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“I would love to accompany you to the marketplace, Seliph. Let me just tidy myself a bit and I’ll meet you near the village gate.”
That is what you have responded to Seliph before attending to your tasks for today. As for Seliph himself, he is still trying to process your answer; barely even processing that he is still standing in the middle of the army camp like a scarecrow. Julia pokes him continuously, worried as to why he remains motionless; until Ares has enough, proceeds to smack the back of his head.
Oh Naga, you said yes.
Seliph Baldos Chalphy, a commander and leader of the Liberation Army, son of Sigurd and Deirdre, he who led numerous battles and has been through the most grueling situations, faced terrifying foes, and has come close to death in multiple scenarios...
Has never felt so nervous in his entire life.
Before the meeting started, he asked on a whim if it is okay for you to come to the marketplace with him and buy necessities for the army. At first, he thought you would reject him, with your table being filled to the brim; intel reports to sort out, battle formations to oversee, assigning tasks and scheduling rounds to plan out. Seliph was confident that you would say no and told him to have someone else accompany him like Ced or Ares.
And now here he is, waiting for you near the village gate, pacing back and forth endlessly, millions of thoughts running through his mind.
Before he gets to the gate though, Julia and many other of his friends wish him the best of luck, stating that to enjoy his date and have fun; despite the blue haired lord’s protests stating 'that it’s not a date, it is simply running errands'. No one believed his words though… Not even himself.
While he remained nervous and having cold feet, Seliph heard a pair footsteps walking towards him. He snapped out of his thoughts and saw your figure approaching, and stopping before him. Seliph noted how your once messy hair has been neatly tidied up, and your cloak and outfit are cleaner and straightened, lacking any wrinkles and stains that are usually present; your usual basket carried by you.
"-liph? Is everything okay?"
… How long has he been staring at you?
"Ah, forgive me. I was lost in thought… You look- er…" Seliph doesn't know what to say, 'Gods, should he say you look nice? No, you are more than just nice, you look wonderful, attractive, charming, or lovely or or...'
"Oh… Is my outfit too simple? I'm afraid I don't have other outfits to-"
"No! No, you look… amazing, (Y/N)."
"Oh! Thank you, Seliph. Shall we… go inside the village?" You say sheepishly, feeling bashful and flustered from the compliment.
"Ah yes, let's." Gods, can he not make this anymore awkward for the both of you?
And with that, you both set off into the village; while Seliph internally berates himself for making you uncomfortable. You however, are taking out a long list of supplies from your basket to buy in the market, choosing to focus on the task at hand.
Your walk together continues on without any incidents, and the awkward atmosphere disperses as you both chat and wander the marketplace and purchase the goods needed by the army. Once in a while, however, you would notice how Seliph glances at the baked goods displayed at some of the market stalls; and before he would pick up one, he would shake his head and continue walking.
You decided to purchase some orange tarts and a pie of your choosing while he is not looking. 'A small gift wouldn't hurt much of the army's finances.' You wistfully thought, secretly tucking the delicious baked presents away in your basket.
While you remain distracted and focused on necessities needed, Seliph has been looking around for a gift just for you. After all, it wouldn't be a date proper stroll together if he can't buy a present as an appreciation for all the duties and sacrifices you have done for the Liberation Army. (Though he could tell with himself that, deep down, he just wants to buy you a gift.)
Seliph suddenly notices a stall displaying nothing but rings, stopping before it. When he decides to take a closer look, he realizes that the rings are imbued with great magic. Many of the rings' designs look familiar to him, and one ring in particular caught his eye; as the shopkeeper explains, could teleport you away from harm and allow you to be healed from injuries.
In his mind, Seliph has found the perfect gift for you.
Not wanting to waste a second longer, Seliph hastily bought the ring from the vendor and hid it in his pocket before you returned; worried as to why he stopped suddenly.
He assures you that nothing was wrong, and that he was simply looking around. You sigh in relief, and usher him to continue your walk together.
As you both have finished buying the last of the items on your list, the marketplace starts to grow more crowded and busy, bumping almost every person you walk by. Not wanting to lose each other, you immediately grabbed Seliph's hand and started to lead him out of the streets; heading towards the exit.
