Ch. 821..830

Chapter 821

Chapter 821

Cordelia placed her cutlery down without giving anything away.

Alexander furrowed his brows with puzzlement in his gaze.

"Sister, you..."

"

"Don't ask how I found out!" Victoria took a sip of champagne as she snickered at them. "That's not very nice of you all to hide a talented, pretty girl like this!"

Cordelia took a deep breath. It was apparent that Victoria had investigated Aurelia in secret.

It was not difficult for a princess to look someone up based on her influence, but Victoria did this because of Neil... Jealousy made one lose their sound judgment.

Cordelia was mulling over how she should help Aurelia out of this when Victoria told the queen, "Auntie, you must like Cordelia's dress, right? I thought it was a famous designer's work when I first saw it!" "Oh?" The queen chuckled. "This makes me more curious about the lady who made this dress, then! Cordelia, is she an embroidery artist from the Irwins? You Irwins have lots of talented people!" "Of course not!" Victoria sat next to the queen and held her arm intimately. "Aurelia's only 18 years old, but she's exceptionally skilled and has marvelous taste. Not only does she have the skills, but she's also really gorgeous. It's just that..."

"Just what?"

Victoria smirked. "It's just that she's working odd jobs at a tailor's. What a waste of her talent!"

The queen was a kind woman who appreciated talent. She frowned as soon as she heard that. "How could such a wonderful young lady waste away in a tailor shop!?"

"Right? Auntie, why don't... we recruit her to the palace to specially tailor clothes for you? What do you think?"

Cordelia's heart thumped as she clenched her fists under the table. She only had one thought-she must not let Aurelia enter the palace!

It was not just that she only had a temporary residence permit now. She could not be trapped in this grand palace even with official citizenship.

She was a bird to fly free. She belonged to the blue sky, not this gated building of restriction.

Moreover, Victoria had an ulterior motive to want her in the palace...

Cordelia composed herself and maintained her smile. "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this won't be possible. Aurelia, she-"

"Aurelia's already engaged."

Before Cordelia finished her sentence, Alexander spoke up.

Alexander stood up respectfully. "Auntie, how is it possible that no one's after a great girl like this? Hah! She already has a fiance, and according to the royal family's rules, an engaged woman can't be employed in the palace!"

"Oh, is it so?"

The queen felt pity while Victoria glared at Alexander and said through gritted teeth, "How do you know?"

Alexander chuckled and countered with what Victoria said earlier, "Sister, don't ask me how I found out. I know she's engaged, just like how you know there's Aurelia. Our methods are probably the same, aren't they?"

"You..."

Alexander sat down and poured himself a glass of champagne before indifferently eating the salmon on his plate.

Cordelia shot him a grateful look. This was the second time he had helped her today.

"Don't be too touched!" Alexander raised his brows with a mischievous boyish grin. His voice was very low. "As long as it's got to do with you all, I'll do my best." "Thank you, Your Highness..."

"Don't worry about it," Alexander said with a smile. "You don't have to call me Your Highness from now on either. Why? Does my name sound bad?"

Cordelia chuckled and nodded. "Alright, Alexander! Good enough?"

"Mm, not bad."

Both of them picked up their champagne glasses and clinked them softly.

After that, the queen did not mention getting Aurelia into the palace as an embroidery artist. She had not been bothered by the girl to start with and was only admiring her work. When Victoria asked her if she wanted the girl to become an embroidery artist in the palace, of course, she would be happy to! It was just that there was no need to push it since the girl was engaged.

Moreover, there were countless skilled artisans in the palace. The royal family would lose its pride if they did not even have someone for clothes.

That was why the queen did not bring it up again and chatted with the women, enjoying the flowers and drinking merrily.

The event only ended at night. The guards escorted the royal relatives, nobles, and heiresses home.

Victoria went to Alexander's place again.

Once she stepped in, she saw him playing games on the couch. He had already changed out of the formal attire he wore in the event and was dressed in a white silk shirt and pants. His long hair covered half of his handsome face, and he looked ethereal and casual.

It was no wonder girls liked him since he was young!

Victoria clenched her fists and stomped toward Alexander. She snatched the console from his hands and threw it on the floor.

Alexander did not seem surprised about it. He looked at her sister coldly with a mocking smirk.

"You're still smiling!?" Victoria yelled at him, "You b*stard! Why... Why are you going against me recently?"

"Recently?" Alexander side-eyed her and said slowly, "I don't think it's just recently, sister. We both had differing opinions all this while!"

