A look of slight shock passed on Xiran’s face as he saw her all dressed up. She even wore jewellery and high heels today and carried a clutch. He had never seen her carry a clutch or handbag before.

Aselia had the appearance of a princess today with her styled hair and flowing gown. She needed no makeup for her natural beauty was alluring enough and yet Frila had highlighted it with her artistic makeup. She almost seemed unrecognizable.

Xiran had seen her dressed up once before, today she had completed her look with every accessory a girl can dream of, although Xiran knew she didn’t want any of it she just went with it solely for him and Rivan.

He stepped inside the room, filling the entirety of it with his presence. Garbed in a three-piece greyish-silver suit with a matching tie and cufflinks, his silver hair was styled backwards today and appeared slightly wet. The tall vampire was extremely dapper today to complement the woman he was about to accompany.

He just stood there with his right hand in his pocket and his mouth slightly agape with his grey orbs twinkling at the sight of the girl his heart craved so much. Aselia’s lips curved up in a smile while her cheeks reddened some more seeing his reaction.

"Frila, you did a great job. Thank you, can you give us the room?" Xiran finally spoke keeping his hungry orbs fixated on Aselia.

"Sure, Señor," Frila slightly smiled and bowed before making her way out.

"So, do I look like a dressed-up mannequin in a fancy shop or an expensive doll?" Aselia asked with a chuckle while presenting her dress to him with a wave of her hands.

Xiran crossed the distance between them in a heartbeat and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, his thirsty gaze drinking everything about her.

"You look like a princess waiting for her prince charming to whisk her away, too bad you only got a greedy vamp who wants to devour you."

His words made her gulp and she slyly smiled before saying:

"I am not innocent enough to be a princess either, so we are a perfect match," this made a seductive smile adorn his perfect lips.

"I so want to kiss you right now but your lipstick will be smudged, so I will halt that kiss for later," he offered her his arm which she gladly took.

"Later then, I don’t have much experience walking in high heels, so you will be my support. Don’t let me fall," she confessed while tightly holding onto his arm.

"I will never let you fall," he whispered as they made their way to the parking lot, while Xiran walked elegantly but with short strides so Aselia could keep up, she on the other hand wobbled a bit.

They reached the white limousine in the parking lot where Carios was waiting for them, his eyes apologetic as they met Aselia’s who gave him a reassuring smile. He opened the door for them so they could settle down. Once they were comfortably seated in the lush interior of the car Aselia teased Xiran:

"You copied me," Aselia eyed him up and down.

"I can say the same," Xiran turned towards her and arched his right eyebrow.

"You knew the colour I choose for my dress, I didn’t. So you are the one who copied, not me," Aselia tilted her head at him and batted her lashes, making him smile as he stated:

"Maybe."

"You look good, by the way. Your suit is just perfect," she replied seeing the coat perfectly hugging his broad chest.

"Really?" He asked a bit surprised that she was complimenting him.

"Yes," she gave him a warm smile.

"You realize it’s the first time you are complimenting my apparel. Is it the first time you found my attire suitable to your taste?" He inquired keeping his eyes on her face to anticipate what she would say next.

"Nah, didn’t want to add to your already inflated ego in case you swell up like a hot air balloon and fly away," she added with utmost seriousness and Xiran threw his head back and laughed like a madman for a long time. He finally stopped while Aselia kept eyeing him with a smug expression.

"That’s why I love you," he chuckled reaching out and drawing her to his heat. She didn’t resist and wrapped her arms around his waist and murmured:

"You will be the most handsome man in the world even in rags."

Xiran visibly stiffened at her affectionate words, he thought his ears had malfunctioned as he curiously peered at the woman in his arms before saying:

"Girl, who are you? And what did you do to my Aselia?" Xiran remembered she had given him a similar compliment about his looks a long time ago but he had always thought she was being sarcastic.

"Upgraded her, don’t you like this version better? Or do you want the older one who didn’t acknowledge your feelings," Aselia questioned, meeting his curious gaze, and reaching out she cupped the left side of his face. He kissed her hand without breaking the mesmerizing eye contact.

"I am loving the new version, you are so much more open about your feelings."

"Yes, I have always been very straightforward except when it comes down to sentiments. I have been taught to not reveal what I truly feel and bottle them up, it’s not an easy feat for me to express them," she revealed with a sigh.

"Baby steps Aselia, don’t worry I am always here to guide you, plus you have no clue how much it pleases me to know you no longer feel repulsed by my touch," he leaned in and kissed her head, not wanting to smear her makeup.

"Well that’s the thing Xiran, your touch never repulsed me, from the very first day you held my hand, it tingled and I felt drawn to you. I had no clue why though," and his eyes grew wide at her revelation.