Egor's mood didn't improve the next day.
He kept ignoring Klaus whenever he could—while acting almost painfully polite around Lilith. Which didn't match anything Grandma had said.
"They seem to be getting along just fine," Klaus said over breakfast, glancing between them. "Your stew's still the best, by the way."
"Of course you like it," she grumbled, clearly pleased. "I spent half the damn night and the entire morning on it."
"So," she went on, looking between them, "what's the plan today? Documents won't be ready until tomorrow. Which means—you've got nothing to do."
Silence.
Both of them stared down at their plates.
"Right," she said decisively. "If you won't decide, I will. I'm taking Lilith. Time she learned how to live here. And you two—go outside. Get some air."
"No need," Egor said flatly. "I'm not going to drag him around. He's got better things to do. Like Alexander."
"Stop acting like a brat," Klaus snapped. Then, to Grandma: "See? How am I supposed to talk to him like this?"
"You've got yourself to thank for that," she shot back immediately, then turned to Egor. "And you—what exactly are you doing? Yesterday you sounded like you wanted to get closer to this arrogant prince."
"Grandma—!" Egor flushed, shooting Klaus a quick glance.
"So?" she went on calmly. "Coming with me? We'll grab a few things. Stuff to take with us."
Egor froze.
"…With us?"
He looked at her.
She gave a small nod.
"Well?"
"Yes—yeah, of course!" His face lit up instantly. "Let's go."
"Wait—my lord!" Lilith said anxiously. "What about me?"
"Lilith," Klaus said more gently, "you're in a different world now. You're safe here. Grandma will take care of you. You like it here, don't you?"
"Yes, but… how can I stay without you? I—"
"You're not a slave anymore," Klaus said quietly. "I told you I'd show you a different life, remember? For now, we'll be apart. There's nothing to worry about. Egor and I will come back when we can. And when I take the throne—you'll choose. Stay here or return. Your decision."
"You'll really come back?" she asked softly. "Lilith doesn't want to lose her master…"
"I gave you my word."
"…Alright," she said, unsure.
Grandma didn't waste time—she pulled her out of the room immediately.
The night before, Sasha had handed Klaus cash "for small expenses."
He hadn't wanted to take it—especially after the man had already agreed to cover Lilith's documents—but he hadn't had much of a choice.
Now he planned to burn through most of it.
Cigarettes—non-negotiable.
Proper underwear. Razors that weren't knives. And a few things for Goral, August, and Pritik.
And something else.
Something he wanted to test—with Egor.
Which meant he needed money.
So for once, he was actually grateful.
"Ready?" he called.
Egor already looked like a different person.
The blond spent the entire day in a ridiculously good mood—grabbing random things, arguing over underwear colors, talking non-stop.
Klaus hadn't expected that going back to a brutal world like Isorobia could make someone this happy.
But watching Egor—
Bright. Open. Alive—
He caught himself smiling.
"So where now?" Egor asked, pushing his empty pizza plate aside.
"We drop the bags at home," Klaus said. "Then we're going on a date."
"…What?"
Egor froze.
"Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Yes—but wait. A date? Seriously?" His eyes went wide. "You're asking me out? What changed?"
"Let's say I realized I was being an ass," Klaus said calmly. "And I'm fixing it. That good enough?"
"More than," Egor said immediately, already flushing. "Let's go. Come on."
Grandma and Lilith were busy with something.
Klaus didn't even get a chance to ask what before Egor dumped everything on the bed, grabbed him, and dragged him out.
"Grandma, we're heading out!"
"What? You just got back! When are you coming home? Dinner?"
"We'll eat out. Don't wait."
"So where are we going?" Egor asked, barely containing himself.
"Dinner first. I know a hotel with a good restaurant."
"…How do you know hotels here?"
Klaus gave him a look.
"Don't ask questions you don't actually want answers to. Let's not ruin the evening before it starts."
Egor shut up immediately.
He didn't want to know.
He already knew.
And today—
Klaus had asked him out.
Not as a friend.
On a date.
That was enough.
The restaurant was small, warm, low-lit.
Not crowded.
They got a table without trouble.
"You order," Klaus said. "I'll be back."
And he was gone before Egor could respond.
Egor flipped straight to the meat section.
Steaks—for Klaus.
A few unfamiliar dishes—just in case.
Wine.
By the time Klaus came back, everything was already ordered.
Egor watched him walk toward the table.
Watched the looks he got.
He was used to it.
Klaus always drew attention.
But this time—
It didn't bother him.
That man was walking straight to him.
Smiling only at him.
And he was here because he chose to be.
"So," Klaus said, sitting down, "what do people usually do on dates?"
Egor blinked.
"…How should I know?" he said, annoyed. "This is my first one."
Klaus laughed.
"Same. So don't expect anything perfect. Tell me—how does it usually go here?"
"Well…" Egor hesitated. "People talk. About random stuff. Try to get to know each other. Impress each other."
Klaus leaned closer.
"And how are you planning to impress me?"
Heat hit instantly.
Egor swallowed.
"Who said I'm the one doing the impressing?" he shot back. "You asked me out. That's your job."
"Fair enough," Klaus said, amused. "I'll think of something."
The waiter brought wine and appetizers.
Egor exhaled slowly.
His heart was going insane.
Was Klaus flirting?
Or was he just losing it?
"Tell me something about yourself," Klaus said.
"My life's not exactly as exciting as yours."
"That's why I'm asking. What was your childhood like?"
"Nothing special. Not popular, not a loner. Had friends. Not close enough to keep after school."
"What about now? Dreams? Plans?"
"This is starting to feel like an interrogation."
"Is it?" Klaus tilted his head. "I thought I was doing the 'first date' thing. Getting to know you."
"Let's skip that," Egor said. "Feels stupid after everything we've been through."
"I still want to know," Klaus said quietly. "What your life was supposed to be. Before me."
Egor looked down at the table.
"…Boring," he admitted. "Stable job. Maybe a wife. Kids. Nothing exciting. But I didn't think I had another option."
A pause.
"Now everything's different."
"So if I hadn't shown up," Klaus said slowly, "you'd have settled down? Family, dog, vacations?"
"Maybe. Or maybe I'd have locked myself in my room. Or gotten hit by a car. Who knows? Doesn't matter. That life's gone."
"That's the problem," Klaus said quietly. "I want that life for you. Quiet. Safe."
"Don't start again," Egor snapped. "I've never felt more alive than I do now. I can't go back to that. No magic. No training. No you."
His voice tightened.
"You know how I feel. And you still keep pushing me away—even now."
"So you're not changing your mind."
"No." Egor shook his head. "Even if you reject me, it won't change anything. I can't just stop loving you. Why can't you get that?"
Klaus watched him.
"…Alright."
Calm.
Too calm.
"Just don't regret it later."
Egor blinked.
"Later?"
"Yes," Klaus said, a faint smile forming. "When we get to the second part of the date."
Egor straightened instantly.
"There's a second part?"
His eyes lit up again.
"What are we doing?"
Klaus smiled.
That sharp, dangerous smile.
The kind that made enemies step back.
But this time—
It only made Egor's pulse spike.
And his face burn even hotter.