Chapter 35: Dryad's First Date! [1]

Author Note: Because this chapter is more related to Emily's first date, her feelings and thoughts.

The chapter will be from her point of view and how she perceives the date, some differences between when Raven is the focus might be noticed; they are intended as it is how she sees him, rather than his self-reflection!

Enjoy!

__________________

Emily found Raven extremely skilled at organising a date; like magic, she watched as he wrapped his rugged arm around her waist, his hands above her pelvis, gently stroking her as if to reassure and relax her.

"Are you cold?" Raven's deep voice sounded, sending tingles down Emily's spine.

The night air was a little cool, but she was able to adjust but nodded gently, worried he might think she was ignoring him.

'His hands feel so nice; I can feel his warmth spreading through me; I'm so excited!' She thought, leaning against his shoulder as they walked along the pavement, the dark sky and shimmering stars as their audience.

"Mmm... not anymore, hehe..."

Although she wouldn't mind if he held her ass or touched her more sensually.

He grabbed her with a secure grip and firmly held her close to his body so she didn't need to fear falling or being bumped into, which made her feel secure.

He even made her stand on the opposite side of the road to avoid cars passing them and splashing her with water or filth.

'Mother, forgive me for skipping work! But your daughter is on a date with such a charming, single orc! Philis, you silly elf, why give up such a wonderful man!'

The pair didn't take long to arrive at the restaurant; the walls were painted white with black outlines and an elegant silver cursive sign with the name in an elegant font.

[Le Relais de Arcadia]

'A strange name, but Franzians make good food; I cannot wait! This dryad is no vegetarian!'

Emily wished to talk more, but her chest was constantly racing, the little motions he would perform, the subtle actions to keep her safe, warm even gently holding her vines off the ground to avoid people stepping on them.

"Should I hide them? I don't want them to get in the way...." Emily whispered, her eyes looking at Raven's body with several vines around his body fluttering with pink, red and purple flowers with a soothing scent.

The moment she spoke, his hand grasping her waist tightened while his free hand stroked the soft green vines, sending jolts of pleasure down her spine as she almost moaned loudly as they entered the restaurant.

"Don't be silly, your vines are both wonderful and charming, and they are part of who you are; anyone with a problem doesn't deserve to admire your lovely face."

"Mmm...."

She felt a little nervous; the way Raven was so skilled and comfortable made her feel slightly inferior, but Emily could tell even now he was acting gently for her, taking things slowly as they entered the reception.

'I'm so nervous it feels like my chest might explode... ugh... are my vines sticky, my palms are sweating... do I smell bad?' Her mind was filled with countless worries; since she came from the reception, her dress was cute but nothing fancy like the human women sitting inside the restaurant eating fancy meals in their glamorous outfits.

Emily thought Raven in a suit was the most handsome existence in the world, so she didn't think he would worry; instead, she saw many women eyeing his crotch!

A beautiful woman approached them with a faint smile; her black suit and pleated skirt were very stylish and cute; Emily wondered if Raven might like her to wear one of these and bend down to pick up something for him.

Raven greeted the woman with a natural smile, his body moving like a noble gentleman from stories. Thankfully, his hands slowly guided Emily's body as she gave a light bow, looking as elegant as he did.

'So nervous!'

"Dear Sir and Madame, welcome to our fine establishment. May I ask for your reservation name and number?"

"Granbell, VIP-1695"

"Ah, I apologise for my lack of etiquette, your features were posted through the app, but we must double-check to avoid any mishaps, dear Sir.

"No problem, please can you provide the things I requested in the booking?" Raven's deep voice was a little commanding and magnetic, like a prince's.

'VIP!? Things he requested?' Emily thought to herself, shocked that he booked a VIP reservation and made requests, wondering if he had come here before with Philis; otherwise, why would he be so sure of their services?

"About that dear customer, as it's your first time, we were able to find all the requested items and the private room for you. Please understand that because you were not a member when you booked the table, we have added a surcharge which will be deducted the next time you dine here."

Emily's brain was fried, and although her mother was important, it was rare for dryads to leave their tree. Thus, her mother typically had meetings, dinners and other things in the monolith where they lived together.

So her experience with dining out, dating, and other everyday things a girl might experience was quite limited.

"Understood, that is completely fair. Do you offer a service for VIPs to book in advance or organise a regular reservation? Tonight is my first date with my girlfriend, and I'd like to book in advance with the same conditions as this evening."

She heard him mentioning booking in advance, thinking he might take other women here, never thinking he would be referring to herself getting a little envious until he referred to her as his girlfriend.

'Girlfriend? Me? Kyaah! It's too fast, Raven... maybe after a few more dates!' Her mind entered a slight meltdown, her flowers blooming in brilliant and vibrant colours, almost filling the entrance with her parade of blooming flowers.

"We do indeed, Sir. Let me check for availability."

The hostess peeked at them with a gentle smile and chuckled before tapping the black electronic device in her hand; she was very polite in her manners and reactions.

"The price will remain the same, including the booking fee. However, we will no longer charge for your extra requests for subsequent visits. Instead, the 10% Bronze VIP discount will apply to each visit. May I ask which day and for how often? The maximum time is two months as a Bronze member, while Diamond can book a certain night and table indefinitely."

Emily thought this woman was an out-and-out capitalist! Taking money from her beloved orc prince like a mosquito as she wanted to tell him it was okay; they could eat at her small apartment in the monolith.

However, Raven's eyes didn't bat an eyelid; he looked at Emily's face and gave her a broad smile before his magnetic voice sounded.

