My Beloved Has Risen from Death's Embrace novel Chapter 56

"I'm not creepy!"

Xanthe grabbed a wooden block and threw it at him, and he yelped, picking up two to throw back, "Xan, you are a grown-up, you can't bully little kids!"

"Little kids are the easiest to bully!"

Peals of laughter drifted into the kitchen, where Orion, through the frosted glass, watched the joyous interplay of the girl and the boy below. The scene was a mirror of the countless sleepless nights filled with dreams, yet infinitely more enchanting.

Even though it was just a fleeting illusion, he wished it could last a little longer, much longer, ideally forever.

An hour later, the butler descended the stairs and bowed, "Ms. Nightshade, Sebastian, Mr. Lockwood has prepared a midnight snack. Please join him in the dining room on the second floor!"

"Alright!"

Xanthea and Sebastian, washed up and racing each other, entered the dining room on the second floor and were greeted by a lavish table set with an array of mouthwatering Willowdale specialties.

Sebastian exclaimed, "Wow, it smells amazing and looks so bountiful, Uncle Orion, you're awesome!"

"Did you make all this?"

Xanthea was amazed as she looked at Orion. Even before tasting, the presentation and colors alone were not the work of an amateur!

She had expected some simple cold cuts for a snack, but instead, it was a table full of exquisite dishes!

Orion urged, "Ms. Nightshade, please, have a taste."

"Sure, don't mind if I do!"

She quickly picked up her utensils, scanning the table with a touch of decision paralysis. Crab cakes, roasted chicken, and fluffy mashed potatoes. Finally, she forked a piece of crab cake, its rich, creamy filling perfectly soft and deliciously fragrant.

"Mmm! This is so good, how can it be this delicious!"

It was so delectable that her eyes squinted in satisfaction, emitting sounds of delight like a content fox.

Sebastian, too, lifted his spoon enthusiastically, "Super delicious!"

"It's getting late; perhaps, Ms. Nightshade, you could stay over."

"Sure!"

Xanthea nodded automatically, and only a few seconds later realized what she had agreed to. Stay over?

She looked up to see his pleasantly upturned eyebrows and that lethally charming smile.

Staying over then, with a handsome man and delicious food – could life get any more blissful?

"Why don't you join me in eating, instead of watching?"

"Alright."

The three of them dined together, a harmonious, picture-perfect scene. The butler, reassured, silently agreed with the staff's whispers, they really did look like a family.

Xanthea picked up a forkful of fluffy mashed potatoes, pulling out her phone, "It’s yummy, I have to take a photo to remember this moment!"