The moment Velin entered the Royal Palace gardens, he became the center of attention. Silence fell around him as everyone turned to look at the young monarch.
Under their gazes, Velin smiled and said, "Today is a celebration. Please, carry on."
With that, he ignored the lingering looks and took Xuemiyya by the hand, leading her toward the pavilion.
Seeing this, the guests withdrew their gazes one after another and resumed talking to those around them.
Looking at Celeste seated in the pavilion, Velin teased with a smile, "You ran off so fast you even abandoned your wife."
Celeste glanced at Velin and said slowly, "Naturally, I had proper business to attend to. Unlike someone who only knows how to slack off."
Velin paid no mind to that remark.
After all, Celeste had said "someone," not him, so it had nothing to do with him.
Velin sat down at the stone table and asked Celeste with a smile, "How are you feeling today?"
"Very good." Celeste lifted his wineglass, took a sip, and answered unhurriedly, "Consider me in your debt."
"I thought you might offer to help me once, no strings attached," Velin said, feigning disappointment.
Celeste considered himself immune to this shameless fellow by now and refused to take the bait.
Seeing Celeste merely drinking without a word, Velin was about to say more when he suddenly spotted a figure in the distance. He discreetly took out a Magic Memory Crystal Orb and activated it. "How about telling me a story from your past?"
At those words, Celeste turned to look. Sure enough, he spotted Novien, then shot Velin a look that seemed to say he would not fall for the same trick twice.
"You used to be so innocent. How did you change so much? You must have