They kept looking at each other quietly, seeming unfazed, but their hearts inwardly caught in a turmoil.
After a while, Aurelia sniffled and grinned brightly.
“But thank you for taking me here, uncle!”
She copied what Neil did just now and caught a firefly in her hands to watch it in her palms with a blissful smile
adorning her face. Then she released it.
Fireflies danced in the night sky, complementing the stars above, and looked amazing.
Aurelia ran and skipped as she chased after them, waving a hand and watching the fireflies scatter. Her carefree
laughter echoed in the beautiful night.
She turned around to look at Neil, her gaze longing.
He had said that the fireflies with double sets of wings in this rainforest were the only ones in this world. He was
also irreplaceable in her heart.
…
Cordelia rested her chin in her hands as she sighed, looking at the invitation on the table. The familiar gilded
pattern on the cover gave her a headache.
Zephyr sat down next to her to give her a massage. “Darling, what’s up?”
Cordelia showed him the invitation.
In order to celebrate the Floria Festival, the royal family had invited known names in society to the palace to enjoy
the flowers and connect.
As one of the biggest taxpayers in Southeast Aciatic, the Irwins were naturally invited.
“The Floria Festival’s always only for the women. The royals who are attending are usually the queen and
princesses,” Cordelia said softly. “But the old king has no children, so this event’s fully handled by Victoria.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtZephyr understood it. She did not want anything to do with Victoria.
“It’s inevitable that she’ll ask about Neil once she sees you.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “But I know
that Southeast Aciatic folks have high regard for the Floria Festival. If you reject the invitation at a time like this, she
might pick on you in the future.”
Cordelia thought the same.
“So, you agree that I go too?”
Zephyr smiled and spun his finger to coil her long hair around it.
“My wife has already decided, hasn’t she?”
Cordelia smiled as well. Their tacit understanding of each other was growing.
“I am, but I’ll try not to talk to her,” she replied. “Fortunately, I won’t be the only one there that day. Victoria will
have to follow the royal family rules anyway. She can’t possibly ask me about another man in public.”
“Mm.” Zephyr held her hand. “Set your phone up in advance and let me know if there’s any problem.”
“Hmm? Will you invade the palace for me?”
“Why not? The princess can’t be offended, but the same applies to my dear Mrs. Hamerton.”
Cordelia snuggled him in his arms, dimples showing from her sweet smile.
…
Cordelia dressed up for the palace on the day of the event.
Perhaps the weather was great, so the palace looked more lively and less authoritative today compared to when
she saw it in the dusk last time.
The party was held in the south garden, where the scenery was the best. The thriving flora was a wonder to take in.
Even though Cordelia still did not quite like occasions like this, she was familiar with socializing now.
She was still breastfeeding, so she dared not take alcohol and only sipped on juices. However, her visits to the
washroom were more frequent since she had yet to completely recover from labor.
It was already her third time exiting the washroom.
However, she was invited to Victoria’s table a few steps away from the washroom. As Cordelia took a seat, her
smile was forced.
“All of you must know Ms. Irwin here?” Victoria smiled, raising her glass. “The Irwin heiress. Cordelia Jenner, or Ms.
Jenner, if you will, since she previously lived in Jangasas due to her identity issues.
“However…” Victoria smiled, and a dark glint flashed in her eyes. “We haven’t known each other for long, but it
feels like we’ve been friends forever, so I usually call her Cordelia!”
The other women at the table were wealthy heiresses in Southeast Aciatic as well. wore smiles, but they rolled their
eyes multiple times at Cordelia in their mind.
Cordelia felt her heart lurch as she met Victoria’s challenging gaze.
The princess had praised her in public, but it was actually an ill-intended praise. It was obvious that Victoria, who
had grown up in the palace, was well aware of this. She had purposely claimed that she was close to Cordelia in
front of everyone so she could use the jealousy of the wealthy heiresses against Cordelia.
Cordelia bit her lips. She had to move on with the feast even when she knew it was a trap.
“Oh, so you’re Ms. Irwin. I often hear Her Highness mention you!”
Cordelia was startled and looked toward the shrill voice.
It was Allegra Oliver. The Oliver Group had the upper hand over the tourism industry, and the Olivers were a well-
known family in Southeast Aciatic.
The Olivers also seemed to be distant relatives of Victoria as Allegra had visited the palace plenty of times and
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmoften referred to Victoria warmly as her cousin.
Cordelia took a deep breath and greeted her with a smile.
Allegra said with a smile, “Ms. Irwin, since Her Highness sees you as a friend and calls you Cordelia, can I call you
the same?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Cordelia replied. “It’s just a name. You can call me what you like, Ms. Oliver.”
“Sure!” Allegra raised a brow and exchanged a look with Victoria.
“Oh, right, Cordelia. I noticed you frequenting the washroom just now. Are you feeling unwell?”
Cordelia went silent. To be honest, she found it embarrassing. It was probably just her body, as she did not recover
as fast after giving birth and always had the urge to use the toilet. She did not even have a lot to drink, but she kept
going to the washroom.
How could she speak up about such a challenge in public?
Someone tried to discuss it, however. “I hear that women who’ve given birth can’t hold it in…”
“Really!?” Allegra picked up the conversation instantly and looked at Cordelia with feigned naivety. “Is it true,
Cordelia? No wonder you went so many times! Isn’t it sad? Women are no longer women once they give birth!”
Cordelia understood it now. Allegra had come with malice and was Victoria’s accomplice.
Cordelia recomposed herself and said with a natural smile, “Thanks for the concern. I’m feeling fine. It’s just that
I’m curious. The Floria Festival happens once a year, and the royal family bestows us the favor only this once too,
but you’re not chatting with Her Highness and keep your eyes on whether I use the washroom?”
“You…”
“No way, Ms. Oliver.” Cordelia chuckled. “Enjoying the flowers and chatting with Her Highness isn’t as important as
seeing if I use the washroom to you? Ms. Oliver, you… swing that way?”
Allegra trembled with a change of expression.
The other heiresses at the table could not help covering half of their faces with their fans and giggling.