"No matter how different we think, you've never pulled the rug from under me like today!"

In Victoria's impression, her younger brother had been timid, cowardly, and quiet since they were children. He liked playing with the girls and had almost never fought anyone.

Even when they had differing opinions, he would give in to his sister at the end of the argument.

Today, however...

Victoria glared at him. "You're not helping your own sister but an outsider! You really taught me something new!"

"Victoria, I should be saying this." Alexander's tone was aloof. "As the princess, you sent your men to follow Aurelia and investigate her. Victoria, guards are not to be used like this! They're for protecting the people's safety and-"

"Enough!" Victoria cried.

She panted and stared right into Alexander's eyes, stepping closer and closer to him.

"There's nothing big about me sending people to follow someone. Why must you breathe it down my neck?

"Helping Aurelia means helping Cordelia... Hah, what's so great about her? A married woman like her could infatuate you so much?

"Or..." Victoria looked around and revealed a vicious grin. "Brother, is this for Zephyr Hamerton? You're helping everyone related to him, not caring if you're going against me! All these to make him happy, is that so?"

Alexander did not say anything, but his expression turned uglier.

Victoria's eyes glinted. She had long noticed that something was wrong with him. She did not expect...

"Haha, my silly brother!" She snickered. "You do so much to help Zephyr Hamerton, but does Mr. Z Hamerton recognize you?"

Chapter 822

Chapter 822

Victoria sneered and said strangely, "Alexander... you swing that way?" Alexander balled up his fists.

His gaze scared Victoria. As his elder sister, she had never seen a cutting gaze like this from her usual mild-mannered brother. She could not help stepping back, but she kept up the authority of a princess. "You... What are you going to do?"

"Sister, why are you so nervous?" Alexander smirked. "You were the one being aggressive just now. I haven't said anything!"

Victoria pursed her lips and stayed silent.

"I have to remind you, though." Alexander looked at her. "You let Allegra bully Cordelia."

"Nonsense!"

"Never mind, you won't admit it." Alexander shrugged nonchalantly. "You've got to know that there's no fool in this world. Allegra's willing to be used not because she's close to you but because she wants something more from you!

"And Cordelia..." He sighed. "Don't think she's a pushover. Her first 20 years were really spent in Jangasas, and her life was horrible, but she's now Mrs. Hamerton and the Irwin heiress. She could possibly take up Irwin Pharmaceuticals in the future.

"Victoria, if you still want the throne, you should be pulling the Irwins to your side, not fighting Cordelia for nothing. Never mind if you want to shoot yourself in the foot, don't drag me into it!"

Victoria scowled instantly, unable to speak from how furious she was.

Alexander shook his head and looked at her like she was supposed to know better before going upstairs to sleep.

Perhaps it was because his mind had been read so soon that sleep did not come easy to him tonight.

Actually, Victoria was able to tell since they were kids. He rarely played with the boys and liked spending time with girls. Other than Neil, he did not have many friends.

Back then, Victoria thought that he was a playboy, a womanizer. Growing up, she discovered that he had another reason...

Alexander tossed and turned, staring at the ceiling in a daze. The king was fond of him, and his bedroom was the best among the royal family members. Even the walls were embedded with gems and jade. His place was luxurious and grand.

It was just that there was an unusual soul under that noble exterior.

Alexander's wide-opened eyes were lost. He knew his sister liked the throne, and he had never considered fighting over it with her. He had a mild temperament and only wanted a quiet life.

Now, it seemed that it would be a disaster to Southeast Aciatic if his sister were to get the throne.

What about him? Could a conservative country like Southeast Aciatic and its pedantic royal family accept a king like him?

After the Floria Festival event, the queen seemed to have taken a liking to Cordelia and invited her to the palace frequently.

Each time Cordelia went there, Alexander watched out for her secretly and sent her back personally after she had tea with the queen.

It was just that he did not send her to her door but a distance away from her house. It was not too far nor too near her home, just nice for him to see her enter her door safely.

On that day, Alexander sent her to the street like usual.

"Here we are." He smiled. "I'll see you get in."

Cordelia was embarrassed and offered politely, "Why don't you come in?"

"Forget it!" Alexander giggled. "I know you're just being nice. If I really do go in, your husband will have to serve me tea again."

Cordelia snorted a laugh.

After the tea last time, Alexander later understood what Zephyr had been implying. He had been scolding him.

