‘Shorten it?’ Aurelia was at a loss.
Neil went closer to her, his tone probing. “Didn’t I tell you that the queen likes the clothes you made? If you get the
chance to become an embroidery artist in the palace, you’ll get citizenship very soon, and you can make more
money.
“Would you want a chance like that?”
Aurelia felt like this was a stroke of luck hitting her right in the face.
However, in her 18 years of life that was neither too long nor too short, according to her experience gained from
her hard days, the better something sounded, the more dangerous a trap it was.
The queen must have met so many talented people. Why would she insist that an unknown person like her go into
the palace as an embroidery artist?
Moreover, the palace was not a fun place to be. She did not have to be there to know it. Even when she did not
know what the royal family was like, she had watched dramas. Those were people who looked calm and unfazed,
but the struggle for power was overwhelming.
Aurelia could adapt to a complicated environment, but that did not mean she liked it!
Compared to the glorious and grand yet unpredictable place, she would rather stay 15 years in this small tailor
shop.
She frowned and naturally thought of the princess who had come for Neil in the morning… It must be the woman’s
idea to ask her into the palace! What did she want!?
No matter what she wanted, she would not be able to do a thing if Aurelia stayed away from her.
Aurelia calmly ate a spoonful of jelly, swallowed it, and firmly shook her head.
“I don’t want it.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtNeil was elated by the answer!
His heart had been lodged in his throat just now, scared that the girl would be careless, daring to risk anything in
order to get her citizenship. He would definitely stop her if she really agreed to go to the palace!
What kind of thoughts could Victoria have? After Neil calmed down and thought about her provocation, the more he
considered it, the worse it felt.
To be cautious, he disagreed about Aurelia going to the palace. Even after he analyzed the pros and cons, though,
he could not guarantee that Victoria would not come to Aurelia personally. Thus, he had to test the girl first.
It was a pleasant surprise that the girl was much smarter than he had given her credit for!
Neil smiled. He was reassured. Aurelia was clever and thought through everything. She would not let herself suffer
a loss.
“Oh.” He kept a straight face and asked her softly, “Why not?”
“I just think… good things usually don’t come to me,” Aurelia answered truthfully. “My neighbor, the old nomad
lady, used to say that the faster you run, the more painful it will be when you fall. It’s best to take things step by
step.”
“Mm, very well!” Neil could hardly conceal his joy. “This is the answer I wanted!”
“What?”
“I’m telling you, no matter who comes to you in the future asking you to go to the palace and stuff, don’t listen to
them!
“The conclusion is basically this!” Neil slammed the table and towered over Aurelia. “You must not go to the palace!
“Understand?”
Aurelia looked at his eyes, seeing her reflection in them. Her cheeks grew warm again.
“Uh, yes…” she answered softly.
“Mm, good!” Neil was happy and rubbed her head.
…
The location where Zephyr was meeting Alexander was a cafe in a quiet area of the city center.
Alexander frequented this place as he liked that it was quiet and romantic there. The coffee beans here were also
flown from Jinshaz.
Before he came, he had specifically asked for the place to be cleared and set up simply. He knew that Zephyr did
not like it too flashy.
Alexander arrived 15 minutes earlier and kept checking the clock on the wall, feeling like time was unusually slow
today. He looked down with a smile as he held the coffee mug with both hands and tapped its edge with long, fair
fingers.
A while later, his attendant came to report, “Your Highness, Mr. Hamerton’s here.”
Alexander stiffened and held his breath. He watched quietly as Zephyr came in through the door.
Zephyr’s posture was tall and proud. His stride was confident and swift. Every movement of his oozed the
temperament and poise accumulated through centuries of a notable family. His presence was also strong and
commanding.
Alexander got up and smiled. It felt as if all the lights in the world were on Zephyr.
“Your Highness, what’s wrong?” his attendant reminded softly. “Mr. Hamerton’s bowing to you!”
Alexander snapped out of his daze. He nervously pulled his lips into a smile and dismissed Zephyr’s gesture of
respect.
Zephyr sat across him with a dark gaze. One could barely read his emotion from his chiseled face.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAlexander said gently, “Mr. Hamerton, it’s been a while.”
Zephyr paused and chuckled. “Not too long. It’s only been a month since you had tea at my place.”
Alexander nodded. What he said was actually meant to be, “I’m finally meeting you”.
It had been years, but Zephyr did not seem to have changed much. He was still cold and unapproachable, with eyes
that gleamed like a lone beast in the night. He was a completely different person to Cordelia, though…
Alexander smiled. If he were to envy someone, Cordelia would be the first.
Zephyr took a sip of coffee and said, “Your Highness, my wife has been visiting the palace recently, and I hear that
Your Highness has been taking care of her. Thank you.”
Alexander shook his head. “Don’t mention it.”
“It might mean nothing to you, but I’m immensely grateful!
“I know that the palace looks harmonious, but there are undercurrents. My wife has a pure heart. She could
misspeak and offend someone. I’m reassured with you looking out for her.”
Zephyr especially emphasized the words “my wife”. He seemed polite but was hinting with every sentence that
Alexander had “taken care” of Cordelia too much.
Despite that, Alexander misunderstood him and was happy that he could do something for the two of them. He
replied promptly, “Mr. Hamerton, it’s my pleasure to look out for her!”
“Really?” Zephyr’s expression and tone changed. “Your Highness… is happy to ‘take care’ of someone else’s wife?”
The air froze, and the atmosphere took an awkward turn.
Alexander’s attendant kept coughing from the side and shot him looks to warn him that Zephyr was no longer
looking fine. It took him a few seconds to realize it, and he backtracked instantly, “No, no. I don’t like to take care of
her!”
Zephyr looked at him and snickered.
“Mr. Hamerton, don’t misunderstand me,” Alexander said sincerely. “I know what you mean… but please believe
me that I don’t have feelings for Mrs. Hamerton!
“Besides, I…” Alexander’s voice lowered as a self-deprecating smile tugged at his lips. “I wouldn’t dare…”