CHAPTER 496: 495. DATE OR DISASTER (1)

After the ceremony, Davian rushed back pestering Ocean the whole way about his date with Reina.

"I’ve given her instructions on a task," Ocean spoke in resignation making Davian frown.

"A task?"

Ocean could sense the unconcealed displeasure at the words but he didn’t bother softening it up. He had to keep up the act.

"What else should I tell her then? His Highness has been bugging me so please go on a date with him?" Ocean asked narrowing his eyes as he folded his arms at his chest and crossed his legs.

Davian blinked, before he asked, "Am I bugging you so much?"

Ocean looked at the puppy dog eyes that he made with an innocent face and he sighed, "Reina is stern when it comes to spending time with people other than her family. She listens to me because her family is affiliated with me, she doesn’t blindly follow me. If I don’t give her a valid reason she won’t go out with you."

"Are you really talking about Miss Reina?" Davian asked tilting his head and Ocean sighed.

"Just because she keeps a cordial face before you doesn’t mean she’s like that all the time."

Davian scoffed before he burst out laughing.

"You’re joking Master, Miss Reina is very kind and amicable. Don’t spread bad rumors about her."

Ocean just watched Davian for a moment wondering just what quality of Reina made him fall in love. He didn’t even know her original personality, he had only.met her a couple of times and he was so deeply in love.

This also made Ocean wonder how people fell on love in the first place? And what makes them fall in love? What was it that Davian liked about Reina? Her beauty? Her words? What exactly?

Besides, they hadn’t even talked for that long so how come he fell so deeply in love with her? Or maybe it was the infatuation? The kind that he felt during childhood and probably it grew when he saw the grown up beautiful Reina.

Ocean nodded to himself as this felt like a justified reason.

Davian frowned leaning ahead, "Besides, why is she here in Denril though? What work did you ask her to do?"

"I can’t tell you about her work but the major reason is her family," Ocean said waving his hand while Sol leaned against his side curling up as he started dozing off.

Ocean patted his back gently while Davian looked deep in thought.

When they reached back at the palace Davian hurried back to his chambers while Ocean carried Sol who had fallen asleep already.

Davian had no idea what he should wear for today’s date, Ocean had told him to wear something casual as he and Reina would attract attention if they were in their usual attires.

Davian had sorted through his clothes finding everything too conspicuous before he sighed. He wanted to dress up for her but Ocean clearly instructed him to not do so.

Davian sighed and picked out the all-black outfit—a simple yet refined set consisting of a high-collared shirt layered under a sleek vest, paired with fitted trousers. A long, thick, dark cloak rested over his shoulders, its flowing fabric adding a touch of elegance despite the understated look. It was far from his usual ornate attire, but it carried a quiet sophistication that suited him well.

He looked at himself in the mirror before he touched his chest where his heart was hammering away hastily. He couldn’t wait to see her.

On the other side, Ocean/Reina was slumped over in the armchair holding her head in one hand as she thought of various ways of not going on this date.

Sol was peacefully sleeping while Reina looked at the clock. She had to be at the market square at 12 noon to see Davian, that was the time that she/Ocean had decided for the date.

Reina couldn’t help but dread it, Davian was a passionate person, had a good upbringing and all the qualities that could make him and eligible bachelor for her. But the problem wasn’t him, it was her.

The girl who lived two lives, the one who had as many secrets and enemies that one couldn’t count and it was such girl that someone like Davian loved.

"It would have been better if he had loved a man instead." Reina muttered.

It was just a couple of minutes for 12 when Reina decided to just give up and go out. She stood up from the chair and walked over to the vanity where the bracelet which would hide her mana presence sat. She placed it on her wrist before she glanced at herself in the mirror and then turned to leave.

Davian mounted his horse and made his way towards the market square. He was too excited to take notice of his surroundings as he reached at the town and left his horse at the nearby barn.

The snow that had started in the morning had halted by now but the clouds stubbornly remained over the sky. It was only through some rare gaps between them that the sunlight pierced through.

