Alexander made sure to make a show of his mad cooking skills, making use of all the knowledge at his disposal to prepare a meal worth the ages. Within half an hour, he had whipped something unique for his woman.
Through it all, Julia watched with a smile on her face, taking in Alexander's physique and side profile. She couldn't help but compliment herself on a choice well made. Recalling their very first meeting when they were just kids, Julia wondered what her life would have been like had she not met Alexander.
Would she feel the way she felt for him if they had met at the academy instead? She didn't know, and she did not want to. This was the only reality acceptable to her; nothing else mattered. Alexander was hers, now and forever.
"Yay..." Julia made a small victory dance with her hands as Alexander brought his cooking to a close, having already set the table. "My very own chef, hehe."
The Knight princess leaned forward and took in the irresistible aroma from the dishes. Atop the small countertop, a lavish spread was arranged with careful precision. A glistening plate of seared salmon rested beside a bed of buttered asparagus, drizzled with lemon glaze.
A crystal bowl held a vibrant salad of mixed greens, ruby cherry tomatoes, and shaved Parmesan, while a small basket of warm, golden rolls sat nearby. A flute of sparkling wine that caught the soft light completed the elegant, intimate setting.
"Go on, have a bite."
Alexander urged as he sat across from Julia, his elbows supporting his upper body. Before he ate himself, he wanted Julia to have the first taste. In actuality, his cooking skills were subpar.
However, as the master of the universe with its vast records at his fingertips, he could be anything he wanted to be. Today, he was the most outstanding chef the world and this universe had ever seen.
"Mmm~"
Julia almost let out a seductive moan as she took her first bite of the meal prepared by her beloved. She closed her eyes to savour the blend of explosive tastes that overwhelmed her taste buds, invoking emotions that were otherwise foreign to her.
"Aren't I the greatest?" Alexander's deep voice pulled her out of her reverie. Julia gazed at her beloved and smiled from her heart, filled with the absolute certainty of a man who loved her unconditionally.
"You're the best, hehe." Julia giggled sweetly, taking another bite of the dish.
Alexander smiled back, feeling the rollercoaster of emotions Julia was sending his way. Julia had never stood against him in any way; the Knight princess had silently supported everything he did. She loved Alexander like no one ever did, her love so impactful that a normal person would be overwhelmed.
But where others saw overbearingness, Alexander saw love in its purest, unbridled form. Julia was one of a kind, and he would be a fool not to make her his forever. 'For your sake and the sake of everyone I hold dear, this universe will not fall...'
Alexander vowed once again in his heart, smilingly watching Julia enjoy the meal he made for her. His evolution might be at an impasse, but this would not last forever. He had done it before; he would do it again.
For now, however, Julia was his to claim.
Soon, Alexander picked up his fork and joined Julia as the two shared the meal. From time to time, Julia would feed Alexander, and Alexander would in turn feed her, sharing gentle laughs and making small talk.
After dinner, Alexander and Julia moved outside to the veranda, where two rocking chairs waited. Though it was a cold night, it was not a condition that could bother the two lovers.
Alexander pulled Julia onto his lap instead of taking the other seat. The Knight princess beamed with delight. She would have preferred Alexander's lap if Alexander had not taken the initiative. There was no way Julia would sit away from Alexander in such a situation.
With a goofy grin on her pretty face, Julia settled in Alexander's embrace, arms wrapped around his torso as the two took in the beautiful night. Alexander began gently caressing Julia's back, offering a level of comfort never thought possible.
The natural lights of the aurora borealis lit up the night sky in a mesmerising display of intense colours and patterns, extending as far as their regular sights could see.
"Alexander..." Julia called out gently, a blissful smile on her face. "This is the best date we've ever had."
"Hehe, but we've barely started." Alexander moved his hand to Julia's head, stroking it lovingly as he rocked back and forth in the rocking chair. His gaze remained glued to the natural lights, appreciating the beauty of this world and the universe as a whole.
