We walked through the streets hand in hand, getting anything edible which I devoured like I've been starved for years.

"This one." I pointed at yet another delicious-looking skewer.

Raashid obliged and bought five for me from which, I only let him take two bites.

"Enjoying yourself?" He asked as I chomped on the meat, moaning internally.

"How can I not enjoy myself when I have my hands full with this delicious piece of meat and a man?" I exclaimed, finishing the fourth skewer and handing Raashid the empty stick while taking the last skewer in my mouth.

Raashid chuckled, throwing the sticks in a bin nearby, "Delicious piece of man? Are you referring to me?"

"No Raashid, I'm obviously referring to this meat stick! Because it's so obviously a man!" I told him, rolling my eyes, "Yes, I'm referring to you, pea brain."

"But....", Raashid started, suddenly getting all close to my face, "How can you say I'm delicious when you haven't even tasted me?" He whispered seductively in my ear, making me freeze for a second.

Oh shit.... I think I just got a lady boner...

The situation only worsened when he bit my ear, "Uh- I.... I don't need to taste you to know that you are delicious. Anyone with eyes can tell that. Hahaha.." I trailed off awkwardly, blushing at how stupid and weird that sounded.

Raashid moved away from my ear, chuckling before pointing at another food store, "Want to check that one out?", he asked and I nodded mindlessly.

We moved forward with two cotton candy sticks in our hand, watching a busker juggle 20 balls in his hand beside his partner who was spitting fire.

We aimlessly walked in the street till we halted in front of a dancing crowd.

It was very different than the noble dances. People were moving way more quickly and smoothly with enthusiasm unlike elegantly with memorized steps.

The atmosphere was optimistic and I found myself swaying to the music.

"Could you do me the honour and dance with me, my Empress?", I heard Raashid speak in commoner's language, knowing that I loved that accent on him, before getting down on his knee in front of everyone.

I stared at him, wide-eyed and I opened my mouth to say yes before someone bumped into me, making me stumble sideways.

"Oh my God!! Yess!" A brunette, who was standing near me, exclaimed, thinking my fiance asked her out.

Raashid frowned, "I'm sorry miss, I wasn't as-"," LET'S GO!" She took his hand and forced him up before trying to push him to where all the people were dancing in a circle.

I tried to stop them but a crowd of people going in the opposite direction took me backwards rather than forward.

After a few moments, I finally found enough strength in me to push through the people and move forward to where that woman and my future husband were probably dancing.

And that thought was enough to wake up several unwanted emotions.

The emotions only grew when I found Raashid stiffly moving with that man stealing woman who was very close to him for my comfort.

Anger flooded my veins as I looked around and pointed at a random dude, "You!" I called, the man jumped before looking around at pointing at himself, I nodded and announced, "Dance with me."

--A short glimpse inside Adailia's brain--

Jealousy: Pettiness!!! Where you at?!

Pettiness: I'm coming sis! Let's destroy this woman together!!

Conscience: *in panic* NO STOP PLEAS- *gets beaten unconscious by Anger*

*Meanwhile Rationality leaves silently after seeing Conscience getting beaten*

Dignity: Why must you annihilate me like this? *cries in a corner*

Embarrassment: Did someone call me?

Possessiveness: Not yet. You come in after we are done with our job.

Embarrassment: Kay, Cool.

------

I quickly grabbed that man's arm and dragged him to the dancing circle.

My eyes locked on the target as I steered through the crowd, dancing stupidly, not caring if I bumped into numerous people.

I found Raashid glancing around at the crowd probably looking for me. He then tried to leave the woman but she just held onto him and I wanted nothing more than to make her taste the dirt on the ground.

So I did.

When I was close enough to them, I slid my foot under and made her trip and then bumped harshly into her, making her fall on the ground hard.

"Ooops! My bad!", I said with fake apologetic eyes before looking at a relieved Raashid.

