Chapter 484 Winter Evening
Ella smiled and took a mouth of noodles before eating it. Archer heard her making little adorable noises as it seemed like she loved it.
After eating, the half-elf turned to him with a smile before commenting. ''That was lovely.''
He nodded. ''Yeah, it is, but don't eat too much. I know a restaurant that serves similar food. Let's go there after we check on Hecate.''
Ella smiled as the two got up and started walking again. After walking for twenty minutes, they arrived at Dragonheart Potions.
When they arrived, Archer saw people entering and leaving the store. It looked really busy, which pleased him.
The two then entered the shop to see people everywhere as some dragon-kin warriors gave him a bow when they saw him.
Archer waved them off as they continued watching over the shop. That's when he saw Eione and Xanthe working on the register.
He looked around and spotted Thalia, who smiled while waving at him, which he returned.
Recognizing that Hecate and Stella were deeply conversing with customers, the moon elf noticed Archer and offered him a warm smile.
Finishing her interaction, she quickly approached him, followed by Stella, the dog girl, at her side, radiating joy.
The little girl eagerly rushed toward Archer, enthusiastically embracing him as soon as she reached him.
Returning the hug, he inquired, "Hello, Stella. How have you been?"
''I've been fine. Hecate has taught me many good things and made me her assistant shop manager, which is fun.'' She answered with a big smile.
He nodded before putting her down and ruffling her hair, which caused Stella to laugh. After that, Hecate approached him and hugged him.
The moon elf inquired, "What brings you here, Arch?"
His gaze followed Ella, who was being guided around the shop by Stella; her excitement was evident. A smile played on Archer's lips as he observed them.
Turning his attention to the grey-skinned girl who had occupied his dreams. He felt a surge of happiness at having her in his life.
Hecate, known for her intelligence and passion for studying and creating, had shifted her focus to perfecting potion-making since acquiring the shop.
Each girl in Archer's life brought a unique personality to the group. With her quiet and anti-social demeanor, Hecate held a special place in his heart.
Shaking off his thoughts, he responded, "Just came to check on the shop and to let you know I'll be taking you on a date in the coming days."
When Hecate heard him, she smiled and nodded as she replied. ''Just let me know whenever we go out, and I will get one of the girls to take over in the shop.''
''I will, my Moon Witch,'' Archer replied.
He looked around the shop while continuing to speak. ''How's the shop been doing?''
Hecate walked to a display and started tidying it up as she replied. ''Well, business has been booming, to be honest. I'll have to close the shop for a few days to make even more.''
Archer expressed concern when he asked, "Do you need any help?"
Hecate shook her head, assuring him, "No, thank you. I have Eione and Stella to help me make them."
She glanced at the half-elf, who was conversing with Stella and Thalia, and smiled. "I can see you're out with Ella. Enjoy your date, and I'm looking forward to ours."
Archer's smile widened at Hecate's words, and he leaned in, surprising her with a kiss. Hecate quickly reciprocated.
Their moment drew smiles from some of the customers who witnessed it. After the brief but heartfelt exchange, Hecate bid him goodbye, returning to her work.
He called for Ella, who walked over to him, waving at Stella. As they prepared to leave, the little girl rushed over to him excitedly, noticing their departure.
Stella hugged him again before telling him she had to return to work, which Archer didn't stop and watched her run off.
They turned to leave while the door was held for them by an older couple. Ella thanked them as they stepped outside.
Archer noticed snowflakes had begun to drift from the sky. The air carried a serene chill, and Archer extended his hand to Ella.
"Looks like it's starting to snow. Shall we head to the restaurant?" he suggested, his fingers intertwining with hers as they made their way through the snowy landscape.
They strolled down the snow-covered street, the soft crunch of snow beneath their boots creating a melodic backdrop to their evening.
As they approached the restaurant, the warm glow from within welcomed them. The "Paramount " sign announced the fancy establishment.
