Chapter 86 The First Date at Fanchun Park—Sharing the Past. ...
Easter changed his appearance and clothes before opening the door.
Arip was relaxed on the sofa, twirling a small wooden box between his fingers. Hearing the door open, he looked up, raised an eyebrow in surprise, and teased, "Honey, anyone who didn't know better would think I invited you to a grand banquet." Such meticulous preparation.
Easton fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve. "Doesn't it look good?"
"I can't take my eyes off him, he's so beautiful," Arip's tranquil blue eyes were filled with joy. His pupils, which were usually a cool color, were now soft and warm. "How can my baby be so beautiful?" Black hair, black eyes, fair skin, and a bright red beauty mark under his eye—three of the most extreme colors combined in one person, creating a breathtaking beauty.
Easter walked up to Areber so that he could see his face more clearly. "Am I really handsome?"
“Of course, I’m not a playboy who would lie against his conscience.” Arip stroked East’s face, his gentle and refined demeanor as clean and refreshing as the first breeze of spring.
“I’m so happy that you like me.” Easter smiled sincerely. He had never paid any attention to his appearance before, but now he realized that women dress up for those they love, and men are no exception.
Arribel leaned forward and kissed Easter's lips, rubbing those slightly pale lips until they were rosy. A splash of vibrant color appeared on this impeccably clean face, unexpectedly alluring, yet it seemed to want to make him even "dirtier," adding more vibrant color to make him look messy. This was a vibrant and sensual sight that Arribel had never seen before.
Easter's breathing quickened slightly, and he shielded Ariber's undisguised gaze with his hand. "If we don't leave now, we won't be able to go out today."
Arip held East's hand. "Honey, it's like this, we don't necessarily have to go out, right?" He got more and more excited as he spoke. "Cyrus is usually not very interesting, let alone during this chaotic period. How about we move our evening activities to now?"
Faced with Areper's enthusiastic gaze, Easter was speechless, unsure how to refuse, and stood there dumbfounded.
"Alright, just kidding. I know you're looking forward to it, so I won't spoil your fun," Arip said, tapping open the small wooden box in his hand with his fingertips. Inside were four earrings of different colors: dark blue, golden red, light red, and dark black, made of gemstones and crystals. The materials varied, but the quality was equally high. "See if you like them?"
“This is…?” East touched the earring on his ear and realized.
"Although it is an alchemical item and its practicality is very important, it is also an ornament. How can there only be one?"
"Thank you, I like it very much." Easter knew that all he had to do was say he liked it.
Arriber was clearly satisfied with Easter's answer. "Wear this one today." He picked out the gold and red one, its sparkling crystal refracting a dazzling light.
Easter brushed her hair aside, revealing her ear to Areper.
"Ha, do I have to do it myself?" Aribo said, but his hand had already touched East's ear, gently removing the earring that he had also put on for him and replacing it with a new one.
The golden-red dot on the jade-white ear seemed to mark it, and whenever Aripo thought about it, his breathing became heavier and heavier. "So beautiful~" His voice was hoarse and filled with desire.
East stepped back. "Alright, let's go out now."
Areber laughed irritably and said, "Are you that afraid I'll eat you?"
A blush crept onto East's face; he was clearly thinking something wicked.
Arip stood up from the sofa, casually pinched Easter's cheek, and said nothing.
“Wait,” Easter said, “this is only for you, and only for you.” He knew this was probably an appearance he would never show to a second person; his past was his former self, insignificant yet crucial.
As Arip watched as the ink-black color was replaced by snow-white, his hair turned into a silvery-white like frost and snow under the cold moon, and his pupils became a light, misty white, cold and indifferent. It was clear that only his hair and pupil colors had changed, but it seemed that his entire temperament had been changed as well, becoming a cold, aloof, and detached demeanor.
“Baby, how many more faces do you have that I haven’t seen yet?” Ariber stared blankly for a long time before he could speak. “You’ve given me so many surprises today.”
East's beauty mark at the corner of her eye had turned into a teardrop shape, silvery-white with a touch of blue, seemingly painted with glitter, sparkling and very pretty.
"I'm glad you like it." East put on the white cloak that faded to blue. Today, he was wearing a light-colored mage robe with light blue, pale blue and white undergarments, which was clean and elegant. The cloak complemented the robe perfectly.