"Honey ~~ it's getting dark. Let's leave." I said sweetly before leaving the confused man and latching onto Raashid's arm, giving him a smile which dared him to disobey.

He blushed a little before smiling and saying, "Sure, Sweetheart~~"

Then we quickly strode away from the dancing crowd.

And only after that, did I get my senses back.

The fuck did I just do now?!!

That shit was harsh, the woman probably had her knees scraped and she didn't even do anything that bad.

But she touched Raashid.......

I wanted to facepalm myself, realising how stupid and lovesick I had become.

Ahhh! This is so embarrassing!!

As we were quickly leaving, I heard Raashid chuckled, "Were you jealous just now, Choi?"

I blushed but since I was walking a few steps ahead of him, he didn't see my face.

"No." I replied quickly, "I was just angry that you let someone else dance with you when it was supposed to be our date."

Raashid didn't say anything for a moment.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled and I sighed, "Its fine. But next time, just push any woman off of you if they get touchy.", I told him seriously before someone bumped into me.

"Oww." I grumbled while the man who bumped into me snarled in commoner's language, "Watch where you are going."

I scowled, "It's not like you were watching where you were going either so shut up."

The man then turned and looked at me with a scary expression, "What did you say bitch?"

I was going tell him off when Raashid spoke in a very cold voice, "Apologise. Now."

A shiver ran down my spine at how amazingly cool his voice sounded just now, slightly turning me on.

What the fuck was that just now? 'Turn on'? Really? What the hell is wrong with me?!

"Huh? You kids are really getting on my nerve." The man said and cracked his neck to the side while massaging his fists.

Raashid's eyes turned colder and scarier the longer he stared at the man.

This man is going to get beaten to pulp and I'm going to stay back and watch the show.

The man then launched a punch at Raashid who caught it easily and twisted it badly behind his back. The man screamed in pain and Raashid just kicked him in the back and he fell to the ground, groaning.

And as in any action film, some stupid by-watchers came at Raashid, thinking they could beat him up.

As Raashid easily manhandled them, I silently watched the show, 'oooo' ing and 'aaa' ing whenever the crowd that had formed near us did, wishing I had some popcorn with me.

"Isn't that our Emperor?", I heard someone say, making me freeze.

"Yes...he looks very similar to how they say the emperor looks."

"No he's not. How can our emperor be here?"

"Yes he's not, I know our Emperor won't beat innocent people like that."

I started sweating after listening to their conversation.

Raashid's reputation is going in the drain if he doesn't stop.

I quickly moved in his direction, as I thought about some quick shitty plan.

"Radish, my dear husband." I called not so softly, making sure the closest people could hear us, "Let's stop, I know they did wrong by touching me inappropriately but you've done enough damage." I sniffled and then rubbed my dry eyes as if crying.

Raashid looked confused for a second before I whispered, "Let's get out of here, they are picking up on who we are."

Raashid's eyes widened for a second as people started whispering, "Oh, so the other man molested his wife. No wonder he got mad."

"His name is Radish."

"He obviously isn't our Emperor, why did we even think he would be here?"

"No! I'm pretty sure he's the emperor! I've seen him in person!"

We quickly escaped the crowd and almost started running back to where our horse was tied.

"Wow! I didn't think anyone could guess us there." I muttered as the field cane in view.

"Nor did I.", Raashid replied as we advanced towards the field.

After reaching the field, I was slightly panting so I plopped down on the grass below me, motioning Raashid to wait as I tried to catch my breath.

Raashid plopped down beside me, cross-legged, not even breaking a sweat as he looked at the scenery in front of us.

The sun had just set so the sky was a nice shade of orange and violet.

As I stared at the sky, slightly dazed, I felt something touch the tip of my finger.

I looked down to see Raashid's large hand beside me as his finger brushed lightly against mine.

I felt my face heat up so I quickly diverted my attention back to the sky, not moving my hand away or any closer, just keeping it there.

After a few moments, I sneaked a peek at Raashid, to see him dazed and watching the night sky, his face relaxed and satisfied.

