His words instantly snapped Kazien back to reality. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly, a deep flush of his own beginning to color his neck.
"I'm sorry," he apologized, his eyes crinkling in a smile. "You're just so cute! Hehehe."
Alvin, ever the impatient one, immediately tugged on Kazien's hand and led him out of the room.
As they reached the main hall, Kazien's personal guard and aide, Raliana, a powerful warrior in her own right, watched them with a knowing smile.
"Where do you two lovebirds want to go?" Raliana inquired, her tone light.
"We want to go on a date!" Alvin announced brightly, already pulling Kazien toward the mansion yard.
When they arrived at the wrought-iron fence, the gate looming before them, they suddenly ground to a halt. They looked at each other, their initial excitement momentarily giving way to slight confusion. This was their very first proper date.
And they had absolutely no reference point for what couples did on dates.
Kazien, however, quickly recovered. "We'll think about the specifics later!" he declared, grinning. "And for now, let's just enjoy the simple, wonderful moment of being on a date together!"
Alvin nodded enthusiastically, all anxiety forgotten. "Yes! Let's go!"
That afternoon, the two lovers walked hand-in-hand through every bustling street of the city, enjoying the vibrant crowds and the novel feeling of being out together, just for pleasure.
Alvin held Kazien's hand tightly, never letting go. Their melodious laughter echoed between the storefronts, a soundtrack to their happiness. People watched, noticing the extraordinary beauty of the high elf and the striking handsomeness of the man beside him, and they noticed the genuine, undeniable intimacy they displayed. The sight of their affection and joy stirred a potent mix of admiration and sharp jealousy in the onlookers.
As they strolled past a particularly busy avenue, Kazien's eyes caught sight of a charming restaurant with cozy, open-air seating nestled beneath an awning covered with climbing vines.
"Alvin, how about we eat there?" he suggested, pointing to the inviting establishment.
Alvin turned, following his gaze. "It looks delightful and fun! Let's go there!"
When they arrived at the restaurant, a waiter, well-versed in handling all manner of clientele, immediately directed them to a prime, secluded dining table in the open area. As soon as they were seated, a thick, beautifully illustrated menu was presented to them.
Kazien scanned the offerings. "Complete Lover's Package?" he read aloud, a slight frown of curiosity creasing his brow. "What exactly does that entail?"
The waiter, who had been hovering patiently, leaned in conspiratorially. "That, young master, is a very special menu that only true lovers can order. It is designed, subtly and humorously, to deepen the connection between a couple."
"We ordered that!" Alvin exclaimed suddenly, his eyes sparkling with pure mischief and enthusiasm.
Kazien could only shake his head, a soft, indulgent smile playing on his lips, watching Alvin's eagerness for the mysterious dish. Once the waitress had finished taking their order, she departed, leaving the couple alone.
"I never knew there was such a wonderfully silly and special restaurant here!" Alvin said, looking around in delight.
"You're absolutely right, Alvin. I never thought a place like this, with its own quirks, existed," Kazien agreed, thoroughly charmed by the setting and Alvin's excitement.
"I can't wait to taste the dish! I bet it's something amazing!" Alvin practically bounced in his seat.
I never tire of looking at his face, Kazien thought, gazing at the high elf. His unpredictable enthusiasm and childish impatience only add to his utterly cute charm.
Alvin looked up, catching Kazien smiling at him with that intense, loving gaze.
"Don't look at me like that, my dear!" he said, a genuine blush beginning to rise again. "I might get too embarrassed to eat."
Kazien reached out, his hand resting lightly on Alvin's. "I am simply too happy when I look at your cute, animated face."
"Don't you ever get bored of seeing my face every day?" Alvin asked, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.
Kazien gently stroked his cheek, ignoring the surrounding chatter and the curious, intense gazes of the nearby patrons. He didn't care about anyone else. His world was Alvin.
"How could I possibly get bored when I am looking at the very source of my happiness up close like this?" he murmured, his voice filled with an undeniable depth of feeling.
