Chapter 7:

  Dinner Venue

  Walking next to Elizabeth made me realize just how much taller she was than me. The top of my head barely reached her eyes. Though, I didn't mind. It wasn't like I had a complex about my height or anything. Truth be told, she reminded me a lot of the Amazons from those comics.

  Tall, strong, and beautiful. Above all, elegant and regal in such a way that drew all eyes to her. Despite that, she only looked at me, and I at her. How could I not?

  The way the dress hugged all her curves, while still being modest. Showing off the sculpted, subtle muscles of her physique. Not to mention, that smile. It was radiant and warm.

  Walking through the building, there wasn't a single person who didn't notice our passing. I didn't consider myself ugly, but I wasn't a model or anything. Depending on the day, I felt slightly above average. Soft features and gsses, though not fat or anything. Just...undefined.

  Slightly high cheekbones and okay jawline. Sometimes I had a bit of a scruff on my face, but today was just a little bit of a five o'clock shadow. To be honest, I felt confident despite my usual demeanor. Even if I did feel out of pce.

  This pce was dazzling. The moment we entered, I was hit with the glitz and gm of everything. Warm lighting from crystal chandeliers bounced off of the accessories people wore. From bracelets to jeweled neckces and rings. The refined atmosphere felt like it would suffocate me.

  Flowers pruned and picked to perfection decorated the pce in vases. The greenest foliage filled marble pnters. Men and women in dark suits and sungsses stood at several locations, keeping a watch over the comings and goings of everyone.

  Marbled columns and lush carpet guided us along to elevators that were operated by women in crimson bellhop uniforms. Accented with gold and with no wrinkle in the fabric, they looked fake. Especially with the smiles they gave everyone.

  Maybe it was just my time working as a plebian, but I could tell a service smile when I saw one.

  Arriving in the elevator, I found myself being a little protective of Elizabeth as others began crowding in. Without thought, I had positioned myself so no one else would be next to her. I only noticed when I looked over and saw her smiling amusingly at me.

  "Y-Yes?" I whispered, not wanting to be too loud as the elevator continued to rise, and I began to feel a little woozy with how many floors we were passing.

  "Nothing," she replied back quietly, leaning down into my ear, "It's just adorable how protective you are. I don't think anyone is getting close to me."

  A blush entered my face as I realized that she was right. I had her practically trapped in the corner, but this seemed to work out as she wrapped an arm around me. Her hand against my side, I felt incredibly self-conscious, but her hold on me was possessive, and...comforting?

  "I'm sorry. I know you don't like heights, Lucas," She mentioned softly, "I also got us a corner table, as I know you like watching everything."

  "...Thank you," I muttered, feeling utterly touched, "And it's alright...I'll deal with it."

  Despite my hesitance with how high we were going up in the elevator, Elizabeth was there with her steadying hold on my waist. As the elevator doors dinged upon the 51st floor, my eyes sparkled with the grandiose sight before me. I could hardly believe that there was a floor grander than the first floor, but here it was in all its vish glory.

  "...Elizabeth," I whispered, feeling a little concerned.

  "Yes, my dear?" She asked sweetly, completely unaware.

  "Are you sure I should be here?" I felt my eye twitch a little at how out of pce I truly was.

  Deep, crimson carpets with golden lines woven in intricate designs upon the floor. Tables with pristine white cloths pressed within an inch of their lives. Gleaming silverware that may actually be real silver. Gsses that looked to be made of actual crystal.

  A bar situated within the center of the room made of a deep, rich mahogany. All the waiters were in pristine uniforms of maroon with white and gold accents. Each one looked as if they could be a model in their spare time. That said nothing for the guests, who were all wearing clothing of the highest quality and fashion.

  Green ferns spruced up the ambiance in perfectly marbled pnters. A soft, cssical music pyed over the low thrum of the murmuring masses. Artwork that I'd never seen decorated the walls to provide a pleasing view for the eyes. Not to mention the view that the windows gave over the rest of the district.

  "Quite sure," Elizabeth responded, her hand upon my waist leading me inside, "From now on, you'll be facing a lot of these situations."

  "...I'm not sure I'm ready for that," I answered honestly.

  "I'll try to take it slow," She spoke softly, reassuring me, "I am a bit overzealous today. I hope you can forgive me if I overdo it."

  Gncing up at her, I could see she was a little worried, and perhaps even felt a little guilty. Somehow, I couldn't really be mad at her.

  "Why would I be upset?" I told her, straightening myself up, "You're doing all this for me. I also get to spend time with you. Though it's only the first day...I'm happy."

  "Are you?" She inquired hopefully, and once I nodded, her smile and eyes took on a deep fixation as she looked at me, "Anything you want. You will have."

  "Well, let me try to adjust first, yeah?" I chuckled and she blushed lightly, looking away sheepishly.

  It was adorable how she pouted. I had only met her today, and yet I felt like I've always known her. That wasn't far off, but I truly didn't know anything about her, despite all the dreams I had before. This was entirely new to me, even if deep in my heart there were feelings that y dormant.

  For her, she had lived many lifetimes with me. "It must not be easy for her...Starting over all the time." I felt a pain in my heart then, and a tenderness fill my entire body. Taking her hand from my waist, she was surprised and almost hurt, but as I entwined my fingers in hers, and held on tightly, her expression was repced by one of complete satisfaction.

  -----

  A small, two-person table in the corner of the room. It wasn't completely away from everyone, but it was enough that I could see the entire room, and even had a view out of the walled windows. Night had fully kicked in, so the lights of the city looked like stars.

