Chapter 573: Not just lunch. I mean... an actual date

"Hey! You’re talking as if we’re already engaged."

Julia’s cheeks flushed as she looked at Amon.

Before he could say anything else.

"AMON!!"

An angry voice suddenly echoed across the training ground. Everyone turned toward the familiar voice.

Standing several meters away was Marcus, his face flushed with embarrassment and irritation. He held his spear tightly in one hand, his violet eyes fixed on Amon.

Amon simply waved at him with a cheerful smile.

"Oh, Marcus! My best friend!"

Marcus marched toward them, his expression growing more irritated with every step. He stopped in front of the group and glanced at Julia.

He immediately cleared his throat.

"Ahem."

His expression softened slightly.

"I’m sorry if Amon said anything rude to you."

His voice carried a hint of embarrassment as he spoke to Julia.

Julia quickly shook her head.

"No... He didn’t say anything rude."

She became slightly nervous under Marcus’s gaze and looked away.

Marcus then turned toward Eliana and Aisha.

"Why did you bring him here?"

Eliana shrugged innocently.

"Amon insisted on meeting her, so I brought him."

Marcus sighed. Of course, he should have known. His gaze shifted toward Amon, who was still wearing an annoyingly innocent smile.

"You met her, right? You didn’t say anything stupid?"

Amon shook his head.

"Nope. I was just telling her how amazing you are."

"There’s no need for that."

"There absolutely is, bro!"

"There isn’t!"

Marcus rubbed his forehead.

"Just leave. Let her train. And the three of you should stop bothering her. You might make her uncomfortable."

Eliana immediately chuckled.

"Someone’s being protective."

"Definitely," Aisha added with a wide grin. "Come on, we should get going."

Amon gave Julia and Marcus a mischievous smile. "Fine. We’ll leave you two lovebirds alone."

"W-We aren’t—!"

Julia’s face turned bright red.

"Amon!"

Marcus’s face became even redder. But Amon, Eliana, and Aisha had already started running away from the training ground.

"See you later, future sister-in-law!"

"Amon!!"

Their laughter echoed across the training ground. Eventually, the three disappeared around the corner.

Marcus stood there silently for a moment before turning toward Julia. She was looking down at the ground, her cheeks still slightly flushed.

Their eyes met. Both immediately looked away. Silence settled between them. Neither knew what to say. Marcus scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Umm..."

Julia glanced at him.

"So... what have you decided?"

Marcus looked at her.

"About what?"

"You know... our families."

"Oh."

He looked away for a moment before rubbing the back of his neck again.

"I... I’m fine with it."

Julia’s eyes widened slightly.

Marcus quickly continued.

"But only if you’re okay with it. If you don’t want this, I’ll tell my family that we should refuse the arrangement."

Julia remained quiet.

She looked down at her sword before slowly placing it aside. Then she tucked a loose strand of her light blue hair behind her ear.

"If you don’t mind..."

She hesitated.

"How about we spend more time together first?"

Marcus looked at her.

"I’d like to get to know you better before we make a decision."

His eyes widened slightly. Then he nodded.

"Y-Yeah. Definitely."

Internally, Marcus was screaming.

’Damn it! How does Amon talk to girls so casually? How does he flirt with them without getting nervous at all?’

Marcus had never really thought about romance before. As the son of a noble family, he’d always assumed his parents would eventually choose a suitable partner for him.

And, as expected, they had. Julia Spencer.

A talented young woman from a Marquis family in the southern region. The funny thing was that Marcus had known Julia since childhood.

Their fathers were close friends, so their families had met many times when they were younger. Marcus and Julia had even played together as children.

But as they grew older, things changed.

Marcus became increasingly focused on training, while Julia devoted herself to her own studies and martial training.

Eventually, they stopped seeing each other except at occasional family gatherings.

Even after entering the academy, they rarely spoke beyond exchanging polite greetings whenever they crossed paths.

So despite knowing her for many years, Marcus realized that he actually knew very little about the woman standing in front of him.

And now their families wanted them to consider marriage. Fortunately, neither family was forcing them into it.

They had been given a choice.

They could spend some time together, learn more about each other, and then decide whether they wanted to accept the arranged marriage or reject it.

For Marcus, that sounded simple enough.

But standing face-to-face with Julia suddenly made everything much more complicated.

He glanced at her. She was beautiful, talented and calm. And, despite their awkward reunion, surprisingly easy to talk to.

Her hair looked really beautiful to him. Like sky. That soft color, and those fair cheeks holding hint of redness because of some shyness.

’Maybe... this won’t be so bad.’

Julia suddenly looked toward him.

"Marcus?"

"Hm?"

"Would you like to have lunch together sometime?"

Marcus froze. His heart skipped a beat.

"Y-Yeah. I’d like that."

Julia smiled. "Then let’s do that tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

Marcus nodded quickly.

