The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy-Chapter 442: The Beginning Of The End [CIV]

After spending the whole day with the four little girls, Aestrea went to sleep quite early; after all, he was going to have yet another date.

The only remaining ones were Violet & Alaine, and finally... Vivian and Isabella. Then, he would finally get back to the Divine Realm with all of them.

He wasn’t going to let anyone behind this time.

"Mhm..."

"D-don’t l-look at me like that!"

At this moment, Aestrea was staring at Violet with a faint smile, causing her face to flush in complete embarrassment.

"Cute."

"S-stop saying that!" Violet covered her cheeks at once.

A soft laugh slipped from the side.

Alaine stood a few steps away, one hand raised with quiet grace as she covered her lips. Even her laughter sounded refined.

"I must agree," Alaine said, her eyes sweeping over Violet’s form.

"That one-piece dress really does suit you."

Violet shifted in place.

The dress hugged her figure in a clean, simple way. Soft fabric traced her waist before falling in a gentle line past her thighs.

The color, deep violet with faint silver patterns along the hem, made her fair skin stand out even more. Her long purple hair rested neatly down her back, a small ribbon tied near the end as if she had tried not to look like she tried.

"I told you it was fine," Alaine added with a small smile.

Violet glanced at Aestrea, then away again when she caught him still looking.

"You’re both terrible..."

Aestrea stepped closer, stopping right in front of her. He leaned down slightly, lowering his voice.

"I’m serious. It looks good on you."

Her fingers tightened against the sides of her dress. For a brief second, she peeked up at him through her lashes.

"...You think so?"

Alaine’s heels clicked softly against the stone as she approached them. Unlike Violet’s shy charm, Alaine carried herself with the elegance of a High Elf.

Her gown was elegant, flowing down to her ankles in pale blue silk, trimmed with white lace at the cuffs. Her white-blonde hair had been pinned back on one side, exposing her neck and collarbone with quiet intent.

"You both look lovely," Aestrea smiled.

Violet coughed lightly, still pink. Alaine gave him a knowing look.

"Then, shall we not keep our date waiting?" Aestrea added, to which both of them nodded lightly.

"But where should we go first?" he pondered.

"Don’t worry about that~, I’ve prepared everything!" Alaine grinned playfully as she started leading them away.

However, because Violet was a little nervous, she kept stealing glances at Aestrea as if to confirm this was real.

She didn’t even realize that she was walking between them at first, with her hands clasped in front of her.

After all... it was actually her first date!

Her first time walking beside him like this.

Alaine stayed on his other side with a straight posture, keeping a small smile on her gorgeous face.

Though she had served him for years, tonight her pace matched his in a way less formal. Still quite graceful though, just as expected from a High Elf.

Still composed, yet there was a quiet claim in the way she remained close to him.

They reached a small courtyard restaurant tucked behind a stone archway.

Ivy trailed along the walls, and candles flickered at each table. A violinist stood near a fountain, playing a slow, tender melody.

Violet froze for a second at the sight.

"It’s... beautiful," she whispered in pure delight.

"Sit." Aestrea pulled out a chair for her.

Her face warmed again, but she obeyed. Alaine took the seat on his other side without hesitation.

For a moment, Violet stared at the candle between them, watching the flame dance.

"I still don’t know why you’re staring at me like that," she muttered.

"Because you’re on your first date with me."

"Y-you don’t have to say it out loud!" Her shoulders jumped.

Alaine smiled softly and reached for the wine bottle placed at the table. "Lady~ Violet spent two hours choosing her dress."

"Why would you say that?!" Violet hissed.

"It is adorable."

Violet looked ready to melt into her seat.

Aestrea leaned back slightly, resting his arm across the back of Violet’s chair. Not quite touching her, but close enough for her to feel the warmth at her shoulder.

She stiffened... then slowly relaxed.

The food arrived, looking extremely delicious!

Roasted meat glazed in honey, buttered vegetables, and fresh bread still steaming.

Alaine cut a piece neatly and placed it onto Aestrea’s plate without needing to be asked. Her movements were natural, almost intimate in how practiced they were.

