Two weeks later...

Swissh!

The desert wind howled softly outside the window of the small, discreet safehouse we had claimed near the edge of the city.

I stood with my arms crossed, staring at the distant silhouette of the main temple under the blood-red sun.

Seraphiel knelt before me, head bowed in perfect reverence.

"My Lord," she called out in a calm voice, but carrying a hint of triumph.

"I have arranged the audience with Goddess Horae. She has agreed to meet you in three days’ time, inside the inner sanctum of the main temple."

I felt a spark of satisfaction bloom in my chest.

Finally.

After two weeks of careful investigation, subtle probing, and Seraphiel working tirelessly behind the scenes, we had our way in.

A small, genuine smile touched my lips.

I stepped forward and gently placed my hand on top of her head, patting her softly like one would a loyal subordinate who had done exceptionally well.

"Good job, Seraphiel."

Her body tensed for a split second under my touch, then relaxed completely.

I gave her head one last gentle pat before turning away, already thinking about how to approach the meeting with Horae.

What I didn’t see was the way Seraphiel’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson the moment I turned my back.

Her six wings trembled violently, fluttering with unrestrained delight.

The usually stoic hybrid god looked almost dazed, her mismatched eyes wide and sparkling as she remained kneeling, savoring the brief warmth of my hand on her head.

"In three days..." I looked at the sky, letting out a small sigh.

"In three days there’s a full moon..." I mumbled.

I turned back to Seraphiel, who was still on her knees, trying to compose herself.

"You’ve done well," I told her.

"You can enjoy these three days however you want. I’ll probably spend the time meditating or training to prepare for the meeting."

Hearing my words, Seraphiel’s eyes widened slightly in panic.

She clearly didn’t want to be sent away. Before I could take another step, she reached out and shyly grabbed the sleeve of my coat, her fingers trembling just a little.

"M-My Lord..." she whispered, her voice was unusually soft and hesitant. "If... if it’s not too much trouble... could you grant me a wish?"

I paused and looked down at her. Since she had worked so hard these past two weeks, it was only fair to reward her.

I nodded lightly.

"Go ahead."

Seraphiel’s cheeks burned even redder. She looked down at the floor, her wings still fluttering nervously, before gathering her courage.

"Could you... go on a date with me?"

I showed a hint of surprise, blinking once.

I hadn’t expected that.

But seeing how earnest she looked, and remembering how dedicated she had been, I smiled softly and nodded.

"Sure. Do you need time to prepare yourself?"

Seraphiel’s eyes lit up instantly, sparkling with pure joy. She nodded her head quickly, looking more excited than I had ever seen her.

"Give me... thirty minutes!"

She hurriedly said before vanishing from my sight in a flicker of light and shadow, clearly rushing off to get ready.

I stood there for a moment, then smiled faintly at the empty space where she had been.

I glanced down at my own attire... the simple black coat and pants I had been wearing while exploring the city.

"...I’ll get some not-so-casual clothes..."

Thirty minutes wasn’t a long time, but it was enough for me to find something suitable.

I stepped out into the bustling streets of the city once again.

The blood-red sun was still high, casting everything in that warm, golden hue that made the sand look almost alive.

I made my way toward the central market district, the part of the city that seemed dedicated to clothing, jewelry, and accessories.

The streets here were lined with elegant stalls and proper shops built into the sides of half-buried temples and palaces.

The first shop I entered was a high-end tailor’s boutique run by a middle-aged goddess with silver hair and sharp eyes. She recognized me immediately and bowed deeply.

"Honored guest," she said smoothly.

"How may I serve you today?"

"I need something for a date," I replied simply. "Not too casual, but not overly formal either. Clean, sharp, and fitting for the desert heat."

She smiled knowingly and began pulling out several options.

The first outfit she showed me was a long, flowing black robe with gold embroidery along the sleeves and hem.

It looked quite regal, but when I tried it on behind the curtain, it felt too heavy and ceremonial.

The fabric was beautiful, but it restricted my movement slightly. I stepped out and looked at myself in the full-length mirror.

"No," I said, shaking my head.

"Too stiff. I need to be able to move freely."

The tailor nodded without argument and brought out the next piece: a sleek, dark crimson tunic with loose sleeves and matching pants.

The material was lightweight and breathable, perfect for the desert.

I tried it on.

The color looked striking against my white hair, but the cut was a little too loose around the shoulders.

"Better," I muttered, turning side to side in the mirror.

"But still not quite right."