"Your Highness, I'm really sorry," Cordelia said sincerely. "My husband's really nice, but he was rude that day. He's really..."

"You're calling me Your Highness again!"

"Oh..." Cordelia backtracked with a grin. "Alexander."

"It's fine. He cares a lot about you." Alexander chuckled. "If he cares about me like this..."

"What?"

Chapter 823

Chapter 823

"Nothing." He shook his head. "Go in."

Cordelia nodded and was going to walk away when she caught Alexander's gaze toward her house. It was like he was looking for something... She suddenly had an odd feeling.

Alexander was nice to her and protected her where he could, but her sixth sense as a woman told her it was not romantic.

Linda treated her like that, Trinity treated her like that, Zennie treated her like that, and Aurelia treated her like that... but Alexander was a man!

Cordelia's heart dropped. She sneaked a glimpse at Alexander and forced a smile before she hurried home.

Once she entered, she saw Zephyr serving dinner from the kitchen. When he saw her, he was still wearing an apron and smiled like he was fishing for compliments. "Welcome home, darling! Wash your hands, and let's eat."

Cordelia was astonished, looking at the table of dishes.

"You made all these?"

There was grilled steak, stuffed mushrooms, fried shrimp, baked potatoes... Zephyr even brought over two plates and plated steaming omelets that looked drool-worthy.

Cordelia had spent the whole afternoon with the queen, which meant she had been acting as a poised lady the whole afternoon. She dared not relax, afraid that she would break etiquette, and did not even have any cake.

Looking at the dishes on the table, she was suddenly famished, and her eyes sparkled.

"Honey, you're amazing!"

She clung to Zephyr like an octopus and pressed a loud smooch on his cheek.

Zephyr enjoyed it a lot, smiling and gesturing for the butler behind him to throw the takeout containers hidden behind the kitchen door when he left. The butler held back his laugh and did as he was told. Zephyr had spent the whole afternoon only learning the nanny's omelet but still managed to blow up the kitchen.

"Alright." He stroked Cordelia's head affectionately. "Zuko's asleep now. Eat up!"

Cordelia whined coyly. "I want my husband to eat with me."

"Mm, I'll keep you company and feed you!"

Cordelia giggled, her dimples brimming with bliss.

The husband and wife feasted at the table. Cordelia ate as she commented, "Mm, these dishes are delicious. This omelet, though, kind of failed!" Zephyr was rendered speechless.

"But it's fine! The other dishes you made are so tasty! Like a chef!"

Zephyr chuckled awkwardly.

"Darling, you actually picked up cooking behind my back!"

"I'm married into your family in Southeast Aciatic anyway. Of course, I have to keep my heiress happy!" Zephyr said and put more food on her plate.

Cordelia ate in bliss.

However, once she was fed, she began to think about other things-like Alexander's gaze at their house when he sent her back...

She looked at Zephyr quietly and wiped her mouth.

As soon as Zephyr saw her acting like this, he knew that he had trick questions waiting for him, and he straightened up.

Cordelia asked softly, "Darling, say... Why is Alexander so nice to us?"

Zephyr paused.

Although Cordelia emphasized "us", he could only hear "nice".

"Oh?" The man blinked with a scowl. "He's nice to you?"

Chapter 824

Chapter 824

Cordelia was rendered speechless. "I said us!

"Not just to me and you. He's also nice to Neil and even Aurelia!

"Before I got to know him, I thought that all the royals were high and mighty. Alexander changed my view. He's down to earth.

"Darling, why do you think that's the case?"

Why? His love for a person extended to people around that person!

Alexander was only looking out for the group around Cordelia because of her! Hah, an unexpected romantic!

Zephyr took a deep breath. His fingers on the cutlery clenched, his knuckles turning white. There was no change in his expression, though, only rolling currents underneath his calm eyes.

"Maybe he wants to get the Irwins on his side." He smiled. "The Irwins are significant in Southeast Aciatic and are relatives to the Harrises. Getting you on his side gives him a higher chance of inheriting the throne."

"Then why does Victoria-"

"This is where Alexander's brilliant!" Zephyr looked aloof. "Victoria's arrogant and domineering, but he's easy to approach. Think about it. What king do the people of Southeast Aciatic hope to have? "He might not be genuinely nice to you. People like this have motives in everything they do.

"The throne is his motive.

"My silly wife." Zephyr rubbed Cordelia's head fondly. "You're smart but too sentimental. People are nice to you, and you value it, wanting to repay several times more. How can this be!?" Cordelia pursed her lips and stayed silent.

