Sabrina was showering in her room after getting back to the girls' dorm. She'd told both Lilith and Liam to meet her in front of the bus station once they were out of their university uniforms. They'd tried to convince her otherwise"Can't we just go out like this?" but she wasn't having it. No way. Tonight was a date with Liam.
Their first real date in this new life.
There was no chance she'd show up wearing her uniform for something that important.
Liam, please wait for me... today's going to be so special.
Wait—no. Damien. She quickly corrected herself.
Relaxing in the hot water of her private tub each student had their own personal bathroom and toilet Sabrina let herself stretch and soak, smiling as her thoughts drifted.
She was around ten when she first dreamed of her past life. At the time, she'd brushed it off as a weird fantasy. In the dream, she'd been a stunning princess, graceful and strong with a sword. A total badass. The kind of woman she always wished she could be.
And always by her side was a warrior Liam.
Liam, her knight. Strong, loyal, handsome as hell. He was everything a girl could dream of in a future husband. She'd loved him. Deeply. He was her first and only love in that life.
But they had to keep it secret. Princess and guardian? That kind of love wasn't allowed. And honestly, she couldn't remember how it ended did they grow old together, or were they torn apart?
It didn't matter now.
Because here and now, despite lifetimes and galaxies between them, she had Damien. He was back. He was Liam. And this time, there were no courts or rules keeping them apart.
They were free.
If this wasn't fate, then what was?
"LOVE! I LOVE LIAM! LOVE YOU THE MOST!!"
Sabrina burst out, unable to hold it in any longer.
Her voice echoed off the bathroom walls—but she didn't care.
For the first time, she could say it out loud.
No secrets. No shame.
In her past life, Princess Isabel's love for Liam had been forbidden. A royal and her knight. But now?
Now it was different.
Although it had been forbidden, they were madly, hopelessly in love. No one blessed their union of course not. And having children? That was completely out of the question.
But Liam… Liam was different.
There was no shared bloodline, no royal family politics tying them down. Nothing stood in their way now. An actual, official marriage? Totally possible. There was nothing to fear anymore.
Sabrina beamed with excitement at the thought, turning off the water.
She gave herself a tight hug as a sudden thought sent a chill down her spine.
Come to think of it while she clearly remembered loving Liam, he had said his memories of his past life weren't that strong. That wasn't unusual for reincarnates, of course, but… it also meant his feelings for her might not be as deep.
That wouldn't be the end of the world she was confident she could win him over again with time.
But now… there was something else. A new obstacle.
Lilith.
There was something subtle between her and Liam. Something Sabrina couldn't quite place, but it was there.
Wrapping a towel around her hair, she stepped out into her room—naked and still dripping. Not that it mattered. At Eldoria Academy, dorm rooms were single occupancy. No roommates to worry about. (Though that was a problem for some people left to their own devices, their rooms turned into pigsties fast.)
Sabrina would've liked to take her time, wash her hair properly, maybe soak a little longer. But there wasn't time. A quick rinse would have to do.
If she was late… worst case? Liam and Lilith might start the date without her.
She snorted softly at the thought, then turned to her wardrobe, rummaging for something special. A certain… item.
Her mom had laughed when she saw it.
"Aren't those a bit mature for a university girl?" she'd said with a scandalous grin.
Guess buying them was the right move after all.
The item in question?
Lingerie.
Lacy. Black. Sexy as hell.
She'd bought the set right before starting university, back when she had this fleeting fantasy that she might meet a handsome, older student someone mature, someone she'd want to seduce.
These weren't just underwear. No. These were the weapons of a woman. The kind that opened doors to a glamorous world where hearts raced and minds fogged up.
Liam… with these, I'll make you mine.
Clutching the lingerie tightly to her chest, Sabrina let herself fall deeper into the fantasy.
Lilith waited alone by the south exit of the station.
In this city, there were two main entertainment districts—one on the south side, and the other near the busy streets in front of the station. Since neither she nor Liam were locals, it made way more sense to meet at the station than try to navigate confusing directions.
Sabrina had suggested they go home and change into something more casual, but Lilith had no interest in going home. So here she was, still in her university uniform, leaning casually against the wall, waiting.
