Chương 141: Bonus Chapter: The First Date

Hey guys, it's Riley. I decided to drop a bonus chapter on an even day to shamelessly plug my new book that I'm throwing together Grom The Barbarian Becomes a Pokemon Trainer SIIINCE it's a fanfic it won't have any extra chapters on Patreon or anything. This is just me writing for the love of the game. Feel free to check it out!:) Adriane"Ugh! No," she complained, staring into the mirror.

"This one… no." Rachel, the Chelsea-titled ghost maid, tilted her head as she studied the dress Adriane was wearing.

"Might I ask what the issue is with this one?"

"Look at it. It doesn't fit quite… it doesn't…" Adriane trailed off, gesturing toward her chest.

"I don't have enough time to take it over to Maggie before my… um… before our date." She blushed slightly. Why was she blushing? She was the fucking Silver Sword, yet she was acting like a teenager again. Her mind drifted to Gerard's smiling face and how easily he had tripped her during their spar. She shook her head. Focus.

"Do you know what happened to that… the blue one? With the frills on the… flowy… dress part?"

"Ah, that one. I believe Miss Chelsea borrowed it," Rachel replied, tapping her chin in thought.

"If you'd like, I can check her closet for it."

"No…" Adriane sighed.

"I'm completely overthinking this." She stared at herself in the mirror. A month ago, she never would've imagined herself wearing a dress. Now, though, she had to wear one. She had to, and it needed to be perfect. Absolutely perfect.

"What about that one?" She pointed toward one of the dresses Chelsea had bought her on a whim. It was canary yellow and resembled a ball gown, though without the insane amount of fabric around the… flowy… dress part. One of these days, Adriane would learn the proper names for the different sections of a dress. Rachel pulled it from the closet. As she did, someone knocked on the door.

"Master Adriane?" a small voice called from the hall.

"May I come in?" Tali! Yes! Tali had to have a wish available by now. Adriane could simply wish for the perfect dress.

"Come in! Please!" The djinn opened the door and surveyed the room with a warm smile.

"Master, I heard you were going on a date, and I wanted to come by and wish you my warmest good lu…"

"Do you have a wish available?" Adriane interrupted.

"Wha… Uh… N-no? Not yet, Master. I apolog…" Adriane let out a groan. Why was nothing going her way?

"I am going out of my mind." Rachel helped Adriane out of the blue dress and carefully hung it up before retrieving the yellow one.

"M-master, if I may be so bold, why are you so worried?"

"I have no clue," Adriane replied with a sigh.

"Well, I do know. It's that he is… or will have the potential to match my base strength within maybe a year or two. That means we can have an intimate relationship without me accidentally…" She realized she was saying too much and blushed again.

"I just need this to work. This is an opportunity for me, and I don't want to miss out."

"I see," Tali replied quietly with a small bow.

"You're Adriane Wixx, though. Why are you the one stressing over this? He should be doing everything he can to win your heart."

"He doesn't…" Adriane started to explain that Gerard didn't actually know who she was in any legendary capacity. He might have heard of her in passing from the Dryscape demons, but he didn't know she was widely recognized or that she had somehow become a symbol for people to lust after. Adriane let out a breath of laughter. That part had surprised her.

Chelsea had explained that there was an entire group of men who considered Adriane their exact type and would be happy to let her do strange things to them, including stepping on them. Adriane was certain Chelsea had lost her mind. Then again, her daughter had a habit of being correct about things she had no business knowing. Adriane had lost focus again.

"Can you help me into this one?" she asked, gesturing toward the yellow dress. After some squeezing and a section of hair becoming tangled in one of the clasps, they finally managed to settle it into place. Rachel helped lace the rigid section around Adriane's torso. Was it a corset? Adriane still wasn't certain what qualified as a corset and what was merely a bodice. It was stupid. Apparently, she couldn't suck in the way most women did.

If she held herself too tightly while Rachel laced the dress, her natural breathing would eventually snap the ties. Adriane looked into the mirror and squinted. She turned to one side, then the other.

"It's definitely the best one of the bunch so far. My daughter seriously has good taste… except for that one." She sighed.

