We held tightly onto each other as the crowd relentlessly came at us.

Then, in the midst of the chaos, a voice pierced through the ruckus.

“Oh my goodness! Look at how tightly they're holding onto each other! It's as though I've witnessed a romance novel scene being acted out in front of me, how romantic!”

Excuse me?

Lev and I glanced at each other, puzzled by the woman’s comment.

Romantic?

This?

Us?

Where?

How does one look at this chaotic mess and go ‘Oh, how romantic!’ exactly? Apparently two people trying not to get mobbed is a romantic scene now, I wonder what new romance novel this came out from.

But of course, as soon as the woman made that comment the artists took a step back and sketched away, while the journalists scribbled down notes, afraid they'd forget details.

Without letting go of me, Lev addressed the crowd.

“Would you all kindly take a few steps back? At this rate, you’re going to smush us flat.”

The crowd took a few steps back finally giving us room to breathe.

“Much better,” said Lev, “Now if you all would give us room, we really need to go. My fiancée and I have already made plans for tonight. So, please excuse us and enjoy your evening.”

“FIANCÉE?!”

The crowd shouted in unison. Isn’t it funny how a one word alone is enough to send high society and the entertainment industry into a frenzy.

Per usual, I acted casually like nothing fazes me, and gave the crowd my business smile as they continued to bombard us with questions as we walked away.

Some questions they were asking also had such obvious answers, why’d they even bother asking it in the first place? Others were alright I guess, but though I knew the answers I wasn’t exactly sure how to say it or if I even should answer them in the firstplace.

“Young Master Lev, does this mean you're engaged to the sister of the woman you were in love with?”

Obviously, yes.

“When did your relationship begin, Young Miss Yvette?”

Yesterday.

"Was politics involved in this engagement? When’s the wedding?"

Absolutely.

Lev didn’t so much as bat an eye towards the crowd after he addressed them and swiftly led me towards the carriage.

We climbed in but the crowd was still chasing after us. The noise outside was bothersome but inside the carriage Lev barely even glanced up, already absorbed in the work files I had no idea he brought along.

Bringing work to your first date with your fiancée, how romantic.

“Persistent, aren’t they?” I said, breaking the silence, “The reporters, I mean.”

I waited for a reply, a nod or a simple sound of agreement or disagreement would have sufficed but Lev didn’t respond. His focus and attention were locked onto whatever those files were.

I just turned my head towards the window and watched the busy streets and the city lights blur past us.

Lev and I agreed to this arrangement, this relationship, of our own volition. We made this decision for the sake of our families, our territories, and our people who were dependent on our families’ coming together. We both knew that this was far from anything romantic, especially with his feelings for my older sister.

I understood all of that rationally.

But I guess I still am a naive and childish little girl at heart.

Part of me, the hopeless romantic and romance novel fan part, had wanted something more for tonight.

This is my first relationship, and my first date.

I guess it was too much to ask for a romantic evening that would make my heart race just like those scenes in the romance novels I grew up reading.

Who am I kidding? Of course it was. That was just the naive, teenaged part of me talking. It would appear I still had some growing up to do.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

I didn’t press on making small talk. If he didn’t want to start a conversation with me, why should I bother wasting my breath to start one?

I sat quietly and gazed at the scenery outside and after twenty minutes of peace and quiet the carriage pulled up in a familiar place.

The restaurant that is known for its modern twists on classic Vreqiseon cuisine, Highlands.

You have got to be kidding me…

“I had my attendant reserve a table for us while we were at the theater,” he said, helping me down from the carriage and looking up at the grand entrance of the restaurant.

“I had my attendant reserve a table for us while we were at the theater. I’ve been told you’ve frequented this place with your family. I haven’t actually been here before, but I’ve heard good things about this place. The food here is probably good if the Oryxes like to dine here despite having a restaurant of their own. So, I’m looking forward to dinner.”

Unfortunately, I’m not looking forward to dinner at all now that I found out where we’re eating!

I’m usually not a picky eater, and as someone that has tasted Nacht’s horrendous cooking that is saying something, but I really don’t like this restaurant’s food at all.

Highlands wasn’t exactly my idea of a great dining experience. It’s a famous place, gaining more popularity after Yvonne made it known that this was her favorite restaurant, but I just can’t understand the fanfare on it and that’s not because of Yvonne’s love for the place, I’m not that petty, but it’s the food itself that bothered me and my tastebuds.