Most people wouldn't notice, but Lilith had one stubborn lock of hair that always curled off in its own direction. It drove her nuts. No matter how many times she combed it down or tried to press it into place, it popped right back up like it had a mind of its own. She hated it. Still, fixing it in public would just draw more attention, so she always told herself to leave it alone.
But when she got lost in thought, she'd inevitably start twirling it between her fingers like she was doing now.
What's even happening right now...? she muttered, her heart and mind at war.
Sabrina had already claimed she shared memories with Liam's past self—as his princess.
But that didn't line up with Lilith's memories of Emery's life at all.
I need to ask him. I have to know the truth.
But she couldn't just bring it up. Not directly. If she wasn't careful, it could lead to something messy—something she wasn't ready for yet.
So, for now, she had only one option: play dumb. Pretend not to know anything about Liam's past life. Pretend they hadn't once been husband and wife.
Liam returned to his room in the male dormitory and quickly changed into casual clothes. Afterward, he strolled leisurely toward the station.
He figured Lilith and Sabrina would need more time to get ready being women and all. He recalled how some of his older cousins and male relatives used to complain that their wives or girlfriends took forever before going out.
But to his surprise, when he reached the south exit of the station, Lilith was already there—waiting, still dressed in her university uniform.
Scratching his head, Liam thought, Shit. I made her wait too long.
As he approached, he called out, "Sorry I'm late. Were you waiting long?"
Lilith, composed as always, simply smiled and gave a small nod gracefully accepting his apology without a hint of irritation.
Liam couldn't help but wonder if she came from a wealthy or high-society background. Something about her mannerisms felt a little too polished, a little too refined. Sure, she acted weird sometimes bit of an oddball but her elegance felt too natural to be fake. Yeah… probably raised proper.
"THANKS FOR WAITING!!!"
A loud, energetic voice rang out behind them.
Sabrina came running toward them like a kid on a playground, her ponytail bouncing with each step.
Everyone had their preferences—some people preferred the cool, refined type like Lilith. But Liam didn't mind the loud, straightforward ones either. Sabrina's energy was kind of infectious.
"Did you wait long?" she asked, slightly breathless.
"I just got here," Liam said. "But I think Lilith's been waiting a while..."
He turned to Lilith for confirmation, and she stepped a little closer, nodding once.
"Ahhh, damn! I thought I'd be here first," Sabrina groaned.
But as her eyes fell on Liam and Lilith specifically how close they were standing her cheerful mood soured. She narrowed her eyes, glaring at them both.
"What's wrong?" Liam asked. "Why are you giving us that look?"
"You two sure seem... close. Kinda friendly for people meeting for the first time."
Sabrina's voice had a sharp edge to it, her mood clearly shifting. To her, it felt like her once-loyal knight and lover was betraying her all over again.
"Hey now, we're just being friendly," Liam said, raising his hands a little in defense. "Aren't you overreacting? There's no reason to be jealous or suspicious."
Lilith, on the other hand, decided to stir the pot.
Without warning, she reached out and wrapped herself around Liam's arm, pulling him in close like a lover. She leaned on him with an almost possessive air, then looked Sabrina dead in the eye and said with mock sweetness, "Yes, we're just close friends."
Her emphasis on close was deliberate and it worked.
Sabrina's entire body tensed, ready to explode.
Liam, sensing an incoming clash between the two girls, started scanning the area, trying to find a way to de-escalate things before they caused a public scene.
That's when he finally noticed something.
"Sabrina… what are you wearing?"
He blinked and gave her outfit a once-over, then another, slower look, eyes widening slightly.
On her upper body, she wore a sleeveless vest over a snug, knitted crop top that clung to her figure. Her delicate shoulders and collarbones were on full display, and her exposed midriff with that tight, healthy-looking stomach was definitely hard to ignore.
Sure, her bust was on the modest side, but there was no denying her overall allure.
As for the bottom half...
She wore a pair of cotton shorts—the kind that looked like someone had taken already short shorts and chopped off even more fabric. They clung tight to her hips, and just the slightest peek of her firm backside slipped past the hem.
Long, toned legs completed the look. All in all, she gave off a bold, sexy vibe—like a girl completely comfortable in her skin and very aware of her effect on others.