“I will never find anyone I like better.” Arip sighed. Having seen the most beautiful sights in the world, all that remained were ordinary and mundane.
Easter said, embarrassed, "Let's go."
As Arip led his men over the balcony, an absurd thought popped into his head: he was like a down-on-his-luck hero who had lured a princess away—the image couldn't be more fitting.
As Easter walked side by side with Arip, he felt an immense sense of satisfaction, almost as wonderful as sleeping together. He thought that if he ever had the chance, he would definitely hold a wedding with Arip that would be admired by the world.
"Are you that happy?" Arip asked.
“Of course,” Easter replied frankly. How could he not be happy? This was something he had thought about more than once.
“Baby…” Arip held East’s hand, hesitating to speak.
“Alright, when you’re out having fun, you should be happy,” East said. He blamed his position, saying there was no need to drag things out and make both of them unhappy. Time was already short, so why waste it on a melancholy mood? “Is there anything fun to do in Cyrus Royal City? This is my first time here.”
Faced with Easter's attempt to change the subject, Areper naturally wouldn't be ungrateful. After thinking for a moment, he said, "We can go for a walk along this road to the nearby Spring Blossom Park. Because of the magic, the scenery there won't disappoint you. We can have lunch next to the park. It might not be as good as what your summoned creatures make, but it will still have its own unique flavor. We can go see a musical at noon. The timing is about right. Would you like to have afternoon tea with some of my friends?"
“Okay, whatever you say,” Easter said. He was happy to do anything as long as he could be with Arip, but, “Do I need to prepare gifts for your friends?”
“What preparations? Just wait for them to deliver it to you,” Arip said, seemingly imagining something amusing, and couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile. “Honey, it’s their duty, don’t overthink it.”
It must be said that the invitation from the Sinclair Empire brought many people to the city of Cyrus, especially his friends with their awkward identities, who secretly disguised themselves and came. This was a rare opportunity to introduce his treasure to them.
And that bet from before—they should honor their bet. It wasn't a serious bet, but it was an agreement: whoever found a partner first, someone they intended to spend their life with, not just a fleeting romance, would have to present a gift befitting their status when they met them.
Don't think he doesn't know what they're talking about behind his back. They say that no one else has a partner but he will never have one, that he's destined to be single forever. But look, out of all his friends, he was the first to get a partner.
Thinking of this, Arip gave East a loud kiss on the cheek and said with a smile, "Why is my baby so lovable?"
He was aware of another limitation, but what could he do when he was so fond of Esther? Their accidental first meeting, that mistake, and the words of his beloved had left an imprint on his mind. So when they met again, he couldn't help but pay more attention to her. Whether it was a spur-of-the-moment decision or a spontaneous act, he wanted to be with her. What happened afterward proved that he was right. He and his beloved were destined to be together.
Easter's eyes darted left and right as he walked out of the aristocratic residential area. Pedestrians came and went on the main road, and the two of them holding hands already attracted attention. Arip's sudden attack made it even more conspicuous.
“Baby, are you shy?” Arip squeezed Esther’s fingers.
"No, it's fine." Easter smiled faintly, looking down. It really was fine. He had never imagined that he would become like this after falling in love. No matter how much he loved her, it wasn't enough. He wanted the whole world to know that he and Arip were together.
Today, Ister's appearance is like a cold beauty sculpted from ice and snow. His smile is like a spring breeze sweeping across the snow-capped mountains, bringing fresh greenery and colorful flowers, full of vitality and captivating beauty. The mage's robe he wears is like a tender green bud covering the snow-capped mountains, neutralizing and weakening the coldness of the ice and snow. The charm of melting ice and snow is irresistible to everyone.
Arip thought for a moment, then put the hood on East. "Tsk, baby, don't go around causing trouble. Just recruit me."
This time, the hood wasn't big, just enough to cover his eyebrows and eyes. East gripped Areper's hand tightly. From this angle, he could only see their hands clasped together, and his heart softened. "Only you."
Aripo wished he could keep his precious child close to his heart, so that he could be one with his own flesh and blood, staying in the most important and fatal place, unable to go anywhere else.
