Jonathan smoothed her hair and nodded when he saw her fatigue.


    "Sleep for a while. I''ll wake you for food, then send you back to Oceaton."


    She closed her eyes obediently.


    When he left and shut the door, she tried to sleep-but couldn''t.


    Unfamiliarity or resting earlier kept her awake.


    Suddenly, the door opened, and light footsteps entered.


    Thinking he had returned, she lifted herself slightly.


    "Honey?"


    "Anneliese, I''m not Jonathan."


    The voice was bright and sweet.


    Startled, she sat up. A young girl in a red suit dress-porcin-pretty, around seventeen or eighteen-stood at the door.


    Hearing "Anneliese," she realized this must be Felyxia Fullbuster, Jonathan''s second uncle''s daughter.


    "Hello, sister-inw. I''m Felyxia. Can Ie in? I didn''t wake you, did I?"


    Seeing the girl''s friendly smile, Anneliese returned one.


    "No, I wasn''t asleep. Come in."


    She tried to get up, but the girl rushed over.


    "No, no, stay down! If Jonathan sees you getting up, he''ll scold me!"


    She shrank her neck as though truly afraid.


    Annelieseughed. "You''re scared of him? He''s very gentle."


    Felyxia looked at her as if she had just told a cosmic joke.


    "Gentle? Jonathan?"


    Seeing Anneliese''s sincere expression, she clicked her tongue.


    "He doesn''t throw tantrums, but when he gets angry, even my dad and Grandpa have to think twice. Sometimes, even Grandpa.gives in to find you think he''s gentle he must really spoil you. Anneliese, have you known him for a super long time?"


    Anneliese blinked, embarrassed.


    "Why do you think that?"


    We''d known each other less than six months... Yet he already meant so much to


    me.


    "Anneliese, don''t hide it!"


    "We haven''t even known each other for six months."


    Felyxia immediately pouted, looking betrayed.


    "You''re lying. I know the truth!"


    Anneliese smiled helplessly. "What truth?"


    The girl leaned in mysteriously.


    "I saw your portrait as a kid. Jonathan drew it himself. You''re prettier now, but you


    look the same! I recognized you instantly!"


    It''s not like I recognize her at first nce.


    That childhood image has long since blurred in my memory.


    But I know the girl in the portrait was always Jonathan''s favorite. Today, he brings


    his wife home, eyes full of her. Doesn''t that prove his wife is the girl from the portrait?


    Of course it is. I''m an expert at spotting couple dynamics, after all.


    Anneliese''s fingers curled tightly under the nket. "A portrait? When did you see this portrait?"


    Felyxia blinked. "He didn''t tell you?"


    Anneliese forced a light smile. "Maybe he wants to surprise me. I didn''t even know he could draw."


    Felyxia giggled. "I was around seven


    or eight. I got tired of ying and wandered to this building. No adults around, so I went upstairs to nap in a guest room But I identally went into a princess themed room instead. The portrait was there. Jonathan caught me and got so mad he almost hit me!"


    She stood up and mimicked his icy expression. "Who let you in here? Get out."


    She shivered dramatically, then sat again.


    "He was really strict with me back


    then. He even scared me to tears, and I had nightmares for days. Uncle and Aunty didn''t have a daughter,


    was curious Why


    Why Sun


    so


    de had a


    princess room. Later, I went to ask


    Madam Lore about it."