"Nothing to fuss about," Sabrina said casually, shrugging. "It's just my casual wear."
Wanting to make a bigger impression, she leaned forward with a playful smirk and struck a model-like pose, thrusting her chest out. The movement made her crop top shift, giving Liam a peek of her lacy black bra underneath.
The contrast against her pale skin made the whole thing even more eye-catching.
Right then and there, she looked dangerously sexy—just enough skin, just enough teasing. She was perfectly provocative, walking the razor's edge between tempting and legal.
Liam found himself struggling to look away.
Noticing his reaction, Sabrina smiled smugly, her expression practically shouting, Hooked you.
Off to the side, Lilith muttered under her breath, "Tramp."
"What did you just call me?" Sabrina snapped, spinning toward her. "I don't want to be judged by someone dumb enough to show up to a date in her school uniform."
"Look, I'm not taking her side," Liam said quickly, raising his hands, "but don't you think you're dressed a bit... lightly? I mean, it's still April."
To Sabrina, that sounded way too much like him agreeing with Lilith.
"Oh please—it is April! It's spring already! It's not even—ACHOO!"
Her cute little sneeze shattered all of her arguments in one go.
The breeze was warm and soft, the kind of weather that marked the start of a new university term—and made for a perfect day to go on a date.
But it definitely wasn't summer-hot yet.
Sabrina pouted for a moment, then clearly trying to change the subject suddenly accused Liam, "What is this, Alaric? Showing up in that outfit? It's shameful for your Princess to be seen with you dressed like that in public!"
Liam blinked. "This is my casual wear. What about it?"
He glanced down at himself. He was wearing a basic long-sleeve T-shirtcheap but comfortable, decent for both spring and autumn paired with a pair of affordable jeans. Totally normal.
"That's exactly what I'm asking!" Sabrina shot back instantly. "You're on a date with your beautiful, elegant Princess, and you show up dressed like some commoner?"
Liam scratched his head. "I mean... all my other clothes are pretty much like this."
"I also think it'd be better if Liam wore something more appropriate. Like an Oodith shirt," Lilith added calmly.
"Oodith?!" Liam groaned. "That brand is way out of my budget! You seriously expect a uni student like me—who lives alone—to afford anything from Oodith?"
Oodith Clothing & Armour: the high-end fashion and protection brand created by none other than the famed <
The idea of him—him!—walking into a store like that was hilarious. Let alone buying something... and casually wearing it on a three-way first date?!
Sabrina and Lilith exchanged a glance and sighed in perfect sync.
"All right, all right, I get it," Sabrina said, finally relenting. "Let's move on. Anyway, shall we get something to eat? I'm starving." She muttered under her breath, "Liam is hopeless..."
Liam opened his mouth to protest but wisely decided against it. He followed the girls without another word.
Soon, they came across a small artisan burger place Little McNelly's.
Liam had read about it on a foodie blog and remembered it being pretty popular. Strangely enough, there were several empty tables when they arrived. Looked like they'd get to sit down and take a break.
"Want to pop in here for a quick bite?" Liam asked.
"Unbelievable," Sabrina shot back immediately, folding her arms. "This is the miraculous reunion of two long-lost lovers! And you want to eat at a burger joint? Couldn't you pick something more romantic?"
Liam rolled his eyes. "Okay, but if we're already reunited, doesn't that mean we've already been through the awkward, 'first date, gotta impress each other' phase?"
He shrugged. "So technically, a casual spot like this is perfect for a relaxed lunch, right?"
"No! Don't belittle our destiny-bound love!" Sabrina huffed, pointing an angry finger at Liam. "We do not have a common relationship, and we will not dine at a common restaurant for our first date in this life!"
She then placed her hands on her hips and declared with a fierce glare, "Let me make it simple. It's your duty to obey the whims of your Princess lover!"
"I already told you," Liam said flatly, "I can't treat you like a princess. I barely remember anything from my past life as Alaric, and pretending to act all noble and formal with you would just feel... forced and cringe."
"Alaric is a heartless man!" Sabrina cried, stomping her foot like a petulant child. "How dare you promise to love me across lifetimes and then completely forget about me the moment you're reborn!"
