Chapter 42
Kael stood in front of his mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his crisp white shirt. His black blazer was neatly pressed, and his dark slacks completed the polished look. He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. He wasn’t nervous—at least, that’s what he told himself.
Tonight, he was taking a chance. For weeks, he’d been trying to prove to Celestina that he had changed, that he could be someone she trusted and maybe, one day, cared for. This dinner was his first step toward showing her a different side of him.
Celestina was sitting in her room, a book open on her lap, when Kael knocked lightly on the door.
“Come in,” she said without looking up.
Kael stepped inside, his expression composed but his eyes betraying a hint of vulnerability. “Celestina,” he began, clearing his throat.
She glanced up, raising an eyebrow. “What is it?”
“I was wondering if you’d let me take you out to dinner tonight,” he said, his tone measured.
Her brow furrowed slightly. “Dinner?”
“Yes,” he said, stepping closer. “Just the two of us. No guards, no formalities. I thought it might be… nice.”
She hesitated, studying his face. There was no arrogance or expectation in his expression—just genuine hope.
“Alright,” she said finally, closing her book. “But if this is terrible, I reserve the right to leave early.”
Kael smiled, his relief palpable. “Fair enough.”
Celestina stood in front of her wardrobe, running her fingers along the rows of dresses. She settled on a flowing midnight blue gown with delicate silver embroidery along the hem and neckline. The dress hugged her figure but flared slightly at the waist, striking a balance between elegance and comfort.
Her hair was styled in loose waves, and she kept her makeup minimal—just a touch of eyeliner and a soft pink lipstick. As she fastened a pair of silver earrings, she caught her reflection and paused.
For the first time in months, she felt… curious. About the evening. About Kael.
Kael had chosen an intimate, upscale restaurant on the outskirts of the city. The venue was tucked away in a quiet corner, surrounded by lush gardens and softly glowing lanterns. Inside, the décor was elegant yet understated, with warm lighting, polished wood accents, and crisp white tablecloths.
The hostess greeted them warmly, leading them to a private table by a large window that offered a view of the moonlit garden outside. A candle flickered in the center of the table, casting a soft glow over their faces.
“This is… lovely,” Celestina admitted as she took her seat.
“I’m glad you think so,” Kael said, smiling as he sat across from her. “I wanted tonight to be special.”
The waiter arrived with menus and a bottle of red wine. After taking their orders—roasted salmon for Celestina and filet mignon for Kael—they were left alone.
Celestina sipped her wine, glancing at Kael. “So, what inspired this sudden attempt at civility?”
Kael chuckled, leaning back slightly. “I thought it was time we tried something different. No palace walls, no formalities—just us, having a normal dinner.”
“Normal,” she repeated, smirking. “I’m not sure you and I have ever done ‘normal.’”
“Then it’s about time, don’t you think?” he said, his eyes twinkling with humor.
She couldn’t help but smile. “Maybe.”
As their appetizers arrived—crisp bruschetta topped with fresh tomatoes and basil—they continued talking, their conversation flowing surprisingly easily.
Kael told her about a time he had accidentally walked into a closed-door diplomatic meeting during his younger days.
“I thought I was walking into a briefing,” he said, grinning. “Turns out, I interrupted a discussion about trade agreements. I didn’t realize it until I was halfway through offering my opinion on tariffs.”
Celestina laughed, the sound light and unrestrained. “What did they do?”
“Mostly stared at me like I’d lost my mind,” Kael admitted. “But one ambassador actually agreed with me. That might have been more embarrassing.”
She shook her head, still laughing. “I’m starting to think you’re not as composed as you pretend to be.”
Kael leaned forward slightly, his smile softening. “I think we all have moments where we’re not as composed as we’d like to be.”
By the time their main courses arrived, Celestina found herself feeling… comfortable. Kael wasn’t the cold, distant man she had married. This version of him was warm, engaging, even charming in a way she hadn’t expected.
“You’re full of surprises tonight,” she said as she cut into her salmon.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he replied, raising his glass. “To new beginnings.”
She hesitated for a moment before clinking her glass against his. “To new beginnings.”
They ate in companionable silence for a while before Kael spoke again. “I know I have a lot to make up for, Celestina. And I don’t expect one dinner to change everything. But I hope this is a step in the right direction.”
She looked at him, her expression thoughtful. “It is,” she admitted softly.
After dinner, Kael led her outside to the garden, where they walked along the lantern-lit path. The air was cool, and the scent of blooming flowers surrounded them.
“Thank you for tonight,” Celestina said, her voice quiet but sincere. “It was… nice.”
“I’m glad you think so,” Kael replied, his tone equally soft.
They stopped near a small fountain, the sound of trickling water filling the silence. Kael turned to her, his eyes searching hers. “I hope we can do this again sometime.”
Celestina hesitated, then nodded. “Maybe.”
Kael smiled, stepping back slightly to give her space. “I’ll take that as a win.”
