The Demon Queen's Contract

"Now, let's get you back to Alexandra and see what she thinks," I said, leading Cratos back towards the botanical gardens. The transformation was astounding; gone was the disheveled and unkempt man, replaced by someone who, with a bit of confidence, could certainly catch Alexandra's eye.

As we approached the fountain, Alexandra was still there, now engaged in animated conversation with a group of friends. When she looked up and saw Cratos, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Cratos?" she said, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Is that really you?"

Cratos gave a nervous smile and a small, awkward wave. "Hey, Alexandra. Do I look... okay?"

Alexandra stood up and walked over, her friends whispering and glancing our way. She inspected Cratos from head to toe, clearly impressed. "I have to admit, you look a lot better than before. A lot."

Cratos blushed, clearly pleased with her reaction. "So, would you maybe consider going out with me now?"

Alexandra's eyes softened, but she still had a hint of skepticism. "You look great, Cratos, but remember what I said about effort. It's not just about appearances. It's about showing that you care."

Cratos nodded earnestly. "I understand. I'll try to be better."

Alexandra pondered this for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'll give you a chance. One date."

Relief washed over Cratos's face. "Thank you, Alexandra. I promise you won't regret it."

As Alexandra walked back to her friends, Cratos turned to us, gratitude and determination in his eyes. "Thank you both. But, um, I might need your help during the date."

"Help? How?" Seraphina asked, raising an eyebrow.

Cratos fumbled in his pocket and pulled out two small, ornate devices. "These are magical talky-walkies. We can use them to communicate discreetly. You know, in case I mess up or need advice."

Seraphina and I exchanged amused glances. "Alright, Cratos. We'll help you," I said, taking one of the devices.

The evening of the date arrived quickly. Cratos had arranged to meet Alexandra at a charming little café just off the main square of the university town. We positioned ourselves at a nearby table, close enough to observe but far enough to not draw attention.

Cratos walked into the café, looking dapper and slightly nervous. Alexandra was already seated at a table by the window, looking stunning in a simple yet elegant dress. Cratos took a deep breath and approached her.

"Hi, Alexandra. You look beautiful," he said, his voice a bit shaky.

"Thank you, Cratos. You look quite handsome yourself," she replied, smiling warmly.

Cratos pulled out a chair for her before taking his seat. Seraphina and I activated our devices, ready to assist if needed.

"So, how has your day been?" Cratos asked, trying to sound casual.

"It's been good. Busy, but good," Alexandra replied, taking a sip of her drink. "What about you?"

Cratos hesitated, glancing at us for a moment. Seraphina quickly whispered into the device, "Tell her about your interests, something you enjoy."

"I've been studying some ancient texts. It's fascinating work," Cratos said, gaining a bit of confidence. "I recently came across some intriguing symbols that I'm trying to decipher."

Alexandra's eyes lit up with interest. "Really? That sounds fascinating. Tell me more about these symbols."

Cratos launched into a passionate explanation of his research, and Alexandra listened intently, occasionally asking questions. It was clear she was genuinely interested, and Cratos seemed to relax, the conversation flowing more naturally.

The waiter arrived with their meals, and they paused to eat. Cratos glanced at us again, and I whispered, "Compliment her taste in food. Show interest in her choices."

"Your meal looks delicious. Is that your favorite dish here?" Cratos asked.

Alexandra nodded, smiling. "Yes, it is. I love the food at this café. What's your favorite dish?"

"I've never been here before, but this dish looks amazing," Cratos replied, taking a bite. "And it is. You have great taste."

The evening progressed smoothly, with Cratos and Alexandra exchanging stories and laughs. It was heartening to see Cratos gaining confidence and Alexandra warming up to him.

As they finished their meals, Cratos glanced at us again, and Seraphina whispered, "Ask her if she'd like to take a walk."

"Would you like to take a walk with me?" Cratos asked, a bit more confidently now.

"I'd love to," Alexandra replied, standing up and taking his arm.

We followed at a distance, watching as they strolled through the moonlit streets. They stopped at a small park, where Cratos pointed out constellations, sharing stories and legends about the stars. Alexandra seemed genuinely captivated, her eyes sparkling with interest.

As they sat on a bench, Cratos took a deep breath. "Alexandra, I know I haven't always been the best person. But I want to change that. I want to be someone you can respect and care about."

Alexandra looked at him, her expression thoughtful. "I can see you're making an effort, Cratos. And I appreciate that. Let's see where this goes."

