Ch 15: Half Success

"My heart holds nothing," Alice said. "So, there's no need for you to say anything to my mother."

"Then what do you think about the proposal?" Grace asked. "Your mother has asked me to persuade you."

"I've already told my mother," Alice replied. "So there's no need to convince me."

"What should I tell them, then?" Grace asked.

Alice replied, "No, no, and no."

"It won't work like that. Everyone will start pressuring you to accept the proposal," Grace said.

"So what should I do?" Alice asked helplessly.

"Try something else," Grace suggested.

"Should I just say yes?" Alice snapped, looking at her with frustration.

"I didn't say that," Grace responded.

"Then just tell my mother what I said," Alice said firmly.

"I can tell her that, but then your elder brothers and your father will come to persuade you. After all, they are determined to get you married," Grace said.

"You're just talking. Now suggest a solution," Alice said, growing impatient.

Grace stood before her and said, "There is one solution."

"What is it?" Alice asked, looking at her intently.

"I can tell them that Miss Alice says she'll think about it and give her answer in four or five days," Grace suggested.

"What will that accomplish?" Alice asked, looking at her.

"It will buy you four or five days of peace. No one will come to pressure you into accepting the proposal during that time," Grace explained.

"You're right," Alice smiled.

"Maybe by then, a wealthy landowner, someone with cars, an army of servants, and sole ownership of everything, will come into your life," Grace added, fluttering her eyelashes.

Alice smiled at her comment. "Where will he come from? Will he descend from the sky or emerge from the ground?"

"He'll come from somewhere... suddenly," Grace said mysteriously.

"No one is coming right now. Go and deliver your message," Alice said. But her heart fluttered for a moment, and a wish stirred within her: if only such a rich prince would suddenly appear in her life and sweep her away.

"What are you thinking about?" Grace suddenly asked, peering into Alice's eyes.

"You haven't left yet? Go, get out," Alice said with a shy smile.

Grace smiled as well and headed towards the stairs. Alice continued swinging, lost in her dreams. Grace suddenly turned back to look at Alice and smiled meaningfully. As she descended the stairs, the jingling of her anklets could be heard—a sound she had made part of herself ever since Alice had told her to wear them.

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Roy was driving the car himself, with Desmond sitting in the passenger seat. They had entered the city, and behind them, Roy's bodyguards' car had changed its route as instructed by Roy as soon as they entered the city. Now they were looking for someone reliable to ask for directions.

Suddenly, Roy hit the brakes in front of Damien's shop and told Desmond to ask for directions from the man inside.

Desmond stepped out of the car and entered the shop, saying, "Hello."

Damien, who was busy with his work, turned his head towards him and replied, "Hello to you."

"I need directions," Desmond said, handing over the piece of paper with the address written on it. Damien first scrutinized Desmond, then took the paper and read the address before explaining the directions and handing the paper back.

Desmond exited the shop, but Damien kept watching them until their car drove away from his shop. Once they were gone, he returned to his work.

When Roy's car stopped in front of Nathan's house, Nathan was just stepping out. He paused when he saw the car.

From inside the car, Roy and Desmond immediately recognized that they had arrived at the right place. Roy felt as if half the battle had already been won.

As soon as they stepped out of the car, Nathan recognized them without any difficulty. With a pleasant surprise, he approached them and said, "If I'm not mistaken, I once had the honor of hosting you as my guest." He smiled as he spoke.

"I'm very pleased to see both of you," Nathan said.

"You can't imagine how happy we are that you recognized us after a year," Desmond said, flattering him.

"I never forget good friends," Nathan replied. "Once I've shared bread with someone, their face is always in my mind."

"Actually, we came here to purchase a tractor. The dealer didn't have it in stock, but it's arriving tomorrow. I thought, instead of going back, why not trouble you with a visit?" Roy said. "We've tried several times before to meet you but weren't successful."

"You must be joking, calling it a 'trouble.' That's not how family talks," Nathan said in a tone of mild reproach.

"If that's the case, we'll ease your concern. We'll stay for a night," Desmond quickly added, laughing.

"Why just one night? You both will leave only when I say so," Nathan declared with a smile, and the three of them laughed together. Nathan stepped out of the room for a moment, and Desmond leaned close to Roy, whispering, "Now there's no way to avoid this. You can see for yourself."

"I don't know either. We'll have to see where time leads us," Roy replied with a meaningful look.

A short while later, Nathan returned to the room with his wife, introducing her to the guests.

"This is Roy, whom I mentioned before. I went to his village to purchase land, but he won my heart by hosting me in his mansion. I was impressed the moment I saw him—such a promising young man that I can't help but admire him."

Roy and Desmond both respectfully greeted Nathan's wife. Roy then said, "He's been praising us all this time, though we didn't do anything special."

"His father was the same way. Roy is exactly like his father—just as virtuous, with not a single flaw. Despite owning the entire village, he treats everyone like a servant, always humble," Desmond took the opportunity to heap praise on Roy.

"I'll start preparing dinner for you," Nathan's wife, Kahira, said before leaving the room.