As lunchtime rolled around, the busy energy of the office quieted down a bit, and we found ourselves seated in the castle's dining hall.
The grand room was still intimidating, but with Aeliana beside me, I felt oddly comfortable. We were both eating, the chatter of the other knights and workers fading into the background, giving us a rare moment of privacy.
I poked at my food for a moment before I finally spoke. "So, Aeliana," I started, trying to sound casual but feeling a bit awkward, "when you said 'a proper date' earlier... what exactly did you mean by that?" I lifted my gaze to meet hers, curious but a little nervous.
Aeliana paused, mid-bite, and raised her eyebrows at me with a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "What? You've never been on a 'proper' date before?" she teased, leaning forward slightly with a playful glint in her eyes.
