Date? - 3

"Thanks for answering, Conrad," Sulvia said, her tone polite but reserved, as they strolled deeper into the lively marketplace. The air was heavy with the enticing aroma of grilled meats, roasted spices, and the chatter of merchants hawking their wares. Brightly colored stalls lined the streets, brimming with exotic fruits, vibrant fabrics, and hand-carved trinkets.

"That's alright," Reich replied casually, his voice warm with a hint of amusement. "Now, let's not bore ourselves with details that can be found in books. Let's enjoy the moment."

He gestured towards a bustling street vendor flipping kebabs over an open flame. The skewers sizzled, releasing mouthwatering plumes of smoke into the air. Without hesitation, Reich purchased two kebabs, handing one to Sulvia with a grin.

"One for you, and one for me," he said as he took a hearty bite, the rich, spiced flavors bursting across his taste buds. A satisfied hum escaped him, a stark contrast to the man she had once known.

Sulvia hesitated before taking hers, watching him with quiet curiosity. "Thank you, ma—Conrad," she started, her reflexive bow halfway formed before she froze, awkwardly catching herself.

Reich chuckled, his laugh light and unguarded. "Cut the honorifics and relax. I'm not going to murder you for breaking etiquette."

"Sorry, Conrad," Sulvia murmured, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. She nibbled at her kebab, unsure how to handle his disarmingly casual demeanor. It was a far cry from the cold, commanding presence she had once feared.

Even after the incident at the castle, when his entire demeanor seemed to shift, she still found herself struggling to reconcile this man with the tyrant she had once known. It was baffling. He was kinder now, approachable even, but that lingering sense of disbelief kept her on edge. Could a man truly change so drastically?

"It's alright to feel awkward," Reich said, interrupting her thoughts as if reading her mind. "It's not every day that a blood-hungry dictator suddenly decides to play nice." His lips curled into a teasing smirk.

Sulvia's eyes widened in alarm. "No! No, Ma—Conrad, I didn't mean that!" She flailed her hands in front of her, fumbling over her words in a panicked attempt to apologize. "I wasn't thinking— I—"

"Haha! Relax," Reich interrupted, his deep laughter echoing around them. He reached out to pat her shoulder lightly, a gesture of reassurance. "I'm joking. Don't panic."

"Heh…" Sulvia chuckled nervously, unsure if she was supposed to laugh or cry.

She couldn't quite wrap her head around him. His mannerisms were disarming, almost deliberately so. This was a man who had once ruled with iron and fire, yet here he was, joking and sharing street food. It was... unsettling. And yet, despite her unease, she found herself lowering her guard ever so slightly. Was that his intention all along?

Sulvia studied him from the corner of her eye as they walked. His face was relaxed, his movements unhurried. There was no trace of the cruelty that had once defined him. Still, her mind lingered on the question that gnawed at her—what was going on in his head? What was he planning?

'Good,' Riech thought to himself, catching the subtle shift in her posture. 'My entire goal today can be summed up in one sentence: make Sulvia open up, even just a little.'

He clenched his jaw briefly as the weight of his quest bore down on him. Despite wanting things to progress naturally, time was not a luxury he could afford. If he wanted to change his image in her eyes—and, by extension, in the eyes of everyone else—he had to act quickly. Progress would be incremental, but even a small step forward would be significant. Courting her was a distant concern; for now, befriending her was the priority.

"Alright," Reich said suddenly, breaking the silence. "I'll stop with the jokes now. No more teasing."

"Thank you, Conrad," Sulvia replied, her voice steadying, though she still couldn't quite look him in the eye.

"By the way," he asked, his tone softening, "are you still hungry?"

Sulvia blinked at him, momentarily startled by his attentiveness.

"No, we just ate, Conrad," Sulvia replied, her tone softening. Her words carried a subtle shift, as if she were finally beginning to relax and adapt to his casual demeanor.

"Ohh... Well, I don't know about you," Reich said, grinning, "but I feel incredibly hungry. Come on, I know a place. Let's eat again." Without waiting for her reply, he gestured for her to follow, his pace already picking up.

Sulvia sighed but followed, curious about his peculiar appetite. "Where could he possibly be taking me now?" she wondered, her thoughts wandering as they weaved through the bustling marketplace. The streets narrowed, the colorful vibrance of the main market fading into dim, shadowed alleyways. Finally, they stopped in front of a small, unassuming restaurant.

The building looked more like an old storeroom than a place of business. Its exterior was plain and weathered, with peeling paint and a faded signboard so caked in dust it was nearly illegible. If not for the faint smell of cooking wafting from inside, it would've been easy to mistake it for an abandoned shack. There were barely any customers—only a table or two occupied by quiet patrons.

Sulvia hesitated at the doorway, glancing around skeptically. "This... is where you wanted to eat?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Reich, unbothered by her doubt, pushed the door open with a creak. "Trust me," he said confidently.

Inside, the restaurant was as shabby as its exterior. Dim lighting flickered from old lanterns, and mismatched furniture filled the small space. But the air was rich with tantalizing aromas that told a different story—one of simple, honest cooking.

'Surprising,' Sulvia thought, her eyes scanning the room. Despite the humble setting, she could sense something unique about the place.

The quiet hum of the restaurant stirred to life as an elderly man stepped out from behind the counter. His eyes, sharp and perceptive, lit up as soon as they fell on Riech.

"Lord Reich is here," the man said, his voice warm but formal. His weathered face split into a wide grin. "Been a long while since you've graced this humble place, my lord."

Sulvia blinked, startled. The man had recognized Reich instantly, despite the subtle disguise he wore to blend in with the market crowd. She turned to him, her curiosity bubbling over. "Master, who is this man?"

"Him?" Reich replied with a faint smile. "The best chef you'll find around here—better than the ones back at the castle."

Sulvia's brow furrowed. "Just a chef? But how did he see through your disguise so easily, master?" Her voice carried both intrigue and suspicion.

Conrad noticed the slight shift in her demeanor—a flicker of interest in her guarded expression. Internally, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. 'Good,' he thought. 'She's asking more questions and hesitating less. Seems like this whole 'just being myself' act is working.'

Outwardly, he shrugged, brushing off her concern. "Don't worry about it," he said casually. "He just got better perception than your average folk."

The old man chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "And who might this young lass be, my lord?" he asked, stroking his chin. "Your mistress, perhaps?"

Sulvia's face turned crimson, and she fumbled to find words. Before she could protest, Riech laughed heartily, waving off the suggestion.

"Sadly not, old chef," he replied, shaking his head. "Just a companion."