes to take them out of it or a natural end to that phase does. Then and only then the relationship is allowed to advance to the next step, from the kiss to the rest.”

“Goodness…that sounds so sad and painful…why waste so much time? Do they not realize that life is fleeting? That monsters, dragons, or even a magical catastrophe could take it at any time? That they might lose their loved one when they least expect it? If even one of them is so sure about their love, then why not try and communicate it clearly? Why not try again right after being interrupted? Why stay in that Limbo? I do not understand…”

Gabrielle’s voice never wavered as she talked in a tone that came from the bottom of her heart, she meant every word she said and every word she was about to say.

“…being stuck in place where you are not able to be true to yourself nor your feelings, your love…that is not living…”

“True…I cannot imagine that night when we shared our feelings going any other way, much less going according to those steps…”

“Of course not! Even if we ignore everything else, we are warriors who have accepted to risk their lives fighting against the enemies of the world. Doing something as foolish as not being clear with one’s own feelings in the now is unthinkable. After all…there is no assurance that our next mission might not be the last…for either of us…”

In that moment, being halfway to the gardens, Gabrielle stopped and moved right in front of Auros after letting go of her hand.

Doing so to…

“That is why I will never stop saying this. Even if I may not know the truest way to go about love, I do know this to be true, I love you Auros Argento and that is not going to change."

…declare that with such confidence, such genuineness, such pure, honest, love, that nothing but Gabrielle occupied Auros’ senses, as if they were the only inhabitants of the world in that ephemeral moment and of course, Auros could only do one thing when faced with such strong sentiment.

*kiss*

She took a step forward and kissed her.

She kissed her for a moment that felt like forever for both of them.

She kissed her while both held each other tightly.

She kissed her and then…

"And I love you too, Gabrielle Eryn. And I will keep loving you even after our story ends.”

…she declared that before they resumed their kiss.

“Hmn…”

“Nnh…”

Or kisses…as the warmth of romance gave way to the fire of passion and rather than continuing their stroll towards the gardens, Auros carried Gabrielle into the empty alley that was on their right while still kissing each other, for that was the perfect place to summon a [Door] and go through it with little to no detection.

And go through they did.

Thus, while their night in the kingdom had ended, their night together was just starting, and that made the one behind the heavens rejoice and celebrate, painting the moon golden…just like her eyes.

 

To be concluded…(cue illustration of Auros’ and Gabrielle’s hopeful toast!) (NEXT UP: HANDHOLDING! GLORIOUS, WHOLESOME, AND VERY PURE HANDHOLDING!)

Totally not canon omakes!!

1# An unexpected out of character response:

“Well, I suppose those steps involve going through many misunderstandings, many failed attempts at confessing one’s feelings, outings where neither of the two are able to communicate or one fails at making the other realize what they feel, staying stuck in that sort of repetitive limbo until an axe comes to take them out of it or a natural end to that phase does. Then and only then the relationship is allowed to advance to the next step, from the kiss to the rest.”

“What a load of bullcrap.”

“Eh?!”

 

#2 Cheesy Auros is Cheesy:

“Now, now, from where I am seated you are the view, and the view is breathtaking.”

“Oh my, I knew you were brave, Auros, but to use such a line… Why, that takes bravery to a whole other level.”

“Eh?!”

 

#3 Totally out character Gabrielle cheese:

“My, are you a thief? Because you have taken those words out of my mouth.”

*sudden Kris appears suddenly*

“Gabrielle, the mil cheese farm sent a letter, they say you need to give them back all their cheese. AHAHAHAHA!!”

*runs away laughing*

“You…! GET BACK HERE YOUU MUSCLEHEAD!!”