Chapter 63: Be My Knight

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...

The sky gradually darkened.

An hour had passed since Verethragna had retrieved the boar.

Haru and Erica walked side by side along the main street of Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia. They had been arguing for a while now.

"How about we get something to eat? Judging by the sun, it should be around 6:00 pm," Haru said, looking at the setting sun in the distance.

"It seems you haven't learned much about dating from those women, Haru. You're only just noticing now! It's very rude to keep a lady waiting on an empty stomach," Erica said, looking at Haru with disdain. Because of their frequent arguments, she had completely lost track of time. Now, in her stubbornness, she was ready to criticize Haru's character at the slightest provocation.

"Oh, sorry. I've noticed now. This looks like a restaurant serving Sardinian specialties. Come on, it's on me," Haru apologized, but his actions spoke louder than words as he strode into the upscale Italian restaurant on their right.

"That's more like it. Wait...this is?!" Erica's lips curved into a bright smile. She lifted her foot to follow Haru, but then her eyes fell on the restaurant's sign.

Crimson Love! This was Sardinia's famous couples' restaurant!

A blush crept up her cheeks. Erica hesitated at the entrance, unsure whether to enter.

Glancing at Haru's back as he ordered food, she paused, then stepped inside.

A sly smile played on Haru's lips. 'Sorry, Erica, but I have learned a lot of tricks.'

Even Erica, with her discerning eye, found the restaurant's interior decor elegant. However, the lighting was deliberately dim, with only a few crimson candles on the tables providing illumination.

"You tricked me, didn't you? You're so eager to have me, you lecherous king!" The intelligent Erica knew she had fallen for Haru's trick. He had deliberately distracted her, provoking her competitive spirit and leading her into this restaurant.

"Well, I do want you very much. After all, Erica, you're incredibly charming! I should have just kidnapped you back in Florence," Haru admitted his desires openly. With the clever Erica, it was better to be straightforward than to pretend.

"That would be a crime, you know! I was only twelve back then. By law, that's at least three years, possibly even the death penalty!" Erica's mood brightened considerably at being complimented on her charm, especially by one of the most powerful people on Earth. She responded playfully. 

"That's why I waited until now to meet you, isn't it?" Haru said with an exaggerated expression, as if he were truly afraid of the law.

"Ha! You're just good at sweet-talking women," Erica laughed brightly, like the morning sun.

"Sir, your aperitif," a waiter said, presenting a bottle of red wine.

"I ordered this restaurant's homemade aperitif. Would you like to try some?" Haru took the wine from the waiter, uncorked it, and extended his hand to pour some into Erica's glass, holding the bottle suspended in mid-air.

"Do you dare to drink?"

"Why wouldn't I? No one my age can outdrink me!" Erica said confidently.

"Oh really? Don't say I'm bullying you just because I'm older," Haru said with a smirk.

"Bring it on," Erica retorted, her competitive spirit ignited by Haru's smirk. Even knowing his intentions, her confidence in her drinking ability made her fearless. But she forgot that the only person she had ever competed with in drinking was Liliana, her own age.

As they argued, the waiter brought their food.

Prosciutto and fresh seasonal vegetables were served as appetizers, followed by Sardinian-style fried lamb brains, homemade sausages, and Sardinia's unique thin-crust bread – a truly sumptuous feast.

The main course was roasted suckling pig, sliced and served on a platter.

"Grrrr..." Strange sounds emanated from Erica as she saw the delicious food.

"Hahaha! Eat something first to line your stomach before we compete. Come on, I specially ordered pork to smooth over today's unpleasantness!" Haru laughed heartily. He picked up his knife and fork, cut the suckling pig into smaller pieces, and placed them on Erica's plate. 

"Thank you," Erica mumbled, lowering her head to hide her blushing face.

"Haru, you secretly drank three more glasses than me!" Erica said, her face flushed, a mix of drunkenness and annoyance in her voice.

"Ah, sorry. I drank a bit too fast. Let me fill your glass," Haru said, pouring more wine into Erica's glass.

"That's more like it. Let's start round two outside! This time, victory will be mine!"

...Chirp... Chirp...

Sparrows chirped outside the wooden, high-class inn.

"Arianna, cappuccino, slightly bitter," Erica mumbled, calling for her maid. The young knight, Erica, had a habit of having a cup of coffee in the morning, a task usually performed by her maid, Arianna. But now...

"Here, your coffee," Haru's voice said.

"Hmm, thank you… Eh?!" At first, she didn't react. But a few seconds later, Erica's eyes snapped open. She quickly pulled the covers up to her chin and sat up against the headboard.

"This is…!" Erica's eyes widened as they met Haru's.

Haru sat on the edge of the bed, pointing to the cappuccino on the nightstand. "Erica, your coffee."

"You bastard! I trusted you, and you took advantage of me while I was drunk..." Erica's face darkened as she glared at Haru, her eyes slowly losing focus.

"I didn't touch you. I wouldn't take advantage of someone like that," Haru said, spreading his hands helplessly. He had known this would happen. Besides, he couldn't use this body for that.

"Eh?" Erica froze, then blushed crimson. She quickly shielded herself with the sheet with her left hand while her right hand explored her body downwards. 

A moment later.

"I'm still… intact! You actually resisted? I need to re-evaluate you, Haru. How does it feel to miss such a rare opportunity, to have me, Erica Blandelli, completely defenseless?" Having discovered the truth, Erica blushed even deeper. To hide her embarrassment, she deliberately taunted Haru.

Haru chuckled and, in a flash, pinned Erica down on the bed, his hand gently caressing her body.

"I prefer taking everything from you when you're awake, rather than when you're asleep and motionless," he whispered, his face close to hers, his hand reaching for the ribbon at the back of her pajama top.

"I'm not ready yet. I don't want to become your wife just yet. I, Erica, am not meant to be a useless flower vase," she said, her face still flushed, but her eyes met Haru's with unwavering determination.

"Then, how about becoming my knight first? As it happens, I don't have a single knight by my side," Haru said, his forehead touching Erica's. They were so close they could feel each other's breath and heartbeat.

Erica wrapped her arms around Haru's neck and kissed his forehead. "It would be my honor, my King."

Haru kissed Erica's cheek, patted her bottom playfully, and got up. "Let's go, my knight."

The bright, sunny sky outside suddenly turned dark and stormy, thunder and lightning filling the air. 

It was the roar of Melqart, the God-King of the Mediterranean. 

...

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