Gilbert arrived at the inner citadel, where officers and upper personnel resided. As he approached the guarded entrance, one of the sentries stepped forward, rigidly postured and speaking sharply.
"You do not have access to this area," the guard stated firmly.
Gilbert, maintaining a respectful tone, responded,
"Could you please notify Doctor Eden that Gilbert is waiting for her?"
The guard eyed him briefly before speaking into his comms. "Paging Colonel Aniela Eden, you have a Gilbert waiting for you at the gate."
Silence settled in as the guard scrutinized him, as Gilbert frequently checked his watch. Finally, after thirty minutes, Aniela appeared.
She was a vision of refined elegance, clad in a gracefully fitted royal blue dress with glowing silver accents along the sleeves and shoulders. A cloth belt, secured by a delicate silver flower buckle, cinched her waist, allowing the flared skirt to fall just below her knees with subtle pleats giving her movement an effortless grace. Blue heels with clear straps complemented the ensemble.
Her wine-red hair, neatly braided into one long plait, cascaded down her back. Deep blue jewelry adorned her ears, hair, and fingers, a striking contrast to her warm chestnut eyes, which completed the ensemble.
Gilbert straightened instinctively, gripping the bouquet of jasmine a little tighter. Aniela assessed him briefly before she spoke.
"You have kept me waiting," she remarked as the guards saluted her passing figure.
Gilbert exhaled, checked his watch one last time, and met her gaze, trying to maintain his composure.
"I'm sorry, you look beautiful," he finally said, his voice a little shaky as he expressed his admiration. Extending his arm, he waited for her response, which Aniela accepted with seamless grace.
As they walked, she glanced at the flowers he still held, her tone casual, "Are those mine?"
Gilbert blinked, as his gaze wandered around, before realizing her gaze was fixed on the bouquet in his hand.
"Oh yeah, sorry. These are for you." He said, quickly handing them to her as they stepped onto a floating platform carrying through the citadel.
Aniela took them and cradled them in her left arm. "They're nice," she said in a soft voice as she continued looking at the buildings of the citadel blurring past.
Silence settled between. Gilbert wrestled with the urge to start a conversation, sifting through countless topics in his mind, but couldn't find the right words as he fidgeted. Meanwhile, Aniela leaned against the rail that kept them secured to the platform.
Gilbert finally broke the silence. "So where are we going?"
"The Rooftop Terrace," Aniela replied, her tone curt.
"Oh, I've never been there before," Gilbert commented with interest. "What is it like?"
Aniela barely spared a glance his way as she replied, "You'll know soon enough." And just like that, they arrived.
As they stepped off the floating platform, Gilbert started at the towering spire looming above them, a testament to the citadel's grandeur. Around them, high-ranking officials of the dragon legion and the Academy, some adorned in final formal attire, others clad in military garb. As they all passed by the couple, they would all take glances at Aniela, while some would stare straight up.
As they stepped onto the seventieth-floor terrace, the view of the citadel unfolded in breathtaking detail. Lanterns flickered softly, their golden glow casting warm reflections upon the polished silverware and the masterfully carved wooden tables. The citadel stretched out below, its pulse steady and alive beneath the vast sky.
A breeze carried the delicate scent of fresh gardenia and aged wine intertwining with the crisp night air. Gilbert took a deep breath as he took it all in; the sophistication and the murmurs of conversation of distinguished guests made him feel out of place.
Aniela walked ahead with natural confidence, unfazed by the prestige surrounding them. Gilbert adjusted his stance slightly, let out a slow, steady breath, walking by her side. Remembering what Vivian told him, he helped her take her seat before sitting across from her as they received their menus.
"I would like to let you know now that I don't know what to do here," Gilbert admitted, while shifting in his seat. Still adjusting to the novelty of a gathering in the citadel where he wasn't expected to serve or stand attention.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of you," Aniela assured him, clearly relaxed in such a setting, carrying herself with effortless grace as she skimmed through the holographic menu ordering for both of them.
