Aqualina was dressed in a breathtaking purple gown, a single-laced masterpiece that draped elegantly over her form, accentuating her grace and beauty.
The delicate fabric shimmered in the low light, embroidered with intricate golden threads that seemed to glow, radiating a sense of royalty and power.
As she adjusted her glossy purple hair, letting it fall effortlessly down her back, she looked at Aether with an almost teasing smile, her voice soft yet filled with expectation, “How is it?” she asked, her eyes searching his face, hoping for a reaction as she tugged at her hair with practised elegance.
Aether’s gaze lingered on her, his eyes widening slightly…. He didn’t answer right away, as if words had temporarily failed him. After a long pause, he finally muttered, almost under his breath, “Beautiful…”
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Aqualina felt her cheeks flush, a light pink spreading across her pale skin, but she quickly composed herself, “I-I wasn’t asking about me, silly~” she stammered, a playful lilt in her voice, trying to hide her flustered state. Her fingers pointed towards the lavish spread of food on the table, dishes arranged like an art piece, each plate more extravagant than the last.
“I meant the food,” she added with a soft giggle, though her heart raced at the way Aether’s eyes still hadn’t left her.
Aether’s lips curled into a smile with a gentle expression, “Oh… I know,” he said, but his eyes betrayed him. He wasn’t looking at the food at all, “It’s beautiful… and delicious,” he added, but there was a clear double meaning in his tone.
His gaze still rested on her as if she was the only thing worth admiring in the room.
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Aqualina felt her heartbeat quicken under his gaze, her mind racing.
He wasn’t talking about the food, that much was clear.
She averted her eyes, her heart thudding in her chest, and inwardly she screamed, ‘Shit! Yes, yes, yes!!!’ Her plan was falling into place, perfectly.
Ever since she had seen that broken, distant expression on Aether’s face, something had stirred in her, an overwhelming desire to take that pain away.
She wanted to see him smile again, to watch the light return to his eyes. For days, she had planned this surprise date, every detail meticulously thought out.
It wasn’t just about the food or the setting… it was about giving him a moment, just one, where he could forget everything that weighed on him.
Today was that day!!
She would do whatever it took to make sure Aether forgot all the darkness clouding his mind, if only for a little while.
She took him away from the Academy… With the restoration still ongoing, it had been easy to slip away without too many questions.
No one dared stop her.
She had the perfect excuse, the perfect opportunity… She took his hand and led him away to this place, a private haven just for the two of them.
As for the Slave Mark blinking?
She had already secured Kai’s permission with some lame excuse.
Today, nothing could interfere.
Today was theirs—completely!!
Aether glanced around the opulent restaurant, the chandeliers casting a soft glow over the empty space.
Not a single soul occupied the other tables. His brow furrowed slightly as he turned back to her, “Did you… rent out the entire place?” he asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
Aqualina’s lips curved into a mischievous smirk. “I did more than that,” she said, leaning in slightly, her eyes gleaming with amusement, “I bought this entire evening… for just the two of us.”
Aether shook his head, chuckling softly. “You’re incredible, you know that?” he said, his tone light, but there was a deeper emotion in his gaze as he slowly began to eat, his expression softening as they fell into an easy conversation, discussing everything and nothing all at once.
As they continued to eat, Aether’s eyes occasionally drifted back to Aqualina, studying her as if there was something unsaid hanging between them.
Finally, Aqualina noticed the hesitation in his gaze, “You can ask me,” she said, her voice warm and reassuring, sensing that something weighed on his mind. “Whatever it is, I promise you can always ask.”
Aether took a deep breath… His voice was quieter than usual, almost hesitant, “Is there… anything you’re hiding from me?”
Aqualina flinched slightly, her heart skipping a beat as his words sank in. She hadn’t expected that question, not now, not when she was so focused on making him feel at ease. A small frown tugged at her lips as she stared down at the table. “Hiding?” she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. “What do you mean?”
Aether gently reached out, taking her hand in his, his thumb tracing comforting circles over her skin. “Whatever it is… I just want to know”
Aqualina looked at him, her mind swirling with conflicted thoughts. His expression was so earnest, so open.
Could she really keep hiding this from him? She sighed heavily before she finally spoke. “I’ve been having… nightmares,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. “Nightmares where I… kill my mother.”
Aether’s expression softened, though a trace of worry crossed his features. He gently tightened his grip on her hand, “Why do you think you’re having these nightmares?” he asked carefully.
Aqualina shook her head, a deep sadness crossing her face, “I don’t know… Every time I wake up, the nightmare fades so quickly like it’s slipping away from me. It’s hard to remember anything. But the feeling… the fear… it always lingers,” she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.
Aether nodded, his heart ached to see her. Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his voice gentle as he said, “Thank you… “
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Aqualina managed a small, “You have every right to know everything about me,” she murmured, though her voice was filled with doubt.
