Bella's POV
Years had passed, yet Victor retained his refined air.
His manner stayed soft, wearing that familiar smile.
The moment his eyes found me, surprise sparked in their depths. "You're Bella? Please, get up."
"Thank you, Your Highness," I said, rising and offering my thanks.
Victor examined me closely, bewilderment crossing his features. "Why do I sense... you've transformed since before?"
"She's definitely changed, grown wiser now," Jasper jumped in respectfully. "No longer the wild child from years past."
Victor let out a quiet "ah" and laughed softly. "How quickly time moves. I can still picture little Bellie as a child. She wasn't nearly this poised then."
Richard and Genevieve shifted uncomfortably. They couldn't fathom why Victor was recalling my childhood days.
Since his presence here seemed far from ordinary, they had little choice but to go along with strained grins.