Violet watched this, and her lips pressed into a thin line, a little annoyed.

"...I can do that too," she said suddenly, picking up her knife.

The meat on her fork wobbled slightly as she offered it toward him.

"Open."

Alaine raised an eyebrow, amused by her actions. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Aestrea leaned forward and took the bite without complaint.

Violet’s eyes shone.

Alaine poured him wine right after, her fingers ’accidentally’ brushing his as she passed the glass.

Silence lingered for a second, though not heavy.

Violet leaned closer under the excuse of reaching for bread.

"You said no one gets left behind this time," she murmured.

"I meant it," he replied.

Her hand slipped onto the table near his.

On the other side, Alaine rested her gloved fingers lightly over his free hand, her thumb grazing his knuckles in a subtle motion that only he could feel beneath the table’s edge.

Neither girl looked at the other.

Both only looked at him.

"You always say things so calmly..." she murmured. "Do you have any idea what that does to my heart?"

"What does it do?"

"Gulp..." She swallowed.

"It doesn’t beat normally."

"Young Lady Violet, if you speak so honestly, you leave him no path to retreat." Alaine let out a soft laugh, speaking in a strangely playful tone.

"I don’t want him to retreat," Violet spoke at once.

The words surprised even herself.

For a brief second, she looked startled by her own boldness... then her brows drew together, as if she had made up her mind.

Aestrea watched her quietly.

She had always been composed since the first time he had met her.

Mature beyond her years.

Yet now, on her first night loving someone like this, that calm mask slipped away piece by piece. In its place stood a girl learning how to open her heart, and she was desperately trying to do it.

His hand turned slightly, his fingers brushing hers.

"You’re a bit different tonight," he exclaimed.

"I am?" Violet looked down.

"Yes."

Alaine tilted her head, observing.

"You are much more honest... and adorable."

"There you go again..." Her shoulders trembled slighly, her face flushing, but she did not pull her hand away in shyness.

Instead, her fingers slowly curled around his.

"I don’t know how to act," she admitted, her voice lowering.

"I used to think love was simple. You choose someone and stand beside them with dignity. But... when you look at me..." She pressed her lips together.

"I forget all of that."

The violinist shifted into a slower tune.

Alaine’s hand beneath the table tightened slightly, not in jealousy, but in quiet desire. She leaned a little closer to Aestrea.

"Love is not meant to be performed with dignity at all times," Alaine stated gently. "It is allowed to be selfish."

Her light green eyes met his.

"I have been selfish for years."

Her fingers slid from his hand to his wrist, holding him there.

Violet glanced at the motion, then at Alaine’s face. Instead of shrinking, she drew closer to Aestrea as well, not wanting to lose.

"Then I’ll be selfish as well," Violet said.

She moved her chair nearer, her knee brushing his under the table.

Her voice softened considerably.

"I want you to look at me longer. I want you to think about me when I’m not there. I want to be someone you can’t ignore."

Aestrea studied her.

The shy tremor in her voice began to fade, and her back had straightened unconsciously, as her gaze now locked onto him, without shying away.

She was finally getting used to the feeling of love, and her previous mature self was slowly recovering as she was getting used to wanting.

"You already are."

Her breath caught.

Alaine lifted her free hand and adjusted the collar of his coat as if fixing something minor, though there was nothing wrong.

"You must be careful," she whispered near his ear. "If you spoil her too much tonight, she will grow bold."

"Maybe I want to grow bold." Violet heard that and frowned faintly.

She surprised herself again by reaching up and brushing her fingertips lightly against Aestrea’s cheek.

The touch was gentle at first, uncertain.

Then she left her hand there.

"See?" she said softly.

"I really want you to spoil me~"

Alaine’s eyes warmed at the sight. She did not interfere, and instead, she leaned in from the other side and rested her forehead briefly against his shoulder.

"You are both unfair," she murmured.

Aestrea exhaled slowly, one hand rising to cup Violet’s fingers against his face, the other sliding from beneath the table to rest at Alaine’s waist.

The candlelight trembled between them.