"I'd like to book tonight for the next month at the same price and room. I'll pay upfront and send the bill to my phone with the discount. My cute little dryad deserves this treatment at least."

She looked at his kind face, wanting to tell him to save his money; she was okay with cup noodles, and her heart couldn't take being treated like a precious jewel.

Somehow he seemed to understand her worries as his hand stroked her cheek, whispering, "It's fine, don't worry, your pretty face." into her ear as he leaned forward, kissing the pink flower that sprang from her hair from his actions.

'It's like he can understand my worries!?'

Emily watched him moving away in a daze. His beautiful almond face seemed to improve each time she parted from him, but suddenly his hand slipped down to her buttocks, stroking her softly before he began to squeeze her ass with a caress that caused jolts of pleasure to tingle in her lower spine.

"Mmmmn..." Her little groan was almost audible to the hostess.

"Mr Granbell, we cannot offer you tonight for the two months, but how is Wednesday evening from next week for two months and an additional discount of 20%, making a total of 30% for your inconvenience?"

"Umu..."

"Emily, is this alright with you and work? Around 9 pm every Wednesday?"

Raven's voice was such a matter of fact. It was amazing. To her, this wasn't something she could do; what if he disliked her? Or she does something stupid to embarrass him...

Her mind was filled with countless negative opinions while her vines slid along his body, gently caressing and rubbing against his muscles; the hostess, this time, couldn't help but watch as her vines showed off the orc's massive, muscular body and great package.

Work didn't matter; if her mother knew she found a man, she would give her paid vacation until she returned with countless baby dryads!

Thus her heart fluttered, looking at his gentle eyes like he was making sure she was alright, worried that he had stepped too far.

"If you want to spend that much time with me... I would love to... be with you."

Ping-Pong!

Instantly he swiped his phone across the black datapad of the hostess; Emily's eyes saw the amount he had just paid for her first date and the ones for the next month, feeling her heart beating rapidly; it was more than her monthly, close to her annual salary!

The hostess smiled, and the digital receipt soon printed as the hologram shone from Raven's cell before another bell sounded.

[Congratulations! Alistair Granbell has been upgraded to Silver VIP!]

- Enjoy a 20% discount on all food and a 10% discount on any wines!

- Book up to 4 months in advance with a 5% bonus discount each month! (Total of 20%)

- If you are in a rush, don't worry! Once a week, you can visit without an appointment!

"Congratulations, Mr Granbell, you have been upgraded! You are close to reaching golden VIP with a single purchase and booking; how wonderful!"

Emily's mind was in a daze for the next ten minutes; Raven helped her to the small private room in the back of the restaurant, overlooking a small garden; there were countless flowers and trees about 1 metre from the room.

The actual room smelt of cedarwood and lavender; the seats were two benches against the expansive open windows backdrop, a lower table made out of what seemed to be black crystal as it shone with beautiful lights and colours reflected onto the roof.

"Eh... there's a message written...?" Emily said as she noticed small letters forming in the light on the ceiling.

[Here's to an enjoyable first date with my beautiful dryad princess Emily and her charming blossoms and vines.]

Then a smaller message in small letters as she felt his body wrap around her back, two strong hands grasping her waist as she felt her eyes becoming a little blurry, not sure whether it was the sweet message, her nerves or her first date starting so wonderfully, as she leaned into his warm chest, no longer caring if the night ended here.

[I hope you will join me for many to come, Alistair Granbell xx]

Raven's arms tightened around her waist as she felt his hands sink into her soft stomach, his hot breath blowing down her neck as she tried to hold in the emotions she felt in her chest, as her flowers began to swell and bloom with brilliant roses filling the entire room as her sweet scent covered the lavender and cedarwood, mixing perfectly as if he even planned that too!

"Emily, I cannot speak well; I've always struggled to express myself during these things. So I'd like to show you with actions. This won't be some fling or a short-term relationship for fun. When I am ready, I won't let you get away."

Her head turned, looking up towards the man towering over her, his neon-blue eyes staring at her gently while his broad shoulders enveloped her.

"I'll wait... be it weeks, months... years... I'll wait..." Her soft green palms stroked his chest, looking up at him with watery eyes as small tears filled them.

His fingers began brushing away her warm tears; listening to her shaking voice, his face was soothing and calm with a soft smile.

"Let's start now with slow steps; I won't rush you; let's find our own pace and timing. I might stumble and lose my way... Will you become my lover?"

Raven didn't answer, leaning down to her radiant face, illuminated only by the dim lights from the garden and ceiling reflections, wrapping his huge hands around her soft cheeks, he smiled, before kissing her gently on the lips, no lust or tongue, a gentle peck as he pulled back slightly, their noses brushing against each other.

'A kiss mean's yes, right? His hard rod against my stomach means okay, right!?'

Emily was about to move in for a second kiss, taking his actions as acceptance, her eyes closing as she felt like her chest might explode at any moment; finally, she wasn't single! Her boyfriend was a super hot orc.

Other women might come in the future, but she was the first! Philis didn't count; she was gone.

'He didn't say no! Yes! Stupid Zestria sending messages to my boyfriend, see if I don't teach you a lesson... hehe~ so happy... let's kiss... then eat.... then...'

Knock knock!

Emily's lewd mind was cut short; instead, like a cold bucket of water, the door opened as a young man with a silver cart carrying several bottles of wine, some chilled, red or white, but sadly, the flowers on Emily's vines told the whole picture.

Jet black, seemingly poisonous and deadly as her scent became like honied peaches, deadly but delicious!