"This is the one," she finally said. It felt as though she were settling. The dress wasn't perfect. It was great, but it wasn't… Rachel began brushing Adriane's hair. She dipped a wide-toothed comb into a glass of water before running it through the auburn strands to calm them. It took far longer than Adriane expected. During that time, they discussed possible topics she could bring up with Gerard if the conversation became difficult.

"Okay," Adriane finally said.

"I think I'm ready." She received approving nods from both the ghost maid and the djinn. Adriane stepped into the hall and began walking toward the guest wing. Her heart hammered inside her chest. She wasn't ready. Surely there was something else she needed to do first. Had she eaten? She probably needed to eat before leaving. Should she go to the kitchen first? Yes. The kitchen. Adriane began veering toward the stairs when a door near the front of the guest wing clicked open. Gerard stepped into the hall.

He was dressed exactly as he had been earlier. Adriane wasn't sure how she felt about that. Surely he could've worn something more formal. Or was this some kind of test? Well, even though he was wearing the same clothes as earlier, he still looked rather good. Gerard crossed the hall toward her, and Adriane found herself standing straighter. His gaze settled on the yellow dress before rising to her face.

"Wow. You look incredible." Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Thank you." The hour she had spent preparing suddenly felt less wasted. Gerard offered his arm, and Adriane hesitated before taking it. She had expected a carriage to be waiting outside, but he led her down the front steps and toward the road on foot. The evening air was pleasant, and the sun had begun lowering beyond the walls of Junstruce. Adriane adjusted her stride to accommodate the dress. Gerard noticed without commenting and slowed enough that she no longer had to fight the skirt with every step.

The first gift came before they had even left the manor grounds. Gerard stopped beside one of the flowerbeds and chose a small yellow blossom. He turned and held it out to her. Adriane stared at the flower, then at him.

"What's this for?"

"You," he replied simply, giving her a sly smirk. Gerard stood there with the flower held between his fingers. Adriane didn't quite understand. He reached toward her, and she nearly stepped back before realizing he only intended to place it in her hair. His fingers moved near her temple, carefully adjusting the stem until the flower remained secure among Rachel's work. Gerard studied it for a moment before giving a satisfied nod. They continued toward the city. Adriane touched the flower twice during the walk.

The first time was to make sure it hadn't fallen. The second time, she simply felt the urge to touch it. The market remained busy despite the late hour. Vendors had lit hanging lamps above their stalls, and the street carried the scents of cooked meat and warm spices. Adriane expected Gerard to choose a restaurant. Instead, he stopped at a narrow cart where an elderly woman fried small pieces of dough. She covered them with honey before wrapping them in paper. Gerard purchased a serving and handed it to Adriane.

She examined the warm parcel before looking at him. Adriane took one piece. The dough was crisp on the outside and soft in the center, with enough honey to make it sweet without soaking through the paper. Then she ate another. Gerard continued walking while she finished it. He hadn't bought any for himself.

"You aren't having any?"

"I wanted to know whether you liked it first." Adriane glanced at him several times before holding out the final piece. Gerard accepted it without making her explain. Was this awkward? Chelsea had told Adriane that she sometimes made situations awkward without realizing it. It felt as though they should be talking, but neither of them seemed able to begin. Adriane tried to remember all the possible conversation topics she had discussed with Rachel and Tali.

She couldn't recall a single one now that she was actually alone with Gerard. They moved farther into the market. Gerard didn't appear to have a strict destination. He wandered between the stalls, pausing whenever something caught Adriane's attention. She began noticing the pattern after he bought her a small pouch of roasted seeds from a spice merchant. She had only looked at them. At the next stall, Adriane deliberately kept her attention forward.

The attempt lasted until she saw a display of small wooden carvings. Animals and miniature weapons had been arranged across the table. Adriane released Gerard's arm and picked up a tiny sword carved from dark wood. The craftsman had included the fuller along the blade and wrapped the handle with fine thread. The detail was impressive. Adriane turned it over once before returning it to the table. Gerard bought it immediately. She watched the coin pass between him and the merchant.