"Of course."

A small smile appeared on his face. The idea of an arranged marriage didn’t seem quite as unpleasant as he’d once imagined.

’Is this how Amon feels?’

Marcus walked beside Julia, his thoughts becoming increasingly complicated.

’Does he feel the same way whenever he thinks about going on a date with his girlfriend?’

He immediately shook his head.

’No. This isn’t a date. It’s just lunch.’

That was all. At least, that’s what he told himself.

Julia noticed his increasingly troubled expression and tilted her head.

"Is something wrong, Marcus?"

Her voice was gentle and polite. Marcus looked at her. For some reason, Amon’s words suddenly came back to him.

’You’re young. You should enjoy your life. Do romance.’

Marcus pressed his lips together.

He had spent his entire life worrying about training, family expectations, responsibilities, and becoming someone worthy of his position.

Perhaps he had been taking everything too seriously. He took a slow breath.

Then he gathered his courage.

"Um... Julia?"

"Yes?"

Marcus looked directly into her eyes.

"If you don’t mind..."

He hesitated.

"Would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow?"

Julia froze.

Her eyes widened.

Marcus quickly added,

"Not just lunch. I mean... an actual date."

For a moment, Julia couldn’t respond. Her cheeks gradually turned bright red.

"A... date?"

Marcus nodded nervously.

"Yeah."

Julia looked away, her fingers nervously playing with a strand of her pink hair.

"I... really don’t mind."

She smiled shyly.

"I just didn’t think you’d be so forward."

Marcus immediately covered his face with one hand.

’What the hell did I just say?!’

But despite his embarrassment, he couldn’t help smiling.

"Then... it’s settled."

"Yeah."

Julia’s smile became slightly wider.

---

Meanwhile.

Amon, Aisha, and Eliana were once again walking toward the library. Amon had a huge grin on his face.

"That was amazing."

Eliana glanced at him.

"You really enjoyed teasing them, didn’t you?"

"Of course! Did you see their faces?"

Amon laughed.

"I can’t help wondering how things will go between them."

Aisha nodded.

"Same. They’ve known each other since childhood, so they probably just need some time together."

"Oh I didn’t know that... guess it’s natural since both from noble family. Hehe~"

Eliana giggled.

"You’re way too excited about someone else’s romance."

"It’s entertaining!"

Aisha shook her head.

"You’re hopeless."

"Hey, romance is interesting!"

Eliana glanced at him. "You’re only saying that because you’re already in a relationship."

Amon smiled proudly.

"Exactly."

Aisha rolled her eyes.

"Show-off."

They continued walking. Then Aisha suddenly noticed someone approaching from the opposite end of the corridor.

"Look."

Amon and Eliana looked ahead. A familiar golden-haired girl was walking toward them.

Seraphina.

Amon’s expression immediately brightened.

"Sera!"

He raised his hand and waved.

"Hey!"

Eliana waved too.

"Seraphina!"

Aisha smiled and lifted her hand.

Seraphina noticed them. Her eyes immediately landed on Amon. For a brief moment, her golden eyes met his. Her cheeks turned faintly red.

She quickly looked away.

Amon blinked.

"Huh?"

Seraphina continued walking toward them, but she deliberately avoided looking directly at him.

Amon lowered his hand slowly.

’What’s wrong with her?’

She usually greeted him normally. Sometimes she even teased him. But now she seemed strangely nervous.

As she came closer, Amon watched her carefully.

"Hey, Sera."

"Hi..."

Her voice was quieter than usual. She kept her eyes fixed somewhere beside him.

Amon frowned slightly.

"Are you okay?"

Seraphina’s shoulders stiffened.

"Y-Yes."

She answered far too quickly. Amon raised an eyebrow.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

She finally glanced at him. Their eyes met for barely a second. Her cheeks became even redder. She immediately looked away again.

Amon stared at her in confusion.

’What is going on?’

Eliana noticed the exchange. Her eyes narrowed slightly. Then a mischievous smile slowly appeared on her face.

Aisha also noticed, but unlike Eliana, she remained silent.

Seraphina walked closer.

"Where are you three going?"

"The library," Aisha answered.

"We’re going to study," Eliana added.

Amon nodded.

"Yep. And apparently, I’m being forced to study."

Seraphina smiled faintly.

"That’s good. You should study more."

"Hey!"

Amon placed a hand over his chest dramatically.

"Why is everyone suddenly against me?"

Eliana laughed.

"Because you need it."

Seraphina smiled.

But when Amon looked at her again, she immediately turned her gaze away. Amon noticed it once more.

He couldn’t understand why.

’Did I do something?’

---

[A/N: Guys I didn’t think about demon queen while making Julia’s appearance and gave her pink hair color. But i forgot our Demon Empress also have similar. So I am thinking of changing it. I will note it in next Chapter and edit Chapters later, Hehe~ Dammit~]