I can't take this anymore. Liam rubbed his scalp with both hands, frustration bubbling up. What's with this woman and her tantrums? Is this really what princesses are like? Did I seriously fall in love with this? Was I Alaric the knight... or Alaric the simp?
While Sabrina continued pouting and muttering about how useless the reborn Alaric was, Liam found himself staring at her. The more she whined, the cuter she somehow looked.
And then it hit him.
Oh god. Did I just think her tantrums are cute? I think I've got a serious illness. I should get checked immediately.
"I actually enjoy burgers," Lilith cut in, pulling Liam from his spiraling thoughts. "The atmosphere here is more relaxed. But still... please don't pick a cheap fast food place just because I said I'd pay for today."
"It's not that," Liam said. "I just don't like spending too much on food. If it's too expensive, I start thinking, 'At this price, I could've had three meals instead,' and then I can't enjoy it."
As he explained his logic, both girls looked at each other again.
"Liam, by any chance" Lilith began, but hesitated.
"Liam, is your family poor?" Sabrina asked bluntly, without a hint of hesitation.
Lilith shot her a look of sheer disbelief Really? No tact at all?
"Yup, that's correct," Liam said without a shred of awkwardness. He'd never seen his family's financial situation as anything shameful. Life was hard. The economy sucked. His parents worked themselves to the bone to keep a roof over their heads, hot water running, and the lights on.
Where was the shame in that?
"Well," Lilith said smoothly, "since Liam's fine with burgers, let's have burgers for lunch."
"Lilith, you traitor!" Sabrina shrieked.
"I never said I was on your side," Lilith replied calmly.
"No! I absolutely refuse!" Sabrina shouted, but her protest fell on deaf ears. It was still 2 vs 1. The minority had to bow to the majority.
And so, they entered the store.
Liam waited at a four-seater table while Lilith and Sabrina returned from ordering their meals. The table setup had a double-seater upholstered booth on one side and two single chairs on the other. Being a gentleman, he'd taken one of the single chairs, leaving the comfy-looking booth for the girls.
Except… they ignored the booth entirely.
Instead, both of them walked straight to the chair beside Liam grabbing the backrest at the exact same moment.
Sparks practically flew as they locked eyes, clearly fighting for the right to sit next to him.
"What? You two prefer the chairs over the booth?" Liam asked, blinking in confusion. Completely oblivious to the real reason behind the standoff, he couldn't understand why they'd want the rigid seats over the cushy booth.
If that's the case... he thought, and with a shrug, got up and moved across to the booth, plopping himself down without a second thought.
"Now there are two chairs. Please get along," Liam said contentedly, satisfied with his peacekeeping. In his head, he mused, As long as there are enough resources, no one needs to fight. He nodded to himself in self-approval.
"Tsk," Sabrina and Lilith sighed in perfect sync again.
Why are they sighing now...?
Once they'd both sat down each now separated by a full chair the food arrived shortly after.
Liam blinked when he saw Sabrina's tray. "That's all you got?"
She turned her head to the side, refusing to answer.
Even if she didn't want burgers, wasn't this a bit much?
She'd ordered only a medium portion of French fries and a tall iced tea.
"You're seriously fine with just fries?"
"Yes," Sabrina said curtly. "It's the only civilized item here you can eat with cutlery."
It was such an unreasonable explanation that Liam didn't even know how to respond.
Ah well. To each their own, he thought, shrugging. "As long as you're enjoying it."
With that, he clapped his hands together in anticipation and dug into his meal.
This particular artisan burger joint was famous for its "Ultra All-in-One" burger a thick, towering stack featuring double beef patties, bacon, egg, cheese, fries, and a symphony of sauces. A true feast. The ultimate man meal.
"This is amazing! I haven't had a burger this good in forever," Liam said with a grin, devouring it in no time.
As he reached for his sides golden fries and a generous serving of crumbed roasted mushrooms he noticed Lilith across from him. She was still working on her single-patty burger, eating with dainty grace and small, delicate bites. She'd only managed about a quarter so far.
Meanwhile, Sabrina had barely touched her fries, leaving most of them uneaten.
"Ahhh, the fries are so tasty," Sabrina sighed, "but unfortunately I'm just too full. I can't finish all this by myself."
She still refused to look directly at Liam, but kept sneaking glances at him out of the corner of her eye.