I don't know why, Alvin thought, holding the hand that rested on his cheek, but every day I look at his face, his handsomeness becomes more and more apparent and captivating in my eyes. I don't ever want to look away from him.
"I feel the very same way when I look at your face, my dear." Alvin confessed, his voice earnest. "Please, promise me you will never stop smiling in front of me."
"Of course! I will always smile in front of my beautiful, cute prince!"
Alvin smiled broadly at him, a radiant expression that made Kazien's heart soar.
Meanwhile, the nearby patrons had to suppress their collective groans and jealous whispers. They were biting their lips, painfully envious of the open, unrestrained affection the couple displayed.
A few moments later, the waitress arrived with a silver tray. She placed the contents onto the table. There was only one generous portion of food, but there were two elegant spoons set beside it. There was also only one large, tall glass filled with a refreshing drink, but it featured a two-pronged, shared straw.
"Enjoy our special menu, young masters," the waitress said with a knowing smile.
"What is this food? I've never seen anything like it!" Alvin asked, leaning in for a closer look at the steaming dish.
"This dish is called boiled noodles!" the waitress explained. "The basic ingredient is a type of fine flour, young master, made from ground wheat."
"Can you possibly teach me how to make these noodles?" Alvin asked, his enthusiasm reignited, his eyes wide and eager.
"If you truly wish, you only need to ask the chef directly after you finish eating," she replied kindly.
"Perfect! After we finish eating these boiled noodles, we will definitely meet the restaurant chef!"
Once the waitress had left, Kazien and Alvin began to eat the shared meal. They both took turns feeding each other small portions. Their close intimacy was a performance in itself, making the other nearby couples exchange resentful glances.
At one point, both of them reached for the same long strand of noodle at the exact same moment. They both sucked the noodle in from opposite ends, a comedic and utterly romantic race that ended only when their lips finally brushed in a soft, unexpected kiss.
Alvin pulled back, giggling. "My dear, you even kissed me! Hahaha."
"You too! You were the one who started it! Hahaha."
The atmosphere in the restaurant, already thick with jealousy, became significantly "heated" (though for entirely different reasons than the couple realized). Some patrons even began to argue amongst themselves after witnessing the brazen display of affection. Yet, the commotion surrounding them did not bother the two lovers in the slightest.
"My dear, let's drink together now!" Alvin suggested, holding the large glass with the unique straw.
As their mouths rested on the ends of their respective straw prongs, their cheeks gently touched, a fleeting, tender contact.
"Hahaha. This is so much fun, Alvin!" Kazien laughed, delighted.
"Hahaha. I really enjoyed it too!"
Slurp!
"Ah… What a delicious drink!" they praised in unison.
More laughter escaped their mouths after they realized they had spoken in perfect synchronization. They were still happily oblivious to the fact that the atmosphere in the restaurant had become intensely charged with the collective frustration of the other patrons.
Once they had finished the meal—every last drop and strand of noodle consumed—they approached the waiter and settled the bill.
"Can we meet the chef now?" Kazien asked politely, eager to fulfill Alvin's latest request.
"Of course! Please allow me to escort you to the kitchen to meet the restaurant chef," the waiter replied, leading the way.
Upon arriving in the warm, bustling kitchen, Alvin immediately expressed his earnest intention to learn the art of making the noodles, starting from the meticulous kneading stage.
The restaurant chef, a jovial man with flour dusting his apron, was happy to oblige and teach the eager young master the secrets of the dough.
With undivided enthusiasm, Alvin watched every single movement the chef made, absorbing the technique with the concentration of a scholar.
"Why do you suddenly want to learn how to make these particular noodles, young master?" the chef asked curiously, mixing flour and water in a large bowl.
Alvin, his eyes glued to the dough, replied without hesitation, his voice ringing with pure, sweet motivation. "Because... because I want to make them for my love. The noodles are delicious, but they will taste even better when I prepare them myself for him!"
Kazien, standing slightly behind Alvin, heard the reply and felt his heart swell with emotion. He reached out and gently squeezed Alvin's shoulder, a silent promise to forever cherish this cute, earnest, and deeply loving high elf.