Amelia and Alister exited the restaurant, the cool night air a refreshing contrast to the warm, intimate atmosphere they had just left behind. Alister's arm remained around Amelia's waist as they walked towards the opera house, the glow of the streetlights casting a soft light on the cobblestone streets.
The grand facade of the opera house loomed ahead, its ornate details and elegant architecture promising an evening of high culture and entertainment. They entered the building, handed over their tickets, and were shown to their seats in a private box with a perfect view of the stage.
Amelia settled into her seat, her eyes shining with excitement. "I've always wanted to see this opera," she confessed, glancing at Alister with a wide smile.
Alister returned her smile, though inwardly he felt less enthusiastic. Opera had never been his favorite, finding it overly dramatic and tedious. But seeing Amelia's excitement made him determined to make the best of it.
The lights dimmed, and the orchestra began to play. The curtains rose to reveal a lavish set, and the performers took the stage, their voices soaring through the auditorium. Amelia leaned forward, completely engrossed in the performance, her eyes following every movement, her lips curving into a delighted smile.
Alister, however, found his attention wandering. He glanced at the stage, but his eyes kept drifting back to Amelia. The way she was completely captivated by the performance, her expressions changing with the story—laughter, surprise, wonder—was far more mesmerizing to him than the opera itself.
At one particularly humorous moment in the performance, Amelia let out a soft, genuine laugh. Alister felt his heart skip a beat. He realized he was smiling too, not at the opera, but at the joy radiating from her.
The performance continued, but Alister barely noticed the time passing. He was lost in watching Amelia, her reactions, her happiness. Her presence seemed to light up the entire box, and he found himself leaning closer to her, drawn by an invisible force.
As the final act approached, the dramatic climax of the opera unfolded on stage. Amelia's eyes were wide with anticipation, her hands gripping the edge of her seat. Alister could see how much she was enjoying it, and despite his initial reluctance, he was glad they had come.
The opera concluded with a powerful aria, the performers taking their final bows to thunderous applause. Amelia clapped enthusiastically, her face glowing with delight. Alister joined in, though his applause was for her happiness rather than the performance.
When the lights came up, Amelia turned to him, her eyes sparkling. "That was incredible! Thank you for bringing me."
Alister smiled, unable to look away from her. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."
They stood up, preparing to leave the box. As they made their way down the grand staircase, Alister felt a wave of contentment wash over him. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so at ease, so connected with someone.
Outside, the night was cool and crisp. They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of the city a distant murmur. Alister glanced at Amelia, her expression still reflecting the magic of the evening.
"Shall we head back to the carriage?" he suggested softly.
Amelia nodded, still smiling. "Yes, but... can we take the long way? I want to savor this night."
Alister's heart swelled with affection. "Of course."
They walked slowly, taking in the sights and sounds of the city at night. Eventually, they found themselves standing in a quiet, secluded corner of a park, the soft glow of the lamplights creating a romantic atmosphere.
Amelia turned to him, her smile fading slightly as a more serious expression took over. "Alister, tonight has been wonderful. I... I've never felt like this before."
Alister took a step closer, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "Neither have I."
He leaned in slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted. But Amelia didn't move, her eyes closing as he drew nearer. Their lips met in a soft, tender kiss, the world around them fading away.
The kiss deepened, filled with a mix of emotions—affection, relief, a promise of something more. When they finally pulled away, both were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other.
Amelia opened her eyes, looking into Alister's. "I think I could get used to this," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.
Alister smiled, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. "So could I."
Hand in hand, they walked back to the carriage