Fanchun Park was a place reserved for nobles. No matter how much money you had, you couldn't enter if you weren't of high enough status. Leaving aside its long history, its location alone speaks volumes. It was close to the royal palace and the residences of the nobility, which showed its special status. People privately called it "Cyrus Park" and it was considered one of the important buildings in Cyrus Royal City.
Easter's identity was definitely not qualified, but Arip was different; his face was his passport. However, after taking a few more glances at Easter, it was clear that Arip was a man of impeccable character. This intimate gesture made it hard to believe they were friends, let alone shrewd people. But what makes shrewd people shrewd is that they know how to assess the situation, and they don't look at what they shouldn't look at or say what they shouldn't say.
Fanchun Park covers a large area with more than a dozen entrances. The two of them entered through the entrance closest to where East lived.
Surrounded by lush green trees that form a natural wall, the entrance is an endless expanse of green. The arched passageway is adorned with branches and vines that entwine and drape, rustling and swaying in the breeze. It doesn't resemble the yellowing leaves of autumn at all; it's clearly the vibrant springtime.
Easter led Aripor by the hand and stepped onto the path. The soft grass was refreshing and the breeze was invigorating. Every pore on their body opened up, and the lush greenery was so vibrant and full of life. All they felt was joy.
The scattered sunlight cast a soft white glow on the verdant leaves, as if they were walking on a path to a mysterious world, light and soft, their souls floating out of their bodies, drifting freely, expressing themselves to the fullest, free from the troubles of the mundane world.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, the green passage came to an end, and it was as if a kaleidoscope had exploded before our eyes. The colorful and vibrant flowers were piled up as if they were free, crowding together without any regard for color matching. Even a spilled palette would be more orderly than this, giving people the most powerful impact. Those who were disturbed could not take their eyes off it, and they would become obsessed and fall into it.
The fragrance of flowers, herbs, and wood blends together, and the wind carries the flowers as they dance in the light, as if a few flower fairies might suddenly appear from nowhere. They bring intoxicating scents and dance with the wind and flowers, weaving a beautiful dream for people.
As Easter was pulled into the swing chair by Arebor, his mind gradually cleared up. He let out a long sigh, and the knot in his heart was washed away completely, leaving him clear and clean.
He leaned on Aribo's shoulder. "Guoguo, thank you." The worry that had been gathering between his brows vanished, leaving only his gentle and peaceful eyes.
“Fanchun Park has twelve entrances, and this is my favorite one. I first walked along that green corridor when I was six years old,” Arip raised his hand and casually pointed in a direction. “That’s where I grew up. It’s not far from here, but it’s not close either. It was my mother’s birthday that day, but something unpleasant happened. I secretly ran away from home and somehow ended up here. I plunged into this green corridor. Back then, I was short and had short legs, so no matter how I ran, I couldn’t reach the end. I was so scared. I thought I was going to be trapped here and die. Just when I was about to despair, I reached the end. Wow~ how beautiful it is, how like a dream. The impact was like going from hell to heaven.”
Easter listens quietly. Exchanging past experiences is the first step in opening your heart and the beginning of a true entanglement in each other's lives. The past shapes a person's present. If you like his present and want to walk the future with him, you must understand his past; it's unavoidable.
“Since then, I’ve liked to stroll around here whenever I have nothing to do,” Arip said, pushing off with his feet and making the swing chair swing. “I built this swing myself when I was twelve or thirteen, I can’t remember.”
Easter's eyes widened slightly.
“What’s so surprising about that?” Arip said dismissively. “People aren’t born mature. When you’re young and naive, you see others have something and you want it too. Who cares if it’s suitable or not? Just get it first.”
"Is there any treasure you buried here?" East asked curiously.
“You know what, there really is one,” Arip stood up excitedly. “Let’s go look for it together.”
Ister took Aribo's hand and led him along the cobblestone path, through flowerbeds, past woods, and over low shrubs, finally stopping before a lake. The woods, meadows, flowers, and sunlight, shimmering and sparkling, created a different kind of beauty, unlike anything in the human world.
The two stopped beside a pine tree. This pine tree looked to be quite old, with a thick trunk and well-developed branches that decreased in size from bottom to top, forming a V-shape.
