The Date

Kaelion’s face was calm and unreadable as ever, but inside, his thoughts raced. What am I doing? Why does this matter so much? He felt an unfamiliar tension in his chest—a mixture of nerves and anticipation. This is just a casual outing, isn’t it? Then why does it feel different? He wrestled with the pressure to meet expectations he wasn’t even sure existed. Should I compliment her? What if I say the wrong thing? He sighed inwardly. Stay composed, Kaelion. You’re a prince. You’ve handled diplomatic negotiations—this should be nothing. But even as he thought that he couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment carried far more weight than any treaty he’d ever signed. What should I wear? Should I look casual or formal? He stared at his wardrobe, feeling uncharacteristically indecisive. Normally, his princely upbringing left little room for such trivial worries—but this wasn’t just any outing.

It was the outing.

The thought made him stiffen slightly, though outwardly, his expression remained cool. It’s not a date, he told himself. Clara merely wanted to thank me. Nothing more. Yet he couldn’t deny the spark of anticipation steadily growing all day. He selected a crisp, dark shirt and paired it with a tailored but understated jacket. It wasn’t too fancy—just enough to show he cared. His reflection stared back at him, composed but with a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. Is this good enough?

Meanwhile, in her dorm room, Clara paced nervously. “What should I wear?” she asked, glancing at Emily, Sarah, Velira, and Lyssara, who had gathered to assist her. Emily, ever the romantic, leaned forward eagerly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Go for something cute and charming! First impressions are everything!"

Meanwhile, Velira, always the practical one, offered a measured smile. "Choose something that makes you feel comfortable and confident—it’s about being yourself." Lyssara crossed her arms, a teasing grin playing on her lips. "Oh, come on, Clara. You’re overthinking this. Pick something that will make him speechless." Sarah, the quietest but most observant of the group, added thoughtfully, "Consider the setting. What would make you stand out, while still blending into the atmosphere?" Clara glanced at each of them, her thoughts swirling as she tried to balance their varying advice.

Emily clapped her hands together, grinning. “Oh, this is a date! You have to wear something cute!”

Clara hesitated. “I don’t even know if it is a date. I just… I want to repay him for saving me.”

Velira raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Repaying someone doesn’t usually involve a movie,” she teased. “Face it, Clara. You like him.”

Clara’s cheeks turned pink. “I… I don’t know! What would a zaylaran even like? Or a prince of Telysia?”

Sarah leaned forward, her eyes sparkling. “Forget what he likes. What makes you feel confident? That’s what you should wear.”

Emily rummaged through Clara’s wardrobe. “Here! This dress is perfect!” She held up a soft pastel dress with subtle floral patterns. Clara took it, nervously smoothing the fabric.

“Do you think this is too much?”

Lyssara smirked. “Not at all. Trust me, when Kaelion sees you in this, he’ll be stunned.”

Kaelion stood outside the dorms, his posture impeccably straight, betraying none of his inner turmoil. The cool night air carried the faint scent of blooming flowers, and the soft hum of distant conversations drifted through the campus. The warm glow of nearby streetlights cast long shadows across the cobblestone path, grounding him even as his thoughts raced. Is she nervous too? Does she think of this as a date? He shook the thought away, glancing at the time. The sound of the dorm door opening pulled him from his thoughts.

Clara stepped out, her cheeks slightly flushed, her dress flowing gently with her movements. Kaelion’s breath caught, though his face remained stoic.

She looks… beautiful, he thought, his mind blank momentarily. He noticed how the soft pastel color of her dress complemented her complexion, the delicate floral patterns adding an air of grace.

“You look pretty,” he said simply, the words coming out more bluntly than he intended.

Clara smiled shyly, her blush deepening. “Thank you. You look good too.”

They walked side by side toward the cinema, a comfortable silence falling between them. Clara stole glances at Kaelion, who seemed lost in thought. Does he even want to be here? She wondered. He’s so quiet…

Kaelion’s mind, however, was far from calm. Should I say something? What should we talk about? He glanced at Clara, who was looking ahead. She seems at ease. Does she expect me to lead the conversation? Despite his usual composure, he felt oddly out of his depth.

At the cinema, they chose a lighthearted, comedic film. Clara’s laughter filled the theater, a sound Kaelion found unexpectedly pleasant. He couldn’t help but let the corners of his mouth twitch upward briefly. He wasn’t used to such warmth, and for a moment, he allowed himself to relax.

After the movie, Kaelion cleared his throat. “Would you like to get some cake?”

Clara’s eyes lit up. “That sounds wonderful.”

They found a cozy café nearby. Its rustic wooden exterior was adorned with twinkling fairy lights and a chalkboard sign inviting guests with the promise of freshly baked pastries and steaming cups of coffee. Inside, the warm scent of vanilla and cinnamon greeted them, while soft jazz music played in the background, adding to the intimate ambiance. Kaelion held the door open for Clara, earning him another smile. They sat by a window, the warm glow of the café’s lights casting a soft hue over their table.

Kaelion struggled to find the right words. He wasn’t naturally talkative, and this situation felt uncharted. Clara sensed his hesitation and took the initiative, sharing stories about her childhood and asking him questions about his favorite foods and hobbies. Kaelion’s answers were brief but sincere, and her efforts to keep the conversation going didn’t go unnoticed.

She’s trying so hard to make this enjoyable for both of us, he thought. I need to do better.

He tried to ask her about her studies, interests, anything to show he was listening, even if his words were few. Clara’s enthusiasm and warmth made it easier for him to relax, though his demeanor remained reserved. The sight of her animated expressions and the way she laughed at her own stories stirred something unfamiliar in him.

As they walked back to the dorms, the night air was cool and crisp. The soft chirping of crickets filled the silence between them, and the occasional rustle of leaves added a soothing backdrop. They stopped in front of the door, an unspoken tension hanging between them. Clara hesitated before turning to him.

“I had a really good time,” she said softly, looking up at him.

Kaelion nodded. “I did too.”

Clara smiled, her heart racing. “Could you bend down for a moment?”

Kaelion tilted his head in confusion but complied. Clara stood on her tiptoes and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he froze, his mind going blank. Clara quickly stepped back, her face glowing red.

“Goodnight, Kaelion,” she whispered before slipping inside.

Kaelion stood there, his hand slowly moving to touch his cheek where her lips had been. His heart was pounding. What just happened? He replayed the moment in his mind, unsure how to process it. Finally, he shook himself and followed her inside.

Inside the dorm, Clara barely had time to catch her breath before the girls surrounded her.

“How was it?” Emily asked eagerly.

“What did he say?” Lyssara pressed.

Clara smiled shyly. “It was nice. He… he’s really sweet.”

Meanwhile, Kaelion wasn’t spared either. Rynar and Noah intercepted him the moment he stepped inside.

“How’d it go?” Noah grinned. “We saw the peck on the cheek. Smooth move, Prince.”

Kaelion’s face remained neutral, though his ears burned. “It was… fine.”

Rynar smirked. “Fine? That’s all you’ve got? Come on, man, give us details!”

Kaelion glanced away, his thoughts still swirling. It wasn’t just fine. It was… more than that.

As the night wore on, both groups buzzed with excitement, recounting the “fairy tale” of the prince and the human girl. Kaelion retreated to his room, finally allowing himself a small smile. Maybe this wasn’t just an outing after all.

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