The exterior exuded an air of sophistication, with large glass windows revealing the elegant interior.
Archer held the door open for Ella, and as they stepped inside, the ambiance of Paramount enveloped them in a blend of soft lighting, muted conversations, and a lovely aroma.
When they entered Paramount, the luxurious atmosphere of the restaurant enveloped them.
The eyes of the patrons already inside turned toward the newcomers, their curious glances briefly pausing during their elegant conversations.
A waiter, clad in a sophisticated uniform, approached the couple with a welcoming smile.
"How can I help you two youngsters tonight?" he inquired politely.
Undeterred by the attention, Archer responded confidently, "We'd like to dine here tonight, if possible."
The man nodded, leading them to a finely set table in the heart of the restaurant, where they could enjoy their meal.
Seated at their chosen table, the waiter presented them with the menu. Archer looked at the food, but nothing caught his eye except for a dish featuring meat and noodles.
Deciding on that, he placed his order while Ella opted for a salad and meat dish. The waiter acknowledged their choices with a nod before vanishing to arrange their selected dishes.
While waiting, Ella looked at him with a smile before asking. ''So, how do you like college Arch? I thought you wanted to be free and not tied down.''
Archer looked at her with a smile before explaining. "You know, being in college doesn't restrict my freedom. If anything, it opens up new avenues for learning and understanding the world."
He looked out the window as the storm got worse before he continued. "The knowledge I gain there, the friendships I form, and the experiences I gain are all part of a journey."
Archer sipped the water on the table before continuing, "For example, Riverbend and Frostholm. Those tales are not just stories; they're a part of history. I'm drawn to them not for the sake of conquest but for the wealth and riches. I will be the first to reclaim the cities and be rewarded with riches beyond imagination."
He leaned in, his eyes full of greed as he looked into Ella's. "All that wealth will be able to support our family for years to come. Our children's children will still be spending it.''
When he finished speaking, Ella giggled before commenting. ''I never thought a dragon would give up his gold.''
Archer grinned. ''Well, by the time we have children I will have so much wealth that it would cover Pluoria.''
After speaking, he chuckled but stopped when the waiter returned and placed their food in front of them.
The waiter departed, leaving a moment for Ella to speak. "I was just messing with you, Arch. I know you don't care when it comes to us girls. Look at Hecate. She has a shop, and I'm sure you'd make it happen if one of us also wanted a shop."
"Absolutely. I love seeing you all happy," Archer replied before delving into his meal.
Archer and Ella continued to enjoy their meal, the restaurant's peaceful atmosphere providing a cozy backdrop to their conversation.
The couple chatted about various things, sharing laughter and stories as they savored the tasty food they loved.
As they finished their meal, Archer's gaze wandered toward the restaurant's window, where he noticed the onset of another snowstorm.
Turning to Ella, he asked with a curious expression, "Is Frostwinter always this bad?"
The question lingered in the air, and Ella took a moment to consider her response.
Ella glanced out the window, contemplating Archer's question about the severity of the Frostwinter storms.
With a thoughtful expression, she began, "Well, the storms during Frostwinter are always this intense. It's strange, isn't it?"
She tried some of her drink before continuing, "I've heard some scholars say that the mana levels in the world can influence the weather patterns. Maybe there's an increase in mana, or something else is causing these storms to be more severe than usual. It's hard to say.''
Archer smiled, gently pushing his plate away and finishing his glass of water as Ella did the same thing.
As the waiter appeared, he politely inquired, "Are you finished?" Archer nodded and requested the bill.
The man swiftly informed him, "Six gold."
Archer handed over the coins before standing up and approaching the exit. Ella, grabbing his arm, held on as they left the restaurant together.
Stepping out onto the snowy street, Archer and Ella were embraced by the winter evening.
The cold air stung their faces as they walked side by side, the city adorned in a white blanket of snow beneath the soft glow of streetlights.
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