Forgotten Wife：Let the Traitors Kneel Down Novel

Chapter 48: The Promise of a Date

When they arrived at Lake April, April's eyes sparkled with excitement. It was her first time seeing a lake, and it was beautiful. Alessandro asked her, "Do you like it?"

"I love it. I've never seen anything so beautiful," April replied, looking like a child brimming with excitement. This reminded Alessandro of his own past, the first time his parents had taken him to the lake, and he had been just as excited as she was.

Alessandro took her hand and said, "The boat is over there, let's go."

There was a beautiful boat decorated with curtains to shield them from the sun, with comfortable seats to enjoy the ride along the lake shore on a small dock. April looked at everything with great excitement and wonder, a big smile on her face. It was the first time Alessandro had seen her so happy by his side.

They boarded the boat, and as April stepped in, she felt a bit unsteady. Alessandro held her waist and said, "Be careful." He helped her sit down, and soon the boat set off. April asked, "How does the boat move?" Alessandro replied, "With my magic."

April approached the edge of the boat and, looking at the sky reflected in the water like a huge mirror, she said, "It's incredible. Thank you for showing me something so wonderful."

"We can come here often if you'd like," Alessandro suggested.

"Yes, I'd like that," April replied.

When the boat reached the center of the lake, April saw beautiful white flowers floating on the water. She was mesmerized. Alessandro picked one of the flowers from the lake, dried it with his magic, and handed it to April. "This is for you since it seems you like them a lot."

April took it close to her. It was even more beautiful up close, with the white petals seeming to shine in the sun's reflection. She caressed them with her fingertips and said, "It's beautiful." Alessandro thought she was even more beautiful than that flower. Her reddish hair cascading down her shoulders, contrasting with her pale skin, her lips red like rose petals, and that smile that made everything shine with a magical light. Unintentionally, the words escaped Alessandro's mouth, "You are much more beautiful than that flower."

April blushed. She was not used to receiving compliments, nor did she consider herself beautiful since no one had ever told her so.

Alessandro stood up, causing the boat to sway a bit. April was afraid it might tip over. When Alessandro sat next to her, she hugged him, holding on tight. "It's rare for you to want to hug me," Alessandro noted. "This won't tip over, right? I can't swim."

"Don't worry, that won't happen, and if it does, I'll rescue you," Alessandro reassured her.

"I'd prefer it didn't happen," April replied.

Alessandro lifted her chin to make her look at him, gave her a gentle kiss on the lips, and said, "You don't have to fear; I will protect you."

Cassian returned to his room and finished reading the book. He decided to go to the city to thank Laila for recommending such a good book. However, he didn't want to be accompanied by his guards, so he dressed in simple clothes and sneaked out of the palace as he used to do in the past. In the city, he went to the bookstore where Laila was arranging books on a shelf. When she saw Cassian enter, she smiled and said, "Hello, I'm glad you're back."

"The book you recommended was very good," Cassian acknowledged.

"Have you finished reading it?" Laila inquired.

"Yes, it was so good that I couldn't stop reading it," Cassian replied.

"That's great. Are you here to find another book or to invite me on a date?" Laila teased.

Cassian blushed, intending only to thank her. "I just wanted to thank you for recommending such a good book and ask for another recommendation," he clarified.

Laila moved between the shelves, took a book, and handed it to Cassian. "You will like this one; it's very good."

"Thank you," Cassian replied.

"But you still owe me a date. You promised to take me out if you came back, remember?" Laila reminded him.

"I don't recall promising that," Cassian said.

"It doesn't matter; I remember, so where do you plan to take me?" Laila insisted.

"If you don't know where to take me, I'll choose," Laila decided. She called her grandfather from behind the store and told him she would be going out for a while. Then she took Cassian's hand and said, "Let's go."

"I haven't paid for the book yet," Cassian pointed out.

"You can pay me next time you come," Laila dismissed. She dragged Cassian out of the store. Once on the street, Cassian confessed, "I don't like crowds much, and I can't walk very far."

"Don't worry. I know a nice place nearby that is quiet. Let's go," Laila reassured him.

Laila took him to a café, a simple place selling cakes and sweets. She said, "They have delicious desserts here. Do you like sweet things?"

"Yes," Cassian replied.

Laila found an empty table near the window, took Cassian's hand, and they both sat down. A young woman with brown hair greeted them, "Hello, Laila. Who's your friend?"

"Hi, Dina. His name is Cassian. We're on a date," Laila declared with a wide smile, making Cassian blush.

Dina found it adorable and said, "Cassian, take care of my friend. She can be a bit scatterbrained, but she's a good girl."

Cassian didn't know how to respond and fell silent. After taking their orders, Dina left. Cassian then said, "We're not on a date."

"Of course, we are," Laila insisted with a big smile on her face.

When Dina returned with two slices of apple pie and lemonade, Laila took a bite of the pie and urged Cassian to try it, saying, "It's delicious. You must taste it."

Cassian tried the pie and found it very good. "It's delicious," he admitted.

"I'm glad you liked it," Laila said.

"Why did you bring me here?" Cassian inquired.

"It's close to the bookstore, and I love the pie here. My parents used to bring me here when I was a child, and I have fond memories of this place. So, I wanted to create more good memories by bringing the guy I like," Laila explained.

Cassian blushed. He wasn't used to dealing with someone as straightforward as Laila. He confessed, "I can't return your feelings. I think you're wasting your time."

"Are you married?" Laila asked.

"No."

"Do you have a lover?"

"No."

"Don't you like women?"

"I do like women."

"Then, don't you find me pretty?"

"It's not that. You are very pretty," Cassian admitted.

Laila smiled satisfactorily at being called pretty. She said, "Then I don't see the problem."

"I'm in love with another woman," Cassian revealed.

"The person from whom you bought the books," Laila guessed.

"Yes."

"Have you told her?"

"No, I can never tell her because our love is impossible. She is a married woman."

"Then it's perfect for you to be with me. It will help you forget her, don't you think?" Laila suggested.