Before he could pick up on what those looks meant, he frowned and scolded her, "Don't waste food. Seriously. That's such a waste."
"What, what?!" she replied, taken aback. "If I can't finish it, I can't finish it! A woman's appetite is small!"
She rambled on with excuse after excuse, but as Liam's stern glare held firm, her voice got smaller and smaller.
"D-Don't glare at me like that..." she mumbled.
Then, with her head lowered and a slight pout, she peeked up at him with wide, upturned eyes and whispered so softly it was almost inaudible, "I could share this..."
It was clear what she wanted a romantic couple's moment, sharing from the same plate.
"Let me have some then," said Lilith, suddenly reaching out with her demonic grace and grabbing a handful of fries.
"Why are you stealing other people's food?!" Sabrina leapt up, glaring at Lilith, who calmly munched on the stolen fries.
"Didn't you say you couldn't finish and wanted to share?"
"Uguuu... those words weren't meant for you! I wanted to share them with Liam!"
"I see. You should've made that clear before I misunderstood," Lilith said with a slight smile, reaching for more.
"I—I—I'm always clear about what I want!"
Sabrina turned her head away sharply, her ponytail swishing in protest.
"The fries really are delicious," Lilith said casually.
"Right? Right? Liam loves potatoes. As long as it's potatoes mashed, fried, boiled he'll eat anything," Sabrina said absentmindedly.
Liam blinked. "Wait… how do you know I love potatoes?"
When she heard him say that, Sabrina lit up with a bright smile. "Huh? Isn't that what you liked in your past life as Alaric?"
"I see..." Liam sighed softly. Looks like I even inherited Alaric's taste buds...
"It is tasty," Lilith agreed, continuing to elegantly munch on the fries.
"How much are you eating, Lilith?! Liam's share is almost gone!" Sabrina snapped.
"Hahahaha. Don't mind, don't mind."
"I don't want to be judged by someone dumb enough to show up to a date in her school uniform."
"Look, I'm not taking her side," Liam said quickly, raising his hands, "but don't you think you're dressed a bit... lightly? I mean, it's still April."
To Sabrina, that sounded way too much like him agreeing with Lilith.
"Oh please it is April! It's spring already! It's not even ACHOO!"
Her cute little sneeze shattered all of her arguments in one go.
The breeze was warm and soft, the kind of weather that marked the start of a new university term and made for a perfect day to go on a date.
But it definitely wasn't summer-hot yet.
Sabrina pouted for a moment, then clearly trying to change the subject suddenly accused Liam, "What is this, Alaric? Showing up in that outfit? It's shameful for your Princess to be seen with you dressed like that in public!"
Liam blinked. "This is my casual wear. What about it?"
He glanced down at himself. He was wearing a basic long-sleeve T-shirt cheap but comfortable, decent for both spring and autumn paired with a pair of affordable jeans. Totally normal.
"That's exactly what I'm asking!" Sabrina shot back instantly. "You're on a date with your beautiful, elegant Princess, and you show up dressed like some commoner?"
Liam scratched his head. "I mean... all my other clothes are pretty much like this."
"I also think it'd be better if Liam wore something more appropriate. Like an Oodith shirt," Lilith added calmly.
"Oodith?!" Liam groaned. "That brand is way out of my budget! You seriously expect a uni student like me who lives alone to afford anything from Oodith?"
Oodith Clothing & Armour: the high-end fashion and protection brand created by none other than the famed <
The idea of him—him!—walking into a store like that was hilarious. Let alone buying something... and casually wearing it on a three-way first date?!
Sabrina and Lilith exchanged a glance and sighed in perfect sync.
"All right, all right, I get it," Sabrina said, finally relenting. "Let's move on. Anyway, shall we get something to eat? I'm starving." She muttered under her breath, "Liam is hopeless..."
Liam opened his mouth to protest but wisely decided against it. He followed the girls without another word.
Soon, they came across a small artisan burger place Little McNelly's.
Liam had read about it on a foodie blog and remembered it being pretty popular. Strangely enough, there were several empty tables when they arrived. Looked like they'd get to sit down and take a break.
"Want to pop in here for a quick bite?" Liam asked.
