It was a beautiful day. The sky was clear and small birds chirped happily within a small garden, where two figures stood side by side, walking through a path filled with all varieties of the most beautiful flowers.
These were, of course, the young Hero Ira and the Emperor's daughter, Ruby. Ruby was giving her a tour of the palace as requested.
"I've never seen flowers as beautiful as these before." Ira smiled, his hands caressing petals as they walked on.
"Yet, these flowers pale in comparison the moment your beauty walked through this garden."
"Oh really? I didn't think of you to be such a charmer." Ruby's rosy lips parted, revealing her cool, slightly deep feminine voice to Ira for the very first time.
"I am everything but a charmer, milady." Ira laughed, then stopped upon noticing something in the side of his eyes.
"I speak nothing but the truth." He said, plucking out a nearby rose and pulling it towards his nose, enjoying its fresh scent.
"Truth or not, you're quite daring. Not many people dare to say such things directly to my face. Especially commoners." A light flashed through Ruby's scarlet eyes, staring weirdly at Ira.
"Yet here I am, a commoner, speaking such words directly to your face." Ira responded, completely unbothered, his eyes fixed on the rose.
"What are you going to do about it?" He chuckled, turning his head towards her, his dark pupils staring at her straight in the eye.
"You're one interesting fellow." Ruby laughed, covering her mouth with one hand.
"What are you going to do with that rose?" She asked, her lips still curled upwards, having not yet recovered from her laughter from earlier.
"Gift it to you. It matches you perfectly." Ira smiled, extending the rose towards her.
"Technically it's already mine. This is my father's garden after all." She laughed again.
"But this is the very first rose I've ever received so I'll let it slide." Her red eyes brightened, accepting the rose and attaching it on her ear.
Ira, for a moment, was stunned, eyes slightly wide open upon witnessing the beauty in front of him. Like the last touch an artist adds to his painting, that one rose accentuated her beauty, making her sparkle in Ira's eyes.
Ira quickly composed himself, realizing he was just staring silently at her.
"Let's keep moving." He said, the two of them quietly moving through the flowery path.
"And here it is, your living quarters. An envoy should pass by later to inform you on the next steps on confirming your promotion." Ruby smiled at Ira one last time, before turning back and walking away.
"W-wait!" Spes called out, making her stop in her tracks.
"Hm?" She turned curiously at Ira.
"How about we meet again sometime?"
"I'm the Emperor's daughter. My schedule is very tight."
"That's... unfortunate..." Ira smiled bitterly, his shoulders dropped.
"But I think I'll only be free tonight if you don't mind having dinner with me." Ruby scratched her red hair, smiling softly.
"It would be my honor!" Ira's eyes immediately brightened, nodding his head fervently.
"Don't get too excited, it's just dinner." Ruby rolled her eyes upon seeing Ira's reaction.
"It's not just dinner, it's dinner with you." Ira laughed, not bothering to hide his excitement.
"And you say you're not a charmer... I'll send a servant when it's time." Ruby rolled her eyes, finally leaving for good.