"So, stay behind me next time." Zephyr smirked as he hugged her in his arms, saying next to her ear in his deep and husky voice, "I'll protect you."

He added, "Actually, I quite admire Prince Alexander. Even if he resorts to whatever he can do for the throne, it can't be helped. This is his way of survival. We should understand him." Cordelia nodded seriously and looked up to smile at him.

Zephyr seemed nonchalant but was actually elated. He would placate Cordelia first, then talk to Alexander to probe him. If the prince did have an ulterior motive toward Cordelia, he would absolutely twist his head off!

Zephyr cracked a grin and continued to coax his wife to eat. While he smoked, he sent a text to Neil to ask him to help arrange a meeting with the prince.

Neil was once again at the tailor's Aurelia worked.

This time, the owner did not leave once he was there like previously. She stared at him instead.

Neil was in all black with a pair of large sunglasses. Paired with his model physique, he was a walking pheromone.

He looked back at the owner as she looked at him.

Usually, the woman looked at him like he was a gangster who would demolish her shop anytime. Today, however, her gaze was completely different!

"I recognize you!" The owner laughed. "You're that... actor who won awards! You acted in lots of movies!"

Neil frowned and removed his sunglasses to look at her.

"Oh my, it's really you!"

"Shh..."

"No need to shush me!" The owner said with a chuckle, "This street is full of antiques of similar age like me. We usually don't watch movies or entertainment news, so no one knows you! But I saw my son who's in university watching your movie yesterday. That's how I found out you're an award-winning actor!"

Neil's expression was complicated before he plastered on a smile.

"You deserve your awards! You look quite like a gangster when you act like one. I was totally tricked!"

Neil was at a loss for words.

"Hey." The owner put on a gossiping face. "Are you really Aurelia's boyfriend?"

Neil licked his lips and stayed silent, finding the woman noisy.

"Come on, tell me! What's there to lose!" The owner pursed her lips. "I won't allow it if you're only having fun with her! Our Aurelia's a good girl!"

Neil was bewildered. "Your Aurelia?"

"What else? Yours?"

"You..."

"I have three sons, you know!"

Neil blew up. "Ma'am, which eye of yours saw I'm just having fun with her!?"

Aurelia coincidentally heard that as she had just entered. She stood at the door and froze, nearly dropping the pile of clothes she was carrying.

Neil met eyes with her. Their gazes glistened with the same emotions.

Aurelia's heart thumped, and she looked away, carrying the clothes to the owner, May Taylor. "May, these are washed and ironed. The beads are sewn too. The customers can collect them in the afternoon." "Oh, okay!" May looked at Aurelia with a grin. "You work so fast. I'm assured with you around!

"Oh, uh, your boyfriend's here for you!" May spoke seriously next to Aurelia's ear. "I purposely provoked him just now, and he got angry, saying he isn't just messing with you... Heh, I think he's fine. You can keep him and observe him!"

Aurelia giggled.

May turned to leave, turning back to look at them with a loving grin when she got to the door.

Neil stood straight and tall, coughing twice with a proud face.

"Have you... started preparing for class?"

"Mm, I've decided on the university," Aurelia answered softly. "But I work during the day, so I can only revise at night."

'Working during the day and revising at night...' Neil contemplated. This way, she probably would not have the time to meet the owner's three sons.

He nodded and smiled. "Right, the clothes you made for Cordelia, she received them and liked them a lot."

"I knew she'd like that style!"

"She isn't the only one. The queen liked it too and almost asked for you to be an embroidery artist in the palace." "What!?" Aurelia looked at him in disbelief. "Don't lie to me. How would the queen have eyes for my work!?"

"I'm not."

"Well..."

"He really didn't lie to you." A voice rang at the door suddenly.

Aurelia and Neil jolted.

As Aurelia trailed her gaze after the voice-the face was foreign to her, but the person's gaze toward Neil seemed familiar.

"He really didn't lie to you," the person said with a smile. "Because your work's excellent, the queen noticed it. Is it not normal?" Neil asked in a low tone, "Why are you here?"

Chapter 825

Chapter 825

Neil had never thought he would see Victoria standing outside. He took a step forward subconsciously to shield Aurelia.

"Why? Aren't you introducing us to each other?" Victoria smiled, but her gaze toward Aurelia was piercing.

This was her first time meeting Aurelia face to face. She was rather surprised.

