Henry spent the rest of the day training with Master Pabbie in the Valley of the Living Rock, learning more in-depth about magic and especially Healing Magic.
After that, just before sunset, he went and bought several new clothes. Well, it's more like a single set of clothes in preparation for tomorrow's date.
That's right. It's no surprise that Elsa agreed, and Henry set the date for tomorrow morning. Since most dates start with meeting in a certain spot, Henry decided to pick the plaza for it.
Speaking of the plaza, Polynesia and the band have long stopped in their magic performances. Mostly because they're already far from getting bankrupt and have a few hundred gold coins to spend.
Although the people are quite sad about it, that at least stopped them from spiraling into depression due to the death of their rulers. As a matter of fact, there are rumors spreading around about their upcoming Queen, Princess Elsa, was said to possess ice powers.
Powers that were rumored to have been used against the pirates and rescued several Arendellian citizens from slavery.
No one knows where the rumor started from and it's not like anybody cares. What's important is that the people wanted to confirm this rumor.
'That's where this date comes in.' Henry muttered to himself. The planned date actually has another purpose. To showcase Elsa's powers and reveal the truth of the rumors.
How so? Through joy and happiness of course!
Like what people used to say, first impression is very important and it's true. So Henry set the first stage, the same plaza where he first performed his magic for Arendelle.
If the citizens saw that her powers are used to hurt people, then their fickle minds would start to harbor many negative thoughts and even overthink that her powers could be used against them.
So, Henry devised a plan with Elsa and the latter excitedly agreed. Now, all that's left is to wait for tomorrow and see how the plan works out.
———
The next morning, Henry stood by the plaza with an outfit screams Handsome!
With a creamy milk fully unbuttoned long-sleeved polo shirt that is rolled around his forearms, followed by black trousers and newly polished black shoes, Henry's figure stood out among those who were also in the plaza.
Thank the tailors that they manage to understand the crude drawing he made to describe the outfit he's currently wearing. Although he had already invented long-sleeved polo shirts back in Lioncrest Kingdom, Arendelle is different. His products don't sell here because they're considered luxury and the only two merchant ships that the King has previously allowed can only sell cheap necessities.
"I'm looking good," Henry murmured to himself, staring at the fountain's waters while fixing his collar.
That's when someone called out from behind, "Henry?" Hearing the familiar voice, Henry plastered a smile on his face before turning around.
Only for his lips to quiver at the sight in front of him.
Elsa, perhaps guided by the divine gods themselves, wore a long light blue dress with snow patterns. What caught Henry's attention was that her dress was sleeveless, showing off her supple skin and the folds of her…armpits.
'Get a hold of yourself, Henry! Dammit!' Henry immediately looked away, closing his eyes and scolding himself. There's a churning feeling inside him that keeps pestering him to look at her again.
'For the love of gods! Who told Elsa that the dress is good for being with someone of the opposite gender? It's like inviting me in to taste the forbidden fruit!'
On the other hand, Elsa just curiously tilted her head while watching Henry hyperventilate, "Henry…are you okay?"
Henry snapped his head towards her, blinking several times in realization, "What? O-Oh! Yeah! I'm okay." With a nervous laugh and a wave of his hand, Henry tried to play it cool, doing his best not to unconsciously wander his eyes around her exposed arms and…folds.
'Please tell me I did not just awaken some sort of weird kink out of nowhere.' Henry gulped nervously.
Elsa tried to ignore his weird facial expressions after seeing her, though a small part of her felt sad from his reaction, "So, shall we go?"
Henry nodded his head, recovering slightly. Now that he got close to her, the smell of jasmine and lavender invaded his nostrils.
Putting up a brave front, Henry extended his hand forward for Elsa to take. The latter immediately took it and they both instantly felt the warmth of each other's hands.
———
If this were from his past life, their first destination would've been a good restaurant or a dinner but unfortunately, in this day and age, those aforementioned concepts are still foreign to Arendelle.
Yes, only Arendelle and perhaps, a few more others since lo and behold, Henry took advantage of the fact that taverns and inns only serve basic foods, so he made his own restaurant a few years back.
At first, it seemed to be a failure since the dishes on the menu are expensive and most commoners can't afford them. The restaurant's only customers were the nobles and other rich merchants.
At least, that's what happened at first but in just a single year, the restaurant exploded in popularity not just in Lioncrest's capital city but also in the other cities.
The reason? Restaurants became some sort of standard for celebrations and became a milestone for commoners to reach the same status as nobles.
Want to prove that you're rich and no longer a poor commoner like before? Then try eating at his restaurant!
That's it. That was the only reason. It even helped Lioncrest Kingdom in terms of economy as many commoners now aspire to get rich and eat at his restaurant.
"We're here." Henry sighed in relief after guiding Elsa through a bunch of crowds and buildings where most citizens didn't recognize her which is understandable considering she just recently started going out of her castle and her own people are still not familiar with her appearance.
Elsa looked at the wide open space in front of her. It's a few walks outside Arendelle's walls. Henry deemed this a perfect area for a date mainly due to its wonderful view and constant chirping of birds around them.
