Chapter 166: Another date

After spending some time with Catherine, I told her I wanted to take her somewhere. Although Catherine was a bit hesitant at first, she eventually agreed and began to follow me. Since teleportation portals are typically used for the fastest travel across the academy grounds, we headed to the nearest one. After selecting our destination and paying a fee, we passed through the portal.

When we emerged, we found ourselves on a high hill with a vast, endless view. This was the highest point of the academy grounds, floating in the sky, but calling it a hill wasn't quite accurate. It was more like a plateau, with many restaurants and beautiful gardens. It resembled a picturesque tourist spot.

Catherine was looking around with a mix of awe and wonder. The expression of admiration on her face made it clear that my plan had worked. I had wanted to bring her here, to the highest point of the academy, to let her experience its beauty. Knowing how delicate and sensitive her spirit was, I had guessed this view would touch her heart.

At that moment I wanted to take a chance and I wanted to hold her little hand. When I held her hand, she immediately pulled back, but then lowered her head in embarrassment. "I'm sorry..."

"No need to apologize," I replied. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable; I just wanted to guide you to where we need to go." With that, I began to walk toward our destination.

Catherine followed me with a shy but happy excitement. We entered a building with rustic architecture built on the side of the plateau. After quickly securing the best table, we also ordered our food. The restaurant was elegantly designed and the table we rented is located on the seventh and top floor. While it had a touch of Western architecture, it resembled Chinese design more.

Upon reaching the top floor, I noticed how quiet it was. After all, getting a table here was expensive, and the silence was part of its appeal. We slid open a wooden door and climbed a few steps inside.

The room on this top floor of the restaurant, sitting atop the plateau, offered a truly breathtaking view. Right in front of the table was an expansive view of the sky. White clouds, nearly within reach, floated at the same height, creating a surreal atmosphere. The air was cool and fresh, and as the wind gently moved Catherine's hair, I could tell she was lost in the view.

Looking around, I noticed the various gardens and vegetation on this high plateau. Colorful flowers added an elegant touch to the natural beauty of the landscape. Some flowers had grown around structures like vines, while others adorned sculptures, lending the area a magical feel. In the distance, elegant ponds and waterfalls created small cascades; the crystal-clear waters whispered like a humble melody.

The location of the academy in the sky made the area appear to be shrouded in a light mist, giving it a mystical beauty. The sky shimmered with shades of blue and pink, like a painting, and those who gazed at it seemed to see an infinite depth stretching out before them.

Catherine's eyes reflected the enchantment of the moment.

The room was spacious, with large cushioned seats shaped like a U, made from bird feathers. I bent down to remove my shoes and sat on one of the seats, which was incredibly comfortable. Catherine, mimicking me, took off her shoes and sat across from me. I don't know if it matters, but her feet might have been the smallest adult feet I had ever seen. Stay updated through mvl

"This is... Simply perfect!" Catherine said, her eyes full of joy.

Seeing the happiness in her eyes also made me feel content. I thought to myself that bringing her here had been the right decision. "The beauty of this view, combined with your elegance, makes it truly enchanting," I whispered, although I probably should have expressed myself more confidently.

"Than you..." Catherine smiled shyly, clasping her hands in her lap while keeping her eyes on the view. She slowly said, "This feels like a dream... I've never been anywhere this beautiful before. Thank you so much."

"This is just the beginning," I said with a wink.

At that moment, the waiter brought the food we had ordered to the table. The dishes were exquisitely prepared, with salads garnished with delicate flower petals and meals sliced thinly and served with special sauces. Catherine gazed at the food for a while in admiration before laughing and saying, "These look so beautiful. I almost don't want to eat them."

As we began eating, Catherine started talking about her student life and lessons at the academy. As we spoke, I was reminded again of the delicate and sensitive heart she had behind her graceful demeanor. She wasn't just a beauty that inspired admiration, but also had a deep intelligence and a love for learning. Sёarch* The Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Deep down, I realized I didn't want to harm this woman. I didn't want her to feel like I was using her, or for her to think that once I had won her love, I would abandon her. I understood I didn't want to hurt this delicate flower.

Of course, things might change in an extreme situation. Any person who crossed my boundaries—like trying to kill me, taking away my freedom, harming my family, or perhaps damaging something crucial to me—would trigger a reaction. Those were my red lines, but I didn't think Catherine would ever want to cross them.

A woman like Catherine is the ideal wife in every man's dream. Extremely beautiful, charming, loyal, and probably loving. Of course, from the outside, she appeared to be the kind of woman who needed protection, one who could make any man's heart race.

I shook off my thoughts and returned to the present. "Catherine, do you remember what we talked about before? The day I said I would make you empress? Back then, you thought I was Arthur, but let me tell you now, I'm still determined to make you empress."

Catherine froze for a moment, her eyes slowly shifting to me. She paused to think for a few seconds, then smiled quietly. "Yes, I remember," she said, but this time, there was no shock in her voice. "Back then, I really believed you were Arthur. But now... I'm not so sure. Making a deal with the prince of another kingdom might make me a traitor." She said, stirring her food with a fork, a hint of boredom in her tone.

"Then let me help you without making you a traitor," I said.

Catherine was silent for a moment, her eyes still on the table, but her thoughts were clearly unclear. Slowly, she looked up at me. Her gaze was more focused, more serious than before.

"What kind of help?" she asked, her voice still carrying a trace of doubt.

"I know it's too soon to say this, but... I think I like you. And yes, in a romantic way. I want to get engaged to you. I want to make you my empress, Catherine. I want to ensure that your beautiful face always wears a smile." I said, shocking Catherine.

Catherine fell silent for a moment, her eyes filled with a mix of uncertainty and astonishment. It was such a sudden confession that I couldn't tell what she was thinking. Her eyes were trying to measure the seriousness in my expression, but my words seemed to have taken her by surprise.

After a while, she lowered her head and smiled gently. "Ethan... I... I wasn't expecting this," she said, her voice trembling.

"Catherine, you don't have to answer right now. I'm just expressing my intentions early to show you the respect I have for you. Still, I want to say that a few more dates like this would be enough for me to fall in love with you."

Catherine gazed at me for a while, still silent. Her face held a mixture of shock and indecision. A few seconds later, she took a deep breath and gently lowered her head. "Ethan... I don't understand... I've heard that your relationship with your current fiancée is quite good. Was that a lie? Don't you love your fiancée, Evangeline, the princess of the Tamerid Empire?" she asked.

"... Unfortunately, you misunderstood me. I love her, and I love you too. I know it may sound selfish, but I want both of you."

Catherine's expression of shock and indecision deepened with every passing second. Amid her confused looks, I could feel the conflict in her voice along with the seriousness. Her eyes seemed to be struggling, unsure of what to think.

We stayed silent for a while, the only sound being the soft rustling of the leaves outside in the breeze. The beauty of the food on the table no longer mattered to Catherine, and the atmosphere had grown much heavier. It became clear that we were at a crucial turning point, where every word carried weight.

"I'm sorry, but we can never be together in this situation... I can't share the same man with the child of murderers...." she said, her voice full of disgust.