As the night wore on, the restaurant gradually settled into a more manageable tempo.

The initial chaos had faded, and now it is a bustling atmosphere filled with laughter and satisfied sighs from customers enjoying their meals.

Brandon adjusted his apron one last time as he placed the final tray of dishes onto a nearby table.

He wiped his hands and glanced around, feeling surprisingly satisfied.

Amelia wiped a sheen of sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, then stole a quick glance at him.

"Not bad for your first time. Maybe you have a future in this."

Brandon couldn’t help but chuckle as he undid the apron strings and folded it neatly "I’ll consider it."

Helen clapped her hands together cheerfully as she approached them from behind the counter.

"You two were wonderful tonight. Thank you so much for the help. Here, have some pastries as a token of my gratitude."

She handed them a small cloth-wrapped bundle still warm from the oven, and Amelia accepted it eagerly, her eyes lighting up.

"Thank you, Miss Helen. We’ll enjoy these while watching the wedding."

Miss Helen raised an eyebrow curiously, "Ah, so you’re heading to see the ceremony? It’s a grand affair tonight. The entire town is celebrating. Enjoy yourselves!"

Brandon and Amelia bid their farewells, waving to the kind woman before stepping out of the cozy restaurant and into the cool night air.

Amelia tore off a small piece of the warm pastry and popped it into her mouth as they walked side by side.

She let out a contented hum at the sweet, flaky taste "I always loved watching weddings."

"They’re so full of happiness... the music, the vows and the way everyone cheers when the couple kisses. It feels like the whole world is celebrating love for a moment."

Brandon glanced at her with a small smile on his lips "Have you ever thought about your own?"

She nearly choked on the pastry and coughed slightly before giving him an embarrassed glare "W-Why would you ask that?"

He shrugged, "Just curious."

Amelia huffed and looked away, "Well, maybe one day."

They continued walking until they reached the central plaza, where the wedding ceremony was already in full swing.

A large crowd had gathered, forming a circle around the beautifully decorated arch.

The bride and groom stood beneath it as an elder recited blessings.

When the couple finally sealed their union with a kiss, the entire plaza erupted in loud cheers and applause.

Fireworks burst into the sky above, painting the night in brilliant hues of red, gold, and sparkling white.

Amelia clasped her hands together in front of her chest, watching the scene with open awe "It’s beautiful..."

Brandon, however, found himself watching her instead of the fireworks.

The way the colorful lights danced across her face and the genuine joy sparkling in her hazel eyes... it was far more captivating than the spectacle overhead.

She turned toward him and caught his gaze, tilting her head slightly "What?"

He simply shook his head as a soft chuckle escaped his lips.

"Nothing..."

Amelia smiled before looking back at the newlywed couple as they waved happily at the cheering crowd.

Brandon closed his eyes for a moment, ’It truly is beautiful...’

---

As Brandon and Amelia stood among the crowd, watching the joyous wedding festivities... suddenly a distant rumble of thunder echoed through the night.

The warm glow of lanterns flickered as a sudden gust of wind swept through the town square, carrying the scent of rain.

Amelia tilted her head slightly, gazing at the sky "Hm? It feels like it might-"

Before she could finish, a cool droplet landed on her cheek.

Then another.

Within moments, the gentle drizzle turned into a heavy downpour, drenching everything in its path.

Gasps and laughter erupted from the crowd as people scrambled for cover, shielding themselves with their sleeves or rushing toward the nearby buildings.

The musicians hurriedly packed their instruments, and the bride and groom were quickly brought in under a large canopy.

Brandon blinked as rain cascaded down his face and his clothes began to cling to his body.

He turned to Amelia, who stood frozen in place, and her damp hair was already sticking to her cheeks.

"That was so sudden..." she murmured as she brushed away wet strands from her forehead.

Brandon chuckled. "Come on, let’s find some shelter."

They ran through the scattering crowd, but most of the shops and buildings were already full of people seeking refuge.

Spotting a narrow alleyway, Brandon gently grabbed her wrist. "Over there."

Together, they hurried through the rain as their footsteps splashed against the wet cobblestone.

At the far end of the alley, they found a small wooden awning attached to what seemed to be an abandoned shop.

It was barely large enough for two people, but it was dry.

Amelia ducked under the shelter first, shaking off some of the rain from her sleeves "This isn’t much, but at least we’re not standing in the middle of the street like fools."

Brandon followed and joined her under it.

The space was cramped, with their shoulders touching as they stood beneath the wooden beams.

The rhythmic patter of rain against the roof filled the silence, creating an oddly calming atmosphere.

