CHAPTER 247: LATE NIGHT ROMANTIC DINNER

The transition was always a subtle shock. One moment, Nero stood amidst the primal, energy-rich air of the pocket world, the scent of his own cookfire and the wild forest clinging to him. The next, he was stepping through a shimmering veil of light back into the profound, polished silence of the Leclair estate. The grand hallway was deserted, illuminated only by the soft, moon-like glow of enchanted sconces. A heavy, luxurious quiet lay over everything, a stark contrast to the cacophony of battle and the crackle of lightning that had been his world for hours.

According to the ornate clock on the wall, it was deep in the night, well past the hour when even the most dedicated knights or mages had retired. His footsteps, soft as they were on the thick runner carpet, seemed impossibly loud in the hush. He moved like a ghost through the familiar corridors, the grandeur of his surroundings barely registering. His body thrummed with a residual energy, but his mind was wrapped in a blanket of fatigue.

He reached his room, the door closing behind him with a hushed, definitive click that sealed out the rest of the world. The opulent space was dark, lit only by the moonlight streaming through the large window. Without bothering to light a lamp, he began to shed his gear. The light armor, smudged with soot and other, less savory substances, was placed neatly aside. The sword, still humming faintly with the echo of elemental power, was leaned carefully against the wall.

His body ached with a deep, satisfying weariness, the kind that spoke of muscles pushed to their limit and a spirit honed by conflict. But layered over the fatigue was a film of grime—literal and metaphysical. He could still smell the ozone on his skin, the scent of scorched earth and monster.

He needed to wash it all away.

He walked into the adjoining bathing chamber, a space of marble and dark wood. With a practiced gesture, he activated the enchantment. Warm, steaming water began to pour from a spout shaped like a dragon’s head, quickly filling the deep, sunken tub. He added a few drops of a cleansing oil, and the air filled with the crisp, clean scent of pine and cedar, a scent that immediately began to battle and overpower the lingering memories of the hunt.

Sinking into the near-scalding water was a benediction. A long, slow sigh escaped his lips as the heat seeped into his tired muscles, loosening knots of tension he hadn’t even been aware were there. He submerged himself completely, holding his breath for a long moment, letting the silence and the heat envelop him. When he surfaced, pushing his dark blue hair back from his face, he felt the first layer of the night’s violence begin to slough away.

He stayed there for a long time, not thinking, not planning, simply enjoying the moment.

After finishing his bath, the soothing steam and scent of cedar lingered on his skin as Nero slipped into comfortable clothes. The quiet of the estate felt heavy, almost like a thick blanket of silence that he didn’t want to disturb. He checked his phone and saw a single message: "Good night" from Khione, sent over an hour ago. A small smile appeared on his face as he quickly typed a response.

[Hello my beautiful princess. Are you still awake?]

He sat at the edge of his bed, letting the silence stretch for what felt like an eternity—seven long minutes—before his screen lit up with her response.

[Yeah, I couldn’t sleep.] she replied. [I hope you had fun.]

Her words seemed to carry a hint of curiosity beneath the surface.

[Yes, it was... productive,] he replied, feeling that his words didn’t capture the full meaning. [What are you doing right now? Come out. I want to see you.]

Her response came in just seconds.

[Okay!]

About half an hour later, they met by the fountain where their day had started. The moon hung high in the sky, bathing everything in silvery light and deep blue shadows. Khione looked stunningly graceful, a striking contrast to the chaotic energy they had recently experienced. She wore a white robe adorned with flowers, glowing softly in the moonlight, and her long hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her crystal blue eyes were always calm, yet tonight they seemed to detect something different about him. He realized she sensed the new strength within him, an energy that pulsed just below his skin, visible only to her.

"You’ve gotten stronger, Ner," she said, her voice gentle and melodic.

Hearing the new nickname—’Ner’—caught him off guard. It felt personal and meaningful, entirely hers. A slow smile spread across his face; he was glad she noticed.

"Yeah," he admitted quietly. "I’ll show you just how surprising it can be, but we’ll save that for tomorrow. For now... let’s go."

Without hesitation, Khione fell into step beside him. He led her away from the fountain and deeper into the peaceful gardens of the estate, following a path beside a softly flowing stream. Their destination was a small, elegant pavilion made of white stone and dark wood, situated on an island in the center of the stream, connected by a graceful bridge.

As they crossed the bridge, the scene inside the pavilion came into view. A table for two was set with shiny silverware and crystal glasses that sparkled in the moonlight. A few covered dishes sat waiting, and a single candle flickered gently at the center of the table. It was a private dinner under the stars, a surprise he had arranged with the help of the helpful maids who worked for his friend Lux, all while he had been away "training."

He watched as Khione took in the scene, her usually cool demeanor warming into a smile meant just for him.

As the candlelight flickered, it cast glimmers in her eyes, and for a moment, the chilly look usually in her gaze seemed to warm, revealing a quiet awe. Nero treasured that look, knowing it was meant just for these rare, private moments they shared.

He pulled out her chair, a simple yet elegant gesture that felt natural to him. She acknowledged it with a graceful nod, the white silk of her robe softly brushing against the stone floor as she sat down. Then he took his own seat opposite her.

And then, a comfortable silence surrounded them.

This was a different kind of quiet—a deep, shared understanding. It was a melody made up of the gentle stream, the rustling leaves in the night breeze, and the soft rhythm of their own breathing.

Nero lifted the shiny covers from their plates, revealing a simple but lovely meal: roasted chicken with sweet winter vegetables and fragrant potatoes. The delicious scents of herbs and savory meat filled the air between them, promising comfort. He poured them each a glass of sparkling wine, the soft fizz sounding celebratory in the stillness.

As they began to eat, they exchanged no words to praise the food or to talk about their day. They didn’t need to. When Khione closed her eyes briefly to enjoy her first taste of roasted carrot, that was enough appreciation for Nero. Likewise, when he nodded in appreciation after sipping the wine, it was his way of sharing enjoyment. Their connection was in the experience they shared, in the unspoken understanding that this peaceful moment together was a rare and valuable treasure.

Their eyes met over the soft glow of the candle flame. In that steady gaze, entire conversations took place. His eyes, still holding the excitement from his recent achievement, conveyed his struggles, triumphs, and the hopeful future he was building for them both. Her calm, deep eyes reflected a patient trust in him, signaling that she recognized the change within him—a new strength he had gained. There was no surprise or confusion in her gaze, just a solid acceptance; she had always believed he could reach new heights.

As they reached the midpoint of their meal, Nero slowly reached across the table. He moved deliberately, allowing her a chance to pull back if she wanted to, but she didn’t. Instead, she placed her hand in his, her cool fingers resting against his warmer skin. He gently stroked the back of her hand, establishing a comforting connection that felt deeper than words. A light blush crept onto her cheeks, barely visible in the soft light of the moon and candles.

They finished eating this way, one hand occupied with food while the other remained intertwined on the table, creating a bridge of quiet intimacy. After the last bite and sip of wine, they didn’t rush to leave. Instead, they lingered, holding hands, simply gazing at each other in the dim light.

The moon continued its slow journey across the sky. Eventually, the candle flickered and went out, leaving them bathed only in the moon’s glow. Yet, they stayed there, knowing that speaking would disrupt the beauty of the moment. Everything they needed to express—his commitment, her trust, their shared determination—was conveyed in their silence, in the warmth of their held hands, and in the peaceful stillness surrounding them, which became a special space they shared.

This was a romance not based on grand speeches or proclamations, but on countless quiet, shared moments like this one. For two complex souls like them, it was the most meaningful love story of all.