Chapter 59: Operation First Date (I)
Midday enveloped the rooftop of Arcana Academy with a pleasant breeze.
It was one of the few places where Kael could breathe easy.
Or at least...
That’s what he hoped.
Sitting on a blanket spread on the ground, Kael had his back resting against Seraphina’s legs, who remained seated with the same elegant posture as always.
On the blanket rested several containers of food.
Rice.
Vegetables.
Meat.
And a huge fillet from a water monster.
The famous Glacial Tide-Eater.
Seraphina took a small piece of rice with her chopsticks.
Then she slowly brought it to Kael’s face.
Her expression didn’t change at all.
"Open your mouth."
Kael obeyed almost by reflex.
"Ah..."
She put the food in.
Waited for him to finish chewing.
"Is it hot?"
"No."
"Good."
She took another piece.
"Open."
"Ah..."
"Very good."
Kael swallowed.
"Thanks."
"You’re welcome."
Silence.
A silence so absolute that even the wind seemed uncomfortable.
Luna watched the scene from the other side of the blanket.
A tic appeared in her left eye.
Then another.
Her smile began to tremble.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Finally, she exploded.
"WHY DO YOU TWO LOOK LIKE AN OLD MARRIED COUPLE OF FIFTY YEARS!?"
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Is that bad?"
"OF COURSE IT’S BAD!"
"But you said feeding him like this would help strengthen the bond."
Seraphina nodded with total naturalness.
"I followed the instructions exactly."
Luna brought both hands to her face.
"Yes!
But not with the face of someone feeding a duck at the park!"
Kael looked at Seraphina.
She remained completely serious.
"Did I do it wrong?"
"No!
That’s the problem!"
Luna pointed at them accusingly.
"You did it too well!
You look like a married couple!"
Kael blinked again.
"Well...
That sounds efficient."
Luna felt something inside her break.
---
Meanwhile...
Completely oblivious to the human drama...
The two summons were enjoying lunch.
The Little Fat King was sitting on a cushion specially prepared by Seraphina.
In front of him was a huge piece of the Glacial Tide-Eater.
He bit it slowly.
With absolute elegance.
As if he were savoring the most expensive fish on the continent.
"Meow..."
A few meters away...
Sir Dogerino sat beside Luna.
In front of him was a huge bowl full of premium kibble.
"Woof!"
He ate with such happiness that he wagged his tail as if trying to take off.
Kael watched the scene.
Then he looked at the dog.
"Aren’t you supposed to be a knight?"
Sir Dogerino lifted his head.
"Woof!"
And kept eating with even more enthusiasm.
Kael sighed.
"That answers my question."
The Fat King slowly looked up.
He watched the dog.
Saw him devouring kibble with such enthusiasm.
He narrowed his eyes.
Clearly disappointed.
"Meow..."
Then...
He went back to focusing on his fish.
As if thinking:
"It’s not worth arguing with someone like that."
Five seconds later...
They both kept eating exactly the same way.
---
Luna took a deep breath.
Very deep.
Then she slapped the blanket with both hands.
"Enough!"
Everyone looked at her.
Even Sir Dogerino stopped wagging his tail.
"This isn’t going anywhere."
She pointed at Kael and Seraphina.
"You’ve been acting like this for weeks.
You eat together.
Train together.
Sleep together..."
Kael raised a hand.
"We’ve never slept together."
Luna blinked.
"You haven’t?"
"No."
"..."
She looked at Seraphina.
"Why not?"
She answered with absolute sincerity.
"No one suggested it."
Luna felt like screaming.
But she decided to preserve whatever little sanity she had left.
"That doesn’t matter!"
She stood up dramatically.
"The conclusion is simple."
She paused.
Pointed at both of them.
"You’re going on a date!"
Silence.
Kael tilted his head.
"What?"
Seraphina answered before him.
"Okay."
Kael turned so fast he almost fell off the blanket.
"WHY DID YOU ACCEPT SO FAST!?"
She looked at him, confused.
"Because Luna said it would help."
"That doesn’t answer anything!"
"Trusting Luna usually gives good results."
Kael looked at Luna.
Then he remembered...
The training.
The photographs.
The t-shirt with the Fat King lying on his head.
The engagement rumors.
He sighed.
"I disagree."
---
As if she had been waiting for that exact moment...
Luna opened a backpack.
She pulled out a huge notebook.
Placed it dramatically on the blanket.
OPERATION: FIRST DATE
Written in giant letters.
Decorated with hearts.
Flowers.
And small drawings of the Fat King.
Kael felt a chill.
"..."
"How long has that existed?"
"Three months."
"THREE MONTHS!?"
Luna began flipping through pages.
There was absolutely everything.
Schedules.
Recommended places.
Budget.
Alternative routes.
Possible conversation topics.
Romantic emergencies.
Even...
A section called:
"What to do if Kael tries to escape."
Kael read quickly.
"..."
"Why is there a sewer map?"
"You never know."
"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!?"
Aurelion, who had just come up to the rooftop with a drink in hand, looked at the notebook.
He whistled, impressed.
"It’s quite complete."
Kael pointed at him indignantly.
"Don’t encourage her!"
"I’m just admiring the level of planning."
Darius appeared behind Aurelion.
He looked at the notebook.
Then at Luna.
"That’s scary."
"Thanks."
"That wasn’t a compliment."
---
Luna slammed the notebook shut.
"Now comes the important part."
She slowly looked toward the two summons.
The Fat King was still eating fish.
Sir Dogerino had already finished the kibble.
Now he sat with an enormous smile.
"I need your help."
Sir Dogerino reacted immediately.
He stood up.
Raised a paw.
And performed a perfect military salute.
"Woof!"
Luna smiled.
"I knew I could count on you."
The dog looked completely proud.
All that was missing was a national anthem playing in the background.
Everyone turned to the Fat King.
He...
Didn’t even lift his head.
Still focused on the fish.
"Meow..."
Luna sighed.
She had expected that reaction.
She discreetly pulled out another huge piece of the Glacial Tide-Eater.
Placed it in front of the cat.
The Fat King’s ears perked up immediately.
His eyes slowly opened.
He looked at the fish.
Then at Luna.
Then back at the fish.
"Meow..."
Luna smiled victoriously.
"I knew we could negotiate."
The cat slowly brought a paw forward.
Took the fish.
Dragged it toward himself.
And began eating as if the negotiation had never existed.
Kael watched the entire scene.
"..."
"I think you just bribed an entity capable of destroying mountains."
Luna nodded proudly.
"And it worked."
The Fat King didn’t even try to deny it.
He just kept eating.
Sir Dogerino barked happily.
As if they had just formed the most important team in the kingdom.
Kael felt a very bad feeling.
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