Romantic Dinner Invitation

As several maids bustled past, diligently tidying up one of the opulent rooms on the fourth floor, an air of secrecy seemed to pervade the space. Meanwhile, Lavelle and Daniella opted to take a break and indulge in a scrumptious Japanese breakfast by the sprawling swimming pool. 

The dishes looked and smelled divine, still emanating wisps of steam as they were served.

They served Lavelle and Daniela a delectable array of sushi, oden, and tempura, accompanied by a small bowl of oyster sauce blended with a hint of lemon juice. 

The maids attending to them treated them like royalty, displaying unwavering respect and loyalty towards the two young ladies. They fulfilled their every request with utmost diligence and dedication.

Despite feeling full from the delicious meal, Lavelle requested a cup of coffee from the maids.

Her gaze repeatedly drifted towards the large northern window, indicating that Theophile was occupied and hadn’t had a chance to meet her since morning, despite having met him earlier.

She instructed some maids to clean the fourth-floor family meeting room.

“Miss him?” Daniela asked in surprise, noticing Lavelle’s gaze fixed on Theophile’s bedroom window.

Lavelle evaded the question slightly, slicing her tempura in half on her plate before dipping it into the oyster sauce. “Who do you think I could miss?” she asked Daniella.

“Perhaps you miss Theophile,” Daniela suggested perceptively, taking a bite of her oden. 

“No matter how much you deny your own emotions, I can tell. Your widened eyes give it away. Isn’t it obvious that you’re in love with that vampire?” she added teasingly.

Lavelle lazily rolled her eyes at Daniela’s hypothesis. 

“Maybe I just have a soft spot for him because he’s as cute as a button and doesn’t deserve to be hurt,” she quipped.

“Do I think Theophile is cute? Absolutely. Despite being the leader of Neo Green Peace, he’s got a heart of gold,” Daniella replied. 

“Speaking of handsome men, Theophile’s brother from yesterday was quite the looker. His dimples were so charming, I couldn’t sleep well all night,” Daniela chimed in with a radiant smile, exuding a cheerful energy.

“Jeffrey? He’s quite the looker, although I tend to see him as a cute little cherub with cheeks like ripe peaches.” Lavelle nodded in agreement. “Do you have a crush on him?”

“Interested in him? Not really, he’s more like a little brother to me,” Daniella replied. 

“If Mark is a vampire, hasn’t he been able to read your mind all along, especially when you mutter, swoon, and frequently gaze at other men? You seem to have a fondness for more than one guy. Is that really okay?” Lavelle implications of Mark’s vampiric abilities.

“My dear, that’s not really my concern. I believe we’re still too young to be discussing which man is the most suitable life partner, and I have the right to choose for myself. Unless Mark comes forth and publicly declares me as his own, I see no reason to dwell on this matter,” Daniela replied nonchalantly, shrugging off Lavelle’s topic of conversation as unimportant.

“But you always seem to idolise Mark, don’t you?” Lavelle pressed, emphasise Daniela’s admiration for Mark.

“Lavelle, are you not aware that Mark is simply an oddball vampire?” Daniela said later, “There’s no way Mark has a clue that I have a crush on him,” 

Not long after, a maid came in with a tray of two cups of dalgona coffee which was still steaming hot and looking very tempting. The maid with golden blonde hair immediately bent down and placed two cups on the table of the two young girls.

“Would Mrs. Blanc likes to add a pinch of palm sugar on top of your coffee?” she asked. 

“No, can I have a fruit salad with grated cheese on top? I’d also like a small piece of caramel and strawberry jelly flavor. It’s still quite early but very hot.” Lavelle put down both chopsticks, then took a cup of coffee and took a sip.

“Okay, it is Mrs. Blanc and Miss Montefalco want a relaxing soak? If Mrs. Blanc and Miss Montefalco are interested, I will tell Jessica to prepare it immediately,” muttered the maid once again. 

Lavelle glanced at Daniela for advice. 

“Quite an interesting offer, I agree.”

“Okay, I want to go there. Maybe a few minutes after we finish coffee,” said Lavelle later.

The maid nodded and immediately left in front of the two girls.

+++

Lavelle was just about to enter her room when she suddenly heard footsteps behind her accompanied by a whistling sound. Lavelle turned her head and found Theophile walking towards Lavelle, a clear smile drawn on Theophile’s handsome face, his green eyes twinkling slightly when his eyes met Lavelle’s.

It was only seven o’clock in the evening, and it looked like Theophile had just returned from an important meeting because Theophile was still wearing that expensive red suit when he walked over to Lavelle, who had just finished bathing. 

“Hey sweetie… did you have fun today?” asked Theophile with a faint smile.

“I thought so, we soaked for half a day and asked the maids for a lot of food. I think your food supply will run out very soon,” Lavelle replied with a slight sigh.

Theophile nodded. “No big deal, by the way, did you miss me? I’ve had a bit of a busy schedule since morning, I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing to me? Isn’t that your job as a leader?” Lavelle tightened the knot in her bathrobe and rolled her eyes, feeling a little annoyed. 

Theophile chuckled then nodded once again. “I’m a little upset about this, I’m sorry. I must always be around you and comfort you during your recovery. Umh... how about we having dinner together later? In exchange for time with you?” 

“Dinner together. You are sure?” Lavelle repeated, raising her eyebrows. 

Theophile nodded. 

“You have so many important things to do, why are you even taking me out to dinner?” asked Lavelle then.

Theophile smiled wryly. “No big deal, I’ll just be eating alone with you since I left you all day. I love you so much and anything you want. I will give it to you.”

Lavelle sighed slightly in disbelief at what Theophile had said. A slightly less than reasonable choice for a leader to make. How could he possibly choose to prioritize Lavelle over his brother and important events? 

“Do you agree? What would you like to have?” asked Theophile then. 

“I don’t know, I don’t have any small plans,” Lavelle muttered. 

“Alright … I’ll take care of it myself as I please. You can rest first. You can go straight to the roof if you wake up. You look a little tired from having fun all day.” Theophile nodded slowly, then looked back at the cute girl. 

“I don’t feel tired in the slightest.” 

Tristan smiled faintly, then gently caressed Lavelle’s cheek. “You look very tired, rest. Don’t worry, I will prepare everything.”

“Don’t make me feel that I’m too important in your life,” Lavelle mumbled, slightly feeling bad for messing up an important event in the big handsome vampire family. 

Theophile chuckled, however, still showing her cute face in front of Lavelle. “You don’t have to be afraid of something that’s definitely not your fault.”

“Okay, I agree to come with you tonight,” Lavelle said. 

“Now go to sleep. See you later.”

Lavelle was just getting ready to re-enter her room when Theophile grabbed her arm again and flashed an absolutely perfect smile. 

“Don’t forget to always smile, because your smile is very beautiful.”

Then a peck landed on Lavelle’s forehead.