Lila blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. “Oh! Y-Yes, right,” she stammered, a faint blush rising on her cheeks as she looked down, fiddling with the ordering pad. She glanced back at Cinder, gathering her courage. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
“C-Cinder… do you know what you’re going to order?”
Cinder crossed her arms, glancing at the menu screen in front of her with slight suspicion, as though the electronic interface might be hiding some kind of trick.
“I’ll pick something with meat,” she replied, her voice firm. “Something straightforward.”
Alister chuckled, an amused glint in his eyes. “Well, while you’re at it, would you be open to trying a dessert?”
Cinder raised an eyebrow, her expression guarded. “A… dessert?” She sounded out the word as if it were foreign.
“Yes,” Alister replied.
“It’s a sweet course, usually enjoyed after the main meal. I’d suggest you try chocolate.”
“Choko-late?” Cinder repeated, clearly stumbling over the unfamiliar syllables, her brows furrowing.
“Chocolate,” he corrected gently, smiling as she tried again.
“Chocolate,” she said, finally getting it right. Her intense expression softened a fraction as she processed the new word, though she quickly masked it with a look of indifference. “I… suppose I could try it,” she muttered, as though agreeing to some minor challenge.
Lila, encouraged by Cinder’s response, lowered the ordering pad a little, a small, shy smile appearing on her face.
“Um… it’s actually really delicious, Cinder. And there’s so many kinds, like with caramel or berries… I think you might like it.”
Cinder’s gaze flicked briefly to Lila, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I’m willing to try it,” she replied with a slight nod, as if to reassure her.
The faintest hint of curiosity touched her expression as she added, “But only if my lord says it’s worth my time.”
Alister leaned back, pleased. “Trust me. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
As Lila tapped their orders into the pad, she stole another glance at Cinder, clearly fascinated by the dragon warrior’s proud, imposing presence.
The server soon arrived, placing their drinks on the table, and Cinder picked up her glass, still keeping an eye on Alister, her expression was reserved yet attentive, as if she expected further instructions on the unfamiliar territory of dining out.
As they waited for their meals, Alister leaned back in his seat, casually observing the atmosphere of the restaurant.
His gaze occasionally shifted toward the other tables, where people chatted and laughed over their meals. Nearby, a couple was lost in conversation, while at another table, a group of friends snapped pictures of their desserts, their laughter filling the air. Alister seemed to relax into the setting, perfectly at ease.
Cinder, however, sat upright, her posture rigid and alert, her eyes looking around the room with a touch of skepticism.
Her eyes moved toward every sound and movement, her senses keenly attuned, as if expecting trouble at any moment.
She watched the waiters moving between tables, her fingers occasionally drumming against her glass as though she were weighing the situation.
Lila noticed Cinder’s restlessness, and with a bit of hesitation, asjed a question. “Um… C- Cinder…”
“is… is this your first time eating out? Like… in a place like this?”
Cinder turned to her, one eyebrow raised. “Why would I waste time eating in a place filled with strangers?”
“When I want to eat I prefer places that are quieter. With… fewer distractions.” Her gaze drifted over a nearby table where a family was cheerfully sharing a plate of fries.
Alister chuckled, pulling his mask, sipping his drink as he looked at her with a warm, knowing smile.
“Well, sometimes it’s good to let your guard down, even just a little. A change of scenery can be refreshing.”
Cinder’s gaze locked with hos, her expression slightly softening, though she remained guarded.
“Maybe,” she replied, glancing down at her drink before taking a cautious sip, as if she hadn’t fully committed to relaxing just yet.
Lila then pole up, going with the flow. “I think it’s… it’s nice, to see you here. And maybe you’ll even like the chocolate dessert,” she added shyly, a hopeful smile on her face.
Cinder’s gaze flicked to her, and for a moment, the dragon warrior’s usually sharp expression softened, a touch of curiosity crossing her face.
“I suppose I’ll see,” she murmured.
Just then, the server returned with their food, setting down plates filled with various dishes. Alister thanked the server with a nod, and Cinder glanced down at her meal, inspecting it as though she were sizing up an opponent. She picked up her fork, cautiously poking at the food before finally taking a bite.
The moment the flavors hit her tongue, her eyes widened slightly, the usual stern demeanor giving way to a brief look of surprise.
She quickly composed herself, but Alister had already noticed, his expression amused.
“Good?” he asked, a teasing hint in his tone.
Cinder swallowed, giving a small nod. “It’s… acceptable,” she said, trying to sound
indifferent, but the faintest touch of enjoyment lingered in her gaze.
Lila stifled a small giggle, clearly charmed by Cinder’s reaction, and Alister couldn’t help but smile as well, taking in the small yet telling shifts in her demeanor.
As they continued eating, Alister ate for more plates of food then the both of them, they way
he kept ordering for more eventually lad to people gazing at their table in awe of his sheer
appetite.
Finally it was time for desert.
When the server brought out the chocolate dessert-an artfully plated cake with a glossy, molten center-Cinder looked at it with a touch of curiosity and caution.
Alister took a small spoonful, tasting it before he nodded, encouraging her. “It’s worth it,
Cinder.”
Taking a deep breath, Cinder picked up her spoon, cutting into the dessert. She scooped a bit of the molten chocolate, and reluctantly tasted it.
As Cinder took her first taste of the dessert, her eyes widened, and she let her spoon slip from her fingers, the clink of metal on table soft yet noticeable. She lowered her head, sitting in
silence as her thoughts raced.
Alister tilted his head, watching her closely. “Cinder, did you… not like it?”
Lila, trying to be helpful, offered cautiously, “Maybe it’s… because you’re a dragon? You
might have slightly different taste b-”
Before Lila could finish, Cinder lifted her head and addressed Alister directly. “My lord,” she said, her tone serious, “what is the name you called this dish?”
Alister hesitated, then replied, “It’s called chocolate.”
“Chocolate…” Cinder repeated, her voice softening as if tasting the word itself.
“Understood.”
Without waiting further, she picked up her spoon again. This time, her pace quickened, and
she scooped bite after bite with increasing speed, her usual calm deminor vanishing as the dessert’s sweetness seemed to take hold of her.
“Cinder, maybe… slow down a bit,” Alister suggested, a hint of laughter in his voice.
“Yes, you don’t have to rush!” Lila added, smiling.
But Cinder barely heard them, her attention focused entirely on the chocolate until, at last,
the plate was empty. She lowered her spoon, taking a moment to compose herself before
bringing her hand to her lips, savoring the lingering taste.
Alister leaned in, amusement in his eyes. “So… was it good?”
Cinder looked up at him, her expression soft, her normally intense gaze momentarily relaxed.
“It was… amazing,” she said quietly, a rare look of bliss breaking through her usually guarded
face.