Davian walked through the bustling crowd looking for Reina, he was told that she would be waiting for him at the fountain near the market square.

Davian came to an abrupt stop when he spotted her standing near the fountain. A beam of sunlight that broke through the thick clouds landed on her as if giving her the special limelight.

She was dressed in a lovely gown of soft teal layered over a cream underskirt, its hem lined with delicate white frills that peeked out gracefully. The white bodice hugged her figure with gentle gathers at the neckline, its off-shoulder design giving her a graceful, feminine air. A fitted brown corset cinched her waist, accentuating the gentle flow of the skirt. Her hair was tied in a simple braid that rested over her shoulder, framing her serene expression, while a light navy-blue cloak draped over her shoulders, its edges fluttering faintly in the breeze.

She looked effortlessly elegant, the kind of beauty that stole his breath without trying.

The people who walked by couldn’t tear their eyes from her even after they had passed her by. She stood there looking unbothered by the gazes while drawing awe and wonder from the men and women alike.

Davian inhaled deeply calming his racing heart and moved towards her. Though in his attempt to appear cool he didn’t realise that he was walking with the same arm, same foot moving in sync.

He reached close to her from behind and opened his mouth but no sound came out, he blinked and then cleared his throat.

"Mi-"

Reina turned around and Davian for a moment forgot to breath as her enigmatic blue eyes clashed with his.

Davian frozen for a moment but before he could give her the idea that he was oogling her he smiled.

"G-Good noon, Miss Reina."

Reina blinked looking at him, surprised and Davian kept his smile on as he quickly said, "Ah, I’m sorry, I know you would be shocked to see me here but I... saw you the other night... dancing with His Grace in the garden and came to know that you are also here, Miss Reina. I swear I didn’t follow you."

Reina remained silent for a moment before smiled back and Davian felt the heat crawl up his neck.

"All right, I understand. Good noon, Your Highness."

Davian at once dismissed Ocean’s claim that Reina was a stern person who wouldn’t spend time with someone else other than her family.

"I heard from Master that he would send someone to help me, but I didn’t expect it to be His Highness." She spoke.

Davian nodded, "Yes, um... I insisted Master that I couldn’t possibly let a lady work alone so-"

Reina tilted her head, feigning innocence, "You know what work I am talking about, Your Highness?"

Davian blinked and then scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile.

"Not really, but when I learned that you were here and working on your own I couldn’t sit still."

Reina’s eyes narrowed a little before she sighed, the smile intact.

"Your Highness need not worry, I can take care of the work myself."

Davian flinched, "Ah, but it’s still safer to have an escort, right?"

Reina thought for a moment before she smiled up at him, "All right, let’s move then."

Davian cheered in his head maintaining a composed expression as he asked.

"What is this work that you have been assigned, Miss Reina?" Davian asked.

"There are some people whom I was told to keep an eye on,"

"Why?"

Reina almost rolled her eyes. Davian was quite nosy when it came to stuff regarding Ocean’s business.

"I’ll explain later, shall we go?" She asked and he nodded.

He let her lead the way watching as she stood just at the height of his shoulder. The navy blue cloak sat over her shoulders and her bodice gave the view of her bare neck and smooth collar bones. Her smooth, unblemished skin looked like white ivory, his fingers itched to brush over the skin. But he clenched his fists resisting his desire and his eyes drifted over to her face.

Despite the cold, her face was still the same lovely hue of ivory. He had at least expected the flush but there wasn’t even the hint of the cool breath that everyone else had. It was as if she was the only one here who was unfazed by the winter.

Davian watched as she moved fluidly through the crowd and he kept up staying close enough and glaring at the men who stared at her.

The crowd pushed and pulled making Davian hold her to his side so as to not get separated.

"Ah, thank you, Your Highness." She said with a smile and Davian felt his heart skipping a beat.

He had thought that he would be able to enjoy today’s date happily but with her being pressed up at his side, his body was certainly having some strange reactions.

He could only pray that he wouldn’t end up doing something embarrassing till the end of the day and this date wouldn’t turn into a disaster.