Amelia let out a soft laugh and hugged her arms "I didn’t expect to end the night like this."

Brandon glanced at her, noticing how the dim light of the distant lanterns reflected in her beautiful hazel eyes.

A few droplets still clung to her lashes.

Without a second thought, he reached for her hands, rubbing them between his palms to warm them up.

She stiffened at first but didn’t pull away.

Instead, she lowered her gaze to their joined hands and her fingers twitched slightly in his grasp.

A faint blush crept up her cheeks as she muttered "That’s warm, Sir Kael."

For a while, they simply stood there, listening to the rain and the distant echoes of celebration.

The chill of the night air was barely noticeable now, replaced by the warmth between them.

Amelia finally looked up and her expression softened slightly "The rain might not stop for a while..."

Brandon gave a nod, looking up at the sky "Then I suppose we’ll have to wait."

As the rain continued to pour, the scent of damp earth and fresh rain filled the air.

Amelia let out a small breath, hugging herself again as another cool gust of wind swept through the alley.

Seeing this, Brandon frowned slightly and hesitated for a moment before sighing.

He moved a little closer to her and hugged her in her arms, sharing his warmth with her.

Amelia’s eyes widened in surprise and her body stiffened slightly.

She raised her head to look into his blue eyes "Sir Kael..." she started, but her words trailed off.

Slowly, she let herself lean into him, resting her forehead against his shoulder.

"Just for a little while," she whispered and her voice was barely audible over the rain.

Brandon’s hold tightened slightly as his chin brushed against her head. "Take all the time you need."

Amelia closed her eyes for a moment before leaning fully on his shoulder.

The rain drummed softly against the wooden shelter above them.

A faint chill lingered in the air, but wrapped in each other’s warmth, neither Brandon nor Amelia paid it any mind.

Her fingers curled hesitantly against his damp shirt, clinging just a little tighter.

She could feel his steady heartbeat and the strength in his arms as he held her.

Slowly, she lifted her gaze.

Brandon also glanced down at her as droplets of rain clung to his hair, sliding down his cheek and catching in the faint glow of distant lanterns.

His usual confidence seemed to falter for just a moment as he looked at her...

Amelia swallowed, suddenly aware of how close they were... that she could practically hear his breath now.

Her heart pounded in her chest.

She wasn’t sure if it was from the cold, from the rain, or maybe...

Brandon’s eyes flickered downward, stayingon her lips for a brief second before darting back up to meet her gaze again.

Amelia’s breath hitched and her gaze fell on his lips, where a small drop of water clung to his lower lip.

For a second, a strange thought crossed her mind...

She felt thirsty as if wanting to drink that water droplet, wondering if it would quench her thirst.

She envied that water droplet for being able to touch his soft lips.

This is reckless.

But...

Before she could think any further and before she could stop herself, she moved... just a bit closer.

Brandon’s eyes trembled in surprise and his fingers instinctively tightened around her waist.

As they looked at each other, a faint blush crossed Amelia’s cheeks...

He leaned forward slightly and stopped for a second, as if giving her the chance to pull away and change her mind.

But she didn’t.

Her eyelashes fluttered, and she closed her eyes for a moment before parting her lips.

The space between them finally disappeared as the warmth of his lips brushed against hers in a gentle touch.

"Hnn~"

It was soft.

Her fingers curled on his shirt as she felt his smooth lips gently sucking on her own lips.

It was impossibly soft... and a warmth spread through his chest, feeling his hot breath.

"Sir Kael...." She sighed against his lips as he continued to suck her lips tenderly.

His other hand hesitated for a moment before he raised his fingers and caressed her damp cheek, tracing away the raindrops that clung to her skin.

He gently sucked on her lower lip, savoring the warmth of her plump lips.

Amelia felt lightheaded, as she never thought a kiss could feel like this.

Like being caught in a slow-burning fire, melting away... yet never wanting it to stop.

Her heart raced wildly in her chest, and a pleasant shiver ran down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

She leaned into him more fully, instinctively tilting her head to fit their mouths better.

Brandon’s lips moved against hers patiently, occasionally pulling back just enough to let her breathe before capturing her lips again.

When they finally parted, both were breathing a little heavier.

Amelia’s eyes opened slowly and she was still dazed with her lips slightly swollen.

Brandon looked down at her with soft blue eyes while gently stroking her cheek with his thumb.

"...Florence."

Huh? She looked up at him in confusion "Who?"

Brandon realized his mistaked and screamed in his heart ’FUCKKK!’