"I don't need that." He placed the carving in her palm. Adriane considered refusing it. She had no use for a wooden sword small enough to fit between two fingers.

"You noticed that?" Adriane asked in an almost whisper. He shrugged.

"You were careful when you put it down. It was kind of cute." She slipped the sword into the hidden slotted pouch of her dress. The gifts continued. Gerard bought her a narrow blue ribbon from a fabric seller and a small paper flower made by a child near the fountain. When a baker offered samples of a fruit-filled pastry, Gerard purchased two and gave Adriane the larger one. Her discomfort gradually gave way to curiosity. Each stall became a chance to see what Gerard might notice.

He never bought the first item presented to him. He watched Adriane's reactions and chose only after she lingered. She began wondering whether she should be doing the same for him. Gerard showed little interest in weapons. He examined several pieces of armor, but only long enough to judge their construction. He did seem fascinated by women's jewelry. His attention lingered on the workmanship and settings rather than the value of the stones. A bookseller finally captured his full attention.

The stall contained stacks of old volumes and damaged scrolls. Gerard stopped near a thin book with a faded blue cover. A young girl had been painted on the front, standing alone beneath an unfamiliar sky. He picked it up and opened it. Adriane moved closer. The book appeared to be a collection of children's stories about a girl traveling through strange lands while searching for her home. Gerard read several lines before closing it and returning it to the table.

Adriane purchased the book while he was looking elsewhere. When she handed it to him, his expression changed. He accepted it carefully and ran one thumb across the worn cover. It was the first time she understood why he had been buying things for her. The object itself barely mattered. What mattered was that he had noticed. Warmth settled in Adriane's chest. She liked the feeling of doing something for Gerard instead of simply accepting what he chose for her.

They left the crowded market and continued toward one of the city gardens. The paths had recently been repaired, though several sections remained bare where new flowers had been planted. Gerard chose a bench beside a small pond. Adriane sat and arranged the dress around her legs. Gerard placed the book beside him.

"Thank you for this. Really," he said quietly. He looked awkwardly uncomfortable.

"You didn't do anything wrong." Adriane glanced toward him, surprised that he had read the concern on her face.

"It's… Been a while since someone bought me something and it feel like this." For a time, they watched the water and listened to the sounds of the city beyond the garden walls. Adriane expected the lack of conversation to become difficult once they stopped moving, but it didn't. The silence continued, and she found herself perfectly content with it. By the time they left the garden, the sun had nearly disappeared.

Gerard led her toward a quieter section of the market where musicians had begun playing near an open square. One of the songs being performed was about Adriane herself. The singer described the Silver Sword cutting through an entire army while standing alone beneath a storm. Gerard looked far too pleased by the discovery. Couples moved slowly across the paved area. Some danced while others stood close together near the edges of the square. Adriane blushed when she realized several of them were kissing. She stopped.

Gerard noticed her discomfort and changed direction without asking. They continued along the edge of the square instead. Adriane watched the dancers as they passed. A few moments later, she caught Gerard's sleeve and stopped him. He waited while she looked back toward the music.

"Could…" She turned her attention to him.

"Could we dance?" In answer, he only smiled. Adriane took his hand and led him toward the square. Gerard placed one hand at her waist. She rested hers against his shoulder and attempted to remember the lessons Chelsea had forced on her before the most recent merchant event. Her first step landed directly on Gerard's foot. He didn't react negatively, though he did chuckle.

"Points for trying something new." Adriane wasn't certain what the points were for, but she accepted them. Her other foot caught on the dress a short while later, and she nearly ripped the front of it off by accident. Adriane tightened her grip on Gerard and used him as a counterbalance, preventing the complete destruction of the dress.

"Let me lead," he said quietly. He stared into her eyes, his expression unusually soft. Most men Adriane had met carried some kind of hard edge. Even during gentle moments, they seemed determined to preserve enough machismo to prevent themselves from appearing vulnerable. Gerard didn't. He guided her without forcing her. His movements were confident enough that Adriane could follow after the first several turns. She stopped thinking about where her feet belonged and allowed him to direct the pace.

