"It was just a whim," Glenn said, his jade eyes twinkling mischievously.

"I see. So that's your expression when you're lying," Miyu said nodding to herself.

"I'm not lying! What about you? Why did you touch my butt?!" Glenn asked.

Heads turned and stared at Miyu.

"Shush yourself!" Miyu placed her hands over Glenn's mouth.

"Um that's not what happened, everyone! I just touched his hand. This guy is just a natural-born liar," Miyu said out loud awkwardly.

"Pfft," Glenn laughed.

Miyu glared at him and removed her hands over his mouth.

"So, why did you hold my hand?" Glenn asked with a cheeky grin.

"Just a whim," Miyu said.

Glenn chuckled and Miyu rolled her eyes at him.

*

*

*

Their food arrived a few minutes later.

"Your food looks delicious!" Miyu said while eating her chicken and staring at Glenn's steak.

"Um, yes it is," Glenn said while he ate his steak.

"You're not going to offer me a bite?" Miyu asked.

"Why? Don't you like your chicken?" Glenn asked.

"I like it but I want to taste yours too," Miyu said.

Glenn sighed. "Has anyone told you that being greedy is bad?"

"Has anyone told you that food should be shared?" Miyu asked.

"Fine," Glenn said and sliced her a portion of his steak.

"Yey!" Miyu clapped her hands.

"Oh! Gosh, it's so soft! It's melting in my mouth! Oh my God. Mmmm . . ." Miyu said, closing her eyes while enjoying the taste.

"Glad you like my steak," Glenn said dryly.

"Here. You can have my chicken," Miyu said and pushed her chicken towards Glenn.

"But this is yours!" Glenn protested.

Miyu pulled the plate of golden stag steak towards her.

"It's yours now. Don't worry. I've only taken a bite out of that. Gosh, this steak is so soft! It just melts in my mouth! Oh God it's so juicy," Miyu said.

Glenn narrowed his eyes at her but proceeded to eat the chicken quietly while Miyu raved about the steak.

Glenn raised his jug to his lips and sipped the fairy rose ale.

Miyu stared intently at Glenn as he drank.

"Wow, the beer is shimmering!" Miyu said.

Glenn let out a satisfied sound.

"What does it taste like?" Miyu asked.

"Like a sweet dream," Glenn smirked.

"What?" Miyu frowned.

"Here. Have a taste. You'll understand," Glenn said.

Miyu stared at the swirling shimmering golden liquid.

"It's sweet then dreamy," Glenn said.

"Do you mean creamy?" Miyu asked.

Glen shrugged. "You won't know unless you try it."

"Fine," Miyu said and sipped the fairy rose ale.

Miyu's eyes widened. She let out a surprised but satisfied sound.

"Wow! It was sweet then it was like floating in a dream in a magical woods then it felt like I was floating," Miyu said.

"See? A sweet dream, right?" Glenn said.

Miyu nodded and grabbed the jug again, gulping down the fairy rose ale.

"Whoa! Slow down! You're drinking too much!" Glenn said.

Miyu put down the jug. Only half of it remained. Her eyes were hazy and she had a dreamy look on her face.

"Glenn, did you plan this? You wanted to get me drunk, didn't you? You pervert," Miyu said in a drunken tone and pointing at Glenn while wobbling.

Glenn sighed. "You're drunk."

"No, I'm Miyu. I'm not Durank," Miyu said, swaying.

Glenn took the jug from her and gulped it down.

"No fair! Why'd you finish it all?! Meanie!" Miyu pouted.

Glenn laughed. "You're cute when you're drunk."

"And when I'm not?!" Miyu looked offended and punched him on the arm.

"Ouch! And still violent as ever," Glenn winced.

"Come on, Miyu. Let's go," Glenn said, while helping her get up.

"No! I want more fairy rose beer!" Miyu whined.

Glenn gently helped her up. "No more for you. Your alcohol tolerance is non-existent."

Miyu glared at him, her cheeks red from the alcohol.

"I can drink! Your beer is just too strong!" Miyu said.

Glenn placed Miyu's right arm on his shoulder and put his left arm around her waist so he can support her while walking. They went out of the restaurant and began walking in the street.

"It's not beer. It's fairy rose ale and it's strong which is why I did not order one for you," Glenn explained patiently while he walked slowly and supported Miyu's walking at the same time.

Miyu shook her head, her short hair flapped around. "No, you just wanted it for yourself!"

Glenn sighed.

"You know, you should be more careful next time. What if you went drinking with a man who had an ulterior motive?" Glenn said.

Miyu gazed at him in confusion. "Ulterior motive? Is someone going to kill me?"

