Chapter 126

Mr. Weiting was somewhat angry and could not help but say with a sense of frustration, "How can you have no spirit at all? You are nothing like—"

"Quiet!" Yuwen Xi interrupted him, his gaze icy as he looked at Mr. Weiting.

Mr. Weiting felt a chill in his heart at that emotionless stare, but he could not help himself. "You will change your mind!" he insisted, before angrily flicking his sleeves and storming out.

Yuwen Xi had not expected him to yield and change his stance so quickly.

Meanwhile, after returning to her room, Eva hurried into the bathroom. She clutched the pendant in her right hand and stared intently into the mirror.

The pendant gave her a very strange feeling, as if she had seen it somewhere before; it felt hauntingly familiar. Furthermore, ever since she had put it on, her heart had been racing, as if it were trying to leap out of her chest.

She loosened her grip and looked at the teardrop-shaped pendant resting against her collarbone. A wave of inexplicable sorrow washed over her, and her heart felt as if a knife were slowly carving into her flesh.

Suddenly, she felt moisture on her cheeks. She reached up to touch them and found her face wet. Looking up, she realized her eyes were red and tears were streaming down involuntarily.

This pendant could not be George’s; otherwise, she would not feel this way about it.

So, whose was it?

Eva thought hard, and a blurry figure seemed to appear in her mind.

Who was it?

"Ah... my head hurts so much..." Eva’s body suddenly went limp, and she collapsed to the floor, wrapping her arms around her head. Within moments, beads of sweat the size of soybeans broke out on her forehead, a testament to the intensity of her agony.

Eva forced her mind to go blank, trying not to think of anything at all.

*Think of nothing... Eva... think of nothing... those things are not important to you... not important... do not think of him...*

After self-hypnotizing for who knows how long, the pain in Eva’s head gradually subsided. She stood up, splashed some water on her face, and hurried to bed. She was simply too exhausted.

The next morning, at the Weiting family castle.

In the understated yet luxurious breakfast room, Mr. Weiting sat at the head of the long table, with Yuwen Xi on his right and Avril on his left. The three of them ate in silence, upholding the etiquette of not speaking during meals.

Suddenly, a manservant ran in, looking extremely flustered. "Sir, sir! A guest has arrived!" he shouted.

A middle-aged man, who served as a butler and stood beside Mr. Weiting, shot a sharp, piercing look at the servant. His voice was restrained but harsh: "Stop! How can you be so ill-mannered? How dare you shout and scream in the presence of the master?" He gestured at the servant, who trembled, glanced at Mr. Weiting, and quickly lowered his head.

Mr. Weiting picked up a white napkin and dabbed at the corner of his mouth. The butler beside him bowed respectfully and poured him a cup of Darjeeling tea, filling the room with the fragrant, steamy aroma.

Mr. Weiting took an elegant sip of tea before asking unhurriedly, "What is it? Why the panic?"

"Forgive me, sir, but the Duke of Rivers has arrived," the servant said, keeping his head lowered, too cautious to offend his master again—lest he find himself out of a job.

"The Duke of Rivers?" Mr. Weiting raised an eyebrow, lost in thought.

Yuwen Xi’s heart sank, though his expression remained unchanged.

He had arrived, just as expected.

Upon hearing this, Avril’s hand, which was holding her knife and fork, paused. She set the utensils down, rose slowly, and addressed Mr. Weiting at the head of the table with great respect. "Father, since His Grace has arrived, as his fiancée, it is only fitting that I go out to welcome him."

Mr. Weiting glanced at Avril, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. "Very well. Go and see to it, so that the Duke does not think the Weiting family lacks manners."

"Yes, Father." Avril rose and walked out of the breakfast room.

Mr. Weiting glanced at Yuwen Xi, who was still eating his breakfast in a leisurely manner, and nodded inwardly—he certainly knew how to keep his composure.

A moment later, a hearty male voice echoed through the hall: "I could have just let myself in; how could I trouble Miss Avril to come out and welcome me personally!" Though the words were humble and apologetic, the tone carried no hint of genuine regret.

"Your Grace need not be so modest. Regardless of the fact that Avril and Your Grace are currently betrothed, as the eldest daughter of the Weiting family, it is only proper that I extend our hospitality to you," Avril replied, her voice gentle yet dignified.

Hearing this, Mr. Weiting and Yuwen Xi both looked toward the entrance of the breakfast room and were momentarily stunned.

The man who entered with Avril walked with an elegant, lithe grace. His shoulder-length golden hair was particularly eye-catching, swaying against his cheeks with each step. His skin was fair and delicate, better than that of many women, and his sky-blue eyes were as bright as a clear day. At that moment, they held a bewitching smile, and beneath his high-bridged nose, his rose-colored lips curved into an alluring, devilish grin that seemed to capture one's very soul. In an instant, he eclipsed Avril, who had been quite striking herself.

