"[For today's lunch, I've reserved tables for you at Ancient Jimite Restaurant, Cork, Nevi Restaurant, and Ilyveil Pastry Shop. For dinner, I've booked Yarra Riverside Restaurant, Tipika, and Libote Bistro. You can choose whichever you like; there won't be any waiting in line.]"
The Love Drillmaster ran through the final preparations for Loren.
Loren nodded.
He had heard of all these restaurants.
Within Ikerite itself, they were all wildly popular, high-end establishments. Without advance reservations, getting a table on a weekend was completely out of the question—one would likely have to queue for two or three hours.
The drillmaster was truly beyond reliable.
Just as Loren was thinking this, his gaze was suddenly drawn ahead.
Shade trees grew lush and green across Hutton Pedestrian Plaza, and birdsong rose and fell all around. Sunlight filtered through the treetops, shining upon a figure and lending an airy lightness to her steps.
She walked all the way toward him.
Soon.
Under the bright light and open expanse of Hutton Pedestrian Plaza, the woman came to a halt in front of Loren.
"Loren, sorry to keep you waiting."
An elegant, subdued dress brushed past her knees, its hem swaying gently in the breeze. Her hair was gathered in a loose bun, a few soft strands trailing beside her face—a stark contrast to her usual valiant image on the battlefield.
Today, Juliana had shed her customary knight attire in favor of a dress, appearing at their date venue with an extraordinarily soft demeanor.
"...Yeah."
Loren's slight nod made him look just like an innocent, bashful young boy.
Subconsciously, he shifted his gaze away from Juliana. Her striking figure left him at a loss for where to look, but then he realized that might seem impolite, so he slowly brought his eyes back, fixing them on her face.
As the Grand Master of the Aloran Kingdom's Guardian Knights, Juliana's usual austere presence often led people to assume she was older and dependable, but looking closely now, Juliana dressed like this appeared surprisingly youthful.
"Sorry, maybe dressing like this wasn't very appropriate," Juliana said, clasping her left elbow and averting her gaze.
"No, that's not..." Loren suddenly didn't know what to say.
"[Since you didn't give an immediate, precise response, you can naturally space out for a moment longer. Wait until she starts feeling subtly anxious, or asks you again what you think of her.]"
The voice of the Love Drillmaster came through Loren's earpiece.
"[Tell her she looks beautiful. Just put it in your own words; no need to be overly extravagant.]"
Just as Juliana unconsciously clenched her fists, Loren finally spoke:
"You really look stunning. It completely took my breath away."
Loren mustered his courage and spoke sincerely.
"[The atmosphere might get a little flirtatious in a moment, but right now, you don't need to say much. Just take a leisurely stroll with her.]"
The calm, steady voice of the Love Drillmaster continued to whisper in Loren's ear.
Loren breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The drillmaster was clearly of the highest caliber, giving Loren a boundless sense of security.
The drillmaster anticipated every possible reaction from the lady and could counter it instantly.
"..."
Juliana was visibly taken aback as well.
Only after a moment did she seem to snap out of it.
"What are we having for lunch?" she asked earnestly.
Loren was instantly thrown off balance by the sudden turn.
"[Cough!]"
Even the Love Drillmaster suddenly went dead silent, sounding as though he had choked on water.
...
Juliana looked at the green, awkward young man before her, thoroughly convinced that he, just like her, had virtually no dating experience.
"..."
Following the advice of her coach, Juliana had bought a new dress the day before their date.
It was evident that the coach lady possessed an innate sense of style—not from deliberate study, but as though born knowing how to complement beauty with attire.
Even though she had yet to meet the coach lady, Juliana imagined that she had to be gorgeous.
At least for now, the preparations for the date appeared to be an overwhelming success.
"[Ask him what you're eating for lunch.]"
Just a moment earlier, this assistant and mentor named the Love Angel had transmitted her feminine voice once more via communication magic.
Having received the prompt, Juliana had simply asked.
As a result, she seemed to have stunned Loren into silence.
On second thought, Juliana realized that made sense—who asks what to eat on a date the second they meet!
