Chapter 1338 - 1278: Lotus Flowers of Mirror Lake

Desmond Manor, Mirror Lake.

Sienna Johnson stood by the lakeside, gazing at the lotus flowers Adrian Desmond had planted for her. They were now blooming lushly, giving her a feeling as if she had transcended time.

She heard footsteps approaching. Sienna Johnson didn’t need to look back; she knew who it was. She was familiar with that man’s footsteps.

"Why did you come here to see the lotus flowers?"

Adrian Desmond walked over to her, stood shoulder to shoulder with her, and together they looked at the lotus flowers in the lake. Initially, it was just a small patch, but the lotus had flourished so well that it now occupied half the lake.

The gardener suggested removing half of the lotus flowers; otherwise, they would spread across the whole lake. Adrian Desmond couldn’t bear to remove any of the flowers Sienna Johnson liked.

"I smelled a burst of lotus fragrance in the bedroom; the scent lured me over... These lotus flowers grow so well. I’ve never seen lotus flowers grow so well anywhere else."

The leaves were large and green, the flowers big and fragrant, with a rich, long-lasting aroma.

"Are you sure about moving back to Sileria City? If we relocate there, you won’t see such beautiful lotus flowers."

"Mrs. Desmond, think carefully," Adrian joked.

Sienna Johnson laughed, "This is the Desmond Family ancestral home. You’re not planning to sell it, are you?"

"Of course not! This is the Desmond Family ancestral home. Even when I was so poor I couldn’t afford food, I never planned to sell it. One day I’ll pass it on to Sheehan, and Sheehan will pass it on to his son..."

"Why did you say I won’t see it?" Looking at the brilliantly blooming lotus flowers, Sienna Johnson promised Adrian Desmond, "When I’m old, I’ll settle with you at Desmond Manor. I really like the lotus flowers here."

"Sienna?"

"But, even when you’re old and gray, you must pick a bunch of lotus flowers for me every day," Sienna Johnson said.

Adrian Desmond held her hand, also looking at the pond of lotus flowers, saying, "Alright! Even if one day I’m paralyzed, I’ll crawl over to pick you a bunch of lotus flowers every day."

"Okay."

Adolph Desmond hurried over to find Adrian Desmond. Seeing Adrian and Sienna Johnson standing by the lake looking intimate, Adolph knew Adrian would certainly dislike being disturbed at this time. But the Sultan had arrived, and Adolph couldn’t leave him waiting in the living room.

"Sixth Master, His Majesty the Sultan is here." Adolph approached, speaking with reluctance.

"Oh." Adrian just responded with a sound but did not go to see the Sultan immediately. Adolph was anxious and said, "Sixth Master, the Sultan is waiting in the living room. You should go see him now."

"Let him wait!"

Adolph: ...

Adrian bent over to pick lotus flowers for Sienna Johnson, and behind him, Adolph was sweating in anxiety. How could Adrian keep the Sultan waiting?

Seeing Adolph’s anxious expression, Sienna Johnson considered the Sultan’s status in Abyanabad and realized that Adrian had indeed kept him waiting.

"Kiya came looking for you, probably for something. You should go see him."

Adrian Desmond said, "What could it be? It’s certainly something about Paige. I can’t concern myself with their issues. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t."

"Sigh..." Sienna Johnson sighed, also thinking that Kiya and Paige’s issues were tricky.

"I found this year’s lotus flowers grew better than last year." Adrian Desmond stuffed a bunch of lotus flowers into Sienna Johnson’s arms, and she embraced them, filled with fragrance.

"Help me pick some lotus seeds too; I’ll make lotus seed porridge for you tonight."

Because she would be returning to Sileria City tomorrow, Sienna Johnson decided to cook dinner herself tonight.

"Okay."

Adolph interrupted the two of them, "Sixth Master, let me pick lotus seeds for Madam. You should go see His Majesty the Sultan first."

"You go back and tell him I can’t help him. Let him solve it himself," Adrian instructed Adolph.

"Sixth Master, what do you mean?"

"Tell Kiya this sentence. He’ll understand."

Adrian was authoritarian. Once he made a decision, he couldn’t tolerate even the slightest dissent from others.

Kiya, unable to wait any longer for Adrian, came over himself.

No matter how impressive Kiya was in front of others, he was always humble in front of the Desmond Family.

"Your Majesty, why have you come? Sixth Master was just about to go find you," Adolph said smoothly.

"Adrian, I heard you plan to move back to Sileria City?" Kiya came over as soon as he heard this news.

If Adrian moved, how could he keep Paige here?

"Yes."

Kiya said, "I know your business suffered a lot recently. If you face any difficulties, don’t hesitate to ask. I can grant you many privileges..."

"Thank you, but there’s no need!"

Kiya awkwardly smiled, "Abyanabad is your home, after all. Why suddenly decide to move to Sileria City?"

"My wife and kids are in Sileria City; of course I’d choose to live there. We can’t be separated across cities, can we?"

Kiya’s heart ached; he and Paige were indeed separated by distance.

They initially agreed Paige wouldn’t live in the Imperial Palace but would stay in Abyanabad. Yet, indeed, she wouldn’t leave Sileria City.

Abyanabad was made a mess by Night Owl, and many things needed his attention. Finding time to return to Sileria City was very difficult.

And now, Adrian suddenly decided to stop his business here and relocate to Sileria City. The Desmonds seemed determined to abandon Abyanabad and return to Sileria City, which flustered Kiya.

Kiya, unable to care about his dignity, lowered himself and said, "Adrian, Paige refuses to return to Abyanabad with the child. I’m too busy to go to Sileria City for now. Could you help persuade her?"

Adrian asked in return, "How do you expect me to persuade her?"

"Well..."

Kiya, seeing that Adrian was obviously unwilling to help, thickened his face and turned to Sienna Johnson for help, "Sister-in-law, you are both women, so you could have a common dialogue. Please, could you talk to her?"

Sienna Johnson asked in return, "Why doesn’t Paige want to return to Abyanabad?"

"She says she doesn’t like living in the Imperial Palace... My mother... she doesn’t like my mother... The main reason is still my mother... No matter how, she is my mother. I can’t chase her out of the palace."

"Mother-in-law issues, well, there’s nothing to be done then," Sienna Johnson helplessly replied.

"Sister-in-law, I’m not forcing Paige to return to the palace. Could you at least try persuading her to bring the child back to Abyanabad? I miss the child very much."

Especially the adorable Ella, his little princess.

"I’ll relay your thoughts to Paige, but I can’t promise you anything..."

Kiya looked at Sienna Johnson with joy, thanking her repeatedly. His expectant gaze made Sienna Johnson feel pressured — she hadn’t promised him anything.

"Sister-in-law, I’ll wait for your good news."

Sienna Johnson: ...

Kiya left full of expectation.

Sienna Johnson looked at Adrian Desmond with a face full of hesitation, asking, "Did I promise him anything just now?"

"Always meddling."