Chapter 118

As the hours slipped by, I found myself utterly captivated by Hephi's enchanting presence. Her passion for smithing was palpable in every word she spoke and every gesture she made.

Animatedly, she would describe her craft, her eyes filled with a mix of excitement and vulnerability. It was as if this were her first date, and her innocence only endeared her further to me.

Glancing at the sky, I realized that a considerable amount of time had passed. Not only had we finished our meal, but the day was also slowly coming to an end.

Reluctantly, I suggested that we explore one more special place before parting ways. Hephi's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she eagerly agreed.

Leaving the confines of the restaurant, we ventured towards a picturesque meadow on the outskirts of Orario. It was my hope that she would find solace and tranquility in nature's embrace.

As we strolled through the blooming wildflowers, I watched as her fingertips brushed delicately against the petals, a gentle curiosity etched across her face.

Her infectious smile compelled me to reciprocate, and we found ourselves lost in conversation, our souls intertwining with the radiant glow of the setting sun.

As the last rays of sunlight painted the sky with fiery crimson and soft lavender hues, a sense of gratitude washed over me.

This day had been undeniably remarkable. Holding Hephi close to me, we witnessed the sky's ever-changing display once again, the stars twinkling above us like countless diamonds.

In that moment, I couldn't resist the pull of her presence and drew her into a deep, passionate kiss.

"Hmmm," Hephi barely managed to grunt, her need for breath evident. Sensing her fatigue, I suggested that we return.

Although I would have loved to have more time together, the day had already drawn to a close. Slowly, we rose from the rock we had shared and began the walk back across the meadow, heading toward the city.

The chorus of crickets and the ethereal glow of fireflies embraced us, their magical presence painting a beautiful sight.

This was the spectacle I had wanted to show her, and by the look on her face, I could tell that she, too, was enthralled by the scene.

More time passed, and we eventually arrived at her workshop. I could sense that she desired something more from our evening together, but hesitation dappled her excitement.

Wanting to respect her boundaries and take things slow, I bid her goodnight, offering one final, tender kiss before turning to leave.

Just as I was about to exit the building, Hephi tugged at my shirt, pulling me into another unexpected kiss.

"Next time, maybe we can go a step further," she whispered, blushing profusely before darting off into her office. I stood there, mildly shocked and surprised. I hadn't anticipated such boldness from her. Perhaps Bahamut was corrupting her, I thought with a resigned sigh. Moments later, I found myself back at my familia manor, reflecting on the unforgettable day we had shared.

As I contemplated the events of the day, a question lingered in my mind. Had I truly made this day as incredible and memorable for Hephi as it was for me?

Only time would unveil the answer, but one thing was certain – our connection was growing stronger, and with each passing moment, the possibility of an enduring bond seemed closer than ever before.

..............................….

The next day, I woke up bright and early, motivated by my plans for a picnic date with Tsubaki. As I prepared the picnic basket, my mind wandered back to the date I had with Hephaestus the day before.

Just as I finished packing all the delicious food into the basket, I heard a knock at the door. It was so early that no one else in the manor had woken up, so I couldn't help but wonder who could be visiting at this hour. Making my way to the door, I opened it to find Tsubaki standing there, carrying a large backpack.

"Tsubaki, what brings you here so early? I thought our date wasn't until later this afternoon," I said, slightly puzzled by her unexpected arrival.

"Come with me. We can have our date in a different location," Tsubaki replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Curious about her plan, I decided to go along with it and allowed her to lead me away from the manor.

As we walked, it suddenly struck me that we were heading towards the dungeon. "Wait, isn't this the direction to the dungeon?" I asked with a mix of surprise and confusion.

"Yes, that's exactly where we're going to have our date," Tsubaki responded, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. Glancing at her backpack, I could guess her intentions - she wanted to test her weapons in the dungeon.

'I always knew Tsubaki was a wild girl, but I didn't expect her to be this wild,' I thought to myself, trying to keep up with her spirited nature.

Soon, we found ourselves in the depths of the dungeon, descending further into its unknown reaches.

"Hya!" Tsubaki's battle cry rang out as she skillfully sliced through a monster. Despite the dangerous environment, she seemed completely in her element.

"How far can you take me, Draco?" she asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Safely, I can guide us down to around the 27th floor. Anything beyond that, I have zero confidence," I replied honestly, somewhat amazed by her enthusiasm.

"Perfect!" Tsubaki squealed with excitement before pulling me into a spontaneous kiss. 'This is definitely the most unusual date I've ever been on,' I mused quietly to myself.

After what felt like a couple of hours, we reached the 18th floor. Time seemed to have flown by as we swiftly made our way down, taking advantage of the shortcuts I knew.

With a brief moment of respite, we set up a tent and took a seat, engrossed in conversation while Tsubaki tended to her weapons.

As we talked, Tsubaki revealed more about herself. It became evident that she shared Hephaestus' passion for smithing, but her bold actions set her apart.

This contrast made me feel a stronger connection to her, although I reminded myself not to compare the two women.

Eventually, it was time to continue our descent. However, my stomach grumbled in hunger, reminding me that I hadn't eaten all day apart from the bits and pieces I noshed on during the cooking process.

'Ugh, the picnic basket I packed,' I thought, frustrated with myself for forgetting to bring it.

"Be careful, Tsubaki," I cautioned as I deftly dispatched a lizard man.

"Thanks," Tsubaki replied, her armor providing ample protection. While she had the skills to take care of herself, I couldn't help but worry about unnecessary risks.

A/N: Sorry caught a nasty cold and fever yesterday so couldn't write. Feeling bit better today.