"Unbelievable," Sabrina shot back immediately, folding her arms. "This is the miraculous reunion of two long-lost lovers! And you want to eat at a burger joint? Couldn't you pick something more romantic?"
Liam rolled his eyes. "Okay, but if we're already reunited, doesn't that mean we've already been through the awkward, 'first date, gotta impress each other' phase?"
He shrugged. "So technically, a casual spot like this is perfect for a relaxed lunch, right?"
"No! Don't belittle our destiny-bound love!" Sabrina huffed, pointing an angry finger at Liam. "We do not have a common relationship, and we will not dine at a common restaurant for our first date in this life!"
She then placed her hands on her hips and declared with a fierce glare, "Let me make it simple. It's your duty to obey the whims of your Princess lover!"
"I already told you," Liam said flatly, "I can't treat you like a princess. I barely remember anything from my past life as Alaric, and pretending to act all noble and formal with you would just feel... forced and cringe."
"Alaric is a heartless man!" Sabrina cried, stomping her foot like a petulant child. "How dare you promise to love me across lifetimes and then completely forget about me the moment you're reborn!"
I can't take this anymore. Liam rubbed his scalp with both hands, frustration bubbling up. What's with this woman and her tantrums? Is this really what princesses are like? Did I seriously fall in love with this? Was I Alaric the knight... or Alaric the simp?
While Sabrina continued pouting and muttering about how useless the reborn Alaric was, Liam found himself staring at her. The more she whined, the cuter she somehow looked.
And then it hit him.
Oh god. Did I just think her tantrums are cute? I think I've got a serious illness. I should get checked immediately.
"I actually enjoy burgers," Lilith cut in, pulling Liam from his spiraling thoughts. "The atmosphere here is more relaxed. But still... please don't pick a cheap fast food place just because I said I'd pay for today."
"It's not that," Liam said. "I just don't like spending too much on food. If it's too expensive, I start thinking, 'At this price, I could've had three meals instead,' and then I can't enjoy it."
As he explained his logic, both girls looked at each other again.
"Liam, by any chance" Lilith began, but hesitated.
"Liam, is your family poor?" Sabrina asked bluntly, without a hint of hesitation.
Lilith shot her a look of sheer disbelief Really? No tact at all?
"Yup, that's correct," Liam said without a shred of awkwardness. He'd never seen his family's financial situation as anything shameful. Life was hard. The economy sucked. His parents worked themselves to the bone to keep a roof over their heads, hot water running, and the lights on.
Where was the shame in that?
"Well," Lilith said smoothly, "since Liam's fine with burgers, let's have burgers for lunch."
"Lilith, you traitor!" Sabrina shrieked.
"I never said I was on your side," Lilith replied calmly.
"No! I absolutely refuse!" Sabrina shouted, but her protest fell on deaf ears. It was still 2 vs 1. The minority had to bow to the majority.
And so, they entered the store.
Liam waited at a four-seater table while Lilith and Sabrina returned from ordering their meals. The table setup had a double-seater upholstered booth on one side and two single chairs on the other. Being a gentleman, he'd taken one of the single chairs, leaving the comfy-looking booth for the girls.
Except… they ignored the booth entirely.
Instead, both of them walked straight to the chair beside Liam grabbing the backrest at the exact same moment.
Sparks practically flew as they locked eyes, clearly fighting for the right to sit next to him.
"What? You two prefer the chairs over the booth?" Liam asked, blinking in confusion. Completely oblivious to the real reason behind the standoff, he couldn't understand why they'd want the rigid seats over the cushy booth.
If that's the case... he thought, and with a shrug, got up and moved across to the booth, plopping himself down without a second thought.
"Now there are two chairs. Please get along," Liam said contentedly, satisfied with his peacekeeping. In his head, he mused, As long as there are enough resources, no one needs to fight. He nodded to himself in self-approval.
"Tsk," Sabrina and Lilith sighed in perfect sync again.
Why are they sighing now...?
Once they'd both sat down each now separated by a full chair the food arrived shortly after.
Liam blinked when he saw Sabrina's tray. "That's all you got?"
She turned her head to the side, refusing to answer.
Even if she didn't want burgers, wasn't this a bit much?
She'd ordered only a medium portion of French fries and a tall iced tea.