Previously, the people she sent to follow Aurelia reported to her what the girl looked like. Now that she saw her today, the girl's beauty surprised her.

It was no wonder Neil kept coming for her all day long.

Victoria bit her lips and forced a smile.

"Since you're not saying anything, I'll introduce myself!" She extended a hand. "I'm Victoria Charles. I'm also—"

"Also, the royal princess," Neil said in a low tone.

His gaze was alert, and his brows were furrowed. Various thoughts flashed in his mind...

Aurelia looked at her dumbly as she stood rooted in a loss.

"Your Highness." Neil nodded politely. "We didn't know you'd be here. It's rude of us! You... aren't here for clothes, are you?"

"Of course not." Victoria fanned the fan in her hand as she scanned the shop and looked at Neil. "Since we've met, can I have a word with you, Mr. Harris?"

"Well..."

"According to the royal family's rules, the princess cannot ask to meet the opposite sex." She chuckled. "But running into each other on the street and then chatting isn't breaking the rules."

Neil hesitated and nodded. He looked at Aurelia. "Stay in the shop. I'll be back soon."

Victoria led the way in front while Neil followed her.

They both came to a quieter street, and Victoria kept the umbrella, looking at the man in front of her quietly.

He had a sculpted face and dashing charm, but the most captivating was his charismatic eyes.

She remembered their first meeting. It was when they went to university, and it was love at first sight for her. Later, she indirectly brought it up to her uncle, and the king intended to pull the Harrises to their side so he had probed the general.

It was a pity that General Harris had not made a clear stance.

Everyone could see Victoria's feelings for Neil but also Neil's rejection of her. Why else would he go all the way to Centrolis to be an actor?

Victoria took a deep breath. She could not stand this. She wanted this man and would have him-she would make this man come to beg her too! "Your Highness, please speak your mind." Neil looked aloof.

"Mm, I know you don't like beating around the bush." Victoria looked at him and asked softly, "The girl I saw at the tailor's just now, she's Aurelia, right?"

Neil jolted. He tensed up like a leopard in danger as he kept his eyes on her.

"Your Highness, you-"

"Alexander helped with her temporary residence permit." Victoria smiled. "Do you think I wouldn't know about her?

"Honestly, I was puzzled when Alexander helped her stay in Southeast Aciatic. This brother of mine has never bothered with anyone's matter. Why is he suddenly doing so much for a girl? Hah, I thought she'd be my future sister-in-law!"

Neil chuckled. He had grown up with Alexander and was well aware of what kind of person the latter was. A provocation like this would not affect him.

"Your Highness, I'm grateful for what Prince Alexander has done. We haven't met recently. I'll thank him myself when I see him."

"My brother can only get her a temporary residence permit." Victoria looked at him. "On the other hand, I can get her an official citizenship status. What do you think?"

"What did you say?" Neil could not believe his ears.

He had never interacted much with Victoria. He did not agree to the marriage with her because his father Noah had not agreed out of various considerations, and he did not think he was the same type of person as Victoria.

He did not expect her to help him when his rejection was so clear. It did not seem logical-and there were most likely traps when things did not seem normal.

Neil planned to listen to what she had to say before he responded.

"What's gotten into you?" Victoria smiled. "So happy that you can't speak? Who's Aurelia to you?"

Neil answered with a straight face, "We met in Chaiseland. Aurelia's saved my friend's life and helped Cordelia big time. But she doesn't have any immigration status there. I hope to resolve this for her out of gratitude, so I brought her here."

Victoria smirked.

It sounded virtuous and impeccable, but did he really think she had no idea what he was truly thinking?

Her arm shook slightly as she gripped the handle of the umbrella tightly.

"I see. She's friends with you all! Ah, I must help then!"

"Your Highness..."

"I heard from Alexander that she's self-motivated and skilled with her hands. She's also a doll when I saw her just now. I quite like her!

"I heard that she's enrolling at a university?" There was a sly glint in Victoria's gaze. "Neil, Southeast Aciatic University's famous in the world for its strict scholarly admission and high volume of research publications. Countless candidates want to be admitted... The university's also incredibly strict with foreign students, and their admission score is much higher than for the local students!

"If Aurelia has citizenship, she'll enjoy the treatment of a local student, and her admission score will be the same as the locals! She won't have to work so hard either... Don't you think so?"

Neil narrowed his eyes. The more he listened to her, the more off it sounded. It was just that Victoria's offer was truly tempting.

