CHAPTER 288: WARM AND FUZZY

Raegar and Dahlia walked through the market, not buying anything apart from some chocolate that he spotted at the end of the street. A smile appeared on his face as he pointed it out. ’’Do you want a sweet treat, Dahlia?’’

’’Yes please!’’ she exclaimed. ’’The staff told me about it, but I’ve never had the chance to try it.’’

After hearing that, he gently guided the older woman toward it, taking her soft hand. This put a smile on the empress’s face as they joined the line of people. While standing there, Dahlia looked at him, hugging his arm tight. ’’Thanks for this, Rae. It’s nice not to get noticed when out and about.’’

’’That’s okay, I prefer it this way, I hate the limelight and will avoid it at any cost.’’

The brunette giggled at his words and began to tease him. ’’You won’t run away from the ball, will you? It’s tomorrow night, and everyone has already agreed to come.’’

Raegar chuckled at this and honestly answered. ’’No. I want people to know you’re my woman. Why hide it anymore? Especially if you come to visit me at school, it will send the headmistress into a fuss.’’

Dahlia laughed even more; the noise was like music to his ears. ’’Yes, I will be coming, but more discreet than you’re thinking,’’ she said.

Following that, the two continued chatting while the line started to thin out until they arrived at the front, where the couple was greeted by a cheerful older woman, a bright smile crossing her weathered face. ’’How can I help you, young ones? Out on a date, it seems?’’ she said, eyeing their arms.

’’We are,’’ the brunette replied for them.

’’Well then, how about two of the favorites?’’ the owner offered, beaming. ’’Some of my best, if I may say so, and you both will love it.’’

’’Okay then,’’ Dahlia said.

After that, the older woman went to work, scooping up a pink-looking ice cream before sprinkling chocolate over it. She stuck a wooden spoon into it and handed it to Raegar. ’’Here we go, sweetie, this flavor is Strawberry with chocolate sprinkles.’’

’’Thank you,’’ he responded, taking the ice cream.

They watched the owner bring out a blue one, this time with white chocolate on it, surprising Raegar once again. He wondered if someone else from Earth had appeared here and introduced it, but didn’t care as Dahlia revealed her one. ’’This is the famous blueberry ice cream, my friends told me about it.’’

’’That’s right, young lady,’’ the woman beamed. ’’I thought you’d like it, now that will be forty silver coins, it’s expensive, but everything’s fresh,’’

Raegar handed her a handful of gold coins, ordering. ’’Give me four of everything.’’

When the owner heard this, her eyes bulged before she introduced herself. ’’I’m Marie, it would be a pleasure to do that much, but I have others I need to serve.’’

Marie glanced around, continuing. ’’I can do two, but you’ll have to wait for my daughter to arrive; she’ll help me.’’

’’No problem,’’ Raegar replied. ’’We’ll eat our food over there and just call out to us when it’s done.’’

The older woman nodded and got to work serving the people behind while putting together their stuff. When walking away, Dahlia looked at him through amused amber eyes. ’’What was that about? We don’t have that many sweet treats.’’

’’I know, but it’s for the others and us later,’’ he revealed.

Her face lit up as she added. ’’Yes, I do get hungry at night. Some chocolate or ice cream will fill that emptiness.’’

Raegar blinked in surprise, then broke into a warm, unrestrained laugh that echoed softly against the trickling sound of the fountain beside them. The evening sky above had shifted into a breathtaking scene, brilliant pinks melting into streaks of orange that clung to the horizon like fire at the edge of the world.

Settling back on the cool stone ledge, he took his first bite of the strawberry treat in his hands. The sweetness burst across his tongue, vivid and refreshing, and he closed his eyes for a moment to savor it fully. Each mouthful seemed to carry with it the joy of the moment as if time itself had slowed to let him relish every second.

While eating, Raegar looked at the empress and curiously asked. ’’Why did you want to be with me? A man many years younger than you.’’

Dahlia didn’t reply straight away but asked. ’’Do you know what Aether does to the body when it resonates with another?’’

