"If I were you, I'd stop teasing me," Weston said, his hands turning white from gripping his utensils tightly.

Weston saw her attention flicker to his fingers and then his eyes. Emerald against ruby, earth against fire, she didn't hesitate to look into his gaze.

"Or else what?" Lydia taunted.

Regardless, Lydia decided to lower her weapon and stop testing his patience. Though, she did like to see him hot and bothered by her.

In fact, Lydia felt empowered by the influence she had on him. It was a thrill she'd never stop chasing and a high she'd never come down from.

"There are many surfaces to spank you," Weston growled. "Starting with wasting food."

Lydia instantly clamped her mouth shut. She realized he was much more kinkier than expected. The glint in his fiery eyes implied he meant every word. She'd rather keep the plates on the table than have him sweep them onto the ground and have his way with her.

"The seabass is good," Lydia suddenly said, earning a nod from him.

Lydia saw the tension in his hand was still there, but didn't know what she did to continue provoking him.

"I know it is, I ordered it from your favorite restaurant," Weston easily responded.

Lydia blinked. "You can't just say that and not expect to sound like a damn stalker."

Weston calmly looked at her as he sliced through the tender, white flesh. He watched the juices ooze around, his lips curling at her words.

"Who said I wasn't a stalker and a creep?" Weston asked.

There was an edge to his voice. Uncertainty flashed in Lydia's eyes.

Lydia glanced around them, realizing he could really kill her here if he wanted to. She didn't tell anyone where she was going, except William, but he only knew she went home. He could dispose of her body here. She'd have nowhere to run and go.

"You're better off alive than dead," Weston told her, already predicting what she was thinking.

Weston was only bantering with her, but he guessed his solemn expression scared her.

Weston knew he needed to work on his joking expression. Whenever he made a joke, his face didn't change, and he didn't even blink. Easton once told him how terrifying Weston looked when making a joke.

"Gee thanks. That's such a romantic comment made in a dark meadow and dim forest," Lydia snapped at him, but continued to eat anyways.

In a blink, Lydia had finished her seabass and was beginning to move onto the dessert.

"Well, what would you like to hear?" Weston countered.Lydia paused. "I don't know."

Lydia wondered why he was eating so slow. She lifted the wine glass to her lips, washing the taste of the juicy seabass from her tongue. Had he been looking at her the entire time, instead of eating?

"I'm full," Lydia said after a few seconds of touching the dessert.

Weston raised a brow. He looked at her finished plate and smiled a bit. Lydia was truly worlds apart from the Queen. The Queen rarely finished her food. He sipped the wine and placed it onto the table.

"Let's star gaze then," Weston said, surprising her.

Lydia glanced at him and then up at the sky. They were far out of the city, away from the lights that blinded the night's beauty. She was breathless at the star-speckled sky. It was so beautiful, she could practically see every single constellation she could remember.

Weston grabbed her hand and began pulling her towards the blanket. He lowered both of them onto it, the flowers tickling his skin. they brushed on his forearm, and he resisted the urge to be cheesy and pluck one.

Then, Weston looked at her. She was truly a beautiful woman. He'd never be able to look away from her. Instinctively, he plucked a flower and tucked it into her sprawling blond hair. Her attention flew to him, her lips parted.

"Daisies suit your golden hair," Weston murmured as he touched the side of her face.

Lydia's heart skipped. Her stomach fluttered and she tried to suppress a smile. People always told her roses suited her more, the brilliant red matching her fiery attitude. She never thought daisies would suit her.

"Really?" Lydia asked, her guard beginning to lower.magic

Weston's lips curled in response and he plucked another daisy, showing the bright yellow color to her.

"You're as annoying as the hot sun on a summer day, but you shine brilliantly, my little fireball," Weston confessed.

Lydia could fall in love right then and there. His other hand grabbed hers, lacing their fingers together.

"Go out with me," Weston asserted. "Be my girlfriend, Claymore."

Lydia's lips parted in surprise. Then, she widely grinned. "I thought you'd never ask, Fitzcharles."

Weston snorted. "Is that a yes or no?"

"What is this? A marriage proposal?" Lydia laughed. "You only say 'yes' or 'no' during a marriage proposal."