"You're seriously fine with just fries?"
"Yes," Sabrina said curtly. "It's the only civilized item here you can eat with cutlery."
It was such an unreasonable explanation that Liam didn't even know how to respond.
Ah well. To each their own, he thought, shrugging. "As long as you're enjoying it."
With that, he clapped his hands together in anticipation and dug into his meal.
This particular artisan burger joint was famous for its "Ultra All-in-One" burger a thick, towering stack featuring double beef patties, bacon, egg, cheese, fries, and a symphony of sauces. A true feast. The ultimate man meal.
"This is amazing! I haven't had a burger this good in forever," Liam said with a grin, devouring it in no time.
As he reached for his sides golden fries and a generous serving of crumbed roasted mushrooms he noticed Lilith across from him. She was still working on her single-patty burger, eating with dainty grace and small, delicate bites. She'd only managed about a quarter so far.
Meanwhile, Sabrina had barely touched her fries, leaving most of them uneaten.
"Ahhh, the fries are so tasty," Sabrina sighed, "but unfortunately I'm just too full. I can't finish all this by myself."
She still refused to look directly at Liam, but kept sneaking glances at him out of the corner of her eye.
Before he could pick up on what those looks meant, he frowned and scolded her, "Don't waste food. Seriously. That's such a waste."
"What, what?!" she replied, taken aback. "If I can't finish it, I can't finish it! A woman's appetite is small!"
She rambled on with excuse after excuse, but as Liam's stern glare held firm, her voice got smaller and smaller.
"D-Don't glare at me like that..." she mumbled.
Then, with her head lowered and a slight pout, she peeked up at him with wide, upturned eyes and whispered so softly it was almost inaudible, "I could share this..."
It was clear what she wanted a romantic couple's moment, sharing from the same plate.
"Let me have some then," said Lilith, suddenly reaching out with her demonic grace and grabbing a handful of fries.
"Why are you stealing other people's food?!" Sabrina leapt up, glaring at Lilith, who calmly munched on the stolen fries.
"Didn't you say you couldn't finish and wanted to share?"
"Uguuu... those words weren't meant for you! I wanted to share them with Liam!"
"I see. You should've made that clear before I misunderstood," Lilith said with a slight smile, reaching for more.
"I—I—I'm always clear about what I want!"
Sabrina turned her head away sharply, her ponytail swishing in protest.
"The fries really are delicious," Lilith said casually.
"Right? Right? Liam loves potatoes. As long as it's potatoes mashed, fried, boiled he'll eat anything," Sabrina said absentmindedly.
Liam blinked. "Wait… how do you know I love potatoes?"
When she heard him say that, Sabrina lit up with a bright smile. "Huh? Isn't that what you liked in your past life as Alaric?"
"I see..." Liam sighed softly. Looks like I even inherited Alaric's taste buds...
"It is tasty," Lilith agreed, continuing to elegantly munch on the fries.
"How much are you eating, Lilith?! Liam's share is almost gone!" Sabrina snapped.
"Hahahaha. Don't mind, don't mind."
"I don't want to be judged by someone dumb enough to show up to a date in her school uniform."
"Look, I'm not taking her side," Liam said quickly, raising his hands, "but don't you think you're dressed a bit... lightly? I mean, it's still April."
To Sabrina, that sounded way too much like him agreeing with Lilith.
"Oh please it is April! It's spring already! It's not even ACHOO!"
Her cute little sneeze shattered all of her arguments in one go.
The breeze was warm and soft, the kind of weather that marked the start of a new university term and made for a perfect day to go on a date.
But it definitely wasn't summer-hot yet.
Sabrina pouted for a moment, then clearly trying to change the subject suddenly accused Liam, "What is this, Alaric? Showing up in that outfit? It's shameful for your Princess to be seen with you dressed like that in public!"
Liam blinked. "This is my casual wear. What about it?"
He glanced down at himself. He was wearing a basic long-sleeve T-shirt cheap but comfortable, decent for both spring and autumn paired with a pair of affordable jeans. Totally normal.
"That's exactly what I'm asking!" Sabrina shot back instantly. "You're on a date with your beautiful, elegant Princess, and you show up dressed like some commoner?"
Liam scratched