Chapter 9 Pre-date freakout

The door to my room slammed shut behind me, the sound echoing the frantic beating of my heart. I leaned against the cool wood, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I tried to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me.

He asked me on a date.

The thought repeated itself in my mind, each iteration sending a fresh wave of panic through my body.

Sir Tereda Chouju, the kind, courageous, and undeniably handsome swordsman, wanted to spend time with me.

Alone.

A giddy excitement bubbled up inside me, quickly followed by a surge of sheer terror.

What did one wear on a date?

Where would we go?

What would we talk about?

I had never been on a date before, had never even considered the possibility of such a thing.

My gaze darted around my sparsely furnished room, landing on the simple maid uniform hanging on a peg and then the small bookshelf with a small amount of books I could afford with my salary.

It was practical and efficient, perfect for my duties at the manor, but hardly suitable for a romantic outing.

I needed help. And there was only one person I could turn to.

With a newfound determination, I marched towards Emilia's room, hoping to glean some wisdom from my mistress.

Perhaps, as a half-elf noble, she would have some experience with these matters.

I rushed towards Emilia's door.

"Mistress Emilia," I called out as I knocked on it.

"Come in, Rem," her gentle voice replied.

I entered the room, finding her seated at a vanity, brushing her long silver hair. "Mistress Emilia," I began, my voice trembling slightly, "I require your assistance."

"Of course, Rem," she responded with a warm smile. "What do you need?"

"Sir Tereda...he asked me on a date," I blurted out, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Emilia blinked, her expression a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "A date?" she echoed. "Is that some kind of...fruit right- the small ones with the pits?"

I sighed inwardly. Of course, she wouldn't understand. Sheltered within the confines of the Elior Forest for most of her life, and then frozen in stasis for the rest of it.

Emilia was as innocent as a newborn babe when it came to matters of the heart.

"Not that kind of date, Mistress Emilia," I explained patiently. "It's when two people- spend time together, to get to know each other better."

"Oh," Emilia said, her eyes widening in realization. "Like when you and Ram go shopping in the village?"

I shook my head, trying to find the right words to explain romantic courtship. "Not exactly," I stammered. "It's- it's more special than that!"

I paused and realized that this conversation was going nowhere, so I decided to seek help elsewhere. "Thank you for your time, Mistress Emilia," I said with a polite bow. "I apologize for disturbing you."

The door to my sewing room burst open, and Rem stumbled in, her face flushed and her eyes wide with panic.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I observed her distress. It was rare to see my usually composed sister so flustered.

"Ram!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with desperation. "I need your help!"

"And what kind of assistance does the great Rem require from her sister?" I inquired with a playful smirk, setting aside the garment I had been working on.

"It's- it's about the date," she stammered, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red.

"Ah, yes, the date," I replied, feigning nonchalance while inwardly relishing her discomfort. "With the charming Sir Tereda Chouju."

Tell me, dear sister, what seems to be the problem?"

Rem wrung her hands together, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape route despite coming here herself.

"I...I don't have anything to wear," she confessed in a barely audible whisper.

"Oh? I couldn't hear such a mosquito whisper! Speak up, wonderful sister."

"

"I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WEAR!" she shouted, probably waking up the entire manor of the people who went to sleep.

I chuckled, rising from my chair and approaching a wardrobe tucked away in a corner of the room.

"Fear not, sister," I said, opening the doors to reveal a collection of garments I had sewn in my spare time. "I believe I have just the thing."

I pulled out a soft, white turtleneck sweater and a knee-length red skirt, both made from high-quality fabrics and tailored to perfection.

They were simple yet elegant, perfect for a casual date in the nearby Village.

"Here," I said, handing her the clothes I had picked.

"These should suffice. And remember, Rem," I added, my voice taking on a more serious tone, "men are simple creatures. They are drawn to beauty, kindness, and a bit of mystery. Show him your gentle side, but don't reveal too much. Keep him guessing, and he will be captivated."

A mischievous glint entered my eyes as I leaned closer and whispered, "here is something special that all men want." I handed her a paintbrush for the inevitable point where Sir Tereda would want to paint a portrait of her.

don't forget the power of a well-placed blush and a shy smile. Lord Roswaal, despite his refinement, is quite susceptible to such tactics."

Rem stared at me with a mixture of confusion and amusement. "Lord Roswaal?" she echoed. "What does he have to do with this- and what's this paintbrush for?"

I shrugged, a sly smile playing on my lips. "Just a bit of advice from one sister to another. Trust me, Rem, it works wonders."

I watched my sister leave the room.

That shiny bastard better treat Rem right.

Back in my room, I collapsed onto the bed, burying my face in the soft pillows and letting out a muffled scream of frustration. Ram's advice, while well-intentioned, had only served to amplify my anxieties.

What was the paintbrush even for? I thought, my mind reeling from the absurdity of the suggestion. What kind of misconception could possibly lead her to believe that carrying a paintbrush on a date was a desirable quality?

I tossed and turned on the bed, unable to find a comfortable position. Doubts gnawed at my confidence, whispering insidious suggestions in my ear. What if Sir Tereda doesn't like the clothes Ram gave me? What if he finds me dull and uninteresting?

The weight of my insecurities threatened to crush me.

I was just a common maid, one of the last of my kind, scarred by a past filled with loss and regret but just a maid just the same.

I mean I could fight, but- I was still just a maid.

What could I possibly offer a man like Sir Tereda, a skilled swordsman with a noble heart and a charming smile?

Suddenly, the rhythmic clang of metal against metal drifted through my window, drawing me out of my spiral of self-doubt.

Curious, I crept towards the window and peered out, my gaze landing on the courtyard below.

There, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, was Sir Tereda, his body moving with fluid grace as he practiced his swordsmanship with one of roswaal's steel training automatons.

He wielded his blade with effortless precision, each strike and parry a testament to his years of training and countless battles he must have fought.

I watched, mesmerized, as he flowed from one technique to another, his movements both powerful and elegant.

He was a whirlwind of motion, a force of nature that commanded both respect and admiration.

And as I observed him, a sense of calm washed over me, replacing the anxieties that had plagued me moments before.

In that instant, I just wanted to watch him train.

I just needed to be true to myself and hope for the best.

It couldn't be too hard to connect with the man who had so effortlessly captured my attention.

Right?

I continued to watch from the window and forgot to prepare for the date.