Aurelia's citizenship was a rock weighing his heart down. Now that there was someone to move it, he was happy. He just did not expect the person to be Victoria...

"Neil, I don't mind you laughing at me." Victoria continued. "But I saw the clothes Aurelia made for Cordelia. It was gorgeous! I wanted her to come to the palace then. A talented person like her shouldn't go wasted!

"Hah, but my brother was nosy that day, claiming she's already engaged..."

Victoria purposely slowed down her speech to observe Neil's expression.

As expected, the man's gaze darkened, and his hands balled into fists.

Victoria smirked and continued. "Engaged women can't enter the palace. It's a pity! Neil, do you know who her fiance is?

"I heard that the tailor shop's owner has sons... Aurelia wouldn't have found support so soon after she's here, would she?"

Chapter 826

Chapter 826

"That's impossible!" Neil said without any hesitation.

He looked at Victoria coldly as if his gaze could cut.

Victoria's smile was unfazed. This was the effect she wanted. The angrier Neil was, it proved that the more he would not trust Aurelia. This way, she would be able to come in between them.

"Neil, our uncle has taught us that we can't judge a book by its cover since we were kids!" Victoria said softly, "You haven't spent much time with Ms. Chilton, and you got to know each other in Chaiseland. How could you be so sure?

"Besides, even if she does end up together with the owner's son, it's her private life. You have no right to stop her."

Neil turned away, looking annoyed.

Victoria continued. "Neil, we aren't promised to each other, but my uncle has repeatedly mentioned it to General Harris. He didn't agree to it but didn't reject it either!"

"What are you trying to say, Your Highness?"

"Don't worry." Victoria consoled, "If you don't want to be with me, I won't pester you either. I'm a princess, after all. I can't lose my manners."

Neil was stunned. This was the second thing he heard today that made him doubt his ears-the first was what Victoria had said about getting Aurelia citizenship.

Both these things came from the same woman!

He frowned and was skeptical but kept up a cool front.

"Your Highness, you really think so?"

"You don't believe me?" Victoria chuckled. "Am I usually so brazen that all of you think I'm that arrogant?"

Neil did not reply.

"If I've made you misunderstand in the past, I apologize." Victoria looked at him and sounded sincere. "You know it, Neil. Women have a high status here in Southeast Aciatic. I was pampered growing up, so I inevitably have flaws... Let me apologize if I've offended you, okay?"

"Your Highness, there's no need!"

Neil was caught at a loss.

Since returning to Southeast Aciatic, he knew he could not avoid Victoria. He had to meet her sooner or later. He had also rehearsed what he should say and how he should act multiple times if she were to put him in a difficult position.

He simply did not expect that their meeting would turn out like this.

Neil narrowed his eyes at Victoria. Was he overthinking it? Was he losing his mind from being an idol celebrity that he had narcissism or paranoia?

Maybe Victoria was not like he had imagined... She wanted the throne and had to curry favors with the major families.

Neil breathed out, silent for a long time.

"Alright, none of this matters now." Victoria began to reel the line in, seeing that her fish had taken the bait. "What's important is Ms. Chilton's immigration status and university admission! What do you think about my suggestion of her coming to the palace with me?"

"If you don't mind her going to the palace, it's a good future for her," Neil answered honestly.

Victoria frowned intentionally. "Ms. Chilton's engagement..."

"She won't be engaged!" Neil raised his voice subconsciously.

Victoria chuckled. "I think you should clear that up first. If she's engaged, she can't work in the palace according to the rules!"

It was noon when Neil returned to the tailor shop.

Southeast Aciatic was close to the tropics, so the sun was unforgivingly hot. If one were to stand under the sun now, the sunburn would shed a layer of skin off them!

The way Victoria had talked about the engagement and the owner's sons made it sound like they were real. This disgruntled Neil very much.

In addition to being under the sun, his fair skin was now turning pink. His handsome face, which had been taken care of by various skincare products due to camera appearances, was currently red and throbbing from the heat. Neil was unable to stand the torture.

He marched his way to the tailor shop. His mood had been bad, and he had been walking under the sun all day. Now that he entered the shop, he was greeted by Aurelia patching up a shirt seriously, embroidering a rose where the collar was worn out...

Chapter 827

Chapter 827

Neil was even more disgruntled.

The shirt was a man's design. Why was she embroidering a rose on it? Did she not know that the rose stood for romantic love and longing!?