The man was Arthur. He walked in with a casual air, as if he were in his own home.

Mr. Weiting narrowed his eyes, observing Arthur’s every move. While he had heard of this young Duke—the youngest in Great Britain and currently the talk of the town—he hadn't paid him much mind. Seeing him now, he nodded inwardly: *He is truly extraordinary.*

It was no wonder that "that person" valued him so highly.

Mr. Weiting suddenly smiled and said to Arthur, "Your Grace, how could you come to our humble castle without giving us notice? We would have liked to welcome you properly."

Arthur chuckled, his blue eyes twinkling. "Mr. Weiting, you are too kind. I am unworthy of such an honor. After all, you are my elder; how could I trouble you so? Furthermore, as Avril and I are betrothed, we are family. To speak like that is to be too formal." As Arthur’s rose-colored lips moved, he deflected Mr. Weiting’s barb without losing his status or damaging their relationship.

Mr. Weiting raised an eyebrow, his sea-blue eyes filled with interest. "Oh? In that case, would it be acceptable for me to call you Arthur?"

Arthur’s smile deepened as he looked at Mr. Weiting. "That would be perfect; it would certainly save me some worry."

Arthur said the word "worry" with a double meaning, and the two men exchanged knowing smiles.

Yuwen Xi watched as Arthur walked in with such effortless grace, looking infinitely noble and chatting with ease. He felt a surge of confusion and hidden anger—how could he show no signs of worry about her disappearance?

Could it be that he already knew where she was, which was why he could remain so lighthearted?

With this thought, Yuwen Xi’s gaze fixed on Arthur and never wavered.

Arthur had noticed Yuwen Xi the moment he entered, but having had no opportunity to speak, he had not initiated contact. However, Yuwen Xi's intense gaze was hard to ignore.

Finally, Arthur spoke. He glanced at Yuwen Xi, then turned back to Mr. Weiting and asked, "Uncle," Arthur had casually switched from "Mr. Weiting" to "Uncle," "may I ask who this is?"

Yuwen Xi frowned, looked at Arthur with a complex expression, and did not speak immediately.

Mr. Weiting glanced at Yuwen Xi, then smiled at Arthur and said, "Haha, he is my—"

Just as Mr. Weiting was about to speak, he was interrupted by Yuwen Xi. Mr. Weiting looked over to see Yuwen Xi with a cold, indifferent expression. "I am a friend of Mr. Weiting’s, here specifically to 'visit' him these past few days."

"Oh? So, a friend of my uncle's," Arthur said, raising an eyebrow with a meaningful smile. "Anyone who can be called a friend of my uncle’s must surely have some unique qualities."

Mr. Weiting was displeased by Yuwen Xi’s words and wanted to retort, but he knew it was not the time. He cursed Yuwen Xi in his heart but smiled on the surface. "Arthur is quite right; this friend is indeed not to be underestimated."

"Oh? Is that so?" Arthur smiled, noncommittally.

Mr. Weiting gestured to Avril. She understood and turned to Arthur with a smile, just as a clear, pleasant female voice rang out:

"Why didn't you call me when you got up for breakfast?" The tone was one of spoiled, lighthearted complaint.

Everyone turned to look at the doorway, except for Yuwen Xi, who hurriedly rose to meet her.

Arthur’s blue eyes turned as sharp as blades, though his face remained unreadable; inside, however, a storm was brewing.

Seeing Yuwen Xi go to her, Mr. Weiting’s eyes flickered, but he remained silent. Avril glanced at Arthur before turning her gaze away and following Yuwen Xi.

Yuwen Xi was seen gently and protectively helping a girl walk out.

"Why didn't you sleep a little longer? You don't look well; did you feel unwell again last night?" Yuwen Xi’s voice was filled with undisguised heartache.

Because of his words, everyone’s attention focused on the girl in his arms.

She was petite, with a slender and graceful figure. Her long, black, lustrous hair fell casually behind her, framing a fair, delicate face. Her large violet eyes were exceptionally expressive, but just as Yuwen Xi had said, her complexion was sickly pale.

It was clear that Yuwen Xi was right; her health was poor.

Yuwen Xi carefully helped the girl sit in his seat at the table.

Avril asked with concern, "Eva, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

The girl known as Eva looked at Avril and smiled. "It's nothing, sister. I probably just didn't sleep well last night."

When Arthur saw the girl's pale complexion, his heart tightened. His right hand, hidden beneath the table, clenched into a fist, his veins bulging. A dark glint flashed in the depths of his eyes, but on the surface, he feigned confusion and asked Avril, "Avril, who is this?"