“It should be here,” Arip said, circling the pine tree and stepping on a spot close to the roots. “Baby, what do you think is inside?” At that moment, he was like a naive little boy, holding a treasure map and following the crooked lines on it to find that treasure of joy.
East was dazzled and couldn't take his eyes off Arip's face. He had never seen Arip like this before. His quiet blue eyes were bright, and his handsome and mature face had a fresh youthful spirit. It was so novel and incredible that it seemed to take him back to his childhood, a time he had never experienced.
Areber raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Are you stupid?" He leaned over and kissed Easter's lips, stepping on the ground where he buried his childhood treasure, embracing his current darling, unique, one of a kind in the world, no amount of cherishing or loving would be enough.
East accepted Arip's giving and taking, then leaned against the pine tree. The pine needles fell to the ground with a soft rustling sound, as if a rain had fallen.
His tongue, like a swimming fish, darted nimbly between his lips, gathering water droplets all over his body before finally leaping back into his own fishpond, regardless of how turbulent and pitiful the fishpond he had wreaked havoc on was.
Aripel wrapped his arms around Easter's waist to prevent her from falling to the ground. "Baby, how can you be so sweet?"
The hot, moist breath brushed against East's earlobe, making his already weak legs even weaker, unable to muster any strength at all.
Arip laughed without any empathy, "Mr. Rabbit, you're so cute~"
Easter grinded his teeth viciously against Areplatin's collarbone.
Arebo didn't feel pain, just an unbearable itch, an itch that went right to his heart. "Should we dig it out again?"
“Of course.” Easter took the lip and gently licked it with his tongue.
"Honey, you're beckoning me, so we might have to wait a little longer before we start digging."
East silently stepped back, but unfortunately there were trees behind him, so he could only create a distance that was better than nothing. "What will you use to dig?" he could only try to change the subject by talking about something more serious.
"Use a shovel." Arip found teasing his baby really fun. If he got angry, the baby would just bare his teeth, and even if he did bite, it wouldn't hurt or itch. It was incredibly cute.
Before East could react, Aribo quickly dug a square box out of the ground.
“Baby, judging from your expression, do you want to do something special?” Arip used cleaning magic to clean the dirt and sand off the box, and then held the box in front of Easter. “Come on, baby, you open it.”
Easter's hands trembled slightly, and his heart pounded wildly. His unfocused gaze swept across Areper's face as he asked dazedly, "Is it okay?"
“It’s not really a treasure trove here, just some little things I buried when I was a child. I can’t even remember what’s in them,” Arip’s smile was gentle. He said all that just to make Easter relax. “Baby, come on, my darling.”
Easter pressed the clasp, opened the box, and when he actually started working, he realized his hands weren't shaking as much as he'd imagined.
The two of them stared intently.
"Oh, so this is it?" Arip exclaimed in surprise.
The box contained only two items: a small wooden sword, less than a foot long, polished smooth, showing the care that had been put into its creation; and a dreamcatcher woven from starlight, its purple and blue colors intermingling, with fluttering butterflies and swimming fish hanging down a silver chain, looking almost alive.
These two items alone made this otherwise ordinary box look quite luxurious.
Arribel's fingers casually fiddled with the small wooden object, his hands mischievously tugging at the butterfly and pulling the fish.
Easter is very perceptive, and besides, Areper's behavior was so obvious that it was impossible not to notice.
"Guoguo, would you mind telling me?" he asked cautiously and uncertainly.
"Snap!" Ariber slammed the box shut, his eyelashes drooping as if deep in thought. "Is there anything inconvenient?" he asked, but said, "It's nothing important."
“I probably buried it when I came to Fanchun Park for the second time,” he said thoughtfully, his words not quite coherent because the memory was so distant. “That day was the day my mother passed away, and this was a gift she prepared for my seventh birthday.”
Easter couldn't help but grab Areber's hand tightly. "I'm sorry."
He never imagined he could be so naive. He had a copy of Arriber's background information, just in case he stepped on a landmine like he did today. Who would have thought he still hadn't prepared properly? He should have raised his guard when he heard that Arriber was six years old, and things wouldn't have ended up like this.
This all stems from Aripoul Sansette's background, which has been briefly introduced earlier. He is the son of a duke, first in line to the throne, and his mother is the sister of the current monarch of Sinclair. He is the undisputed next Grand Duke Sansette, born at the very top. Some princes and princesses may not even have his noble status, and his talent is enviable.