"Doesn't matter." Julia snuggled closer, closing her eyes and burying her face in Alexander's chest. "The simplicity of what we have here feels so wholesome; I've never felt so accomplished, Alexander. This is nice."
"I'm glad you like it, Julia." Alexander accepted her feelings of gratitude and fulfilment. "There's this magic that comes from living and appreciating the little things life has to offer."
"Mmhmm," The Knight princess acknowledged Alexander's words. "Living like this won't be so bad. Perhaps..." For a brief moment, Julia opened her eyes, staring at the natural lights in the sky.
Julia did not need to finish her words; Alexander knew what she meant. Reality was not out of the woods yet. Despite his efforts to bring absolute peace to his universe, people were just people, and Alexander had no desire to impose his will on them — he's done his part.
"We can have a place like this for just the two of us once everything is over." Alexander proposed calmly. "No fancy buildings; no complicated technology; just the blessings of nature."
"Yeah... I'd like that." Julia agreed wholeheartedly.
"Then it's settled." Alexander nodded and then added. "But for now, let's enjoy this date to the fullest. There are a couple of things I've planned for this getaway. For tonight, let's enjoy the serene atmosphere."
Alexander continued rocking Julia back and forth, caressing her back, while the Knight princess fell into a deep state of comfort, soon drifting off to sleep. She might be an Immortal, but she had been awake and busy for the last six months.
Sensing the rhythmic breathing of the woman in his arms, Alex smiled and placed a soft kiss on her head. He directed his gaze towards the sky, silently comforting his woman while his mind went back to the plans he had made for this getaway.
'It's funny how I feel nervous about this...' Alexander chuckled softly. 'Being absolute doesn't mean immune; the simplest things can still humble you.'
Alexander spent over two hours on the veranda, thinking about various things before retiring to the bedroom with Julia in his arms. Through it all, Julia did not stir up once, completely drowned in the comfort of deep sleep.
***
Julia slowly stirred awake as golden lights from the sun streamed into the small bedroom. The Knight princess took a moment to recall where she was, prompting a warm smile on her face when she remembered.
Lazily extending her left hand to the other side of the bed, she expected to feel Alexander's warmth. Unfortunately for her, she was only met with a pillow. She turned her head to look, but was not disappointed.
Instead, the Knight princess sat up and grabbed the pillow, taking a deep whiff of the lingering scent of her man. The act widened her already blissful expression. She could not help but giggle like a little girl, burying her face deeper into the pillow.
After what felt like an eternity of bliss, Julia pulled the covers off her body and stood up, realising she was in grey shorts and a white tank top. She had no recollections of moving into bed last night or changing her clothes, but that was of little concern.
The Knight princess took a moment to glance at the small clock on the bedside table, noticing it was almost noon. While mildly surprised, she did not bother wondering why Alexander did not wake her.
With a slight jitter in her steps, Julia made her way to the bathroom. Knowing Alexander might be outside doing a bit of chores, the Knight princess had no worries on her mind. Her breakfast would definitely be ready once she stepped out of the bedroom.
A little over half an hour later, the Knight princess stepped out of the bedroom looking all fresh and ready for a new day. She was in a new set of clothes Alexander had made ready in the bathroom.
However, when she reached the living space, Alexander was nowhere to be found, leaving her slightly perplexed.
"Alex...?"
She called softly, looking around the space. With her senses restricted to only a few meters from her body, she had no way of telling where Alexander had disappeared to. Julia moved to the kitchen countertop, where her breakfast and a simple note were left.
You looked so beautiful that I didn't have the heart to wake you. Come out back, towards the lake once you're done eating... Love, Alex.
A radiant smile graced her features as she looked at the food and then back at the note. While she could make do without the food, her man made it for her. She didn't have the heart to leave it untouched, nor to leave Alexander's side for too long.
"Hehe, I don't have to eat here, you know...?" With a sweep of her left hand, the breakfast disappeared. She spun around on her heel, heading towards the door at the back.