"Okay," Isaac answered softly.They arrived outside a nice restaurant, and he threw the car keys to the valet as soon as he alighted before heading inside with an arm around Irene.It was a Franconian restaurant with local specialties: beef bourguignon, foie gras, escargot, and the like. However, Irene preferred Zidonian food—there were not that many foreign dishes that suited her palate. Naturally, Isaac could tell that she did not like it. "I'll take you to a Zidonian restaurant next time.""Good," Irene replied. "Our country's food is more to my taste."Isaac raised a brow. "Our country's food is special in its way, but you should learn to accept different flavors too. It's a bad habit to be picky.""Am I being picky?" Irene asked."Yes."Irene was speechless—how was she being picky? Just because she was not used to foreign food?It was just that her stomach was Zidonian and rejected other food."Here, you can have this," she said as she put an escargot on Isaac's plate
Irene reluctantly headed to the flight terminal, turning around to wave at Isaac just as she was about to leave.Isaac stood a head above the rest of the crowd so she could spot him immediately… though he did draw attention wherever he went as well."I'm going now," she said."Yeah," Isaac replied. Another announcement rang over the speakers just then, and Irene boarded her flight. She was flying first class, and she quickly put on the sleeping mask and covered herself in the blanket provided. It was spacious and quiet there, and she could sleep comfortably.Eagle was on hand to receive her as she disembarked, apologizing to her immediately. "I'm sorry, ma'am—I didn't watch over Ms. Adams properly.""You're not at fault here," Irene told him. "Even I probably can't stop her even if I was here—she's just that stubborn. Anyway, how is she?""She's much better," Eagle replied."Good."Eagle gingerly turned to glance at her just then. "Are you feeling ill, ma'am? You appear exh
"Yeah," Isaac said. I've sent him off."Irene laughed. "Efficient, aren't you?"Isaac chuckled exasperatedly in turn. "I have to be—it's your order after all."Irene lowered her head and bit her lip as she purred, "I will properly reward you once I get home."Isaac certainly missed her since it has been over ten days since she had been to Minerva. The days felt like years, and yet he had to restrain himself too.After all, he would only hurt more if he kept letting her flirt with him, so he hung up right then!Irene was left staring at her phone, speechless and frowning. What was with him? Was he upset? There's no way, right?Worried and reluctant to let him stay angry, she sent a text to appease him.[Darling.]No response.[I miss you.] This time, it was accompanied with heart emojis.Still no reply!She then sent a cute emoji… and there was no reply once more.Irene blinked. [I'm going to get upset if you still don't reply.]This time, there was a reply, but it was
Once all the arrangements were made, they left three days later.Lulu's face was swelling a little as they boarded the flight to Franconia, as she had yet to fully recover.Still, seeing Irene staying with her and caring for her meticulously, Lulu teased, "Are you taking me for a child now? Doesn't it tire you, staring at me constantly?"Irene shook her head. "What do you mean tired? I'm not doing anything."Lulu held her hand. "You did nothing after running around and doing everything to help? Your husband's going to be sad seeing you work so hard… or more precisely, letting me work you so hard."Irene was speechless for a moment, but smiled. "You've really recovered well—you can even tease me now."Lulu sighed. "There are times I felt like my experiences were just a dream, but seeing my face reminds me that it's all real.""It's in the past," Irene told her. "Things will get better from now on.""Right. Have you found a training center for me yet?" Lulu asked."Irene nodded,
It was obvious that Irene had the idea, but Isaac simply smiled at her without telling her.Feeling the creeps, Irene snapped, "Why are you smiling?"Isaac released her then and said, "Go. Take your bath."Irene refused—she had to get to the bottom of this. "That smile feels malicious."The more she wanted to know, the more Isaac was inclined to keep quiet just to mess with her.With that, she grumpily shoved him away and walked straight inside the bathroom.-Everyone was overjoyed when Erin announced her pregnancy during dinner."That's great news!" Irene was earnestly happy for her—it was not easy for Erin's relationship with James to blossom and to have a child now too."I'm going to have a cousin?" Tommy asked, touching Erin's belly just then. "Is the baby a girl, Aunt Erin?" He certainly preferred that.Erin told him, "Who knows. The baby might be a boy."Tommy was a little depressed at that. "I'd rather have a sister. I already have a brother."Baby had no idea wha
Irene only shoved at him briefly before responding in kind.They were soon stuck together like glue and pulling away briefly only seemed to send their passion blaring!It was yet another beautiful, stormy night, and Irene was eventually left nestling in his arms, her eyes half-closed like a languid kitten.She felt soft and limp, just as she asked, "How did you send Zachary back to Zidonia?"Isaac caressed her cheek just then, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Work. He's been here for a while anyway, so it's time he returned."Still, Isaac had a feeling that Zachary knew about Lulu but never told him directly. He was only too happy to go back to Zidonia when Isaac told him to—he would have asked something if he did not know or leave so quickly.Irene closed her eyes drowsily then. "I'm going to sleep now."Isaac gently patted her back.-Irene brought several books for Lulu when she visited the next day, since she was afraid Lulu might get bored.The location of Lulu's lod
Erin waited for another two classes, but Lulu still did not show up.After classes were over and she headed to the castle, she found Lulu and Irene having tea in the garden just as she expected. The weather was good, and it was just right for them to stay beneath the tree shade.She smiled and made her way over. "Hey, Irene."Irene quickly beckoned when she was here. "Come, sit."Lulu was surprised that Irene and Erin knew each other, especially since she was not familiar with the latter.Irene introduced her. "She's Isaac's sister."Lulu smiled. "What a coincidence."Erin smiled politely in return. "Yes, though I realized yesterday."While Lulu appeared surprised, Erin explained, "James was the one who arranged for your lodging."Irene added, "James is her husband."As Lulu realized with a start, Irene had a servant bring Erin a glass of juice. "We're having tea, but you should have juice," she told Erin—tea was not good for pregnancy.Erin was only too happy to accept th
There was a twinkle in Stan's eyes, but he did not agree to it right away. "I'll call her and speak to her about it… Or should I give you her number and let you ask?""Sure," Zachary replied. "I can get in touch to see if she's suitable.""Okay," Stan whipped out his phone and sent him the number, and Zachary's phone vibrated on the dashboard. -Zachary took Stan to dinner later to celebrate his return—it was just the two of them, and they drank a lot."Now that I'm back, it feels like you're acting weird…" Stan said seemingly nonchalantly, twirling his glass."Really?" Zachary chuckled coolly but did not press the issue and raised his glass. "Perhaps!""Congratulations. You get to come back even though you're always busy!" Stan raised his glass in turn.However, Zachary suddenly mentioned Lulu while they clinked glasses. "How's your cousin related to you?""What cousin?" Stan was confused, though he realized with a start before Zachary spoke."You mean the one with me at th