And what was supposed to be a quick peek turned out to be creepy man ogling session as time passed and my eyes refused to look anywhere else.

Suddenly I heard a loud explosion, making me jump with a small squeak as I whisked into Raashid's side.

He merely chuckled and I turned my head to look at the firecrackers decorating the sky with different patterns.

I released a relieved sigh and tried to move away but Raashid placed his hand on my waist, preventing me from doing so.

I shuffled a bit and got comfortable with my head on his chest as he placed his cheek on my head, both of us starting at the pretty sky.

"Choi,"

I heard Raashid say after a few moments, making me turn my head to meet his passionate indigo red eyes.

"I love you."

It was a sincere statement, his tone giving away the fact that he was not expecting a response.

Knowing as much as the world did that I, being the slow dummy in this field, was still not sure about my feelings.

I liked him, a lot.

But love was that weird feeling I still wasn't sure of.

But I also knew, as much he did, that someday, I will fall for him.

That was inevitable and I didn't mind it.

As we stared at each other's eyes, Raashid slowly leaned down and so did I.

But before I could close my eyes fully, I caught something glowing behind Raashid.

"Woah! What the fuck is that!?" I yelled in shock, scrambling away from Raashid.

"Fireflies." He said simply as suddenly, the entire field started getting covered by these glowing dots.

I stared at the flying creatures nervously as Raashid said, "Aren't they prett-" he was cut off by a high pitched scream, which I was pretty sure coming from me.

"IT WENT IN MY HAIR! IT WENT IN MY HAIR!! MY GWAAAAAD!!"

"Choi calm dow-", "-TWO MORE ARE COMING THIS WAY!! STOP THEM!!" I screamed in panic as the glowing dots started coming way too close for my comfort.

Raashid suddenly shoved me in his chest as he muttered, "Okay, calm down. No need to panic." He said, patting my head.

"Get them out of my hair." I said as my voice came muffled from being buried in his chest.

I heard Raashid sigh, "Sorry. I didn't know you would be so scared of the fireflies, otherwise I wouldn't have brought you here."

I looked up from his chest to stare at him incredulously, "Why would you bring me to a place filled with insects?"

He blushed, "I thought it would be romantic."

I scowled, "What's so romantic about some flying-glowing insects? You need some proper education regarding this."

Raashid looked dejected so I quickly added, "But it wasn't a bad date overall."

He beamed at me before asking, "Should we leave? Its getting dark."

I nodded and then we left on the horse for the palace.

We reached there after an hour or so and as we walked through the corridors I suddenly felt an ominous feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"YoUr MaJeStY"

I squeaked when I heard that scary voice and turned behind to face June who looked like she was on her period which lasted all year.

"J-June I-", -June cut me off and I just wanted to go hide somewhere.

"June, I-I... I was kidnapped!" I quickly said making her raise her eyebrows.

Then I pointed at Raashid who was trying to leave unnoticed, "By this man!"

Raashid looked at me with a look of disbelief and betrayal as June's attention turned to him, "Oh?"

Raashid gulped as he said, "Ah- that's not true. She gave me the consent...to kidnap her."

I glared at him, "Lies." I said before looking at June with puppy eyes, "I would never leave you with all the paperwork."

She just stared at blankly before saying, "You're not getting your dinner till you finish today's paperwork."

I stared at her with fake horror before lowering my eyes and muttering a small 'okay', mentally thanking Raashid for feeding me like a pig an hour back.

"Good thing you already ate." Raashid mumbled not so quietly making June's head snap to him.

"Raashid you dumb idiotic fuck!" I cursed him as June smirked, "Oh well, no breakfast then."

My jaw dropped, "No! You said no dinner first!! You can't go back on your words."

"I can and I will. If you've forgotten, I'm in charge of your schedule and can make changes in them any time, your majesty. Now please quiet down and go do the rest of the paperwork." She snapped smugly. Her face saying 'that's what you get for ditching me' and then turned around to go to her study.

