Bramwell Elderstone gazed at the young couple embracing each other. Tears glimmered in his cloudy eyes as he leaned on his cane and walked away, leaving time and space for the two lovers.


    In the courtyard, he picked a stem of hyacinth and, with slow steps, made his way to a grave. He ced the hyacinth gently before the headstone.


    Staring at the photograph on the tombstone, his aged fingers traced the image over and over again.


    "Miss Seraphina, I''ve done it. Your granddaughter will not spend her life alone as you did. You can rest easy now, watching from above..."


    Years ago, Seraphina had yearned to know what her beloved other half looked like. She had seen him countless times in her dreams, but upon waking, the memories would always fade.


    "Your granddaughter is remarkable. She has achieved what you could not. The family is thriving again, the poison has been removed, and the future looks brighter."


    Leaning against the edge of the tombstone, Bramwell murmured, as though chatting with an old friend. He didn''t care whether there was a response-he only needed to say what was on his mind.


    The setting sun stretched his shadow long and thin. Slowly, his eyes closed, as if he had fallen asleep.


    A breeze swept by, carrying the petals of the hyacinth away.


    Miss Seraphina, I''ve finallypleted your wish... But if there is a next life, could you love me just once?


    Julian and Aurora pulled apart.


    "Come back with me to the Ba familyter. My grandfather wants to meet you," Julian said.


    "So soon? I... I''m a little nervous." Aurora, still basking in the joy of regaining her memories, hadn''t expected Julian to bring her home so quickly.


    "How is it sudden? I already mentioned it back in Clothville, but we never had the time. My grandfather has mentioned you several times already. You''ve met Reba and L, haven''t you? And my Aunt ra? They''re all wonderful people," Julian exined gently.


    "Then... I''ll go change and prepare some gifts. It''s your fault for not telling me earlier! I don''t know what they like. What if I bring something they don''t like?" Aurora fretted, pacing around the room.


    The Ba family was different from the Alvarez family. When she visited the Alvarez family, it had been at Joaquin''s invitation, and she hadn''t even thought about bringing gifts.


    To Julian, the Ba family was his true home-otherwise, he wouldn''t still be using their surname after all this time. They were important to him, so Aurora felt she had to take this seriously, even though she wasn''t mentally prepared at all.


    Julian turned her to face him. "Don''t worry. They don''t need anything. You being there is the best gift. Trust me."


    "I know they don''t need anything, but it''s a matter of etiquette. Otherwise, they''ll think I''m impolite," Aurora retorted, ring at him. With so little time, what could she possibly prepare?


    "You weren''t this nervous when you visited the Alvarez family," Julian teased.


    "That''s because of you!" Aurora shot back, rushing out of the room. The Ba family might notck possessions, but they had an abundance of antiques. She selected a painting, carefully wrapped it, and finally felt at ease.


    She then returned to her room to change into a more formal outfit, signaling how much she valued this visit to the Ba family.


    "Let''s go," Aurora said as she stepped out, dressed impably.


    Julian''s lips curved into a smile. "My Little Bunny looks beautiful no matter what."


    "tterer," Aurora murmured, but her heart felt sweet, as if it had been dipped in honey.


    Julian took her hand, and they left together.


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    ---


    The car drove toward the garden vi. Aurora had been there once before, though she hadn''t stayed long enough to attend the birthday banquet. She had spent most of her time wandering in the garden.


    The Ba family seemed to have a particr fondness for flowers and nts. Exotic and rare blooms were scattered throughout the estate, leaving Aurora in awe.


    "Why does your family have so many flowers and nts? It''s like stepping into an elf''s realm," Aurora eximed in wonder.


    "My Aunt ra and Reba take after my grandfather-they''re obsessed with flowers. The house is filled with nts they''ve collected from all over the world. My grandfather is practically a self-taught botanist," Julian exined.


    Aurora yfully punched him. "If that''s the case, why didn''t you tell me earlier? I brought a painting for your grandfather."


    "Even if I had told you, what could you have done? Gone to a flower market to buy him a pot? After seeing the garden, you know how extensive our collection is. Do you think anything from a flower market would catch his eye? You''d have to trek into a forest to dig something up. Besides, as I said, you''re the best gift. Don''t stress yourself out," Julian reassured her.


    Despite his words, Aurora couldn''t help but feel nervous. Julian didn''t have a mother, so his two aunts filled that role. Meeting them felt as significant as meeting inws for the first time.


    ---


    A butler greeted them at the door and led them into a smaller hall used for family gatherings, different from the grand hall that hosted guests.


    Reba came out to wee them as soon as they entered. "Aurora! Come in,e in."


    Aurora had grown familiar with Reba and L during the wee party-they were easy to get along with. However, other elders were also present in the room, making her heart race.


    Julian began introducing everyone. "This is my Aunt ra. And this is my Aunt I."


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    Aurora greeted them politely, though she couldn''tpletely shake her apprehension.


    At that moment, an energetic man descended the stairs. His features bore a striking resemnce to Julian''s. This must be Julian''s grandfather.


    "Aurora! You''re finally here. Come, let me take a look at you," the old man said, his joy evident. He practically bounded down the stairs, his vigorous movements belying his


    age.


    "Grandpa, take it easy. Little Bunny isn''t going anywhere. Don''t rush," Julian said, hurrying to support him.


    "You little rascal! If you don''t take good care of my granddaughter-inw, she might just run away," Maxwell said with augh, stopping in front of Aurora.


    "Not bad, not bad. They say the R family produces beauties, and my granddaughter-in-w is truly stunning."


    "Grandpa... if you keep talking like that, you''re going to scare her off," Julian muttered, exasperated.


    "Here, Aurora, this is a gift for you," Maxwell said warmly, pulling a jade bracelet out of his pocket.


    Reba couldn''t help but roll her eyes. "Grandpa, that''s a family heirloom! Couldn''t you at least put it in a proper box? Aurora might think you picked it up from a street vendor."


    "You''re right. I''ll go get a box," Maxwell said, as impulsive as a child.


    "There''s no need, Grandpa. Little Bunny doesn''t care about that," Julian interjected, taking the bracelet from Maxwell and slipping it onto Aurora''s wrist.


    Aurora was utterly bewildered by the casual way this family handled something as significant as a family heirloom.