Perhaps his life was too smooth, and even the heavens couldn't bear to see it and wanted to trip him up. His mother passed away on his seventh birthday. After that, he became the Grand Duke of Sansette. Although he didn't formally marry another wife, he maintained long-term relationships with more than ten women and had countless illegitimate children. Ironically, some of his illegitimate children were even older than Aripó's.
If it weren't for Arebo's own exceptional abilities, he wouldn't have survived to this day. On this continent, women and men have the same right to inherit, and Arebo's mother's existence is a threat to the emperor's position. However, according to rumors, Arebo's mother is a princess in the traditional sense—spoiled, willful, arrogant, and with a bad temper, but she also knows proper etiquette and has no interest in vying for power.
With a profound background, involving countless interests, and tangled intricate relationships, it's impossible to unravel or unravel.
East understood more deeply what Arip had said: "People aren't born mature." The words that had only been written on paper came to life, turning into needles that pierced his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. They weren't fatal, but they caused him unbearable pain.
Before, it didn't feel real. Areber was too mature and too powerful. No one could associate him with weakness and misery. He was born to shine, arrogant and unrestrained. This blow was too painful and too heavy, giving Easter a full lesson.
“Honey, I really can’t stand hearing you say ‘sorry,’ ‘excuse me,’ or ‘excuse me’ anymore. It makes me think you’re plotting how to break up with me again.” Arip’s tone was very distressed.
East's face turned pale. What was he supposed to say? He couldn't find a word to say, and even felt like hitting someone. Could this kind of thing be brushed off with such a joke?
“Honey, it’s been almost twenty-five or twenty-six years since then,” Arip said, ruffling East’s hair as his eyes fell on the shimmering lake in the distance. “Honey, you have to look forward. There’s no way out if you just stay in the same place. It’s like digging your own grave.”
The mist in East's eyes thickened, gathering into droplets that trickled down his cheeks.
"Baby, why are you crying?" Aripel reached out to wipe away Easter's tears. "Do you just want me to feel sorry for you?"
Eastman touched his cheek, his hand wet with tears. Had he ever cried like this since he could remember? Not from pain, not from physical pain, but simply for one person, simply out of emotion? No, never in his life experience. Only now, only for Arip.
Ariper put away the box in his hand, stepped forward and hugged Easter, patting his back reassuringly, "Baby, don't cry, it's like I've bullied you."
Easter silently shed tears. It was the first time he had ever cried for someone, the first time he had ever cried out of emotion. He didn't know how to control himself, he didn't know how to stop the tears. He only knew that the more gently Aribo comforted him, the more unstoppable his tears became.
Arip silently embraced Easter. Perhaps he brought Easter here today so that someone could listen to his past, feel sorry for the child who was once unloved, and incidentally dig up a long-outdated "treasure"—a birthday present.
Easter gradually calmed down, pulled away from Arip's embrace, and gently kissed him, clumsily trying to soothe him in this way, like an innocent young animal that could only heal its wounds through the purest instincts.
The thin mist in her eyes dissipated with the tears, revealing a pair of clear, glassy eyes that were so pure they were unsettling.
Aripelago let East's tenderness run wild and enjoyed the present moment. He thought he would never forget this day for the rest of his life. He had revealed his secret and received a result even better than expected. There was no greater joy in life than this.
The scattered rays of light pierced through the gaps in the branches, scattered everywhere, unable to gather together unless the branches were cut off or the confined space was broken.
East had always been uneasy, and his words and actions revealed his unease. Arip was too powerful, too adept. In the past, he only talked about responsibility and indulged in fleeting pleasures without a care. But now that he was truly in love, he couldn't help but realize that he was just an ordinary person, wandering around in the labyrinth of emotions like a headless fly, unable to find a way out. But on this journey, the other party involved had already provided the signposts. As long as he followed them, he could succeed. There was nothing more fortunate than this.
For the two of them, the experience at Fanchun Park was like falling into a colorful dream, even more fantastical and vibrant than Alice's dream. It was a top-notch spa for both body and mind, leaving them feeling completely relaxed and carefree.
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Author's note: This should be considered the young couple's first date.
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