Chapter 493
Natalia had long seen through Rowell''s facade, and that''s why her gaze was icy as she addressed him with biting sarcasm. "Lord
Rowell, if it wasn''t for the fact that the Queen summoned me, | bet you wouldn''t even have bothered with my existence, would
you? You probably wouldn''t even know | walked this earth! So please, spare me your hollow pleasantries. | do not need them."
With that, Natalia turned on her heel and walked away without a backward nce, refusing to engage with Rowell any further.
Rowell''s face darkened with anger, but he was in a public setting and needed to maintain the demeanor of a nobleman. Thus, he
could only force a strained smile and turn to Callum, who was preparing to leave with Natalia. "Duke Callum, look at this
daughter of mine, refusing to even acknowledge me. How undutiful.”
"Duke Rowell, as they say, you reap what you sow. It''s the circle of life, isn''t it?" Callum responded with poise, giving a slight bow
before turning to follow Lexi. He had no interest in exchanging more words with the hypocritical Rowell.
Rowell was fuming inwardly after being rebuffed by both of them, but since Natalia was the Queen''s esteemed guest, he dared
not trouble her openly. He had no choice but to swallow his pride and slowly work on mending rtions with Natalia moving
forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Callum announced as the host of the banquet, noticing the Queen''s arrival with her entourage. "Let''s
wee Her Majesty with a round of apuse."
As the Queen approached, the room erupted in apuse. She raised a hand to quiet the crowd before speaking gracefully,
"Thank you all for attending this dinner in honor of the talented designer Natalia. Herst creation, a crown with a touch of
vintage charm, received much acim during my international tour. Tonight, | would like tomend her and also to request
another unique piece of jewelry."
The Queen looked toward Natalia. "Miss Natalia, would you do me this honor?"
Aconfident smile graced Natalia''s face. “Your Majesty, | am ttered by your praise and will endeavor to create a piece that is
truly unparalleled.”
The apuse that followed was thunderous and prolonged.
As the dinnermenced after the Queen’s speech, Natalia became the center of attention, with guests vying to curry favor with
the designer in the Queen’s favor.
However, Natalia was not one for socializing. After exchanging pleasantries with a few societydies, she felt her face stiffening
from the forced smiles.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.
Nevertheless, she managed to endure until the end of the event and stepped out of the banquet hall at Magnus’ urging.
Outside, the moon andnterns softly lit the pce''s tree-lined paths, but Natalia was in agony. She rued her choice of stiletto
heels, which made her feet feel as if they would break after hours of standing.
Magnus noticed her faltering steps and asked softly, "Are you in difort?"
Natalia nodded miserably. “Yes, my feet feel like they are about to fall off. They hurt so much."
“It must be from standing too long," he said, examining her swollen feet before sweeping her up in his arms. "My dear, if your feet
hurt, you shouldn''t walk. Let me carry you."
Natalia blushed, yfully chiding him, "Put me down, Magnus. We''re not at home, and it''s embarrassing to be carried like this in
the pce with so many onlookers!"
Magnus continued forward, unbothered. "What''s the worry? Isn''t Ennd thend of romance? Besides, | am carrying my wife,
there''s nothing secretive about that."
"But..." Her protest trailed off as she noticed the guards passing by. She hid her face in Magnus’ chest and was too embarrassed
to look up.
The pce guards, however, showed no sign of amusement, simply walking past without a nce. Disys of affection were
commonce to them.
Feeling reassured, Natalia allowed Magnus to carry her a while longer before softly insisting, "Put me down. | can walk on my
own.
Magnus kept walking. "Why should I? Your feet are swollen. Don''t worry about my strength, dear, | can handle it."
Sensing his determination, Natalia fell silent and rested against him as he carried her through the pce grounds.
Behind them, the streemps cast their glow on the couple, silently observing this perfect match.
They didn''t return to Callum''s castle but to a small vi arranged by the Queen,plete with a Gothic fagade and a charming
garden with a burbling fountain.
Once inside, Magnus gently ced
Natalia on the bed and fetch
basin oF wasmyyeiel ? lsdak her feet.
“Daring your feet are terribly swollen.
Some warm water will help with the
pain and swelling." Please read the
original content at .
Natalia tried to take over. "I can do it myself; there''s no need for you to help with my shoes."
Magnus looked at her with twinkling
eyes and a yful grin. "My dear,
you shy about shaving line your eet?
Thyra Hotfing on you | haven''t seen
before. And with all those straps, are
you Sure you can manage?" Please
read the original content at
.
Caught in her embarrassment and helplessness, Natalia had no choice but to ept his tender care as he gently removed her
shoes and eased her feet into the soothing water.
Natalia''s cheeks were flushed like the rosy hue of a sunset. "But I''ve been walking all day; my feet must be filthy."
With a tenderness that belied his
strong frame, Magnus knelt down
and gently uced Natatia''s Goes!
Heyifted hate’ ana eased them
into the warm water. "Who said you
are dirty? Not a chance. Every inch of
you is pristine, my love. It''s my honor
to wash your feet." Please read the
original content at .
Awave of warmth surged through Natalia''s heart. This man, wealthy beyond measure, who stood defiant in the face of any
challenge, was now humbly washing her feet. How could she not be moved?
“Honey, I..." Natalia''s eyes brimmed with tears, and her voice choked with emotion.