This has left Seliph confused and feeling warm all over.
"We should hold hands… Otherwise, one of us would be swept away by the crowd." You stated, avoiding his gaze; too concentrated to get off the busy place. Seliph tries to not concentrate too hard on your warmth enveloping his hand.
Whereas you are trying to ignore the fluttering feeling in your chest and fight back the blooming red on your cheeks.
You failed.
And now you are hoping that Seliph doesn't notice your red face. You just wish you could get out of the village faster.
'Gods, how big is this market?'
You and Seliph finally reached the gates, and decided to rest on the nearby bridge by the village; exhaustion overtaking your senses. You both set your basket and goods down, hoping to let your arms rest and catch your breath after an exhausting day.
Before the two of you, the orange sunset view slowly sets on the horizon, signaling that your day together has ended. Despite feeling tired; you couldn't help but feel happy, and the setting of the orange sun has left you entranced and relaxed, visibly in awe at the sight.
A comfortable silence surrounds the both of you, neither knows what to say to the other. While an orange hue envelopes the land and river, Seliph continuously stares at your content look, barely fighting back an enamored smile on his face.
You broke the silence first, "What a beautiful view… Right, Seliph?" Glancing at the blue haired man, failing to notice his suddenly avoiding your gaze.
"It does." Seliph agrees, wishing you didn't notice him gazing at you. (You didn't, but you did feel someone looking at you. Weird.)
'Right! you almost forgot to give it to him.' Snapping out of your peaceful trance, you suddenly realized that the pie and tarts are still in your basket.
You hurriedly open your basket and bring out the baked goodies, hurriedly giving all of it to Seliph. "It's for you," you say as you find the ground far more interesting, "For being such a kind friend to me and for this wonderful time together… Thank you."
He looks down at the sweet presents on his hands, the smell of sweet aroma reaches him. Seliph didn't realize that you noticed his lingering gazes for delicate treats. And for you to buy him such? He wishes he could melt like a puddle right now.
Speaking of presents…
Seliph brings out the ring within his pocket… and fails to realize the other meaning of gifting a ring to another.
You, the ever dense and oblivious strategist of the Liberation Army, is confused by this action, thinking that he made a mistake.
"Er- Seliph? Are you practicing for a proposal on someone or…" Suddenly, Seliph became incredibly flustered, his reddening cheeks blending with the orange sunset.
"No! I mean-" The ring almost clumsily slipped from his hand, properly outstretched to you, "I… It's for you. As a thank you for everything you have done for the army (and me)."
You graciously accepted the ring from him and put it on your left index finger. "... Thank you Seliph. Truly, this gift is wonderful." Smiling fondly, your soft gaze lands on Seliph, "I… I will treasure it well." Your heartbeat thumps louder and faster.
To think that the leader of the Liberation Army would give you a gift… Maybe... Just Maybe...
Seliph nods, his gaze never leaving you. He proceeds to offer you a bite on the orange tart, and the both of you ate in a comfortable silence on the bridge.
You consider the outing an accomplishment, as you both were able to buy all the listed necessities and buy him his favorite goods.
Seliph considers the date to be a success, able to make you smile and give you a gift is a personal victory for him.
EXTRA:
"I cannot believe that he has yet to confess! And for someone who is supposed to have a keen eye for strategy, could not even see the heart eyes Seliph is making towards them!"
"Lord Ares, if you shout any louder, they will hear you…!"
"Lord Ares, Lord Leif, we are supposed to give them our support and a space of privacy, not spy on them!"
"But you are here too, Lady Julia."
"... I-I simply wish that their date together was a success."
"Bah! If Seliph does not confess, I will confess his love for him!"
"Lord Ares, how in Naga's name will that even work?! Lord/Lady (Y/N) would think that YOU are confessing to them!"
"I might as well be. Seliph has yet to pluck any courage to say it. Might as- Ow! Julia?!"
"You ruin their chance to be together, I will smother you with the Aura tome, Lord Ares."
"... Yes, ma'am."