Chapter Text
Having their first date in front of cameras was less than ideal.
Unfortunately, Dimitri was used to it. Ever since he had turned eighteen, there’d been a constant stream of women shoved in his direction. Nobles from ancient pedigrees. The daughters of fabulously rich CEOs. Actresses and models and singers, to catch the public’s eye. All had benefits that could be brought to the royal family. All would be a good choice to marry, his PR managers reminded him before each of his endless first dates.
Dimitri had never asked for a second one.
His current date was in a café. A normal setting, his managers insisted. One that would make him and his sure-to-blossom romance seem relatable to the average person. Nevermind the cameras watching from every direction, primed to capture the official press release photos. Nor the paparazzi and fans, skulking about the perimeter his bodyguards had set, or his carefully selected casual clothes that cost more than the café itself. PR had decided that the theme of this glorified photo shoot was “relatable first date,” and that was that. Reality was irrelevant.
Plastering on a generic princely smile, Dimitri looked up from his menu to face the newest woman foisted upon him – the mysterious Byleth Eisner, granddaughter to the Archbishop of the Church of Seiros. Cameras flashed around them, eager to capture the moment.
She was quite beautiful, Dimitri reluctantly admitted to himself. And intriguing, he supposed, considering the circumstances of her past. The press had been fascinated with Byleth Eisner since her reappearance the year prior, back from spending her youth studying abroad – or so the official story claimed. Gossip was far less kind about her past life, though Dimitri put little stock into it. He was more than familiar with the cruelty of the tabloids, after all.
As the nervous barista approached, Dimitri motioned for her to take Byleth’s order first. More shutters clicked around them, more whispers hissed through the silence as his managers debated the best angles. He wondered if it might be difficult for Byleth to bear, seeing as she was new to this life, but her calm expression didn’t falter as she made her choice.
“Extra large. Just espresso.”
Dimitri stared at her. So did the barista. Byleth’s own PR manager – a green-haired clergyman with a permanently harried expression – shot her a long-suffering look that clearly said this was not according to script.
Only Byleth seemed unfazed. As blank-faced as ever, she pointed to the menu. “I’ll also have the BLT with extra bacon, the onion gratin soup, a large saghert and cream, and two sides of sourdough bread with jam…”
Dimitri had no idea what he ordered. He was too stunned, too fascinated by the woman across the table. He could only sit there in silence as the barista returned with their drinks. He could only watch, mesmerized, as Byleth raised the extra large espresso to her mouth and tipped it back. Her eyes remained fixed on his, intense yet captivating as she downed the entire drink in one go. Even then, she remained emotionless.
Feeling oddly hot beneath the collar, Dimitri wondered just what would be needed to draw a reaction from her cold exterior. Perhaps if he provoked her? Surprised her with a shout? Or maybe if he kissed her –
Wait.
Unconcerned by the horrified looks around her – or Dimitri’s increasingly red face – Byleth rested her chin on her hand and turned her attention to the elaborate centrepiece of flowers between them.
“Did you know that some of those flowers are edible?” Dimitri blurted out before his frazzled mind could catch up with his mouth. In the sudden silence of the café, he was certain that he could hear his chief bodyguard’s disappointed sigh. Even the photographers seemed to take pity on him, allowing him a moment of reprieve to suffer through this embarrassment alone.
Except…
There was a sparkle in Byleth’s eyes as she studied him. A slight curve to her lips, subtle enough to miss yet all the more charming for it. She even leaned a little closer, invitingly one might say.
“Tell me more.”
Oh.
A dozen cameras captured the scene. Of Miss Byleth Eisner biting into the bouquet. Of the crown prince’s besotted smile. And of his hand boldly brushing a stray petal off her lips, lingering a second too long as they stared into each other’s eyes. Front page material, without a doubt.
Annoying as it was to share this moment with the world, Dimitri let it go without complaint. He’d already made a decision, after all.
There would be no cameras on their second date.