Peace returned to the Veyris Empire.
The daughters continued pursuing their dreams.
The knights trained.
The citizens celebrated.
The World Trees watched over everything.
And Kael Veyris enjoyed what he thought would be a normal day.
He was wrong.
Inside the Imperial Palace.
a secret meeting was taking place.
Gathered around a large table were:
Ignisia
Umbryssia Void Black Dragon Empress
Marigold
Xihe Drakonara
Noctyra Valis
Ashvattha
Universe Tree
Luxryth Solaris
The topic?
Who could create the best date for Kael Veyris.
Ignisia crossed her arms.
Obviously I'm winning.
Umbryssia immediately laughed.
Your confidence is admirable.
Marigold smiled.
This should be entertaining.
Ashvattha sighed.
Why do I already feel concerned?
The Judge Problem
A competition needs a judge.
Unfortunately.
nobody could agree on one.
After several hours of debate.
the palace doors opened.
Wukong walked inside holding three peaches.
Why is everyone staring at me?
Silence.
Then everyone pointed at him.
No.
Too late.
Congratulations.
You are the judge.
Wukong dropped his peaches.
I HAVE BEEN BETRAYED.
Ignisia's Date
Ignisia went first.
She brought Kael to the highest volcanic mountain within the Empire.
Red rivers of lava flowed beneath glowing crystal bridges.
The sunset painted the entire horizon gold and crimson.
Beautiful.
Kael admitted.
Ignisia smiled proudly.
I knew you'd like it.
Then she accidentally scared away several dragons by shouting at them to stop interrupting.
Wukong's Score:
9/10
Lost one point for threatening wildlife.
Umbryssia's Date
Umbryssia chose a completely different approach.
She created an elegant evening within a floating palace surrounded by stars.
Black crystal chandeliers illuminated the halls.
Void roses decorated every table.
Soft music echoed through the air.
Kael looked around.
You planned all of this?
Umbryssia smiled.
Perhaps.
Wukong's Score:
9.5/10
Very impressive.
Slightly intimidating.
Marigold's Date
Marigold took Kael flying.
Not on a dragon.
As a dragon.
Her golden dragon form soared across oceans, mountains, and clouds.
They watched the sunrise from above the world.
Kael looked toward the horizon.
This is peaceful.
Marigold smiled.
Exactly.
Wukong's Score:
10/10
I GOT TO SEE A GOLDEN DRAGON.
Xihe's Date
Xihe created a celestial observatory.
Above them floated stars, eclipses, and miniature galaxies.
Golden lights reflected across crystal floors.
For hours they simply talked beneath artificial constellations.
Wukong's Score:
9.7/10
Very fancy.
Noctyra's Date
Noctyra's idea surprised everyone.
She chose a quiet library.
Thousands of ancient books.
Comfortable chairs.
Tea.
Peace.
Kael actually seemed to enjoy it.
Wukong stared.
How is reading romantic?
Noctyra looked at him.
Knowledge is attractive.
Wukong was completely defeated by that statement.
Score:
9/10
Ashvattha's Date
Ashvattha created an entire forest.
Flowers bloomed instantly.
Streams sang softly.
Animals wandered peacefully through glowing meadows.
Every tree told stories from ancient ages.
The entire place felt alive.
Kael spent hours listening to stories older than galaxies.
Wukong's Score:
10/10
This place gave me free fruit.
Universe Tree's Date
The Universe Tree smiled gently.
She simply showed Kael the beauty of creation.
Entire miniature worlds bloomed among her branches.
Stars formed.
Galaxies spun.
Forests appeared and disappeared.
It felt like watching the universe dream.
Wukong's Score:
10/10
I don't understand half of what I saw.
But it was awesome.
Luxryth's Date
Luxryth created a grand festival.
Music.
Food.
Fireworks.
Games.
Celebrations.
The entire city joined.
Kael spent the day among his people.
Citizens greeted him warmly.
Children asked for stories.
Merchants offered gifts.
Luxryth smiled.
You always seem happiest around your people.
Kael nodded.
I am.
Wukong's Score:
10/10
There was unlimited food.
The Results
At sunset.
everyone gathered back inside the palace.
Wukong stood dramatically atop a table.
After careful consideration...
Everyone waited.
After extensive research...
Still waiting.
After consuming seventeen meals...
GET TO THE POINT.
Ignisia shouted.
Wukong pointed dramatically.
The winner is...
Silence.
Everyone.
Everyone blinked.
That's not how competitions work.
said Umbryssia.
Wukong shrugged.
Every date was different.
Every date succeeded.
And Kael looked happy during all of them.
The room became quiet.
Then Ashvattha smiled.
Fair enough.
Marigold nodded.
Reasonable.
Even Ignisia eventually accepted it.
Later that evening.
the competitors sat together beneath the World Trees.
Talking.
Laughing.
Sharing stories.
Meanwhile.
Kael sat nearby wondering how an ordinary day had somehow become a kingdom-wide competition.
Across the garden.
Wukong quietly stole another dessert.
Several wives immediately noticed.
Wukong.
He froze.
...Worth it.
The entire garden erupted into laughter beneath the glowing branches of Ashvattha and the Universe Tree.