"[A qualified date will definitely have planned out your itinerary for the day beforehand, especially lunch and dinner. From those two things, you can tell how much thought he put into this date.]"
The communication magic whispered the calm words of the Love Assistant once again.
"[If I were choosing a boyfriend, I'd definitely want him to have given this serious thought before the date,]" she added.
"..." Is that so? Juliana thought to herself.
"Loren, do you have plans for where we'll be dining for lunch and dinner today? I'm not very familiar with Ikerite," Juliana added when Loren didn't respond.
"Juliana, it's only nine in the morning right now. Why don't we walk around first, and then decide what to have for lunch?" Loren hesitated for a good while before politely proposing, "Since we have plenty of time, let me show you around Ikerite."
He gestured for Juliana to walk with him.
"That's true..."
Right, why think about lunch at nine in the morning?
Juliana muttered under her breath. Seeing Loren's handsome features, she subconsciously matched his stride.
The two strolled side by side along the paths of Hutton Pedestrian Plaza.
This date, delayed by nearly a year, had finally begun.
Truth be told, Juliana's heart was pounding frantically. She had never been on a date with a man before—let alone one she cared so deeply about.
But what was she supposed to say right now?
Would he think dressing like this looked strange on her? Or that her question just now was weird? What did he think of her?
As they walked, Juliana gradually bowed her head.
She didn't want Loren to realize just how nervous she was.
Loren didn't speak either.
Which only made her more and more tongue-tied.
"[Ask him what he likes to eat. Everyone has a favorite food; you can't go wrong asking that.]"
...
Meanwhile, words continuously flowed into Loren's ear as well.
"[When you aren't sure about the other person's hobbies and interests, it's best not to rush into starting a topic. That way, you avoid getting trapped in an awkward conversational dead end for both of you.]"
"[Even if you run out of things to say, don't ask fill-in-the-blank questions like 'What's your favorite color?' or 'What's your favorite food?' Once answered, the conversation is basically dead.]"
"[Keep in mind, though—in any form of communication, whether it's romance or negotiation, the principle is the same: try to keep control in your own hands. Don't let yourself be led by the nose.]"
"[The proper method is to let the other person initiate a topic first, then gradually seize control of the conversation. Wherever you're at a loss, I'll teach you how to respond.]"
"Loren, what's your favorite food?" Juliana suddenly asked.
"..."
Loren looked at her without answering, waiting for the Love Drillmaster to tell him how to respond.
"[...Just tell the truth, then ask her the same question back.]"
The drillmaster pondered for a long time, as if finally accepting reality.
"Personally, I prefer the local flavors of Ikerite, though I've always been interested in trying cuisines from all across the Southern Continent. What about you?" Loren asked.
"Anything works for me. Do you have any recommended restaurants?" Juliana looked up at him and asked.
"Let me think."
Loren pretended to ponder, while in reality waiting for the Love Drillmaster's guidance.
"[Ancient Jimite Restaurant: housed in a magnificent building dating back to the sixteenth century of the Solar Calendar, visitors step into an ancient world steeped in Ikerite style, featuring local ingredients and eastern Southern Continent flavors. Nevi Restaurant: a chic spot in Ikerite's northern district offering innovative set menus. Ilyveil Pastry Shop: famous for delectable limited-edition pastries, unmatched light bites, and a date-friendly atmosphere, well-suited for younger women. Cork: set in a stylish industrial building, serving coastal cuisine from the northern part of the Southern Continent that has gained popularity in recent years. Describe all four to her, and ask for her thoughts.]"
Loren repeated what the Love Drillmaster said, and this time, Juliana made her choice in no time.
"All right, now that our lunch destination is settled, let's head over there first. We can stroll around nearby while we're at it—maybe there's a dessert shop around, perfect to enjoy on a summer morning," Juliana suggested after a moment's thought.
"[Agree to it. Take her to eat.]"
The drillmaster's voice sounded thoroughly exhausted.
As if being tormented.
And on the verge of giving up on thinking entirely.
"No problem."
Loren had an inkling that the drillmaster had taken a massive detour, only to fail in dodging the other side's logic in the end, completely succumbing to being led by the nose.
Chapter 622