The Incubus System Chapter 1048. I Can’t Buy A Train

The Incubus System Chapter 1048. I Can’t Buy A Train

She nodded, still clearly flustered, and mumbled, "I just thought it looked… nice. Like something special." Her voice trailed off.

I softened, realizing she wasn't trying to be ridiculous—she was just trying to understand something new. "I get it," I said, leaning forward a bit, my tone gentler now. "You're trying to find something that feels… normal. But trust me, there are a lot of other ways to make things special. You don't need a hot air balloon for that."

Puriel looked up at me, her golden eyes filled with a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity. "What do you mean?"

I smiled slightly, running a hand through my hair as I thought about how to explain it. "It’s not about where you are or what crazy setting you're in. It’s about the connection. You could be sitting right here, in this living room, and it could still be special if you’re with the right person."

She seemed to mull that over, her fidgeting slowing as she absorbed what I said. For a moment, she was quiet, and I could see the wheels turning in her mind.

"That… makes sense," Puriel said finally, her voice steadier. She returned to watching TV. Different channels. The soap opera now switched to another scene, a sad one this time. I could see her body relax a bit, the earlier embarrassment fading away as she got lost in the fictional drama on the screen.

But then, a new scene caught her attention—a couple parting ways at a train station, the man running after the train in a dramatic chase to confess his love one last time. Puriel’s eyes lit up again, the sparkle returning as she glanced at me, her expression filled with hesitant excitement.

I groaned internally, already knowing where this was going. I gave her a flat stare, crossing my arms. "No," I said bluntly, preempting her request. "I can’t buy a train."

Puriel looked at me, disappointed, and then turned back to the TV, her enthusiasm deflating like a popped balloon. She sighed softly and continued watching, but I could tell her heart wasn’t as into it. She wanted something more—a connection, a grand gesture. The soap operas were filling her with ideas, but none of them were practical, especially not for us.

A hot air balloon, a train chase—what next? A castle on a mountain?

It was tiring, really. It had been like this all day—her getting excited over every romantic trope she saw on TV, only for me to have to shut it down. Part of me understood her fascination. She’d been stuck in a crystal for centuries, isolated from the world, from human emotions and relationships. Now, she was bombarded with modern romance, and she was grasping for anything that seemed like it could fill that void.

I sighed, sitting down beside her. She was like a kid who wanted everything she saw, wide-eyed and eager, but it was clear that her excitement was about more than just the physical things. It was about connection, something she craved deeply. The grand gestures were a way to make sense of something she’d missed for so long. And as much as I teased her, I couldn’t help but feel for her.

That’s when an idea struck me. ‘Maybe,’ I thought, ‘if I could give her something meaningful—something that satisfied her need for connection—it would ease her into fulfilling her promise to me.’ After all, the seal-breaking wasn’t just a physical thing for her; it was tied to something much deeper, something emotional.

A romantic date. Something classic, something simple but meaningful, that would suit her longing for connection. But not here, not in my house. There was no way I was going to try and do anything here, where everything felt too mundane—and besides, if releasing the seal caused any kind of magical blowback, I wasn’t keen on having my house explode into a pile of rubble.

I leaned back on the couch, watching Puriel as she became engrossed in yet another scene. A quiet plan began to form in my mind. Something that would give her the connection she wanted but also allow us to work through what needed to happen between us.

I’d have to take her somewhere else. Somewhere special. A place where we could have some privacy but also feel connected to something bigger. Not a train station, and definitely not a hot air balloon—but maybe somewhere with a view, somewhere serene, where the demon hunters and humans wouldn’t creep in and distract us.

My mind started running through ideas. There were a few places that came to mind—places where just enough for us to feel like we were somewhere different.

I stole another glance at Puriel. She was smiling again, though this time it was a softer, more subdued smile. The excitement from earlier had dimmed, but she still seemed content, at least for the moment. She didn’t notice my gaze, lost in whatever soap opera twist was playing out on screen.

‘Yeah,’ I thought to myself, ‘this could work. Something romantic, something real. Not over-the-top, but enough to show her I get what she’s craving.’

I just needed to plan it right, and make sure everything was perfect.

She glanced at me, catching the thoughtful look on my face. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, her brows knitting together in curiosity.

I shook my head, smiling a little to play it off. "No reason," I said casually, standing up from the couch. But then I paused, deciding it was time to give her a hint. "Actually… I wanted to surprise you tonight. Just make sure you're ready."

Puriel blinked, confusion washing over her features. "Surprise me? With what?"

I grinned, not giving her a direct answer. "You’ll see. Just trust me on this one."

Her lips parted slightly, but she didn’t argue. She simply nodded, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "Alright…"

Satisfied, I stretched a little and said, "I’ll go get things ready. You, stay put. Don’t go anywhere, okay?"

Puriel looked at me for a moment, then back at the TV, her expression softening as she nodded again. "I won’t," she promised, though I could see the wheels turning in her head, wondering what I was planning. I had her hooked, which was exactly what I needed.