Chapter 426
Donald raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued as he inquired, “What’s that incense you’ve got there? Sandalwood or Agarwood?”
“Sandalwood,” Mirabella replied without looking up, setting the incense burner on the low coffee table and flicking her lighter to life, igniting the incense.
As the incense began to burn, a subtle fragrance soon filled the room. On closer whiff, the aromatic afternotes hinted at medicinal herbs, inexplicably comforting to the senses.
Donald was no stranger to the ritual of burning incense, being a connoisseur of top–shelf aromatics himself. Thus, the scent wafting from Mirabella’s incense took him by surprise. “This incense… seems to have a blend of herbs, doesn’t it?” After pausing for a couple of seconds and taking another sniff, his astonishment was evident. “This is some quality stuff you’ve got here.”
With a quirk of her eyebrow, Mirabella cast a glance at Donald sprawled on the bed. “Not too shabby in the recognition department, eh? And here you were, playing the country bumpkin. Hmm?”
Donald quietly sipped his broth again before probing, “Where did you get this incense? It’s the most comforting scent I’ve smelled in years.”
“Got it online, nine bucks, free shipping. Interested?” Mirabella tossed off the comment casually.
A twitch tugged at the corner of Donald’s mouth as he set his bowl on the nightstand, his tone less than amused. “Who are you trying to fool? If that incense is really nine bucks, I’ll eat my hat.”
“Your hat isn’t worth much,” Mirabella retorted with a dismissive twist of her lips.
Donald was taken aback. He thought, “Believe it or not. My real identity might just knock your socks off!”
After clearing away the dishes, Mirabella added, “Consider yourself lucky, Donald, that I even bothered to light an incense for you.”
She hadn’t planned on pampering him with such a luxury, but after her mother’s mysterious advice to ‘take good care of him,‘ she grudgingly complied. Judging from Donald’s praise of her incense, she could deduce he wasn’t your average Joe. As for his real identity, she wasn’t interested in guessing–nor did she have the time to spare.
“What do you mean, ‘lucky?‘ It’s just nine bucks, right? Here, I’ll give you ninety–nine for a box,” Donald retorted, clearly ruffled by her words. Wherever he went, he was accustomed to adulation. Only in the presence of this young girl did his dignity seem to be slipping. away! He resolved to find the perfect moment to turn the tables on her, to show her that
Chapter 426
some people should not be underestimated!
Mirabella simply gave him a look. Ninety–nine bucks for her incense? Moments ago, she thought he had a discerning taste, but now… well, he was just a penny–pinching old man.
“You should probably just get some sleep,” she advised. With that, Mirabella exited with the bowl in hand, deliberately closing the door with a bit more force than necessary.
Donald touched his chin, perplexed. They were just having a decent conversation, so what’s with this sudden cold shoulder? Youth these days were so fickle, so impatient!
With a huff, he settled back into bed, pulling the covers up and closing his eyes.
Adapting to a new environment was one thing, but his preference for his own bed was another; a restless night had left him drained and under the weather. Now, lulled by the soothing scent, his mind quieted, and he drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
The next day, Donald awoke feeling exceptionally refreshed. Yesterday’s discomfort was gone without a trace.
As he got out of bed, he noticed the incense ash in the burner on the coffee table and pondered for a moment. Soon after, he freshened up and, with the aid of his cane, stepped out of the room.