She resumed picking at her food, but her eyes stayed on Aether. After a long pause, she finally asked, “Is there… anything you’re hiding from me?”
“Yes,” he admitted, not breaking eye contact. “A lot.”
Aqualina blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing her face, though she wasn’t entirely shocked. “A lot?” she repeated softly, her voice barely audible, “Will I… ever know?”
Aether nodded, a sad smile tugging at his lips. “Yes… and when you do, you’ll hate me for it,” he said, his tone filled with a deep, painful truth.
Aqualina stared at him, her breath catching in her throat.
She wanted to press him, to demand answers, but now wasn’t the time.
Today was about Aether’s happiness… Nothing more! She swallowed her questions, pushing them aside for now, and focused on the man in front of her.
After dinner, she led him to a private romantic screening in that same place,
In the luxurious VIP section, soft beds, Aether and Aqualina lay together.
“You know, this story is about a female knight who fell in love with an arrogant king…” Aqualina’s voice was soft as her finger delicately traced over Aether’s hand, the light touch sending a tingle through him. She glanced up at him with a subtle smile, continuing, “It’s such a beautiful tale, isn’t it? How this king, so prideful and cold, eventually falls deeply in love with a female knight.”
Aether’s fingers responded by gently intertwining with hers.
Aqualina leaned her head against his shoulder, her eyes fixed on the unfolding drama, “Look at him,” she murmured, “Acting so indifferent, yet always protecting her from behind… Why can’t he just admit that he loves her?”
Aether chuckled as he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer to him, “It reminds me of someone I know… someone very close,” he said with a teasing tone.
A blush creeping across her cheeks!
She turned her head slightly, giving him a small huff. “I-I’m not like that!”
Aether couldn’t help but smile, leaning in to kiss her forehead softly.
“No, you’re right,” he said, “You’re not like that at all…” He winked playfully, adding, “You’re worse. It took you forever to finally express how you felt.”
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“H-Huh!” Aqualina pouted, her lips forming a cute frown, but she didn’t argue. Deep down, she knew his words carried truth, and that only made her blush harder.
They continued to watch as the story on the screen unfolded. The tension between the female knight and the arrogant king finally came to a head.
After what felt like an eternity of longing looks, misunderstandings, and stubborn pride, the two characters confessed their love for each other. The passion between them, once hidden behind their cold exteriors, now blazed openly as they made love, the scene unfolding in vivid, intimate detail. Experience tales at empire
Aether’s lips quirked into an amused smile as he glanced at Aqualina, who hadn’t blinked once during the passionate scene.
‘Looks like this film just turned 18-plus,’ he thought, bemused.
Aqualina gulped, her nervousness evident, and her hand instinctively tightened its grip on his thigh, her fingers trembling slightly.
Aether winced, not from the pain, though her grip was certainly firm…. What caught his attention more was the look on her face—equal parts fear and fascination.
It reminded him so much of himself when he was a teenager, witnessing something so intimate and raw for the first time. She couldn’t seem to look away, her breath catching as the scene grew more intense, and for a moment, she seemed lost in it.
Suddenly, Aqualina turned to him, her eyes wide and glistening… There was a longing there, a vulnerability that made Aether’s chest tighten.
Without a word, he leaned down, capturing her lips in a soft kiss…
“~Hmm~”
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Aqualina responded almost immediately, her hand gripping his thigh even tighter as her body pressed closer to his.
The kiss deepened quickly, her lips parting eagerly, and she sought his tongue with an almost desperate hunger. Her hands, once resting innocently on his thigh, slowly drifted, fingers brushing against the more sensitive parts of him, rubbing subconsciously as she lost herself in the heat of the moment.
…
…..
After the screenplay had ended, they found themselves riding back in a private carriage, the gentle rocking of the vehicle a stark contrast to the heat that had consumed them earlier. Aqualina sat on Aether’s lap, her arms wrapped around his neck, her body pressed snugly against his. She sighed softly, her breath warm against his skin.
“That was such a sad ending…” she murmured, her voice laced with disappointment. “The knight sacrificed herself to protect the king… and yet, in the end, he was still killed. It’s just… really tragic.”
Aether’s arms tightened around her, pulling her closer as he rested his chin on top of her head, “Do you think so?” he asked quietly, his voice thoughtful.
“Hmm?”
“I don’t think it was as sad as it seemed. He built an empire for her, made it flourish in her honour… and when he died, I don’t think he was killed by someone. I think he let himself die… because without her, there was nothing left to live for.” His voice was soft.
Aqualina stared at him, “You always see things from such a different point of view,” She smiled gently, her fingers brushing lightly against his cheek. “You always surprise me, Aether.”
He smiled back at her, but before he could respond, the carriage came to a slow stop.
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Aqualina’s eyes gleamed mischievously as she leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his ear. “You know,” she whispered, her voice low and teasing, “the date’s not over yet… Aether.”