When they approached the town, Lily became even more excited. It was a strip of land extending endlessly towards the horizon. About every shop was busy on both sides of the street. People advertising their stands, children playing, couples being intimate, the atmosphere was lively. Her eyes had no idea where to look.
Chen looked at her softly and asked. "Where do you wanna go first?"
"No idea! There's so much to see!" Lily said as she looked around until her gaze met the corner of the street. "Chen, let's go there! They seem to be selling sweets!" Her hand tightly gripped his with her attention still on the stand, feeling extremely exhilarated.
'When has this girl started to say my name so casually?' He thought, but he didn't mind it. His expression turned extremely gentle, and his eyes formed a smile. "Okay."
As they arrived to take a glance at each pastry, the shopkeeper asked her in a friendly voice.
"Miss, would you like to try this? It's our most popular item here!"
"Oh! If you don't mind!" She replied as she bit into the delicious, flat, white pancake that contained a sweet filling.
"It's so good! Chen hurry and try it!" Dazed at her command, he obediently parted his lips. Lily turned to the person next to her and directly fed it in his mouth. "It's good," He smiled softly at her, revealing a content look. "Right?!" They both looked at each other lovingly, enjoying the sample.
The shopkeeper sized them up after seeing the intimate moment and asked, "Would you like to buy some for your wife, handsome man? We'll give you a discount since you guys look so good together!"
"Oh we're not--" He hastily tried to deny.
"Yes! Please hubby! Can you buy some for me?" She interrupted him, using an innocent, wounded tone while hugging his arm. 'It's discounted of course who wouldn't take such a chance!'
OwO? what? Chen looked down at her. "Please? Hubby?" Lily begged again. Little did Lily know, he's weak when it comes to these things that even Anne took the advantage to occasionally use it against him. Given that she has a small frame compared to him, innocent eyes, and a sweet soothing voice to boot, it made his heart flutter.
He looked at her helplessly. He always wanted to dote on his special one but had no one to call his. Maybe, just maybe he should enjoy this temporary bliss, but his brain says to reason with her. "But--"
"But our child says it wants some too!" Lily said as she looked down, rubbing her belly. 'I'll make it up to him later; we cannot let this chance of a discount go!' She thought.
"Very well---?!" Before he could agree, he stood there, stunned. 'Since when did they even...?'
"Then we'll take two!" Taking her chance after hearing his permission, not giving him time to recover from the shock.
"No, just one is good," Chen said firmly to the shop keeper.
"Why?" She frowned.
"Too much sugar isn't good for a pregnant lady."
"Says who?"
"Says your husband." He replied looking into her eyes.
Lily looked down with her ears turning red. "..." Even though she started this, it was still very embarrassing.
"Here you are! I hope you guys give birth to a wonderful child!" The shop owner said as she handed them their sweets.
"..."
______________
After leaving the sweets shop, they toured the other shops in the area, forgetting that they're walking hand in hand as if it's the most natural thing in the world.
Until they came across one that sold flowers at the end of the street. It was located by the coastline where the sky and the sea meets. Lily stopped in her tracks and stared intensely at the flowers. "Chen, look! Sunflowers are in season!"
"So it seems," not focusing on what she's saying but finally their hands. Instead of just holding each other's hands, their fingers had intertwined. Chen was confused about how it came to be and who initiated it.
"Sunflowers seem to fit you and me." Lily suddenly said.
"..."
Chen lifted his head and stared at her blankly. Does she mean "that" meaning of a sunflower?
Noticing he turned quiet, she looked at him slyly ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
His ears turned slightly red and slowly turned his head away from her. "Nothing."
"Silly! I mean, for its radiance! We are practically shining!" Lily said as she gave him the biggest smile she could give.
"..."
After spending some time with her for more than a day, he realized, this girl is not afraid of him. He's known to be quite intimidating, is she not scared? He can't let her take advantage of him these two days without a fight! Since they are technically a couple for today, Chen decided to be playful and to get revenge from earlier. He picked up a rose and gave it to Lily.
"For you, my wife."
She giggled and took the flower. "Thank you, hubby, but we skipped the steps of being lovers."
"..." He looked up trying to think of something before ultimately replying. "The same thing, you are mine either way."
"..." Lily looked down at her feet, feeling her cheeks heating up. 'This man is good at sweet-talking.'
He let out a soft chuckle, getting a reaction he wanted before he went to pay for the rose.
When he turned around, Lily was nowhere in sight. He went outside to look for her was where he saw her by the handrail staring aloofly at the ocean. Her eyes were slightly lowered, holding the rose, with a somber expression. It was a beautiful yet depressing scene. Not wanting to disturb her, he walked closer, not taking off his eyes one bit. He felt that she somehow might just disappear if he blinked.
This woman was so mysterious, yet everything about her is shown through her expression. He wondered what would make her have that expression. When Lily turned around, she was surprised to see Chen looking at her. "Oh? you're done?"
"En." He walked to her side. "What were you thinking about?" Chen curiously asked.
"Hmm let's see I thought that where I lived, Lotuses are in season right now." Lily looked back to the ocean, showing a sad smile.
"..."
He furrowed his brows, giving an obscured look. 'Lived? Aren't you still living there if not for visiting here?'
"And I also thought of you." she continued.
He lifted his eyebrows with his eyes wide open. "What of me?"
"Of how handsome my hubby is!" Lily replied smoothly as she turned to look back at Chen.
Are we still at this? Chen thought as he put his hand over his face, fingers covering his face, and lowered his head. 'She wins.' Lily noticed the tips of his ears turning bright red and chuckled. 'What a thin-face this man has.'
__________________
When the sun finally set, they agreed to end their date.
"It's getting late and getting cold. Should we head back?" Chen asked.
Lily agreed. "Okay! Where too?"
"Where too-?" What do you mean where?"
"Didn't Anne said you would accommodate me?" Lily said shyly.
"She-I--- yeah." Chen finally gave up and agreed after realizing the situation. The palace is practically rushing for the wedding since its been announced to be next week so staying there would be difficult. If he didn't agree, where would she go? It's also not safe for a girl to be alone anyway.
The sky progressively turned from dusty orange to a now navy blue color, with the moon glowing brightly, stars slowly scattering on the sky, only two people can be seen walking on the street to a more residential area portraying a scene that they were the only ones on earth. The surroundings were calm and very peaceful, giving it a romantic mood. Crickets slowly chirping with the wind blowing ever so slightly that swayed their clothes and hair.
Lily looked up and gazed at Chen's side profile.
"Chen?" She suddenly said.
"Mmhm?" He replied softly focusing on walking ahead.
Deeply looking at him, she asked, "Did you have fun today?"
"...En." He replied, not noticing her gaze.
"That's good." Slowly lowered her head down, looking at her feet, the corners of her lips curved slightly upwards, forming a small smile. She felt happy.
What they didn't realize was the both of them took their time slowly walking to their destination, grasping each other's hand tightly. A man was walking slightly ahead, and a woman trailed behind him bathed in the moonlight with their shadows expressing a lovely, affectionate scene.
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