"No, I mean, yes, maybe with the wrong person," Glenn said.

"You're not making sense. You're drunk," Miyu said as she staggered while walking and Glenn helping her not to fall on the ground.

"I just mean what if someone takes advantage of you while you're drunk! You're lucky I won't do that!" Glenn said.

Miyu stopped walking and narrowed her eyes at him.

"Miyu?" Glenn asked, his hand still on her back.

"Why won't you?" Miyu asked, with a hint of irritation in her tone.

"It's not proper and I'm actually a gentleman despite my roguish looks," Glenn grinned.

Miyu raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I'm no proper lady," Miyu said.

With her right hand, she pushed Glenn's head down to hers. She tiptoed and placed her left hand over his right shoulder.

Then she kissed him.

She parted her lips and tasted his lips.

He tasted like a sweet dream.

*

*

*

"Are you feeling better now?" Lucien asked gently.

Lucien and Euphemia were inside Euphemia's bedroom. The two of them were sitting on Euphemia's bed.

Euphemia nodded.

"Thank you," Euphemia said.

"I do not think I was much help but I'm glad you're no longer crying," Lucien said.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Euphemia said, feeling embarrassed.

"It's alright. I understand why you were upset with her," Lucien said.

"Actually, it's not really her fault. She wasn't the one who poisoned me. I just couldn't help but lash out to her. All the ugly feelings I didn't know I still kept inside me just exploded when I saw her," Euphemia said, looking guilty.

Lucien patted her hand.

Euphemia's eyes widened.

"Wait . . . if she's here, then that means she's dead over there too," Euphemia said, horrified.

"Oh no! What if Hiro killed her too?! He must have killed her too! Maybe it didn't work out with them when he got her after killing me. And I even shouted at her!" Euphemia said.

Lucien gently pulled Euphemia into his arms. He rubbed Euphemia's hair, then her back, then her hair again to calm her down.

"It's alright, Euphee. Everything is going to be fine," Lucien said to her in a soothing tone.

"I'm terrible," Euphemia muttered.

"No, you aren't. If anyone is terrible, it's that basta*d who murdered you," Lucien said.

"I should apologize to her," Euphemia said.

"You can do that when you're ready. No need to force yourself, Euphee," Lucien said.

Euphemia pulled away a bit from Lucien's embrace to look him in the eyes.

"You're so kind to me," Euphemia said.

"It's because you're precious to me," Lucien said.

"You were going to ask me something. What was it?" Euphemia asked.

"I . . . haven't prepared anything. I'll ask you properly next time," Lucien said, looking embarrassed.

"You don't need to prepare anything. All I need is you," Euphemia said.

The two looked into each other's eyes.

"All I need is you too, Euphee," Lucien said, his eyes fearful as if he thought she would suddenly disappear.

"So, your question? What is it?" Euphemia asked.

"Euphee . . . will you be . . ."

As if there was an invisible string pulling them together, the two were slowly closing the gap between them.

". . . my lover?"

Euphemia smiled in amusement. "Lover? Aren't we engaged already?"

"Yes, but that's only because of our contract. I know I'm doing this backwards and I wish to do it right. I wish to do this right with you. I would like us to be engaged because we're lovers and not because of a contract. Euphee, will you be my lover?" Lucien asked earnestly.

Lover must be what they use as a term for boyfriend or girlfriend in this world and Lucien was asking her to be his girlfriend.

In the darkness and the slight illumination from the crescent moon outside, Lucien still looked absolutely handsome. His dark raven black hair, his emerald green eyes that looked like they could only see her, and his soft-looking lips that were so close to her, she could almost feel his breathe. She felt a thrill ran down her body. This kind and handsome man was asking her to be his lover.

"Why? Why do you want me to be your lover?" Euphemia asked.

She wanted him to speak the words she didn't know she was waiting to hear from him until now.

"Will you not leave if I tell you?" Lucien asked in a worried tone.

"It depends on what you'll tell me," Euphemia said with a smile.

"I have fallen for you, Euphee. I do not wish for you to leave me after a year. I will protect you and care for you," Lucien said.

Lucien touched her cheek and caressed her face slowly.

"I am in love with you," Lucien said.

Euphemia was quiet.

"Euphee?" Lucien was getting worried that she was going to turn him down.

Euphemia closed in the distance between them. She kissed his lips. He was startled at first, unable to move, then he realized that he was not dreaming and began to kiss her back.

Lucien was surprised when she pulled away from their kiss but his worries were quickly wiped out when she smiled and said the words he was wishing for.

"Yes, I'll be your lover."