Neil stood before Aurelia and knocked on the table.

The moment Aurelia saw him, she flashed a relieved smile.

"Uncle!"

"Mm." Neil wore a poker face as he pretended to catch a glimpse of the shirt.

"Is this... a jacket?" he asked. "You made it?"

This was a piece of traditional garment that Southeast Aciatic men generally wore on formal occasions.

"No!" Aurelia's smile was brighter than the sun. "This isn't new. He has worn it before. It's just that the collar's a bit worn, so I'm patching it up for him."

"Him?" Neil frowned. "Which customer?"

"Not a customer. It's May's eldest son."

"You..."

Neil's eyes widened. Victoria's "She's engaged" echoed in his ears suddenly.

Neil had asked for a favor from someone for the first time in his life over her temporary residence permit! He had braced himself to borrow the forest and fireflies from his cousin to give her an unforgettable Floria Festival!

What about her?

She held another man's shirt before him and was patching it up like a virtuous wife! She was also f*cking embroidering a rose on it!

The green-eyed monster within Neil was out. He brimmed with jealousy.

Aurelia was focused on her work and did not notice the drama in the man's mind. By the time she realized the change in his expression, things were not quite in control anymore...

"Uncle?" She was shocked. "W-What are you doing!?"

Neil was undressing in front of her. He took off his shirt, revealing his muscular chest. Looking right into her eyes, he yanked the buttons off his shirt.

Aurelia gasped audibly.

"Put the jacket down," he ordered coldly. "Sew mine first!"

Aurelia dropped the jacket but did not touch his shirt.

What was going on? What provoked him?

Aurelia looked at his shirt. It was an haute couture brand. If the button came off, he would have to go to the tailor in charge of this brand...

Aurelia was thinking about how to explain it to Neil when she caught a glimpse of his washboard abs. The clear lines extended down his lower abdomen, and the end of them was hidden in his pants. It made her want to pull them off to check it out...

She was captivated and chuckled, staring at him like a fangirl.

"Uncle, your... You look great."

Neil took a step back with bulging eyes. How dare the girl take advantage of him with her eyes!?

"Why? Do you like what you see?" He recomposed himself and went forward to her, his chest almost sticking to her face.

"It's fine. Get a good look. I'm not a petty person!"

Aurelia blushed and felt butterflies.

Neil smirked. The solution to counter a female thug was to be more perverted than her. It was just that... he quite liked how she wanted to take advantage of him but failed.

"What?" Neil's voice was husky as he crouched slightly. "Don't you like it? Have a good look..."

He pinned a hand on the back of Aurelia's head, and her face was against his chest with a light jerk.

Chapter 828

Chapter 828

Aurelia's heart thumped wildly.

She was going to have a nosebleed from how tantalizing everything was! She was probably not the only woman who could not handle it, right? If it were any other woman in this world, she was sure they would not be able to handle this either!

What should she do now, though?

The chest muscles, abs, and Adonis belt looked really good. Maybe she should give them a feel? She was already so close to them anyway. It would be a real waste not to take the advantage presented to her...

Aurelia cast her eyes down and tried to calm her breathing. Her breaths only grew more urgent the more she wanted to calm them down, and her cheeks flushed redder the more she tried to compose herself.. She could only screw her eyes shut.

It was like two little monsters were fighting in her heart.

Neil looked at the girl's mental struggle in amusement but suddenly felt a rush of heat in himself. He licked his lips and waited for her next move like a hunter waiting for his prey.

Just when Aurelia was going to put her paw on the man's heated chest, there were noises from the door!

Shocked, Aurelia returned to her rational mind and pulled her hand back like she was shocked.

Neil jolted as well. The rush of heat earlier turned swiftly into a rage as he snapped his face to the door. "Who is it?!"

"Huh? I..."

The person who entered was May.

She had been loitering outside, but the noon sun was relentless. She counted the time and thought they should be about done, so she hurried back to hide from the heat.

How could she expect to run into this scene as soon as she stepped inside!?

May froze and covered her eyes, yelling frantically, "I didn't see anything! Nope, nothing!"

Aurelia blushed red like an apple and shoved Neil away to run out, knocking on May when she reached the door. The two women pushed and pulled for a while before they separated and looked at each other awkwardly, then ran in opposite directions.

Neil was the only one left, stunned, in the shop.

"Hey, Aurelia..."

By the time he gave chase, Aurelia was long gone.

