Chapter 479
Knox was playing the gracious host today, inviting a slew of well–known and respected guests within the Ashford elite. These were old family friends with prominent social standings.
James and Mirabella were the new faces, the unknowns, never before seen mingling in these circles. So, naturally, as they stepped into the grand hall, they became the center of attention, with curious, probing gazes following the
every move.
The crowd would’ve understood if Knox had personally welcomed a scion from one of the illustrious families, but two young outsiders? That sparked their curiosity.
However, Knox didn’t spill the beans about James‘ identity. He simply introduced him as a distant relative, which was enough to quell the guests‘ curiosity and draw their attention back to their own conversations. After all, if it was just some distant kin, there wasn’t much need to fuss or engage in small talk, even though James‘ commanding presence hinted at something different, which was enough to make anyone feel a bit of pressure with just a glance.
Knox had other guests to attend to. He settled James and Mirabella at a specially prepared table before excusing himself.
The table was laid out with a spread of delicate pastries. James casually reached out, sliding a plate of these treats in front of Mirabella, and said, “Looks like dinner won’t be served for a while. Help yourself to some snacks in the meantime.”
Mirabella was a foodie at heart and didn’t stand on ceremony. She pinched a piece of what looked like a sponge cake and popped it into her mouth. It melted instantly, not too sweet, and just to her liking, prompting her to reach for a second, then a third piece.
Sitting poised with his striking features, James exuded an aura of ‘keep your distance, but his eyes softened when they landed on the
girl beside him,
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After indulging in a few bites, Mirabella stopped, her lips dusted with crumbs. She was about to fish a napkin out of her pocket when James, ever attentive, handed her one instead. She looked up at him with gratitude. “Thanks.”
James raised an eyebrow and tapped his fingers lightly on the table. “No problem.”
Nikolai, a longtime friend of Knox, wouldn’t miss this birthday bash for the world. Having just returned from a quick trip to the restroom, he immediately noticed Mirabella. His eyes lit up, and he made a beeline towards them.
“Mirabella,” he greeted. Nikolai approached with excitement, greeted James, and took a seat beside Mirabella. “That Incense of Calm recipe you gave me, I followed your instructions and succeeded.” Of course, he omitted the countless trials and errors it took to achieve
that modest success.
Mirabella lowered her hand and turned to Nikolai, offering a dry chuckle, as she praised him, “Impressive!”
Nikolai cleared his throat. “Your recipe was very detailed.”
“That formula is quite specific. Not much use for the average person,” Mirabella said with a raised eyebrow.
“I’m aware,” Nikolai chuckled, his thick skin apparent as he added, “Maybe you could teach me another, more common sleep aid?” Mirabella felt a twitch in her brow and quickly retorted, “I don’t know any others. That’s the only one I can make.”
James cast a sidelong glance at her, his silence speaking volumes.
Nikolai stroked his beard, feeling a hint of disappointment. But then, he considered Mirabella a prodigy in alchemy, and making incense might not really be her focus–after all, it was quite a challenging craft.
Chapter 480