Raashid was leaving but I grabbed him by his collar.

"You help me now, since I'm in this mess because of you." I said with finality.

"Your majesty," Came a soft professional voice making me turn to look at August.

"Ah- August please help us. June has-", "JUNE IS AMAZING!" He cut me off, making me frown at him in confusion.

"She is the most extraordinary, prettiest, strongest and the coolest person alive on this planet." He recited with a passion I didn't understand, "She actually managed to do her paperwork plus one-fourth of your own by the evening! That was super fast! I could never!" he said in awe. It was true. Even though June was just 17, she was very fast at finishing paperwork and it was accurate as well. She would mostly get it done before sunset while I finished it just before midnight. And we had the same amount of paperwork, if not, then she had more than me. But she only did what she was assigned and hated it when I tell her to do some extra work.

"Thank you for letting me meet her and spend today's entire day with her. If it weren't for you two sneaking out, I would've never met this wonderful person." He said in this lovesick tone, making Raashid's confession look tiny.

Then with August's help, we finished all the paperwork till dawn while June got her beauty sleep and started showing her true colours from the following days.

And ever since that moment, August had been in love with June.

***

"You are so going to love it!", Choi exclaimed, but the indirect meaning behind her words were, 'You better love it or we are done for'. The ability of translating such words with a deep hidden meaning behind them comes naturally when you are together with your partner for almost two years.

I hummed in response as Choi tightened the blindfold she made me wear, since she wanted to give me a surprise.

But I was pretty sure we were headed to the Flower Garden by the way the carriage took turns. And I think she arranged a short picnic sort of a date with cushions and food and all.

Our carriage came to stop as Choi took my hand and led me out of it.

I mentally prepared myself to pretend to be surprised since I didn't want to hurt her feelings by saying 'I knew you'd do that'.

As Choi lead my way to the spot where our date was supposed to set, she suddenly let go of my hand, muttering a 'what...?'

I ripped off the blindfold as she screamed, "WHAT!?? Where did it disappear to?"

"What's wrong?" I asked as I stared at her and at the spot she was looking at under a huge tree. It was like any other patch of green in the garden

"I...I set up all the things for our date under this tree and now it... It just disappeared!" She muttered as she went around the tree, inspecting it as if it swallowed her stuff.

"Are you sure it was this tree? And when did you even set up? You were with me all the time." I asked her, confused as to how she managed to get things set up while being with me all the time, or maybe she made a maid set things up for our date. I guess the maid never set anything in the first place.

"Yes! I did it with my own hands!", she exclaimed making me frown, "I placed that soft silk mat over here! Then placed those big cushions there and then set up all the food in between before decorating everything with flowers!!"

"But how....wait........ Did you set up the things in advance and then left to get me?", I asked incredulously.

"Yes." She said confidently, making me facepalm.

"Choi...." I started, "someone obviously stole it."

She took in a second to process what I said then her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Impossible!" She exasperated, "These things don't happen in a novel world."

I rolled my eyes, "But it just did."

She looked sad depressed and angry at the same time as she looked up at the sky and announced, "Why?! Why only me God!?? What about all those other MCs who got to enjoy there first outdoor date without people stealing their stuff??!! Huh? Why did it only happen during my date?"

I rubbed my hand on her back as she cried out, "I even baked cupcakes for us!"

My eyebrows shot up in surprise as I realised that I had never eaten anything that Choi had made herself.

Ahhh....now I wanna stab that cupcake stealer senseless.

Choi groaned one last time before her mood did a complete 180.

"Just wait till I get my hand on those assholes who stole my cupcakes. I'm going to kill them." She whispered as the aura around her turned menacing.

*Then the two of them just went back to the palace and enjoyed cupcakes baked by the main chef while the person who stole Adailia's stuff was lying on the ground, throwing up every other second as a half-eaten cupcake lay beside him*

______

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