Chapter 333: Date [1]

"Hmm..." Ethea studied Soren for a moment and started picking clothes. "That long-sleeved white shirt. Yes, that. And... to match your appearance... let’s pick those brown trousers."

It took them more than twenty minutes to finish, but once they were done, Soren stood in front of the mirror and adjusted his collar. The white shirt fit him well, and the brown trousers complemented his hair and eyes. He strapped on the watch and slipped into the shoes, then turned back to face her.

"Well?"

Ethea looked him up and down, then gave him a thumbs-up. "You look handsome, dear!"

"Thank you." Soren smiled and walked over to her. He extended his hand, palm up, with a slight bow of his head. "Then, my lady, shall we?"

Ethea’s eyes lit up. She placed her hand in his, and he gave it a gentle squeeze before moving behind her wheelchair to push her out of the room.

They made their way through the hotel lobby and out onto the streets of Adamery City. The morning sun was warm, and the streets were already busy with people going about their day.

"So, where are we going?" she asked, tilting her head up to look at him.

Soren smiled down at her. "It’s... a secret."

Ethea narrowed her eyes and puffed out her cheeks in a small pout before looking away.

’!’

Soren felt as if he had been struck in the chest. He had seen Ethea in many states before, like calm, cold, angry, sad, determined, gentle, and so on. But... he had never seen her make this kind of expression. It was unexpectedly adorable, and in that brief moment, his mind went completely blank.

He shook his head quickly, snapping himself out of it. This was not the time to get distracted.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat and straightened his posture, adopting a more formal tone. "I’m really sorry, my lady. I can’t really tell you. However, if there is anywhere you wish to go, please do not hesitate to inform me. I shall do my utmost to fulfill your request."

"...You," Ethea looked up at him again, an amused smile playing on her lips this time, "sound like an old butler."

"Urgh!" Soren placed a hand over his chest in mock offense. "My lady, I am no butler. I am your humble knight, sworn to protect you and fulfill your every request. How could you wound me so?"

"Hehe~" Ethea giggled at his words. "My apologies, Sir Knight. I meant no offense."

"None taken, my lady."

"Then... Can you really not tell me where we’re going?"

Soren made a surrendering expression. "...My lady, you need to eat properly to eat healthy. So our first destination is a pleasant spot to enjoy breakfast."

"Oh, I see." Ethea nodded thoughtfully. "Then I look forward to it."

They continued down the main street, weaving through the morning crowd.

The city soon became alive with activity. Vendors called out their wares, children ran past with laughter, and the smell of fresh bread wafted from open shop windows.

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived in front of a place built on top of a small stream. A wooden sign above the door read ’The Morning Dew’, with a soft golden glow spilling from its windows.

"This place is..." Ethea muttered, recognition slowly crossing her features.

"That’s right," Soren confirmed. "This is the Dew Drop, and Morning Dew is its new name."

Ethea stared at the building as memories flooded back. She remembered it vividly.

Back when she was a freshman, she saved a woman from thugs, and the woman had invited her to her little eatery to thank her. The food was indeed good, and the woman was kind, so Ethea kept coming back. The owner would always insist she eat more, saying she was too thin...

Those had been some of the few peaceful moments back then. However, it had been years since she came here.

"Dear..." She turned to Soren. "How did you know and find this place?"

Soren turned to her, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "It’s a secret."

Ethea stared at him for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle. "Did Zura tell you?"

"...Maybe," Soren replied, unwilling to admit that he had spent an entire hour the night before messaging Zura. Because then he would also have to reveal that he hadn’t slept at all, too busy planning every detail of their date down to the minute.

Ethea shook her head, still smiling. "You really went out of your way."

"Of course I did." He pushed open the door and wheeled her inside. "Now, let’s see if the food is as good as you remember."

The inside of the Morning Dew was just as Ethea remembered. Wooden tables, red lanterns hanging from the ceiling, and the dulcet sound of the stream flowing beneath the floorboards. A few customers were scattered around, but the place still had its peaceful atmosphere.

A middle-aged woman emerged from the back, wiping her hands on her apron. She looked up with a polite smile, ready to greet the new customers, but her eyes lingered on Ethea for a moment longer than usual. Something about her felt familiar to the woman, but she couldn’t quite place it.

"Welcome," she said warmly. "Table for two?"

"Yes, please," Soren replied. "By the window, if possible."

The woman nodded, led them to a table by the window, and handed him a menu. "Take your time. I’ll be back to take your order."

As she walked away, Soren glanced at Ethea. ’Does she work alone?’

’No,’ Ethea answered. ’She had a daughter a few years younger than me and would help her run the place. I guess she’s grown up now and is probably working or studying. Auntie Mehriban used to say she would let her daughter study at a nice place too, that she wanted her to have a better future than just running this eatery.’

Soren nodded, noting the name. ’She sounds like a good mother.’

’Mmm... She was always kind to me.’

Soren nodded and opened the menu. The selections were simple but well-crafted. Traditional breakfast dishes, homemade bread, fresh pastries, and a variety of teas. He scanned through the options, pondering what to eat.

"...Dear, what do you recommend?"