Since they weren't hurrying to the restaurant, they first went for a casual walk in the nearby park.
It was not supposed to be something special, but Michael knew enough about Alice and the Zenovia family to know one thing for sure: Alice never had an ordinary life. She never had the pleasure of experiencing ordinary things.
Walking through a park and talking about all kinds of things, whether they were important or not, was one of those 'ordinary' experiences Alice never got to experience.
The pair talked about various things as they walked through the park. They started off awkward, but their earlier encounter today helped make things a little bit easier. Alice mentioned the meeting with the higher-ups of the Saphirelake Military Academy and Michael's timely arrival. She grinned, recalling Zigard Kelton's sour face and the expression he made when Michael blacklisted him and his clan from purchasing Soultraits in the next Soultrait Auction.
Alice was curious about his plan during the next Flag War and what he was planning to do now. However, she didn't ask too much about it. Instead, Alice was curious about Michael's childhood, his family, and other more private topics they'd never discussed.
Michael told Alice everything. He didn't think that it was necessary to hide anything at this point. Sometimes, he had to ask Danny if he could tell Alice about certain stories. Of course, Danny accepted without a second hesitation. He only told Michael to avoid talking about three stories since they could shatter the good atmosphere between the couple.
Michael listened to his brother, glad that he had someone to rely on in his mind.
Michael answered Alice's questions thoroughly and honestly before he started bombarding Alice with questions as well.
Since Michael never researched the Zenovia family in detail, he didn't know much about them. That was something new for Alice, but it didn't feel bad. Knowing that Michael saw her as herself rather than Alice Zenovia excited her. He was different from the people who approached her usually. They wanted to get to know her for her family. Michael didn't care about the Zenovia family. He cared about her.
Both Alice and Michael were a little sad as the time for their reservation neared. They had to leave the park to get to the restaurant. However, that didn't mean they stopped talking on their way to the restaurant.
They saw dozens of students and professors walk past them, some even trying to approach them to say something, but the pair was caught up in their world. They didn't even notice the stares lingering on them. It was almost as if everything around them was turning into nothingness.
The only thing that mattered to them was each other. Michael hung at Alice's words just like Alice was glued to everything he said. Every spoken word was imprinted in their minds.
Michael didn't even recall the way to the restaurant or how they made it inside the private room. The last thing he noticed was a short break in their chat, and they started ordering dishes.
The dinner was fancy, and the restaurant was high-class. It was nothing unusual for Alice, who'd eaten at similar places, but everything was different with Michael by her side. Their chat was more intimate, and the vibe engulfing them was different. There was tension between Alice and Michael and bits of a romantic vibe, but it was nothing too crazy.
However, the tension and the vibes between them were enough for Michael to confirm that he adored Alice. Undoubtedly, he liked her as more than a friend and teacher.
Alice felt similar. She was always drawn to Michael more than others. At first, Alice was certain that Michael was an unpolished diamond that required refinement to become a powerful weapon and ally. Her feelings toward Michael changed quickly. She didn't realize it initially, but Michael started attracting her interest from the day he overwhelmingly defeated Kaleb.
Michael fixed Kaleb. He achieved something Alice had dreamed about.
Following that day, Alice's feelings changed every time they met. She found herself worried whenever Michael sustained injuries and whenever he didn't come back from the Origin Expanse for months. He never said what he was up to and did whatever he wanted without confirming with anyone. Alice knew he didn't have to tell anyone about anything he did, but that didn't mean she wasn't curious. Alice wanted to know more. She desired to learn more about Michael and wanted to be informed whenever he would stay in the Origin Expanse longer. After all, Alice didn't want to be worried all day about his well-being.
But why was she worried about him in the first place? Alice wasn't even concerned about Kaleb when he stayed in the Origin Expanse longer than announced.
Her date with Michael wasn't anything out of the ordinary. It wasn't a blockbuster date that cost a fortune and weeks to prepare. But it was better than anything anyone had ever prepared for her. Michael concentrated on Alice and nobody else. He paid attention to her well-being and her emotions. He listened to her intently and said precisely what she wanted to hear.
He was there for her.
Alice found herself drawn to Michael the more she thought about their date…and him. But she wasn't drawn to him like a teacher likes studious students or an older sister adores her brother's friends. No. Alice felt different.
A new emotion surfaced from the bottom of her heart. Her frozen heart began to melt, and she opened herself to the possibility of being…more than just friends with Michael.
At some point, Alice received a notification. She wouldn't have checked the message, but the notification sound was customized. Her brother send her a message. Alice checked the message and froze in her tracks when she realized what her annoying little brother said.
[Kaleb(Annoying Brat): Do you have fun with Michael? You suit each other. P.S Don't forget to invite me to your wedding.]
Kaleb had always been a little bit annoying, but Alice didn't expect him to be this mischievous at such a time. The unexpected message took her by surprise, and she stared at it longer than intended. The last word was imprinted in her mind.
'Wedding.'
Alice's eyes pulled toward Michael as the word resounded through her mind. She swallowed hard and blushed as her fantasy went wild.
Alice found herself imagining in a large hall, holding hands with Michael. She was wearing a magnificent dress while Michael was wearing an expensive suit. They smiled at each other vibrantly and leaned in…to kiss, sealing their eternal love in front of everyone.
Alice's cheeks turned beet red as she daydreamed about the potential future with Michael. Michael observed her blush, and the corner of his lips curled upward subconsciously. His lips parted, and a word escaped before he understood what he was saying.
"Beautiful."
It was only now that Alice recalled where she was and what was going on. Her dream bubble burst, and Alice understood what Michael had just said. Alice blushed even harder, and even before she could gather a thought, her lips parted as well.
"You're mine now!"
