How To Conquer The Mysterious Him?

Afterward, he requested the Emperor to grant my hand in marriage to him.

The wedding ceremony was the grandest affair, and there he was at Roberts Manor.

Dressed in festive attire, all smiles, he approached me with a graceful stride.

"Amelia, I am here to marry you."

From then on, everyone in Lysandria knew of Percival's profound love and boundless adoration for his wife.

He treated me delicately as if I might break, and tenderly as if I might melt.

He said, "Amelia, it's just us two in this life, and I will love only you."

Remembering the past suddenly made my heart ache, and tears fell.

He gently wiped away my tears and pulled me into his embrace.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

I nodded. "I dreamed that you didn't want me anymore."

"Fool, how could I not want you?"

I buried my face in his chest, mumbling, "Percival, the one who betrays first, will end up in hell."

He stiffened and then gently patted my back.

"There, there, don't think such silly thoughts. Go to sleep."

When Sarah returned, I was brewing coffee under the gardenia tree in the gazebo.

"Ms. Roberts, I found out. The person is named Ellie Green. She looks to be pregnant and is currently staying in a villa near Vantoria."

My hand paused, and the coffee pot clanged onto the table, shattering. The scalding coffee spilled over the edge, burning my skin.

I thought, "So, he came home late because he was settling Ellie in.

And that gardenia was also picked after he had settled Ellie in Vantoria."

Back in Lysandria for some time now, Percival has become busier.

But no matter how late, he always came home to be with me.

In the sweltering heat, he fanned me while feeding me washed grapes.

Then, he would pluck the seeds from my mouth.

He had done this for many years.

At first, I was somewhat bewildered, often teasing him, "Percival, I can do it myself. You spoil me too much, and I might get used to it."

"Serving my wife makes me happy, and I hope you do get used to needing me."

If others saw this tender moment from the stern Percival, they would be shocked.

He affectionately brushed my nose, laughing as he pulled me into his arms.

We swayed gently, dizzyingly so from happiness.

"Amelia? Amelia?"

I snapped back to reality, seeing Percival looking at me anxiously.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

I shook my head, frowning as I pushed him away, distancing him.

There was a scent on him, the same one he carried the first day he returned.

Since he began getting busy, he came back every night with that same nauseating smell.

He looked at me, hurt, not understanding what he had done to upset me.

"Is it because I've been too busy recently, not spending enough time with you?"

I looked out the window, the breeze carrying a hint of floral scent.

"Percival, do you remember the gardenias in Vantoria?"

He paused slightly with the fan and then nonchalantly asked, "Why bring up Vantoria all of a sudden?"

"Do you want to see gardenias? Aren't the ones here blooming?"

I looked out at the gardenia tree.

As seasons passed, blooms faded and blossomed. Nothing changed, yet everything seemed altered.

Seeing my silence, Percival took my hand, guiltily saying, "Amelia, I've been recruiting lately. It's been busy. Once I'm done, shall we go together?"

I stared intently into his eyes, searching for any sign of deceit.

But he disguised it well as if he truly was just busy.

But I knew he was busy meeting Ellie beneath the blooming gardenias.