Julius looked at her gently and kept talking.
"All of this wasn't just for show," he said.
"I started planning everything four months ago, the day you said yes to our first date."
Rosalina blinked, surprised.
"First, I learned how to drive a horse cart. It took me a long time, but Alfred helped me a lot."
" Then I learned how to grow vegetables, which plants in the wild are safe to eat, and how to use natural things for seasoning."
"After that, I learned how to cook. That was the hardest part. For the last two months, after my classes at the academy, I worked right here in this restaurant."
He gave a small, shy smile.
"And yesterday… I spent a hundred million gold coins to make sure the whole city stayed empty today."
"The money came from my mother. She gave me full access to her account… and I used it all."
Julius laughed softly. "When she finds out I spent everything on one date, it's going to be quite a scene."
He looked straight into her eyes.
