Chapter 22
I looked at Merlin somewhat nervously.
She had come to find me, seemingly for something.
Seeing me like this, Merlin set down her teacup and nodded at me with a smile.
"Dear, you don't need to be nervous. I came to find you because of Kane's request."
Hearing her gentle tone, much of my anxiety faded away.
I nodded at her and asked curiously, "Why did he ask you to come find me?"
"Aren't you two getting married? Since I'm here today anyway, I thought I'd come measure your measurements."
Measurements?
I looked at Merlin in surprise.
She pulled out a measuring tape directly from her small bag.
Probably to ease my nervousness, Merlin spoke gently while taking my measurements, "You're a bit too thin. You should eat more meat and carbs."
I nodded shyly.
Soon, she finished measuring me.
Merlin handed me a candy - it seemed to be from the East, translucent, looking like it was made from some kind of vegetable.
It was indeed cool in my mouth and tasted good.
My mood improved quite a bit.
"Do you have any particular elements you like? I'll incorporate them into your wedding dress."
My eyes lit up at these words.
My mother couldn't attend my wedding, which I deeply regretted.
When my mother was alive, she often kept a pot of spider plants, saying that seeing them reminded her of me.
Now, for me, seeing spider plants reminded me of my mother.
"Could you add spider plant elements?"
My words made Merlin pause, then she showed that gentle smile again.
"Of course, dear. I can do whatever you want. But why spider plants?"
Indeed, it seemed like no one would incorporate such an ordinary plant into a wedding.
Especially not such a grand and magnificent wedding for a mafia heir.
I touched my nose somewhat embarrassedly and said softly, "Because it's my mother's favorite plant. She can't come to my wedding, so this is the only way I can express my longing for her."
Hearing this, sympathy showed in Merlin's eyes.
She probably knew that being a mafia wife required enduring a lot.
"It's normal to cut ties with former relatives. After all, you're not marrying into an ordinary family."
Merlin seemed to want to comfort me. I smiled and shook my head.
"My mother passed away a long time ago. I just hope this spider plant can represent her and stay by my side."
Hearing this, Merlin froze for a moment, then her expression became somewhat sad, her tone even gentler.
"I'm so sorry, dear. Hearing such sad news... I think your mother would be happy for you, knowing you're getting married. In any case, at least by marrying Mr. Moretti, your future life will improve greatly."
Merlin was like a gentle elder, her words full of warm reassurance.
"Ms. Merlin, have you known Mr. Moretti for a long time?"
I couldn't help but ask.
Since coming to Kane's side, almost no one could talk to me. Only during meals could I see Nina and chat with her a bit.
But at those times, there were many of Kane's people around, so I didn't dare talk openly, afraid of bringing trouble to Nina.
Ms. Merlin seemed like a very steady person. I couldn't help wanting to open up to her and talk more.
Hearing my question, Merlin thought for a while.
"Perhaps Mr. Moretti isn't a good person in the traditional sense, but to those around him, as long as they're loyal and don't betray him, he's a very good person. At least in terms of money and material life, he definitely won't treat you badly."
"You're about to become his bride. No matter what he was like before, believe me, dear, once he has a family, he'll definitely be a good husband."
"I know your background isn't noble, but you don't need to feel inferior. Since Mr. Moretti is willing to marry you, it proves that in his heart, you're worth it."
Merlin's words were like a small hammer, gently tapping on my heart.
This Kane seemed somewhat different from the Kane I knew.
But thinking about how Kane was always cold to others, and only showed a little bit of tenderness when facing me.
Perhaps it really was different.
A barely visible smile appeared at the corners of my mouth.
"Thank you for being honest with me, Ms. Merlin. Perhaps I'm not so afraid of the upcoming wedding anymore."
Merlin looked at me, reached out to touch my hair, then touched my cheek.
"Your hair is a bit rough, and your skin is somewhat dull, but I can tell that with proper care, you won't be any worse than those so-called young ladies."
I chatted very pleasantly with Merlin, until there was a knock at the door.
I looked up and saw it was Kane.
He had come.
Seeing Kane arrive, Merlin smiled, stood up and said to me, "We'll see each other again soon. I'll go start making your wedding dress now."
I looked at Merlin reluctantly, as she was one of the few people I'd met since coming to Kane's side that I actually wanted to talk to.
Kane saw my expression and raised an eyebrow.
"You seem to really like Merlin."
His tone carried an emotion I couldn't read, but I nodded without hesitation.
"Yes, Ms. Merlin is a very gentle and kind person."
Kane seemed to hear something funny, chuckling and shaking his head.
I looked at him in confusion, but he put away his expression and reached out his hand to me.
"The banquet is about to officially start. How was the food?"
I touched my stomach - actually, I was quite full.
Seeing my stomach was a bit more rounded than before, Kane smiled and pulled me up, his hand also touching my stomach.
The burning warmth passed through my clothes to my belly, making me tremble involuntarily.
"I can tell the food here really suits your taste. I'll bring today's banquet chef home."
Just as I was about to say something, he pulled me outside.
Now the entire deck looked more orderly than before. Everyone was either holding wine glasses or cigarettes, whispering to each other, and the noise wasn't as loud as at the beginning.
I blinked, following somewhat nervously behind Kane.
Many people greeted Kane along the way. Kane either ignored them completely or just nodded coldly.
Some people enthusiastically greeted me too, and I smiled in response.
Only then would Kane show them a slightly warmer smile.
We had just reached the front of the crowd when I saw Sophie, who had come to warn me earlier.
Sophie's gaze also fell on me.
I felt uncomfortable all over and hid a bit behind Kane. Kane also sensed my avoidance.
He glanced at me, then at Sophie, and his handsome brows immediately furrowed.
"Did she bully you?"