CHAPTER 211: END OF THE DATE

The sun had already begun its descent when Nero and Khione stepped out of the shopping mall, their bags in hand and their expressions unreadable to others, though inside both carried the subtle warmth of shared moments. The city lights flickered to life, halos of gold and silver reflecting off the polished glass buildings. Nero suggested a detour before dinner, and Khione, ever composed, simply nodded in agreement.

They arrived at a park renowned in the Angel’s capital—a sprawling green space built around a wide, man-made river that wound gracefully through gardens and bridges. Trees lined the paths, their leaves whispering as the wind passed through, while glowing lanterns hung from poles, casting soft light that shimmered upon the water’s surface. Couples walked hand-in-hand, families laughed in the distance, and the air was filled with the faint sweetness of blooming flowers.

A row of couple boats was moored at the small dock. Nero, without hesitation, offered his hand to help Khione step into one. She placed her fingers in his palm for just a moment, light as snow, before withdrawing them the instant she settled onto her seat. Nero pushed them off, the boat gliding into the gentle current, its oars resting loosely in his grip.

For a time, neither spoke. The quiet was not awkward, but profound. The sound of water rippling beneath them, the rustle of trees, and the distant laughter of festivalgoers filled the silence in ways words could not. Nero rowed steadily, his gaze often lifting to meet Khione’s. She sat opposite him, her back straight, white hair catching the fading light of evening, turning it to strands of silver and pale blue. Her eyes, normally cold and unreadable, softened as they reflected the water’s glow.

Nero chuckled softly. "You know, this is the first time I’ve ever done something like this."

Khione tilted her head slightly, her voice calm. "It doesn’t show. You seem at ease."

"Maybe because of the company," he said, smirking.

For just a flicker of a moment, her lips curved upward, the faintest of smiles gracing her otherwise serene face. That glimpse alone was worth more than words to Nero.

By the time they returned to the dock, twilight had draped itself across the city, the sky painted in deep purples and fiery oranges. From there, Nero led her through the bustling streets until they stood before one of the tallest buildings in Angel’s city: the famed five-star hotel belonging to Lux’s family. Its glass structure soared into the sky, reflecting the city lights like a jewel set against the night.

"Impressive," Nero murmured, gazing up.

Khione’s eyes flickered with recognition. "I know this place. Many speak of it." A small pause, her voice softer now. "But I’ve never been inside."

"Then tonight’s a first," he said with a grin. "Thanks to Lux."

Inside, the hotel was a masterpiece of luxury. Polished marble floors gleamed beneath crystal chandeliers. Staff greeted them with elegant bows before guiding them to a private elevator. It ascended smoothly, glass walls revealing the sprawling city beneath as they rose higher and higher, until finally, the doors slid open to the very top floor.

It was breathtaking.

The entire space was open and encased in transparent glass, giving the illusion of standing in the sky itself. The floor shimmered with reinforced glass, sturdy but clear, so that when Khione stepped forward, it was as if she were walking on air above the glowing city below. Thousands of lights twinkled like stars spread across the ground, rivers of golden streets weaving between them, while above, the heavens were scattered with the first real stars of the night.

Khione, despite her usual composure, stopped in her tracks. For once, her eyes widened, and the faintest breath escaped her lips. "Beautiful..."

Nero watched her, not the view. "Yeah," he said quietly. "It is."

A table for two was set near the center, draped in white silk and adorned with crystal glasses that caught the glow of candlelight. A bouquet of white lilies sat as the centerpiece, delicate and pure. The staff had outdone themselves—likely at Lux’s insistence.

They dined beneath the stars and city lights. The meal began with a delicate seafood salad, lightly dressed, followed by roasted duck glazed with honey and herbs. For Khione, a dish of snow-white fish seasoned with subtle spices that melted perfectly on the tongue. For Nero, a rich cut of steak seared to perfection, served with roasted vegetables. The wine was a crisp, cool vintage that carried notes of fruit and oak, its aroma blending perfectly with the atmosphere.

Neither spoke much during the meal. They didn’t need to. The silence was filled with the city’s pulse below and the occasional clink of glasses. Every so often, Nero caught Khione’s eyes lifting toward the horizon, reflecting the endless lights like fragments of ice and fire. He smiled faintly each time, savoring the rare sight of her allowing herself to simply... enjoy.

When dessert came—a soft vanilla soufflé accompanied by fresh berries—Nero leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "Tell me something, Khione. If you weren’t... born this way, into the Undine family,... what would you be doing right now?"

Her spoon paused just above the plate. For a long moment, she didn’t answer. Then, slowly, she set it down, her gaze lowering to the glittering city beneath their feet.

"...Maybe this," she said at last. Her voice was softer than he had ever heard it, almost vulnerable.

"Walking through festivals. Picking teddy bears. Sitting here, doing things normal people would do." She lifted her eyes to meet his, steady but shimmering with something unspoken. "It feels... strange. But not unpleasant."

Nero leaned forward, his grin smaller now, more sincere. "Then maybe it doesn’t have to be strange."

The words lingered between them as the night deepened. The stars above shone brighter, the city below glimmered endlessly, and for a while, it felt as if they stood between two universes—fire and ice, night and light, bound together in silence and something unspoken yet undeniable. This new adventure they wouldn’t mind embarking on.