"I've never been to a place like this. It feels like I am in someone's way." Gilbert said, scanning their surroundings.
Aniela looked up from the menu and said lightly, "You say that like you don't belong here, but look around, no one's throwing you out. No one's asking you to leave." Her words brought him peace slightly as their table sank back into silence.
As the food was served, Gilbert found himself jittery as Aniela's presence and looks from around them made him hyper-aware of every small movement. Aniela, aware of his discomfort, helps in making conversation in order to let him relax. She started their conversation on familiar ground, talking military tactics, technological advancements, and fighting styles, though it was mostly Aniela talking and Gilbert listening.
Soon, their conversation veered into more personal territory. Gilbert shared stories of Squad 9 with Aniela, giving him leadership tips. They then talked about their hometowns, as Gilbert's stories about his life in the orphanage seemed to gain her interest. As the food was cleared from the table, she placed her elbows on the table and leaned in with interest, a small amount of cleavage showing
"So the people in the orphanage are your relatives, but you don't know who your parents are?" Aniela asked.
Gilbert cleared his throat, willing himself to keep his focus steady. "I know what my father looks like from when I was much younger, but that's all." he then took a big gulp of the wine from his glass, the liquid burning slightly as it slid down his throat. "What about your mother?" Aniela probed further.
"I don't know my aunt and grandmother never talked about her, there isn't even a picture of her around, so I couldn't tell you." He said, staring off into the distance, sweat trickling down the side of his face.
Aniela digested his response before redirecting
"Okay, tell me about your father then."
"To tell you the truth, I don't know much about him other than he was in the military," Gilbert replied
Aniela's expression shifted subtly as she straightened her posture, folding her arms across her lap, "Oh." That was all she said.
"Okay, it's time for the other part of our date." She said, moving to get up from her seat.
"Other part of the date?" Gilbert inquired, giving her a pointed look as he hurriedly got up to help her from her seat. "I didn't think we would have anything else."
"Of course, every date needs a walk or drive something to digest the food afterwards," Aniela said matter-of-factly.
With that, she took his arm as they both exited the restaurant under the stares of high officials and academy staff. Talking about another floating platform, they arrived at the hospital district. Aniela led him to her office before putting on a lab coat.
"Uhmm, what are you doing? This isn't exactly the after-date walk I was expecting." Gilbert said with a bewildered look on his face
Aniela, rolling her hair into a bun as she used a flower accessory hair stick to keep it in place, replied, "Well, we did what you wanted. I gave you a date, now you can do something for me. I want to run some tests on you." She then looked at him as if that were to be expected. Gilbert stared at her, visibly hurt
"So you're telling me that you never really had any intentions to go on a date with me to begin with?" Gilbert said his scarf dropping to the ground.
"Truthfully, no, but I did enjoy our date. Do you want me to kiss you to prove it?" She asked, changing out of her heels to a pair of flats she stored in her office, "Plus, what did you expect. How old do you think I am?"
Gilbert just looked at her, flabbergasted as he couldn't believe how calmly she could say such words.
"I don't know, in your mid-twenties?" He replied before getting visibly upset once more, "What does your age even matter?"
"To prove to you, Gilbert, that it would never work between us. If I were from a Tier III city, then yes, your guess might have been right, but unfortunately, you're wrong. I am seventy-three years old, a very big three in the forest. I am afraid your axe is too small for me." Anelia said as she stepped closer to him, hands behind her back, "I only went on this date with you so that we could have a fair exchange."
"Okay, wow, yes, you're much older than me, but you know what a small axe cuts down big trees," Gilbert replied, taking several steps back, getting visibly more excited. "Plus our ages aside, what is wrong with you! So this date is all for the chance to use me as a guinea pig?".
They stood there, one in disbelief and the other composed, locking eyes with unwavering intensity.