Lucian leaned back in his seat, letting out a small sigh as he studied Celestia across the table. The light of the restaurant flickered against her striking features, but it was her demeanor that made him feel out of place. Her air of confidence, bordering on arrogance, made him question what kind of storm she was about to bring into his life.
“So, uh,” he began, keeping his voice low to avoid drawing attention. “Is it even… allowed for you to be wandering around like this? You’re, you know, a princess. Don’t you have security or something?”
Celestia’s lips curled into a smirk, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement. “I ran away,” she answered nonchalantly, as if this were the most ordinary thing in the world.
Lucian nearly choked on his water. “Ran away?” he repeated, his tone laced with disbelief. His eyebrows knit together, his mind racing to comprehend the gravity of her words.
“Yes, I ran away,” she said with a shrug, leaning casually against her chair. “Did you really think I’d sit around in a gilded cage forever? When I want something, I get it.”
Lucian stared at her, his mouth slightly agape. “You do realize this is going to cause problems for me, right?” he muttered, already imagining the chaos her absence would cause in her kingdom and the inevitable heat he’d feel from her security team.
“Not my problem,” Celestia retorted, her voice dripping with indifference as she waved a hand dismissively.
Lucian sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “Really? And what happens if your people come here looking for you? Are you telling me no one can stop you?”
She interrupted him, her tone laced with both pride and defiance. “Do you think those so-called ‘security measures’ could stop me if I wanted to leave? I’m not some fragile doll who can’t make decisions for herself.” Her voice carried a sharp edge, her confidence palpable. “Unlike a certain someone we both know,” she added, her words dripping with disdain as her gaze darkened momentarily.
Lucian knew exactly who she was referring to Avey. He opened his mouth to respond, to perhaps defend her, but the fiery glint in Celestia’s eyes stopped him. He thought better of it and let the moment pass, sighing inwardly.
Clearing his throat, Lucian tried to lighten the atmosphere. “Alright, fine. You went through all that trouble just to meet me and for ignoring me for the last… seven years, How about this: as a apology, I’ll grant you one wish. Anything you want. Call it an apology reward.” He offered a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his neck.
Celestia’s expression shifted. She tilted her head, her chin resting on her hands as her elbows propped up on the table. Her sharp gaze bored into Lucian’s, an unsettling mix of intensity and fascination. Her posture was casual, but her eyes betrayed an emotion far deeper something akin to obsession.
Lucian swallowed, feeling a strange discomfort under her unwavering stare. “Uh, what is it? Just say it already,” he said, attempting to mask his unease.
Her lips parted, and she spoke with the calm certainty of someone delivering a royal decree. “Marry me.”
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.
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Lucian froze, his mind racing to process what she had just said. Did she seriously just say that?
“Uhhh… Excuse me?” Lucian finally managed to sputter, leaning back in his chair as if to create some much-needed distance. His heart thudded against his ribs, though whether from surprise or embarrassment, he wasn’t entirely sure.
“I said, marry me,” Celestia repeated, her tone unwavering. Her golden eyes locked onto his, daring him to look away. There was no hesitation, no blush of shyness on her face. Her words carried an air of finality, as if she had already decided the outcome.
Lucian blinked rapidly, trying to comprehend the situation. “Wow, okay. You didn’t even bother with the usual steps like, ‘I like you,’ or, ‘Let’s go out.’ Straight to marriage, huh?” He let out a nervous chuckle, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.
Celestia didn’t laugh. She simply continued to stare at him, her determination unyielding. “Why waste time? I know what I want,” she said, her voice calm but resolute.
Great. Now he was part of someone else’s entertainment.
“Can we… lower our voices a little?” he whispered, leaning closer to her. “People are staring.”
“I don’t care,” she said dismissively, her gaze never leaving his. “Let them watch.”
Lucian let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head. This woman…
“Celestia, you’re being ridiculous,” Lucian said, trying to sound firm without being harsh. “You can’t just… drop something like this out of nowhere.”
“Why not?” she countered, tilting her head. “You’re single, I’m single. I see no reason why we shouldn’t.”
Around them, the murmurs of other patrons began to rise. People were leaning closer, trying to catch snippets of their conversation. A few girls were whispering, their eyes darting between Celestia and Lucian.
“She’s so bold!” one girl whispered, her eyes wide with admiration. “I can’t believe she just outright proposed like that!”
“He looks so flustered,” another giggled. “But who wouldn’t be?”
Lucian ran a hand down his face, feeling the weight of the growing audience. “This woman is going to drive me insane,” he muttered under his breath.
“So?” Celestia prompted, raising an eyebrow.
Lucian was left speechless, staring at Celestia, who was standing before him with unwavering determination in her eyes. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, to try to explain, she cut him off with a firm tone.
“I never asked for your approval, do not misunderstand. I’m not asking i am telling you,” Celestia said, her voice steady and commanding.
Lucian blinked at her, his mind blank for a second. Her confidence and boldness threw him off completely. “Hey… this isn’t going how I thought it would,” he muttered under his breath, struggling to find the right words.
Inwardly, Lucian’s thoughts were spiraling. Max! he screamed mentally. Didn’t you say today was supposed to be a good day? Where’s this so-called ‘Lady Luck shining on me’ you promised me?
There was a brief silence in his head before Max’s mechanical voice responded, dry and unbothered.
[Host, I have no idea what you are talking about. I am currently busy. Please consult me later.]
Lucian froze in disbelief. Busy? His thoughts practically screamed. You’re a system! You don’t have a life. What could you possibly be busy with?
Max’s voice returned, as calm and composed as ever.
[Not everyone is like you, Host. I have a girlfriend. Respectfully, you cannot question my personal affairs. Please handle your problems on your own.]
The audacity of Max’s words made Lucian’s left eye twitch. He clenched his fists, his anger bubbling just below the surface. Girlfriend?! he fumed internally. When the hell did you get a girlfriend? And where did you find her, huh?
But this time, there was no response from Max. Complete silence.
“Unbelievable,” Lucian muttered under his breath, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to calm down. I’ll deal with you later, you useless tin can, he thought bitterly. First, let me figure out how to handle this situation without ruining my life.
He turned his attention back to Celestia, who hadn’t moved an inch, her intense gaze still fixed on him. Her unwavering stance made him feel like he was under a spotlight, every fiber of his being exposed.
Her presence was overwhelming. Lucian felt like a child caught sneaking cookies before dinner, except the stakes were far higher now.
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