Their “modern” takes on Vreqiseon classics weren’t just twists; they were unrecognizable. That, and the taste… Well, I wasn’t a fan.

Despite my disappointment, I just bit my tongue and smiled. What can I do at this point? We were already here and I wouldn’t want to waste his attendant’s hard work. I’ll just ask Yvon to cook me something once we’re at the headquarters later.

♡

Lev and I were guided towards our seats by a waiter who looked visibly confused seeing the two of us together and in clothes which complimented each other.

Props to the guy for remaining professional despite his confusion.

He reserved the private balcony with the riverside view, my favorite place in this restaurant.

As I sat down, I took a glance at the view. The shimmering water reflected the soft glow of the lanterns that hung on the gondolas. Children who were riding them with their parents waved at me with a cheery smile on their faces.

The scene was so serene and peaceful. Honestly, it was likely that this would be the only thing about this dinner I would enjoy given that my date was still busy sticking his nose into work which was admirable in its own way.

The quiet elegance of the scene helped take my mind off the subpar meal that I knew was coming.

I focused my attention towards the gentle flow of the gondolas. Some were rode by families but most of them were couples having a romantic date on the water. The night’s breeze was cool as it touched my skin, a welcome distraction.

“I didn’t think you were the quiet type.”

Lev’s voice broke through the peaceful silence. I didn’t even notice he was looking up, away from his files.

Though I heard him, I didn’t bother to turn to him. The serene scene in front of me was relaxing.

“I’m not,” I replied, “But I’m not one to initiate conversation either.”

“Is that so?” He said, “I'm curious, is it fun to watch people ride gondolas?”

“Not really,” I answered, “But the serenity of the scene is beautiful. It passes the time.”

From my peripheral vision, I saw him raise an eyebrow as though he was confused about something I said.

“Why would you want something to pass the time when you're on a date?”

I finally turned to face him, meeting his gaze.

“Well, it just so happens that my date is currently preoccupied and I didn’t want to bother him.”

Realizing what I had just said he looked at me with the same expression Yvon had when he realized he missed my first *claviros recital.

(Claviros - a large, stately instrument with a sleek, metallic body, constructed from a polished alloy and rare wood.)

“I… apologize. I did you a discourtesy,” Lev said sincerely.

“It’s alright,” I shrugged. “I get it. I get engrossed in my work, too, so I know what it's like to zone out.”

“It’s rare for me to have company during dinner. And when I do, it’s usually with family or colleagues, and we’re all so busy that we end up bringing work with us. It should've been common sense for me that not everyone would be alright with my habits, I'm sorry.”

I glanced away and caught sight of a family happily laughing. Their laughter and smiles stirred something inside of me, how nice would it be to have such a happy family outing like that? One that isn’t masked with deception and fear, only bliss.

“I suggest cutting the habit of bringing work with you when you are outside for non-work related purposes. Some people might not mind it but others might.”

“What about you?” He asked. “Do you mind?”

“I do, actually,” I answered. “You’re the one who disrupted my schedule by asking me out for dinner so I would mind it if you ignore me and act like I’m not even here. But I don’t mind it enough to ask you to stop.”

Confused, Lev furrowed his brows.

“And why is that?”

“Because I think it’d be better for us to have a quiet dinner rather than forcing a conversation. Besides,” I said as I leaned back and grabbed a glass of water, “We aren’t close. We’re not well-acquainted enough for me to complain about your habits. Wouldn’t it be best if we keep our relationship amicable? I am spending the rest of my life with you after all. And I’d rather not be labelled a whinny woman. I already have one to many bad labels I’m afraid.”

Lev chuckled, sounding amused.

“How considerate of you. I didn’t expect that from one of Oryx’s famed troublemakers.”

I snickered, “What? Did you expect me to kick up a fuss too?”

He raised his eyebrows, intrigued.

“Too?”

Instead of answering, I simply smiled and took a slow sip from the glass of water in my hands.

Lev watched me for a moment longer before he tucked away his files.

“It takes two people to make a relationship work,” he said, his tone softened. “So I should put effort into making this, us, work like you are.”

Curious to see where he was going with this, I didn’t interrupt what he was saying.

“How about we use this dinner to get to know each other better and discuss the important matters between us?”

I let a smile form on my lips.

“Sounds good to me.”