Lilian and Dion tried so many things that night, it felt like a dream she never wanted to wake up from.
First, they stopped by a group of street performers who were dancing, singing, and acting out silly little plays in the middle of the market square. Colorful lights and laughter filled the night air. Lia clapped like a child whenever a trick went right and gasped dramatically at every plot twist in the performers' show. Dion stood by her side, watching her enjoy herself more than he did the actual show.
After that, the tempting smell of grilled food lured them to a nearby skewer stall.
"Oh no… I don't have any money right now,"
Lia mumbled, awkwardly patting the sides of Dion's cloak that she was still wrapped in. The trip had been so sudden, and considering she was just supposed to head to bed a couple of hours ago, this was totally unexpected.
She was still in her nightgown, fortunately it was mostly hidden under the warm cloak Dion had given her earlier.
"Mister, four skewers please,"
Dion called out to the vendor without a second thought.
"Four skewers coming right up,"
the vendor replied cheerfully.
"Rin, I'm sorry… but I don't have any money,"
Lia said, feeling more embarrassed by the minute.
"It's better if you just eat them alone."
"What are you talking about?"
Dion grinned at her, leaning in a little
. "Of course I'm treating you. I brought you here to repay you, remember?"
With that, Lia felt grateful but also a bit guilty for letting Dion pay for everything.
Dion handed her two freshly grilled skewers.
"Here, try it."
Lia hesitated for a moment, then took a careful bite. Her eyes sparkled immediately, and she let out an honest, delighted hum.
"This is so delicious!"
she exclaimed, holding the skewer like it was the most precious thing in the world.
Definitely better than the cold, stiff steak they served to her at the temple.
She munched on the skewer like a happy squirrel until it was all gone. But after finishing, she found herself staring longingly at Dion's remaining skewer, wanting another but far too shy to ask for one. She tried to play it cool, pretending to look around, though her gaze kept flickering back to the grill.
Of course, Dion noticed.
"Mister, can you grill six more?"
he called out.
Hearing that, Lia almost groaned out loud. Her face burned red, embarrassed that she was so easy to read. But at the same time, her heart felt warm and happy.
When the skewers were ready, Dion gave all six to Lia.
"I can't eat all of this,"
Lia protested, though she was definitely tempted.
"Go ahead. I ordered them for you."
"No way,"
she shook her head.
"We should split them equally."
Dion laughed and gave in.
"Fine, you win."
The two walked around the night market while munching on their skewers, weaving through the crowds of people. Lia's face was bright the whole time, like she was making up for every moment she'd missed in her years of isolation.
When they passed a masquerade mask stall, Dion stopped and picked up a delicate white mask decorated with tiny blue crystals. It reminded him of Lia's eyes, clear and soft like a calm lake under the sky. He smiled, imagining how she would look in it.
But when he turned to show it to her, his smile froze.
Lia was holding a demon mask.
A dark one, with two long, sharp horns curling up from its forehead. It looked like one of those old oni masks from festival plays.
"Look at this, Rin. Doesn't this look like you?"
she said, grinning.
The vendor sighed, visibly pitying Dion.
"What do you mean it looks like me? It doesn't resemble me at all!"
Dion spluttered.
"It does, though,"
Lia insisted with a teasing smirk.
"The great demon lord…"
she whispered dramatically, gazing at the mask as though she was meeting an old friend.
She stared at it for so long Dion gave up arguing. Instead, he sighed, took out a few coins, and bought both masks.
"If you like it that much, you can keep it,"
he said.
"Really?"
Lia's face lit up. She took Dion's hand in both of hers, leaning closer with sparkling eyes. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
Dion felt his face grow hot and turned away to hide his blush.
"It's nothing. You're welcome,"
he muttered.
They continued to explore the night market for hours. Lia's face was full of joy the whole time. She tried fruit candy for the first time in years, giggled when she tasted something too sour, and dragged Dion over to watch a simple magician's trick.
At one point, Dion caught himself just standing there, watching her, wondering how someone could look so happy with something as simple as a festival. He figured it must be because she'd been locked away for so long. And in some strange way, he felt honored to be the one to give her this night.
When the sky turned a deeper shade of midnight blue and most of the stalls started closing down, Dion led Lia back to the cliff they had arrived from.
Standing at the very edge, looking down at the city lights glowing like stars scattered across the earth, Lia spread her arms wide and shouted at the top of her lungs.
"BEST NIGHT EVER!!"
Her voice echoed into the mountains, and Dion laughed.
She turned to him, her hair catching the breeze, and grinned.
"Thank you, Rin. Really."
Dion shrugged, though his heart felt oddly light.
"Don't thank me yet,"
he said.
"There's still more to come next time."
Lia tilted her head.
"Next time?"
"Of course. You don't think this is a one-time thing, do you? I'm not done repaying you."
Lia smiled, a soft, hopeful thing.
"Alright,"
she whispered
"Please come visit me again next week"
And with that, it was time to return home.
But the memory of the night lingered, glowing in her hearts like the lights in the city below.