His Eagle Eyes on Me

Layla could not help but chuckle. "You've praised him so much that there's nothing left for us to say. We haven't met him, so we don't know if he's really as nice as you say."

"He really is a great guy. I wouldn't lie to you," Ivy said, blushing.

"Sweetie, I know you're not lying, but when people are in love, they're prone to idealizing the person they are in love with; it's normal to think with your heart rather than your head," Avery explained. "Are you planning to return to Taronia later on?"

Ivy nodded. "I promised to bring him a gift. I can't go back on my word."

"When do you plan on telling him?"

"Telling him how I feel, you mean?" Ivy asked.

Avery clarified, "I mean, when are you going to tell him who you really are? You can't keep things this way forever, can you? I've noticed that the two of you haven't made much progress even after all these days in Taronia. Dragging it out like this isn't productive."

"But Hayden is still testing him, right? I can't reveal my identity to him yet." Ivy paused and added, "But he probably suspects I'm Irene. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given me this bracelet."

Another silence fell over the room, and Ivy's face darkened to crimson. "What's with the silence?"

"Hahaha! What do you want Mom and Dad to say? They don't want to marry you off to Lucas, but if they say, 'No,' you'll get upset. I bet Mom and Dad haven't had such a headache in years," Robert respondec cheerfully, abating the awkward atmosphere slightly.

"I-I'm getting a bit hungry." Ivy stood from the couch. "Let's go eat! I really miss the food at home! I can't get used to the food in Taronia!"

"So you've managed to gain weight even though you can't get used to the food? What have you been up to over there?" Layla teased.

"It might be because I didn't have to deal with any sort of stress over there. Actually, I didn't gain weight when I grew up in Taronia either," Ivy said.

"You look better with a bit of flesh on

your bones. You were too thin before guess it was probably because of the stress from your studies," Layla agreed.

"Yeah. Layla, how are you feeling now?" Ivy reached out and gently touched Layla's belly. "Are you feeling uncomfortable in any way?"

"I'm a bit uncomfortable, but it's not too bad. I'm adapting well. Maybe because I'm young and healthy."

"That's good. You are my biggest worry right now," Ivy said.

Layla chuckled. "You're worrying about me? I'm worried about you; everyone is afraid that Lucas might be tricking you!"

The family gathered around the dining table as the servants brought in the food.

"I admit that I'm in over my head now, but still stand by my principles. I will never live in Taronia. I am staying here in Aryadelle. As wonderful as Lucas may be, my family is more important."

Elliot and Avery felt slightly reassured upon hearing her words.

After the meal, Ivy returned to her room to shower before messaging Lucas to inform him that she had arrived home.

Lucas did not reply, and Ivy

murmured to herself, "Is he still mad

at me? Does he think that I'm being dishonest? What could I have done? I have to listen to my parents!" en.swhovels.net

She set her phone aside and turned off the lights. "I need to go to sleep! I'm going to leave tomorrow's problems to tomorrow."

Meanwhile, in Taronia, Lucas was holding an investment contract and staring at the man sitting across from him-the man sent by Hayden.