As we walked through the streets of the capital, I couldn´t help but notice the glares that people were throwing at us; I also heard some of them saying things like: "I can´t believe a couple like that exists" or "Who would be so daring as to date the daughter of a duke?"
I can stand several hours working under a scorching sun without sweating a break, but hearing people´s voices of jealously and mocking is another level of annoyingness.
"Don´t mind them, they are just curious"
Reading my mind again, the beauty hugging my arm comforted my anxious thoughts.
"I know, I just wish they could be a little more discrete. It is quite irritating when they talk nonsense"
I didn´t know what kind of face I was making while saying that, but I can get an idea from the fleeting people around us.
"Maybe, but they aren´t totally wrong. I am the well-known daughter of the duke Herion, and this is the first time I go on a date in public. They have enough reasons to be like that, to some extent"
Releasing my stress with a sigh, I responded with fury taking a nap on my eyebrows.
"Even if that´s right, it still pisses me off. It sounds like they are talking about a trophy marching around rather than a person having a date"
Verónica hugged tighter my arm, placing my eyes on her I noticed a subtle smile on her lips.
"You´re always like that..."
"Hm?"
I saw her mouth move, but I wasn´t able to catch what she said, and just when I was about to ask...
"Look, we´re here"
Following her finger, I saw the building painted in white and gold with giant steel letters writing: 'The golden plate'.
This was a very expensive restaurant where only royalty and big merchants could afford their absurd prices.
The place was known for its elegant atmosphere and for being a meeting point for many aristocrats. It is not strange to see important people eating and drinking here.
"Is it really fine that someone like me goes in there?"
"Of course it is. You´re with me, so no one will dare to say something if they have some functional brain cells"
"That´s... true but- Woah?!"
"Let´s go"
Not giving me another chance to doubt myself, Veronica pulled me forward into the restaurant.
We were greeted by a butler holding a record of appointments.
"Welcome to the golden plate, how may I serve you, madam?"
"Good afternoon, I have a reservation at 6:30, Fotiadis family"
Quickly checking the book, the butler nodded and clapped his hands.
As if it was magic, 4 other butlers appeared out of nowhere and deployed a red carpet before us.
"Thank you for your preference, Miss Verónica, we guarantee you a pleasant meal" Said the four of them in unison.
All the attention from the place was given to us, increasing the whispers and doubtful eyes.
Verónica sighed tiredly as we both awkwardly let them guide us to our table.
When we arrived I got ahead of them and prepared her seat.
"Thank you~" She said with briefly blushed cheeks.
"No problem"
The butlers gave me some frustrated looks, but since I have to make this feel like a real date, I cared little for what they had to think.
Once I also placed my ass in one of the expensive chairs, one of them brought a bottle and 2 slim glasses.
The others placed our utensils and plates while a band in the background started playing soft music.
"We will bring you your meal shortly, in the meantime, please, enjoy one of our numerated bottles of moon grapes"
The dexterity with which he opened to bottle and poured the drink was a heavy reminder of the quiality of a place like this. He wasn´t just opening and pouring a drink, he seduced the bottle and dominated its insides.
When he was done a look of 'How was that?' was given to me. I slowly clapped as a sign of respect to the gentleman.
"Enjoy your drink"
When the butlers were gone, Verónica talked to me with a strange tune.
"What was that about?"
"Hm? Oh, I was just admitting my defeat for a second"
"??"
"Haha. It was nothing serious, just some men's stuff"
"Riiight..."
Now she wasn´t confused, but weirdly tired.
"A-Anyway. I have to say it, this place is more glamorous on the inside"
"And you haven´t seen the food, they know how to make it feel like the money is worth it"
Grabbing the glass with bubbling water, I felt the smell of grapes assault my brain. It helped to gather the mental strength necessary for my next lines.
"Well... someday in the future..."
With heat increasing on my face, and my hand tightly holding my leg under the table, I spoke with all the confidence I could muster.
"I´ll bring you here again, as many times you want"
Then I offered the edge of my drink to Verónica, who was holding hers with a smile.
"Is that a promise?"
Her expectant eyes made me feel nervous, but I also was attacked by a stranged force that pushed me forward to respond.
Cling!
"A promise it is"
We both gulped down the drink. A sweet, and at the same time, bitter taste danced on my tongue.
So this is what a promise tastes like... I think I like it...
Through the empty glass, I saw her figure. It was lovable, tempting, and relaxing; but at the same time, so disastrous and unreachable.
One day... One day I´ll be able to say everything you make me feel...
"Excuse me, sir"
"Oh... The food is here..."
Once the butlers arrived, they gave us our plates filled with good-looking cuts of meat.
I thanked them for the service and began eating once they left us.
We both considered that it was enough seriousness for the moment, so a relaxed atmosphere surrounded us.
We spent the time talking about anything that came to our minds, just having fun with our company.
*
After a couple of hours, we were getting ready to leave the restaurant, it was then when a ruckus happened.
"Someone call the royal guards! There has been a murder!"
A chef rushed out of the kitchen yelling that, forcing the attention of everyone to notice his trembling presence.
Before I could say anything, Verónica left her seat and went to see what happened.
What the hell is she doing?!
I quickly went after her.
Just why did this have to happen now?!
Fury I never felt before took over me as the lights of the place began to die at my march.
WHOEVER CAUSED THIS IS DEAD!!!
That night I made another promise.
Kill the bastard who ruined my date.