Cratos smiled, relief and happiness evident on his face. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the stars.

As the night grew late, Cratos walked Alexandra back to her dormitory. At the door, she turned to him, a soft smile on her lips. "Thank you for a lovely evening, Cratos. I had a great time."

"Thank you, Alexandra. I did too," Cratos replied, his voice filled with genuine warmth.

She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight, Cratos."

"Goodnight, Alexandra," he said, watching as she disappeared inside.

Cratos turned to us, his face alight with joy. "I can't thank you enough. I couldn't have done this without you."

"You did great, Cratos," I said, smiling. "You really impressed her."

Seraphina nodded in agreement. "Now, about that symbol..."

"Yes, of course," Cratos said, his expression turning serious. "I'll help you with your symbol, but you have to do something for me first."

"And what exactly do you want us to do?" Seraphina asked, her tone cautious but firm.

Cratos grinned mischievously. "There's a woman here at the university that I like. Her name is Alexandra. I want you to help me get a date with her."

I exchanged a skeptical look with Seraphina. "You want us to play matchmaker?"

"Exactly," Cratos said, his grin widening. "And in return, I'll help you with your symbol."

Seraphina sighed, clearly annoyed but willing to go along with it. "Fine. We'll help you. But you better come through on your end of the deal."

Cratos nodded eagerly. "Deal."

We spent the next few days planning the perfect date for Cratos and Alexandra. We arranged everything from the location to the activities, ensuring that it would be a memorable evening.

When the night of the date arrived, we were ready. Cratos had managed to procure two magical devices that acted as discreet communication tools. They resembled ornate brooches and would allow us to give him advice without being noticed.

Cratos met Alexandra at the botanical gardens, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the scene. He wore a neatly pressed suit, and his hair was styled impeccably.

Alexandra arrived, looking stunning in a simple yet elegant dress. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Cratos. "Wow, Cratos. You look amazing."

"Thank you, Alexandra. You look beautiful," he replied, his voice a bit shaky.

They began their date with a stroll through the gardens, enjoying the vibrant flowers and the tranquil atmosphere. Cratos glanced at his brooch, and I whispered, "Compliment her. Tell her how much you appreciate her coming tonight."

"I'm really glad you agreed to come tonight," Cratos said, looking into her eyes. "It means a lot to me."

Alexandra smiled, clearly pleased. "I'm glad you asked me. The gardens are beautiful."

As they continued their walk, Cratos stumbled slightly on a loose stone, but quickly regained his composure. Seraphina whispered, "Ask her about her interests. Show genuine curiosity."

"So, Alexandra, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?" Cratos asked, steering the conversation away from his near mishap.

"I love reading and studying ancient texts," she replied. "It's fascinating to learn about history and the mysteries of the past."

Cratos's eyes lit up. "Really? I study ancient texts too. There's something incredibly satisfying about uncovering secrets from long ago."

They found a bench and sat down, the conversation flowing more naturally now. Cratos shared stories of his research, and Alexandra listened intently, clearly intrigued.

After a while, Cratos suggested they go to a nearby café for a drink. They walked to the quaint little café we had scouted earlier, and Cratos ordered their drinks, his nervousness slowly dissipating.

As they sat at a cozy table, Cratos glanced at us again. I whispered, "Compliment her smile. Make her feel special."

"You have a beautiful smile, Alexandra," Cratos said, his voice sincere. "It lights up the room."

Alexandra blushed slightly, her smile widening. "Thank you, Cratos. You're very sweet."

They continued to talk, their connection growing stronger with each passing minute. It was clear that Alexandra was beginning to see Cratos in a new light.

After their drinks

, they took a walk through the moonlit streets of the university town. They stopped at a small park, where Cratos pointed out constellations and shared stories about the stars.

As the night drew to a close, Cratos walked Alexandra back to her dormitory. At the door, she turned to him, her expression thoughtful.

"I had a wonderful time tonight, Cratos. Thank you," she said, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you, Alexandra. I did too," Cratos replied, his voice filled with genuine warmth.

"Goodnight, Cratos," Alexandra said, disappearing inside.

"Goodnight, Alexandra," he said softly.

As we regrouped with Cratos, he looked at us, a mixture of relief and happiness on his face. "Thank you both. I couldn't have done it without you."

"You did great, Cratos," I said, smiling. "You really impressed her."

Seraphina nodded. "Now, about that symbol..."