  Inside, a soft, warm glow filled the area from the crystal chandeliers overhead. Everything was incredibly ritzy, and I couldn't help but feel like I had to be careful. There were so many different types of utensils and several gsses that I had no idea what to use any of them for.

  Meanwhile, Elizabeth simply looked on in fascination at me. It was a little uncomfortable, but nothing I didn't mind. I simply felt self-conscious.

  "I know it's my imagination," I looked around the room as I spoke to Elizabeth, "But I feel so many eyes on me."

  "It's not your imagination, dear," She replied, causing my heart to sink, "You're just that adorable."

  "...Elizabeth," I blushed at her words, rolling my eyes, "I doubt that's the reason."

  "You underestimate yourself," She stated in all seriousness, "Regardless, they may look, but if they touch..."

  A deadly glint entered her eye, and I suddenly felt a little shy. A strange reaction to such a fierce look.

  "Sorry," She took a breath and rexed, becoming a little demure, "I can't help myself sometimes."

  "No...It's fine," I replied, taking a drink from the water cup to cool off the warmth I felt run through my body, "I'm fttered, honestly. Just, try not to kill anyone without reason, yeah?"

  I was joking, but from the look in her eye as she smiled, I became a bit worried for anyone who got close to me.

  "Don't worry," She stated, a lust to her words, "If you ask it, I shall grant it."

  "...Then, can I ask a question?" I was hesitant, but as she remained silent and nodded, I decided to ask what was on my mind, "How far...will you go for that?"

  It was a question I felt like I knew the answer to, but it had me uneasy ever since I met her earlier that day. I didn't know if I was worried about the answer, or if I just needed to hear it to cement my course of action.

  "Lucas," Elizabeth called my name with that fondness which reached deep into my heart and soul, as if she had called it thousands of times, which she most likely had, "I believe you already know the answer to that question..."

  A yandere glint entered her eyes, and my heart skipped several beats.

  "I'd still like you to say it," I told her firmly, though not with anger, "Please. I want to hear it."

  "Mmm," She practically moaned, her face contorting into a pleasurable grimace, "If you act like that...I can hardly refuse."

  Taking a breath to calm herself, she looked me directly in the eye. Those jeweled golden green eyes unwavering.

  "I will do anything," She told me directly, no hint of a lie in her words, "Nothing is off limits, save what you wish me to not do. Even then...If anyone harms you, I will not let them off easy. Even if you ask it of me."

  "...I see," Taking a deep breath, I felt strangely at peace from her words, "Very well. However, I do hope you take my words into account when it matters. Or I might be upset with you."

  "Y-You wouldn't, would you?" She immediately lost the yandere glint in her eye and became like a doe in headlights, "I simply want to keep you safe..."

  Seeing this woman, who was built like a warrior, becoming suddenly docile with puppy dog eyes, was too adorable. It was as if she was seeking approval, but more than that, she was sincere, and I felt myself being unable to dislike any part of her I've seen so far. I wondered if there even was anything I'd dislike.

  "You're quite adorable yourself, Elizabeth," I told her honestly, a deep blush entering her face, "I heard your answer, and I oddly don't hate it. It's endearing. I never thought I'd have someone who cares so much. I look forward to learning why...and growing closer to you."

  "...Me too," She replied, a gentle tone, "You're precious to me, Lucas. I would throw everything away for you, if not for my promise, but that...will be for another day. Our food is about to arrive."

  "Oh, come on," I groaned, narrowing my eyes indignantly at her, "You can't just leave me on that cliffhanger!"

  "Haha, you'll just have to suffer a little," she teased, much to my chagrin, though the atmosphere between us was warmer than ever before.

  The serious talk was done, and now it was time to enjoy the food. Gzed honey diced chicken over rice with a garnish of chopped green onions and a nice cream of mushroom soup on the side for me. Elizabeth's appetite was something else, and I was impressed.

  Not only did she have what I had, but she also had an order of fettuccine with a sad, on top of that, dessert had been ordered. A rich fn pudding for the both of us to enjoy. She had been embarrassed at first for her rge appetite, but the moment I showed my admiration, she was more open to not holding back.

  "I guess being a Pyer gives you an appetite," I smiled gently, "Don't feel like you have to hold back. I love seeing you eat, is that weird?"

  "No," She smiled herself, wiping her face delicately with her napkin, "I was a bit concerned, even if I know you never change."

  "I liked your appetite before, as well?" I inquired and she nodded.

  "Oh yes," She gazed into the past, her vision nostalgic, "You'd often bring me many sweets and other snacks. Knowing I'd be hungry."

  "Good to know," I smiled mischievously, "I'll keep that in mind."

  "You-!" She excimed, a light blush to her face.

  Before she could say anything more, my eyes flicked to an approaching man. Their daunting shadow looming over our table. Immediately, I felt the hair on my body rise like the hackles of an animal when agitated. Their presence didn't go unnoticed by Elizabeth either.

  "My, my," Their arrogant tone rose up, taunting, "Miss Falcrest. After all my invitations, you're here with...that."

  The way they called me "that" was heavy with derogation. It was obvious that, to this man, I was worth less than nothing. His perfectly swept dark hair and piercing blue eyes spoke of his arrogance. They looked down at me as if they were looking at shit. Staring out of a conventionally attractive face with sharp, strong features.

  His smooth white skin was fwless and free of blemishes. He seemed to almost shine in the light of the restaurant, but all I could do was cringe. It was obvious he was trying too hard.

  "This...is terribly cliched," I mumbled to myself, gncing over at the fierce glow in Elizabeth's eyes, "The man has a death wish..."

  Sighing, I looked up at him defiantly. I always hated people like this.

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