The music ended sooner than she expected. Adriane remained close until the next song began. Gerard continued without comment, though she caught him smiling with quiet satisfaction several times. They danced through three songs before leaving the square. Adriane was warm from the movement, and several strands of hair had escaped Rachel's careful work. Fortunately, the yellow flower remained in place. Gerard adjusted it when they stopped near a fountain.

Adriane looked up at him while his fingers moved carefully through her hair. He knew how to handle it too well. That thought remained with her as they walked. Her mind returned to their earlier spar. Gerard had commented on her dress with too much familiarity. He had to have worked for a tailor at some point to possess that much knowledge about clothing. They stopped for dinner at a small restaurant with tables arranged beneath an open canopy. It wasn't the formal place Adriane had expected.

No one announced their titles, and the owner didn't clear the room after recognizing her. Gerard ordered several dishes for them to share. Adriane watched him handle the bowls and divide the food. He wiped a spot of sauce from the edge of her plate before setting it in front of her.

"You don't have to keep serving me. I am perfectly capable of…"

"I know." He interrupted.

"But in many of my past lives it is a man's job to take care of the lady on a date." His movements carried habits she had only ever seen in women before which strangely contrasted his words. He had tied the ribbon into her hair with ease. He had known how to guide her dress during the dance so she wouldn't step on it. Even the way he examined fabric and jewelry in the market had felt unusual. She pushed the thought aside. Gerard had lived in forty-three worlds.

He had likely learned thousands of skills that appeared unusual here. After dinner, they returned to the market as the remaining merchants prepared to close. Gerard stopped at a flower seller and looked over the few bouquets still available. This time, Adriane stepped beside him rather than waiting. A small bundle of yellow and white flowers rested near the end of the table. She picked it up and held it against her dress. Gerard paid for it without question. They began the walk back to the manor.

The roads had grown quieter. Adriane carried the bouquet in one hand and held Gerard's arm with the other. She had been given grander gifts throughout her life, but none of them had felt this personal. The manor came into view beyond the trees, its windows illuminated against the darkening sky. Adriane slowed as they reached the front steps. The evening had gone far better than she had expected.

She had spent most of the morning terrified that the wrong dress would ruin everything, yet Gerard had made her forget about it within the first few minutes. He had also given her no indication of what he wanted from their relationship. She was both happy and frustrated by that. There had been no pressure behind the gifts. He hadn't attempted to use the money he spent as an excuse to touch her or demand anything once they returned.

At the same time, Adriane didn't know whether that meant he wasn't truly interested in her. Gerard stopped at the bottom of the steps. Adriane didn't release his arm immediately. She looked down at the flowers, then toward the manor entrance. The expected ending of the date was as uncertain as everything else had been. Gerard lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. Adriane stepped closer and kissed his cheek. He became completely still. The surprise on his face was so genuine that she almost laughed.

Adriane withdrew and waited for him to recover. Gerard touched the place where she had kissed him. His eyes lowered, and something in his expression became distant. The reaction didn't fit. It was strange. He had spoken openly enough about being summoned forty-four times. A man with that much life behind him shouldn't have been unsettled by a kiss on the cheek. Adriane studied him more carefully.

"You've done this before, haven't you?" Gerard was silent for several seconds. He removed the small book from beneath his arm and looked down at the painted girl on its cover.

"I've been on dates before." Adriane waited. Gerard's fingers tightened slightly around the book.

"But not like this." She didn't understand what he meant. Was he trying to flatter her? Adriane remained quiet and gave him the space to continue. Gerard finally looked toward her.

"In every other world, I was summoned into the same body." Adriane frowned, unsure what that had to do with the evening. Gerard glanced down at himself.

"This is the first world where I was summoned as a man." Adriane stared at him. The details she had dismissed returned all at once. His comfort with her hair, the way he understood the dress, and the care he took while choosing each gift no longer seemed like unrelated skills gathered across dozens of worlds.

"Before this," Gerard continued, "and for over two hundred years, my name was Emily."...... Hey it's Riley again. Sorry to double advertise but don't forget to check out Grom The Barbarian Becomes a Pokemon Trainer