It's a good spot if you want tranquility and peace with a premium view as a bonus.
"This is so beautiful!" There was a glint in Elsa's eyes as she ran forward, removing her heels and freely running with her arms spread sideways. She raised her head and closed her eyes, feeling the wind rustling on her face and the itchy but not annoying feel of the grass below her foot.
Behind her, Henry simply watched her with a smile. He's definitely not casting glances at her behind while he's at it. Definitely not!
'Life is good.' He said to himself.
While she's busy running, Henry immediately went to work, he stomped his foot on the ground and two slabs instantly rose, unlike before when they were just simply box-shaped, Henry now can design it however he wants. In this case, they look like a chair.
A finely made one at that.
By the time Elsa got back, there were already two chairs facing the front side by side and a table with nothing on top of it.
"Tada!" Henry smiled and waved both of his hands.
Elsa's mouth turned agape as she excitedly asked Henry, "Is this our date?" To her surprise however, Henry simply grinned and grabbed her hand.
"Nope. This one is." Before she can say anything, two flames lit up from his foot soles, instantly bringing him and Elsa up in the air.
Elsa jerked back in surprise and tried her best to hold back from squealing.
By the time they reached the skies, Elsa was already being princess carried by Henry. The strong wind currents slapped against their faces as their eyes tried their best to keep open.
"This is wonderful!" Elsa yelled, her voice fighting against the wind.
Henry didn't answer, just nodded his head in agreement.
"If this is our date then what's the point of those chairs and table?" She asked.
"So we can rest after this."
Actually, it's more like for him since maintaining the duration of the Flame Burst spell takes a bit of a toll.
True to his words, as soon as a few hours passed with Henry performing countless feats such as somersaults and dives that finally broke Elsa's brave front and made her squeal like a high school girl, the exhaustion finally made its entrance and now Henry is ready to go down.
"Elsa." He called and continued when he got her attention, "Prepare a slide."
His abrupt words caught her by surprise, "What?"
Henry just smiled and the flame throttles on his feet suddenly started spurting before dying much to Elsa's horror and when she turned to ask Henry about it, she only saw a grin on his face and realization finally dawned upon her.
"HENRRYYY!" If someone were on the ground right now, they would hear a high-pitched scream that slowly goes louder as the dot in the sky starts to get larger.
Back in the sky, Elsa tightened her hold over Henry's neck as she closed her eyes, afraid of the ground below that was slowly coming closer.
Meanwhile, Henry just calmly smiled, trusting that Elsa would save the day, "Any minute now, Elsa. I want to see that ice slide."
"You're crazy!" Elsa opened her eyes just to glare at him. But seeing that he didn't budge, she gritted her teeth and looked down below.
Her eyes widened in surprise as they were now just a few feet away from the ground. Instinctively, she stretched her hand forward and the familiar icy blast erupted from the tips of her fingers.
The blast landed on the ground and slowly formed an icy ramp right exactly below them. Just in time as Henry finally landed on the said ramp, his back pressed against the ramp as it cushioned their descent through sliding.
"Open your eyes," Henry said to Elsa—the latter hesitantly did so and relaxed when she realized that Henry was standing on the ground with his two feet, the familiar ice slide she just made was standing tall behind him.
Jumping out of his arms, Elsa angrily pointed her finger at him, "Have you gone mad!? W-We could've died right there!"
Henry scratched his cheek and lightly said, "It's fine. I have it all under control." However, she still glared at him before huffing and walking away.
'Dammit, what do I do now…' Henry mentally clicked his tongue, cursing himself for having such a dumb idea on the first date.
What kind of guy takes your date to a literal life and death situation?
"Elsa, I'm sorry…" Henry caught up to her just as she sat on an ice chair she just conjured. Her anger at him seems to be evident considering she made the ice chair right beside the two stone chairs he made earlier just to spite him.
'Well, that's great. We just got together and now we're having our first fight. Who could've known she had a fear of heights?' Henry sighed and sat on the stone chair beside her.
There was silence between them, minus their breathing. Eventually, Henry had to be the one to break the silence.
He turned his head to look at her side profile and saw tears threatening to fall from her reddening eyes. She seemed to realize he was looking and preemptively wiped them off.
With a gulp, he opened his mouth, "…I'm sorry." He fiddled with his finger, "I didn't know you had a fear of heights."
At first, she was silent and Henry thought he had to increase his efforts when she finally spoke, "…I don't have fear of heights…" She sniffed and sighed, "I just don't want to risk our lives like that for petty reasons."
Henry nodded his head in understanding. No point arguing with her, so he simply said the reason behind his earlier action, "It's my first date and I just want it to be memorable and make you happy…"
Another sniff and she finally turned to look at him, there was a little bit of hurt on her face mixed with relief.
"But being with you is enough to make me happy…"
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[Currently writing Volume 2 as you read this chapter and I'd like to know anything that I should improve on. Harsh criticisms are extremely welcome. I know the book so far has its ups and downs and I was hoping not to repeat some mistakes in the next volume!]