It took over two weeks to prepare for this grand wedding, but after this day, all that remains are memories. Though Mia had countless times snuggled in Arthur's arms, gazing at the starry night sky together, this time felt happier than ever before.
The night was calm and serene!
Yet, after this special day, both their hearts were far from tranquil. They were filled with excitement, emotion, happiness, and fulfillment.
Immersed in this cozy atmosphere for a long while, Mia softly spoke, "Arthur, how is the young lady doing?" Arthur had previously told Mia that the once-prosperous Ivan family from the south was now a thing of the past, reduced to a shadow of its former self, nearly destitute and on the verge of begging. Before returning, Mia had heard that Anna had visited the Ivan family once, and she hadn't seen her at the banquet tonight. Worried that Anna might lose her composure or do something rash under such a blow, Mia wanted to ask.
"The young lady?" Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Is there such a person in the manor? I've never heard of her."
Arthur's response stemmed from his irritation that Mia, now his queen and the mistress of Moore Manor, still used such a humble tone. Even on this significant night, she mentioned that woman he wished he could tear to pieces. It was because of her that Mia had been heartbroken, despairing, and left as if her heart had turned to ashes. Though Mia never told him who had taken her to "StayMind," he didn't need to guess—he was certain it was Anna. Hmph, if not for Henry's love for her and Arthur's concern that Mia would be upset, he would have ensured Anna met a gruesome end. Otherwise, he wouldn't be Arthur.
"Arthur!" Knowing he was playing dumb, Mia gave his shoulder an exasperated punch.
"There's no one in this manor called 'young lady'!" Arthur's tone was full of mock innocence.
Seeing Arthur addicted to playing the fool, Mia rolled her eyes and rephrased, "Henry's wife, then. How is she doing? Do you know?"
"Oh, her!" Arthur feigned realization. "She's in the manor, isn't she? She's Henry's wife, and nothing has happened to her. I won't let anything happen to her either. It's just that today is our wedding, and I was worried seeing her might upset you, so I told Henry not to bring her to the ceremony."
"Is that so? You've reduced the Ivan family to a beggar-like existence—aren't you afraid she'll hold a grudge against the Moore family?"
"A grudge? A resentment?!" Arthur found it amusing. "It's generous enough that the Moore family doesn't hold a grudge against her, that traitor. And she dares to feel resentment?"
Mia looked at him in surprise. "Arthur, when did you find out?"
"I knew from the start. The Moore family isn't the kind of place where things can be swapped out without anyone noticing. The clan members here are highly vigilant—perhaps because we're all fox spirits in human form; it's an instinct. How could we not notice when our things are tainted with a different scent? I just wanted to figure out what she was after, so I let her be."
But he never imagined his decision would nearly cost him Mia forever. That woman, behind everyone's back, had led Mia to "StayMind," causing Mia to misunderstand him, thinking she was merely a shadow of the woman in the painting, destined to be abandoned.
Fortunately, Mia wasn't familiar with the Northern Desert and hadn't gone far. Following her faint scent, he quickly found her. Otherwise—well, he didn't want to think about it. He would never allow such a thing to happen again.
Wedding Night (1)
It took over two weeks to prepare for this grand wedding, but after this day, all that remains are memories. Though Mia had countless times snuggled in Arthur's arms, gazing at the starry night sky together, this time felt happier than ever before.
The night was calm and serene!
Yet, after this special day, both their hearts were far from tranquil. They were filled with excitement, emotion, happiness, and fulfillment.
Immersed in this cozy atmosphere for a long while, Mia softly spoke, "Arthur, how is the young lady doing?" Arthur had previously told Mia that the once-prosperous Ivan family from the south was now a thing of the past, reduced to a shadow of its former self, nearly destitute and on the verge of begging. Before returning, Mia had heard that Anna had visited the Ivan family once, and she hadn't seen her at the banquet tonight. Worried that Anna might lose her composure or do something rash under such a blow, Mia wanted to ask.
"The young lady?" Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Is there such a person in the manor? I've never heard of her."
Arthur's response stemmed from his irritation that Mia, now his queen and the mistress of Moore Manor, still used such a humble tone. Even on this significant night, she mentioned that woman he wished he could tear to pieces. It was because of her that Mia had been heartbroken, despairing, and left as if her heart had turned to ashes. Though Mia never told him who had taken her to "StayMind," he didn't need to guess—he was certain it was Anna. Hmph, if not for Henry's love for her and Arthur's concern that Mia would be upset, he would have ensured Anna met a gruesome end. Otherwise, he wouldn't be Arthur.
"Arthur!" Knowing he was playing dumb, Mia gave his shoulder an exasperated punch.
"There's no one in this manor called 'young lady'!" Arthur's tone was full of mock innocence.
Seeing Arthur addicted to playing the fool, Mia rolled her eyes and rephrased, "Henry's wife, then. How is she doing? Do you know?"
"Oh, her!" Arthur feigned realization. "She's in the manor, isn't she? She's Henry's wife, and nothing has happened to her. I won't let anything happen to her either. It's just that today is our wedding, and I was worried seeing her might upset you, so I told Henry not to bring her to the ceremony."
"Is that so? You've reduced the Ivan family to a beggar-like existence—aren't you afraid she'll hold a grudge against the Moore family?"
"A grudge? A resentment?!" Arthur found it amusing. "It's generous enough that the Moore family doesn't hold a grudge against her, that traitor. And she dares to feel resentment?"
Mia looked at him in surprise. "Arthur, when did you find out?"
"I knew from the start. The Moore family isn't the kind of place where things can be swapped out without anyone noticing. The clan members here are highly vigilant—perhaps because we're all fox spirits in human form; it's an instinct. How could we not notice when our things are tainted with a different scent? I just wanted to figure out what she was after, so I let her be."
But he never imagined his decision would nearly cost him Mia forever. That woman, behind everyone's back, had led Mia to "StayMind," causing Mia to misunderstand him, thinking she was merely a shadow of the woman in the painting, destined to be abandoned.
Fortunately, Mia wasn't familiar with the Northern Desert and hadn't gone far. Following her faint scent, he quickly found her. Otherwise—well, he didn't want to think about it. He would never allow such a thing to happen again.