Neil propped his arms on his hips and sighed. His phone rang then, and since his anger had nowhere to go, he answered the call seeing the screen flashing Zephyr's name, and roared, "What!?" Zephyr was rendered speechless.

According to his experience, he knew that Neil must have been c*ckblocked, and his plan must have been ruined judging by his voice.

Zephyr grinned. "What's the matter? This is early in the day. You wouldn't..."

"Speak up!" Neil was frustrated. "I am on a schedule!"

"What schedules do you have? Haven't you stopped working since you got back to Southeast Aciatic?" "Zephyr Hamerton!"

Zephyr decided to be the bigger person as he listened to the sounds of the gritted teeth and clenched jaw.

"I have something serious."

"What?"

"Be my middle person." Zephyr said after a pause, "I want to meet Alexander Charles."

Neil was frustrated but still made an appointment for Zephyr as a favor for Cordelia.

The prime minister and cabinet were busy with elections recently. Although the royal family was not involved in the government election, the palace was still busy since this had to do with Southeast Aciatic's political future.

Alexander should be busy as one of the princes the king liked the most.

Neil thought he would not make it, but he agreed very easily. Neil furrowed his brows in confusion.

The sun was slowly setting by now.

Chapter 829

Chapter 829

It was only then Neil realized that he had sat the whole afternoon in the tailor shop with a bare upper body.

Not many people came this afternoon to tailor or collect clothes, but the few of them that did were frightened when they saw someone like this sitting in the shop.

Although the man looked handsome, his scowl was dark, and he had his upper body bare... He did not seem decent at all!

This was how Neil managed to deter the few customers they had.

He had pulled the buttons of his shirt, so he could not wear it either. He sighed and put on the shirt, tying the ends of it together since there were no buttons and vaguely revealing his solid chest. He was going to leave when Aurelia came in with a bowl of cold rose-flavored jelly.

The first thing she said when she saw him was: "Why are you still here!?"

She then hid the jelly to herself and said, "This... This is mine."

Neil felt speechless and suddenly thought the girl was a fool. Yeah, he was famous and charismatic. How did he run into such a fool!?

Aurelia thought about it. The man had been there for the whole afternoon. He must be hot and thirsty. He was also used to being served and did not even know to pour himself a glass of water. Aurelia slowly placed the jelly on the table and ran to the back to retrieve an empty bowl to share half of the jelly with him.

She grinned obsequiously. "Uncle, you have some too!"

Neil took a glance.

The jelly glistened like a crystal, and he could see the rose petals inside. When he sniffed it, there was a faint floral fragrance. It must taste refreshing.

It was obvious that Aurelia made this.

Neil swallowed but sat unmoved. He suddenly remembered something Zephyr had told him.

Back when Cordelia had just found out about his real identity, she had parted with him and avoided him because she could not accept it. Even when she did not talk to him or regard him, he would follow her shamelessly every day.

One time, Zephyr had followed her again, and she had gone to have a bowl of shrimp ravioli. She had asked for another empty bowl looking at him and had shared half of it with him.

According to Zephyr, he had been overjoyed and had nearly teared up.

After listening to him, Neil had been disdainful and had commented with a scoff, "Well done!"

It was his turn now... He had to admit that he wanted to give himself the same comment he had given Zephyr when Aurelia shared half of her jelly with him.

"Uncle?" Aurelia blinked big eyes at him. "Why aren't you eating?"

Neil cleared his throat and asked her to eat it first.

Aurelia smiled shyly. When she ran out of the shop at noon, her heart had been popping with pink bubbles, just like this bowl of rose-flavored jelly. She liked him but had never dared make it known. Now that Neil liked her too, she was both happy and worried.

She was smart, so there was no way she could not recognize that the princess liked Neil. Perhaps the princess was Neil's match, given her status, while she was only a passerby in his life...

"Aurelia."

Neil's deep voice suddenly rang in her ear. She snapped out of her trance and met his eyes.

"Uncle... what is it?"

"I have something to ask you."

"Mm."

"You..." Neil hesitated. "How long do you plan to stay in Southeast Aciatic to get citizenship?"

Aurelia did not expect him to ask about this so suddenly.

"You said that with the temporary residence permit, citizenship is automatically granted as long as I stay here for 15 years, so I..."

"Are you really waiting for 15 years?" Neil squinted. "If there's a chance to shorten this period, do you want it?"

Chapter 830

Chapter 830

'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."

Neil 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.

Alexander 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..."