Chapter 192

Callum escorted Natalia back to the grand hall of the castle and handed her cloak to a walting servant.

He then turned to her with an excited grin. “In honor of your triumphant return, I’m throwing a spectacular feast tonight. I want everyone to celebrate your SUCCESS.

Natalia blushed. “Callum, isn’t that a bit excessive? I just won a minor award, Won’t this be too ostentatious?”

“Excessive? Minor? Ostentatious?” Callum responded with a hearty laugh. “My dear, you underestimate the significance of your achievement. Designers worldwide dream of the honor you’ve received. I’m merely adding a cherry on top of your celebration. There’s nothing excessive about that.”

“But Callum,” Natalla lowered her gaze, feeling guilty, “I’ve been living here for so long. I can’t let you spend so much on me. I feel like I’m taking advantage of your generosity.” Callum ruffled Natalia’s hair affectionately. “You seriously need to stop worrying about that, my dear. You’re my fiancée; everything here is yours as well. If you keep talking like this, I might have to spank you.”

His words made Natalia’s cheeks flush. Was he flirting with her?

“All right, go freshen up. The feast will start once you’re ready. No rush, take your time. Remember, you’re the star tonight.” Callum then turned to the servants behind him. “Assist Miss Natalia with her preparations.”

“No, Callum, I can manage on my own.” Natalia hastily refused, waving her hands in dismissal. She was okay with everything but the maids assisting her with her bath. She still remembered the embarrassment she felt when the maids helped her bathe after she regained consciousness. They were so thorough; they didn’t even spare her private parts. The experience made her blush all over with embarrassment. Since then, Natalia had set certain boundaries with Callum and no maid would assist her in bathing. Absolutely not! Callum laughed aloud. “Natalia, you need to get used to their assistance. If you don’t need them, then what’s the point of hiring them? Maybe I should just let them go.”

“No, Callum.” Natalia objected, afraid that Callum might dismiss the maids. “They’re very helpful. I’m uncomfortable with their assistance because I’m not used to this type of service.” As Natalia spoke, her voice gradually faded until it was nearly a whisper, and she hung her head low in embarrassment.

Callum waved her off. “Alright, I was just teasing you. Go freshen up, you’re going to be the center of attention tonight.”

Natalia hurriedly retreated to her room. The moment she arrived, the diligent maids already had an evening gown ready for her.

“Miss, do you need our assistance?” A maid asked humbly, bowing her head.

“No, thank you. I can manage.” Natalia quickly picked up the dress and made her way to her private bath.

Callum specially hired the maids in the castle to take care of Natalia while she was unconscious.

During the half–year that she was unconscious, Callum had employed sixteer, maids to take turns watching over her. Every day, they would soak her in the hot spring for an hour to stimulate her inactive muscles and bones. They would also tell her stories to stimulate her brain and prevent her from turning into a vegetative state.

When Natalia finally regained consciousness, she was still weak and uncoordinated. Callum would support her every day as they did various physical exercises around the castle. Once she was able to walk like a normal person, Callum hired private tutors to keep her company and teach her various things.

Over the years she was awake, Gallum had become her world. Sometimes, she thought that if she had forgotten everything, then so be it. She didn’t even want to know who her parents were, and she never asked Callum. If he wasn’t her parent, then she wouldn’t ask, and she would just live quietly.

Only the scar on her abdomen constantly through. Touching it still caused a faint reminded her of pain.

Something she had gone After she woke up, Callum took good care of her, and she wanted to work. After going through dozens of courses, she finally chose painting and design, in which she was chose interested. So, without Callum’s effort, Natalia wouldn’t be who she was today.

Soaking in the misty water, Natalia thought about all the things she was grateful to Cal for. However, she knew very well that even though Callum had done so much for her, there was still something missing in her heart. Her dependence on Callum was like a sibling’s dependence, unrelated to romantic love. She could fool anyone, but she couldn’t fool her own heart.

Callum’s gaze toward her was as passionate as ever, full of love. What if one day he asked her to fulfill her duties as a fiancée, what would she do?

Sitting in the hot spring, Natalia’s mind was spinning with thoughts, unsure of how to untangle her messy thoughts. She absentmindedly slapped the water, lowering her head to look at her abdomen through the clear spring water, and saw the long scar again. Natalia’s face changed slightly as she touched the long scar. Callum had said that the scar was left from an appendectomy. But she wasn’t stupid. Even appendicitis wouldn’t leave such a long scar.

Wouldn’t it have been some type of gynecological surgery that left such a scar? Could it be…

Just then, a maid’s voice came from outside the door. “Ma’am, have you finished soaking?

The Duke said that you shouldn’t soak in the hot spring for more than an hour.”

“Oh, I’m coming.” Natalia responded hastily, putting all her messy thoughts aside. She quickly dried herself, put on her bathrobe, and headed to the dressing room.

In the dressing room was an evening gown that Callum had specially prepared for Natalia. Dressed in an intricate and exquisite outfit, Natalia took a good fifteen minutes to finally get herself all dolled up.

She picked up the hem of her dress and slowly stepped out, immediately catching the admiring gaze of her maid. “Miss, you’re absolutely stunning. You look like an angel descended from heaven.”

Natalia almost burst out laughing at the over–the–top compliment. She was far from angelic. But who didn’t enjoy a good flattery? Natalia was no exception.

AJA