’’Makes you feel warm and fuzzy?’’

The older woman nodded. ’’Yes, ever since I saw you enter Drakenwood, I wanted to get to know you. It was like my Aether spoke to yours, and it answered,’’ she said truthfully.

Raegar’s blue eyes widened as she continued. ’’Then I watched you, yes, it’s creepy, but taking this chance was important to me. After all, father has said I should find a good man and leaked it to the nobles who have been bothering me with marriage offers.’’

They started laughing, he shook his head and replied, curious. ’’So what made you choose me?’’

’’The way you’re with the girls and family,’’ she expressed. ’’Then it was keeping your father’s name even though the Vaelthorne one is famous across Dawnfire.’’

’’I understand and have loved getting to know you so far,’’ Raegar said. ’’I hope that we still get on like this in ten years.’’

Dahlia’s smile bloomed, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she paused, ice cream forgotten, and leaned in to brush a soft kiss on his cheek. A shiver raced down his spine, and her gentle giggle at his reaction warmed the air between them. They resumed eating, savoring each bite until their cones were empty.

Settling back, they watched the world drift by, their conversation flowing effortlessly from the mundane to the profound. Passersby couldn’t help but notice the easy, magnetic connection that radiated between them. By the time an hour had passed, Maria called them over with a big smile.

’’Your order is done, young man,’’ she informed, looking exhausted.

’’Thank you for that,’’ Dahlia was the one to thank the stall owner.

Following that, Raegar threw the food into his storage before walking down Main Street as the empress commented. ’’Where do you want to go, handsome?’’

’’Let’s go check out the port,’’ he replied. ’’I heard it’s the biggest in the empire.’’

The older woman giggled and nodded in agreement. ’’Yes, it is, I had it expanded when trade with the other continents ramped up. It’s bringing in so much gold that we’re able to invest in other areas.’’

Raegar was amazed as Dahlia continued telling him apart Dawnfire’s biggest port, where thousands of people and tons of goods passed through. While walking, he sensed several people trailing them from the rooftops above. His eyes narrowed, but the brunette glanced at him.

’’They are my protectors,’’ she revealed. ’’My father gave them a lifelong mission to watch over me, and they take their job seriously.’’

Just then, Arthur and the Black Knight appeared beside the duo, causing Dahlia to jump back with wide eyes as they faded away. Raegar chuckled as he revealed, a cheeky smile crossing his face. ’’I have these and five hundred more where that comes from.’’

With a click of his fingers, the Fusion Knights vanished back into his core, surprising the surrounding people. The older woman grabbed his arm once again, giggling. ’’I know you have them, how could I forget who you are?’’

As they ventured deeper into the bustling heart of the city, Raegar and Dahlia wove their way through throngs of people hurrying to their daily routines, some rushing to workplaces, others loaded with bags from the markets. The air buzzed with the clamor of footsteps, the calls of street vendors, and the occasional clatter of horse-drawn carts.

Eventually, their path led them to the tranquil banks of the river that wound like a silver ribbon through the city’s core. The water shimmered under the setting sun, reflecting the silhouettes of ships gliding past, some with sails taut, others propelled by oarsmen in rhythmic motion.

Raegar’s eyes lingered on the vessels, his curiosity piqued by their varied designs: sleek, narrow hulls, broad merchant ships heavy with cargo, and smaller boats, unfamiliar banners fluttering in the breeze. Noticing his fascination, Dahlia leaned closer, her voice carrying a hint of wonder.

’’Those ships,’’ she said, gesturing toward the vessels. ’’They hail from faraway continents, places far beyond our shores. I’ve heard stories of those lands, realms drenched in mystic energies, where ancient magic weaves through the air like ropes of light. They say strange beings roam there: creatures of shadow and flame, spirits that whisper in the winds, and warriors who wield powers we can scarcely imagine.’’

’’Interesting,’’ Resgsr responded. ’’I’d like to see them one day, after exploring this one of course.’’