It was with wide eyes that Dea watched the moonlight shine down upon the hidden garden, rare night-blooming flowers growing in colorful clusters amid the dimly lit landscape. The flickering of fireflies and glow bugs gave the area an enchanted feeling to the young lady as she walked slightly behind Miro, his presence less intimidating in the peaceful setting.

As they neared the small creek that wound through the area, the sound of frogs became more apparent. The flowing water eventually met up with a pond that hid amidst the stand of weeping willows, Miro brushing the hanging branches aside enough for them both to slip between the curtain of green leaves.

"Is this acceptable, Dea?" The soft whisper barely even registered as she looked at the carefully placed blanket, silver plates reflecting the light of the moon and stars alike as they sat upon the deep red silk. Seeing fresh fruit and carefully made finger foods that made her stomach rumble quietly, she nodded before taking a careful step forward, glancing back in time to catch the smile gracing Miro's lips.

"I... Thank you, Miro. This is most pleasant of a surprise after everything else you have done for me today. The games you taught me, the places we went, everything! Although, I must admit that nothing else can compare with how beautiful this garden is, even at night!" The joyful wonder that filled her voice had Miro's mind racing to think of more things he could do for her, places and things he could show her, teach her.

"Anything for you, my Dea. Anything at all," his soft whisper came, followed by his lips pressing against her hand.

--------

The next day followed along the same general path, although the lunch in the ballroom was far more extravagant than the previous day's meal had been, the scent of exotic delicacies filling the room as Dea's eyes flew from one mouthwatering plate of food to the next. When her eyes landed on the strange things that looked like globes of water, Miro began to explain how he had learned to make them in a faraway country he had gone to when he traveled, long ago in the past.

"Did you make those things?" Dea pointed at the strange 'cakes' Miro had been getting ready to pass to her for Dea to taste. At her question he couldn't hold in the laughter that soon echoed within the large room, a breathtaking smile lighting up his face as he looked at Dea with adoration in his eyes.

"I made everything you see before you, for I wouldn't allow another person's hands to touch anything I give you. There is no way they could make it to your liking as easily as I could. Besides, it is a treat to be able to cook for you again after waiting so many decades for you to be reborn." Although she didn't really understand all of his answer, the part about being reborn confusing the young lady, Dea found the thought of him taking the time to prepare everything with his own hands made her heart beat a little faster in her chest.

She would put the rest to the back of her mind for now and focus on the sweet gesture the immortal being before her had made, even if the obvious fondness he seemed to have for her was another source of confused feelings towards this male that had so much power over her right now. Her growing fondness for him and her ever-present fear of discovery.

Even she wasn't sure which feeling would win out in the end.

--------

As the days passed, Miro showered her with treats, taking her places she never even dreamed could exist in the world. Underground lakes filled with plants and fish that glowed in the darkness, caves that led to caverns filled with sparkling gem and ribbons of metal lining the walls like decorations someone had left behind long ago to be reclaimed, even hidden forests that were filled with creatures that crept around under the moonlight looking for prey.

Dea hadn't realized there were still forests left untouched until that night, only then hearing Miro say he had kept this forest away from the hands of others, not letting the humans destroy it as they had so many. All of these places he'd been showing her were protected by him, a faraway look in his eyes as he explained it, as if he was seeing something that wasn't there.

Afterward, Miro had lead Dea to her room and told her to expect something amazing the next evening, leaning forward and pressing his lips gently against her cheek before turning and walking back to his own rooms. It was the first time he had kissed her anywhere other than her hands in weeks.

With her heart racing and her cheeks burning with heat, Dea readied herself for a long restless night, the blush refusing to leave even as she lay in bed hours later with thoughts of Miro racing about her mind.