As they stepped out of the mall, an awkward silence fell over the group. Just as they passed the last set of doors, an unexpected, low growl broke the silence, and Cinder immediately stiffened, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Alister, startled by the sound, raised a brow and looked at her.
“What… was that?”
Cinder’s eyes narrowed, and she quickly turned her head away. “It was nothing, my lord,” she replied softly, hoping the blush on her cheeks wasn’t noticeable.
But just as she spoke, her stomach betrayed her again, growling even louder this time. Cinder felt her pride slipping as the blush on her face deepened. She tried to keep her usual stern expression, but it was no use.
Next to her, Lila gave a small, shy smile, stuttering as she looked between them.
“Um… C-Cinder, maybe… you’re a bit hungry?”
Cinder shot her a sideways glance, stubbornly folding her arms. “No, I’m perfectly fine. This is nothing worth your concern.”
Alister chuckled softly, and Cinder’s embarrassment grew as she looked at him, her expression as close to a glare as she could manage.
“What… what is so funny, my lord?” she asked, trying to keep her composure despite her flushed face.
He smiled, the warmth in his gaze softening her defenses just a bit. “It’s amusing, Cinder, watching you try so hard to avoid letting us help you,” he said, his tone gentle but teasing.
She glanced down, looking almost defeated, and then shrugged stiffly. “I… I’m simply capable of handling things on my own.”
Alister nodded, respecting her pride, but then gave a slight nod to Lila.
“Still, Lila did suggest that we should grab lunch earlier. I think we could all use a meal. How about we stop somewhere nearby?”
Lila perked up at this, her eyes lighting up as she glanced at Cinder. “Y-Yes! I think it’s a great idea. There’s a restaurant nearby that I’ve been wanting to try.”
Cinder looked between them, feeling her resistance becoming pointless. She took a deep breath, letting out a small sigh. “If… if that’s what you want, my lord,” she said, reluctantly agreeing.
Alister’s smile widened. “Good. It’s settled, then.”
With that, the three of them headed to the restaurant, with Cinder walking a step behind. Her usual stern look now showed a touch of reluctant gratitude.
…
After a short walk, they arrived at the restaurant, the exterior coming into view-a striking blend of sleek metal and vibrant neon lights. The building stood three stories tall, with curved glass windows that glowed softly in the afternoon light, reflecting the city around them. A large holographic sign above the entrance displayed the restaurant’s name: Celestial Delights.
The scent of sizzling dishes wafted through the air, mingling with the soft sound of electronic music that floated from inside, creating an inviting atmosphere.
The entrance was framed by a metallic archway, with delicate patterns that seemed to shimmer as they caught the light.
Lila paused just outside, her eyes wide with curiosity as she took in the futuristic decor.
“Okay, this looks like a nice spot! But…” She paused, glancing at Cinder, who stood still fully decked in her armor.
“Is it really okay for you to go in like that?” she asked.
“I mean, with your armor and… uh, your horns and tail still out?”
Cinder, slightly irritated by the question, turned her glare towards Lila, eyes narrowing slightly.
“What’s wrong with my armor?” she snapped, her tone sharper than intended.
“I wear this for a reason. It’s not like I’m here to cause a scene.”
Lila’s confidence faded, and she instinctively took a step back, her cheeks flushing as she stumbled over her words.
“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to-I just thought, you know, it might seem awkward, and… and I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable!”
Alister observed the exchange with an amused expression, but his tone remained calm as he interjected.
“Lila has a point, Cinder. It will draw more attention, given the setting,” he said thoughtfully, his eyes shifting between the two.
“Though, you have every right to be yourself. It’s just that… well, not everyone is used to seeing a dragon in full battle gear, especially in a restaurant.”
“You may have your reasons for wanting to stay like this, but I would prefer if you toned it down at the very least.”
Cinder sighed, crossing her arms and shifting her weight, still feeling a bit irritated but now aware of Lila’s intentions.
“I’m not here to make friends with every human who stares,” she muttered, though her voice lacked its usual bite.
“But if it’s really that much of a problem… And my lord wants me to, I suppose I can…” She hesitated, looking down at her armor.
“I can tone it down a bit, if that’s what it takes.”
As Cinder reluctantly agreed, a soft shimmer of light covered her body, casting a faint glow. Slowly, her armor began to fade away, piece by piece, until it was fully replaced by an elegant black and white dress that hugged her frame, flowing gracefully around her.
Her tail disappeared in the light, though two small, dark horns remained visible, resting against her skull, giving a reminder of her dragon lineage.
She shifted slightly, looking down at herself and adjusting to the new attire, feeling a bit unusual without her armor.
Alister gave an approving nod, his gaze sweeping over her new attire. “This is far better, Cinder,” he remarked, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Though, I have to wonder-why didn’t you listen to Yuuto when he suggested it earlier?”
Cinder’s eyes narrowed, her tone turning sharp as she replied, “I don’t like him.” The words came out with a force that left no room for interpretation, she simple didn’t like him. Alister raised an eyebrow, but instead of pressing further, he gave a brief nod. “Noted,” he said simply, acknowledging her stance. Then his expression softened, and he motioned toward the restaurant doors with a slight grin. “Well then, let’s go fill our stomachs.” With a faint, reluctant smile of her own, Cinder nodded, and they stepped inside, Lila trailing just a step behind.
…
Inside the restaurant, the atmosphere buzzed with a touch of electronic music and soft
chatter.
Sleek, metallic tables lined the floor, each with a small, floating light fixture that emitted a gentle glow, illuminating the diners without overpowering the cozy ambiance.
The curved glass windows allowed glimpses of the vibrant cityscape beyond, casting reflections of neon lights onto the polished floors and the curved ceiling above.
Servers in dark uniforms made their way gracefully between tables, carrying plates that sizzled and steamed, filling the air with tantalizing aromas.
Alister, Cinder, and Lila sat at a table near the window, which offered a prime view of the city. The table’s surface shimmered subtly under the ambient light, and a small, interactive menu screen flickered softly in the center.
Lila held the ordering pad in front of her face, hiding her mouth as she peeked over it, her eyes wandering toward Cinder, who was examining the surroundings with an intense, slightly
skeptical gaze.
Noticing Lila’s quiet, thoughtful expression, Alister leaned forward, his voice gentle.
“Lila, aren’t you going to order?”