"Would you like a marriage proposal instead?" Weston mused.

Lydia scrunched her nose. "I'm only twenty-one and unlike our good friends, we don't have a childhood lovers arc. So no, I'd rather not get married this young."

Weston chuckled at her words. He supposed she was right.

"I'm not ready for marriage either," he told her. "I've been single for a century now."

Lydia slowly let his words sink in. "Did you love another woman before?"

Weston paused. He glanced at her, his heart clenching. "Once."Lydia suddenly felt cold. She wanted to pull away from him, but his grip tightened.

"She was a sickly woman who believed in reincarnation. She died holding my hand," Weston murmured. "In fact, her death anniversary aligns with your birthday. How intriguing would it be if you were her reincarnation?"

Lydia lightly laughed at his words. She turned her attention back to the sky, knowing it'd be stupid to be jealous of a dead woman. But her heart still prickled, and she truly wondered if she was a reincarnation.

"Well, maybe that can be our special bit," Lydia teased him. "If we were in a book, then I'd like us to have a reincarnation arc, like how Elias and Adeline have childhood lovers to strangers then back to lovers arc."

Weston was amused by her words. His thumb stroked her smooth skin, wishing truly, they were in a reincarnation arc. He didn't dare to comment that she looked nothing like his dead lover. Though, the coincidence of the death anniversary and birthday was a striking one.

"We don't need such a thing to deepen our relationship," Weston told her, even though it'd be nice. Unfortunately, he believed in no higher being.

"But I believe in reincarnations," Lydia whispered. "In fact, I like to read those kinds of books."

Weston hummed in response. "What else do you like to read?"

"Anything with romance…" Lydia trailed off, looking away in hopes of hiding her reddened face. "I don't fall in love easily, so I always find it interesting to watch others do so. For a period of time, I was too focused on gathering the board of director's support, so I neglected any childish emotions."

Weston was intrigued by her words. He liked learning more about her, beyond the things written on the paper investigating her. He remained silent and allowed her to keep on talking.

"That's why I like reading romance books They feel like an escape from reality, and I don't have to think much except the characters in the story," Lydia admitted.

Weston smiled. "I feel the same exact way," he finally said. "Books are my escape from this world, though I only like non-fiction."

Lydia laughed. "Why am I not surprised a man like you only reads non-fiction? Though, I'd expect for you to enjoy thriller mysteries."

Weston thought to the lowest level of his bookshelf, where the fiction books could be found.

"Yes, I actually do enjoy mysteries, especially the difficult ones that make you think who's the killer or mastermind. Anything that works the brain is my favorite," Weston admitted.

Lydia wondered what it was like to be that smart. She continued peering at the night sky and smiled at how wonderful this date was.

"That seems exactly like you," Lydia responded,

Lydia was enjoying this conversation to the fullest. Her heart was racing quickly in her ears and she felt warmth spread throughout her chest. She wondered if he felt the same.

Lydia turned her head and noticed the ghost of a smile on his face. Her heart missed a beat. Whilst she was admiring the sky, he was admiring her.

"It does, doesn't it?" Weston murmured, observing the way the sky reflected off her gemstone eyes.

She was so breathlessly stunning, how had he not realized it sooner? He squinted a bit. No, he had always realized she was beautiful. He was just frightened by that realization when he had first met her and she irked him to no avail.

"You still haven't told me your answer," Weston said, feeling a sudden sense to possess her.

Once she was his, he'd like to keep it that way, but he wouldn't force her to stay. He was not as cruel and obsessive as the King, or so, he'd like to believe...

"Of course, I want to be your girlfriend," Lydia laughed, her eyes crinkling. "Did you really think I'd say no?"

Weston touched strands of her hair, twirling the bouncing locks around his finger. They were as smooth as they looked. He brought it to his lips and kissed her hair, hearing her sharp intake of air.

"No," Weston murmured. "The thought of your rejection never crossed my mind."

Lydia rolled her eyes at his arrogance, but couldn't keep the smile off of her face. Now, Lydia and Weston were officially in a relationship. She'd like to keep it that way. In fact, she wished they'd have a romance as grand as the love stories she read as a kid. How wonderful would that be?