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As Aurelia looked at the glowing insect in her palm, she was so happy that she was at a loss for words. Her big
fluttering eyes at Neil contained joy that she had never encountered in the first 18 years of her life.
“It’s really like…” Her voice carried a tinge of a sob from how emotional she was. “It’s really like I’ve got a star!”
Neil could not help the lift in the corners of his lips. He was happier than her seeing her so happy. He did not know
why he had taken her here today. He just knew his heart would explode if he kept suppressing some things.
“Aurelia, I—”
Before he could get on, Aurelia interrupted him excitedly. “Uncle, where’s this? It’s like a paradise!
“I’ve been to so many places in Melorian, but none as beautiful as this place!”
Neil chuckled. “This is the Irwins’ garden, also Sabe’s rainforest. Look at the fireflies closely. They have two sets of
wings!”
Aurelia took a look and was delightfully surprised, giggling in glee.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtNeil’s gaze turned tender unknowingly.
He remembered what Zephyr had told him about feeling like his life was worth living as long as he saw Cordelia
smile. He had mocked and teased the man for some time back then.
Now… Neil smiled but flattened it to act serious when Aurelia looked at him.
“Uh, Aurelia,” he stuttered for some time and said softly, “I have something to tell you.”
There was no response coming from the girl next to him.
Neil turned to cast his eyes on the faraway nightfall and mountains.
“It’s been some time since you’ve been here in Southeast Aciatic. You must be more adapted now.
“I think you shouldn’t waste your time in that tailor’s… You should be in a university at this age and learn
something. There’s no limit to your future.
“Most importantly…” Neil rubbed his nose, and his voice softened. “The boss has three sons and wants to make you
her daughter-in-law? Does she know what she’s saying!?”
It was so quiet around Neil that he could almost hear his heartbeat. He had his back against Aurelia, so he did not
know if the girl was listening to him.
After a while, he took a deep breath and thought he would finish what he wanted to say.
“Aurelia… My father is a general in Southeast Aciatic, but our family isn’t pedantic. My father’s not the type to cling
to riches. He made it clear a long time ago that his criteria for a daughter-in-law are for her to be kind, self-
motivated, and have a good character. Everything else isn’t an issue.”
Neil chuckled. “Actually, there are plenty of cousins who get married in Southeast Aciatic. My father hoped that I
could be together with Cordelia in the beginning… He actually thought that it was a pity Cordelia married Zephyr.
“But you’ve spent some time around Cordelia, so you must share some of her vibes, right?
“Aurelia, these fireflies are only found in Sabe’s rainforest. They’re unique in this world…” Neil’s voice was soft. “Me
taking you to watch them, you… You know what it means, right?”
Neil felt like he was dug empty after all that he had said.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe had longer scripts than this in production and was eloquent and smooth, but he was all tensed up and had stiff
muscles with a thumping heart when he spoke today.
He had never been so nervous growing up.
Neil waited for the sweet voice like how he anxiously waited to be scored by the teacher back in his school days.
The time slipped past quietly.
10 seconds, 20 seconds…
A minute… then five minutes.
Why was there no sound at all from behind him?
Neil found it strange. The girl had not passed out from being too thrilled after listening to what he had to say, had
she?
He spun around, but nothing was behind him except the forest, the dark night, and the glittering fireflies!
“Aurelia? Aurelia!” Neil panicked a little and jogged around to look for her. “Where are you!?
“Au—”
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