Arcanium's Northern Satellite City – Virenne
By the time I arrived at the plaza, Bi-Yeon had already commandeered the entire corner of a terrace café. I don't mean a table. I mean the actual corner—with velvet rope, reserved signage, and two guards standing like statues at the edge of the cobbled street.
"Seriously?" I muttered as I walked up.
She looked up from her tea, elegant and unreadable, then tilted her head with a knowing smirk. "Took you long enough."
"You do realize this is a café, not your royal court?"
"I was promised a proper date," she said coolly, gesturing to the chair across from her. "So I made it proper."
"You bribed the cafe owner"
"I reserved a corner. It's called initiative."
I let out a soft laugh and took the seat.
"And yet you showed up." She poured me a cup of tea without asking No need to. She already knew how I took it.
---
Stop One: Royal Tea
Virenne was built like a storybook—ornate streetlamps, pale stone buildings, magical gardens with floating petals and artificial sunlight filters. Everything was pristine. And Bi-Yeon, in her muted blue coat and gorgeous silver hair fit in like a painting.
"You're staring again," she said, not looking up.
"You make it easy."
"Flatterer."
"You love it."
She smiled but didn't deny it.
After a sip, I leaned in slightly. "Is this whole day going to be fancy cafés and giving people orders?"
"No," she said, pausing for effect. "There's also walking dramatically in heels while pretending not to be followed by royal guards."
"Sounds like a blast."
She leaned forward this time, closing the distance just a bit. "If you behave, I might let you hold my hand in public."
I raised an eyebrow. "What if I don't behave?"
"Well…" She tapped her fingers on her teacup. "Then I might have to pull you somewhere private. And do something scandalous."
"…Scandalous like… stealing a kiss?"
She feigned shock. "Yu-Seol. What would the people think?"
"Probably that you've got good taste."
That earned me a quiet laugh. The kind she only let out when she thought no one else could hear.
---
Stop Two: The Garden Maze
After tea, she led me through the central garden, where enchanted ivy curled into walls, creating a sprawling maze dotted with magical roses and soft illusions. A few curious onlookers whispered as we passed, but none dared to approach.
Bi-Yeon walked ahead just slightly, as if leading me somewhere. It wasn't until we turned into a secluded bend—hidden by hedges and wrapped in warm sunlight—that she finally stopped.
"Well," she said, glancing over her shoulder. "No guards here."
I looked around. "What happened to them?"
She smiled. "They were dismissed."
"You planned this."
"Of course I did."
A pause.
Then I stepped closer. "So what now?"
She reached out, fingers brushing against the collar of my coat before tugging me gently forward. "Now," she whispered, "you stop making me wait."
I kissed her.
Not rushed, not desperate—just full, and soft, and warm. The kind of kiss that tasted like finally.
When we pulled apart, she rested her forehead against mine, eyes half-lidded. "I hate that I always have to keep my composure."
"You don't have to, with me."
"I know." Her voice was quiet now.
She wrapped her arms around me pulling me into a tight hug pressing close. I held her without hesitation, one hand stroking her back slowly. It wasn't something we did often—being this unguarded. But when she leaned her cheek into my chest and didn't pull away, I knew she needed it.
I ran a hand through her hair. "You okay?"
"Mhm. Just… recharging."
---
Stop Three: The Archive Café
After the maze, we made our way to a hidden little café tucked between old bookstores and alchemy shops. It wasn't flashy or royal—it was dimly lit, quiet, with floating paper lanterns and one enchanted cat that refused to leave Bi-Yeon's lap.
She didn't seem to mind.
"I thought you only liked noble spots."
"This place has character," she said, stroking the cat's fur. "Also, no one here knows me."
I leaned back, watching her absently sip from her cup, the gentle lamplight making her hair shimmer.
She caught me staring again. "Stop that."
"Can't help it."
Bi-Yeon sighed, placing her cup down. "You really mean it, don't you?"
"What?"
"When you look at me like that. You don't see a title or an obligation. You just… see me."
"I've only ever seen you," I said.
Her eyes flicked down. "You're really dangerous sometimes."
I smirked. "To you?"
"To my heart."
I reached out, fingers intertwining with hers. "Good be mine for a while."
She squeezed back. "Not just for a while but for eternity"
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of soft words, stolen kisses, and lingering touches. She leaned against me on the couch, her head on my shoulder, and the world outside faded to a hum.
No royal duties. No titles. No roles to play.
Just us.
'surprisingly it was a normal date...'
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End of Day Three
Next: Day Four — Scarlet's plan for a "fun" date