I changed back and continued browsing.

The third outfit was a modern take on desert noble attire, a fitted black vest over a white silk shirt, paired with tailored black pants and a long, open coat that reached my knees.

The coat had subtle silver accents that caught the light beautifully. I slipped it on and immediately felt the difference.

The fabric was incredibly comfortable, cool against my skin despite the desert heat, yet it still looked sharp and elegant.

The vest hugged my frame without restricting me, and the coat gave it just enough presence to feel elegant.

I turned in front of the mirror, checking every angle.

This one felt right.

The tailor also smiled approvingly.

"That suits you perfectly, if I may say so. It brings out your presence without being ostentatious."

I nodded.

"I’ll take it."

I paid her generously and left the shop with the new outfit neatly folded and wrapped. But I wasn’t done yet as I wanted something that felt complete.

I continued walking through the market, stopping at a jewelry stall next.

A simple silver chain with a small, dark crimson gem caught my eye.

It wasn’t flashy, but it matched the outfit nicely.

I bought it and slipped it around my neck, tucking the gem beneath the collar of the shirt.

Next, I found a leatherworker who specialized in boots.

I tried on several pairs until I found a pair of sleek, black desert boots with subtle reinforcement and excellent grip.

They were comfortable and matched the rest of the look perfectly.

By the time I had everything, I had spent nearly twenty-five minutes shopping. I changed into the full outfit in a private changing room at the back of one of the shops.

When I stepped out and looked at myself in the mirror one final time, I was satisfied.

The black vest and white shirt gave a clean, sharp silhouette.

The long open coat added elegance and movement.

The silver chain with the crimson gem rested just below my collarbone, catching the light subtly.

The pants and boots completed the look, practical enough for the desert, but refined enough for a date.

It wasn’t overly extravagant, but it was clearly fitted for a date.

Exactly what I wanted.

After I paid the last merchant, I returned to the meeting place.

Thirty minutes had almost passed, so Seraphiel would be ready soon... or not, since women usually take a little longer.

I stood in the quiet courtyard, the warm desert wind brushing against my new outfit.

Then, a soft voice called out from behind me.

"My Lord..."

I turned around.

And for a brief moment, my eyes showed a hint of genuine surprise.

Seraphiel stood there, looking breathtakingly beautiful.

She had changed completely.

Her usual battle-ready attire was gone, replaced by an elegant, flowing dress that perfectly suited the desert evening.

The dress was a delicate blend of pure white and soft gold, the fabric light and airy to handle the heat, yet it draped over her figure in a way that accentuated every curve of hers.

The neckline was modest but tasteful, with thin golden straps that highlighted her collarbones and shoulders.

A long, flowing skirt with subtle slits along the sides allowed easy movement while still looking refined and feminine.

Her six wings were fully extended but relaxed, the feathers shimmering with a faint iridescent glow under the blood-red sun, making them look almost ethereal.

Her mismatched eye, one bright and celestial, the other deep and shadowed, sparkled with a mix of nervousness and quiet joy.

She had applied light makeup that enhanced her natural beauty: a soft golden shimmer on her eyelids, a touch of rose on her cheeks, and a delicate gloss on her lips that made them look even more inviting.

Her long hair had been styled into loose, elegant waves that cascaded down her back, a few strands framing her face perfectly.

Small golden earrings with tiny crystal accents dangled from her ears, catching the light every time she moved.

A thin golden belt cinched at her waist, emphasizing her figure, while delicate golden bracelets adorned her wrists.

She looked stunning.

Absolutely stunning.

The dress, the way the fabric moved with the desert breeze, the way her wings shimmered behind her... everything about her seemed... so radiant.

Seraphiel noticed my surprised expression and blushed faintly, her wings fluttering once in nervous delight.

"Do... do I look alright, my Lord?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a rare hint of shyness.

I took a moment to fully take her in before answering.

"You look beautiful," I stated honestly.

"Extremely beautiful."

Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink, and her wings fluttered again, this time with clear happiness.

She lowered her gaze for a second, clearly overwhelmed by the compliment, before looking back up at me with a small, radiant smile.

"Thank you, my Lord... I wanted to look my best for you tonight."

She took a small step closer, the light fabric of her dress swaying gracefully with the movement.

The golden accents on her outfit caught the desert sunlight, making her appear almost glowing.

For the first time in a long while, I found myself momentarily at a loss for words.

Seraphiel looked... breathtaking.

Truly breathtaking.