Anna was a bit surprised when Max led her to village square. She looked around and didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
Still wondering why he had asked her to dress up tonight she chose to follow him and see what he was up to.
She was surprised when he led her to the archway for Fey Nights.
While she still hadn't chosen a class, her ability points were high. And Max's was even higher. Asking her to dress up and then try to clear a dungeon level didn't make sense. She thought he would turn away from the arch, but he led her through.
"What are we doing here?" She asked as he led them up the path to the fog covered forest.
"I thought we could have dinner under the moonlight."
"Will we even be able to see it through the fog?" She asked as they ventured further into the forest.
Max smiled. "You know there are a few fixed encounters if the adventurers go far off the path."
Anna nodded as he continued.
"There are also a few secrets on each level. I want to show you one of them."
With that, he took her hand and stepped off the path. The creatures didn't bother Max and Anna. They knew they weren't actually trying to complete the level.
After walking a strange course for 15 minutes which included circling a tree and abrupt turns, they stopped between a pair of pine trees.
What drew Anna's attention was in the 2 meter gap between the trunks of the small trees, there appeared to be a film of magic.
"Go on." Max said, offering to let her go first.
Anna had nothing to be afraid of inside the dungeon. She let go of his hand and stepped forward.
She looked around in awe. She felt like she had been transported to a completely different forest. The fog was gone, she could see the moon hanging in the night sky.
In the center of the clearing she saw a table for two. The ground around the table was covered with glowing flowers that let out a soft light.
Hundreds of fireflies flitted through the trees as they glowed a variety of colors.
"What do you think?" Max asked as his hands slid around her waist from behind. He placed his chin on her shoulder while he hugged her.
"It's wonderful." She said softly.
With a peck on her cheek, he let go and took her hand. As he led Anna to the table, she couldn't help but look around with excitement. Every flower that brushed against her legs or dress would have its magic glow brighten for several seconds before it gradually returned to a soft illumination.
When he pulled out her chair, she took a seat.
Once Max joined her. A menu with a few options appeared.
She chose a salad to start, a simple pasta dish for her main and a fancy sounding dessert. Max copied her order.
Once she told Max what she wanted, the menus disappeared, 2 glasses of wine taking their place. A few moments later, the salads appeared.
"Is this open to everybody?" She asked while still taking in the sites around them.
Max nodded. "Anybody who can find this place can come. It will have a table ready for however many people arrive. The first time a person enters the cost of the meal is covered. If they return, they will have to pay."
"It's brilliant." She said, taking his hand for a moment.
The pair enjoyed a romantic dinner and dessert. When they finished, Max summoned another bottle of wine and a blanket.
"Would you care to look at the stars with me?"
"Yes." Anna said with a bit of blush in her cheeks.
Max spread the blanket. They enjoyed another drink before laying down. They softly talked while watching the sky. He didn't know when, but the conversation eventually tapered off. Anna was resting her head on his shoulder while he held.
"It's getting cold." She said.
"Would you like to head back?" He asked.
"No." Was her soft reply.
Max bought another blanket and tossed it over the both of them.
Anna turned on her side and grabbed him around the waist while laying her head on his chest. He pulled at the tie in her hair and let it fall down. He gently ran his fingers through her hair as her breathing slowly quieted.
He let her lie down for fifteen minutes before he decided they should head back. It was romantic to fall asleep under the stars, but it was a pain to wake up in a forest.
Max slowly moved out from beneath her and gently picked her up. Max focused on his destination and moved to a different floor of the dungeon.
Appearing in his room, he gently lowered her on his bed. Since she didn't mind sleeping with him in the forest, she could sleep with him in his room.
Max carefully took off the heels she had worn tonight. And then with deft and nimble hands he was able to slip off her dress.
He fought the urge to groan. He didn't know why he was torturing himself like this. There she lay on his bed, only covered in small lacy panties.
Shaking his head, he sighed. He could have woken her up and taken her to her room. No, he had to take her to his.
Grabbing a large shirt from his dresser he slipped it onto her before getting undressed and putting on a pair of sweatpants.
Annastasia let out a soft groan as he pulled the covers over them and wrapped his arms around her.
Max woke the next morning to a wonderful felling.
His hands were cupping his wife's chest under her shirt. Realizing what he was doing, he began to gently pull his hands out.
"It's fine." She softly said while grabbing his wrist and putting his hands back. "I am not ready, but I can still take care of my husband."
Annastasia let go of his hand and reached into his sweatpants. She felt her husband twitch as she grabbed him.
///
Max was smiling through breakfast. He didn't even care when Anna teased him about his reaction. But why would he care. He had a loving wife, and their date last night was perfect. It was more than he had hoped it would be.
He was smiling again that evening when Anna decided she liked sharing a bed with him. She didn't even need to ask as he rushed ahead to move over some of the clothes from her room.
She stifled a laugh as she slipped into a nightgown and then got under the covers.
Smiling happily, she leaned into his embrace as she fell asleep.
///
While Max and Anna slept 3 figures appeared in the dungeon's first level.
"This is the place, Master." Said a goblin wearing leather armor.
He turned and looked up to the hobgoblin he had just spoke too.
The 4-foot-tall creatures looked out at the forest, completely ignoring the sign at the entrance of the dungeon. He had known the human tongue, but their writing was still beyond him.
The hobgoblin turned to the second goblin that hadn't spoken yet. "You are sure about the rumors you heard?"
"Yes, Master. It has spread through the camp. Our adventures will be coming with the rest tomorrow."
"Hmph. It may look good but I can tell it lacks substance. I don't even see any creatures ready to pounce. Make sure to report what the adventures find."
The second goblin nodded solemnly. "Yes, Master."
"Let's return. I need to prepare."
With that, the 2 goblins and the hobgoblin exited the dungeon.