Return of the Crowned Heiress novel Chapter 232

Felicia blinked in surprise before letting out a soft laugh. "If you don't want me to smile, shouldn't you be covering my mouth instead of my eyes? What's the point of—"

Before she could finish, Stephan leaned in and kissed her.

Her vision was still obscured, but she felt his warmth and the faint, clean scent he carried as he lightly pressed his lips to hers.

It was brief, fleeting, and when he pulled away, he removed his hand from her eyes, leaving her in stunned silence.

For a moment, Felicia wasn't sure if it had actually happened. If it weren't for the lingering warmth on her lips, she might have thought she had imagined it.

Stephan, ever composed, pulled out a chair beside her and sat down, his expression calm as if nothing had occurred. With a slight wave of his hand, he signaled to the staff waiting nearby.

Felicia ground her teeth in exasperation but chose not to confront him. His sudden, uncharacteristic gesture disrupted her thoughts, effectively pulling her mind away from the events of the evening.

Moments later, a quiet bustle began as staff members entered the rooftop. Some carried trays of fresh ingredients, others brought cooking utensils. A team of chefs and mixologists quickly set up an impromptu kitchen.

The quiet rooftop transformed into a fine dining experience, and within minutes, the enticing aroma of seared steak and foie gras filled the air.

Felicia's jaw almost dropped when she recognized the team of chefs. They belonged to the most exclusive private dining service in Khogend. Their head chef's schedule was so packed that even having the money to hire him didn't guarantee availability. Yet here he was.

The dishes were plated and served with flawless precision. The mixologist placed handcrafted cocktails on the table alongside them. The entire team departed just as silently as they had arrived, leaving only the faint echo of their movements behind.

Felicia took a bite of the steak. It was perfectly cooked, melting in her mouth with rich, savory flavors. "It's amazing," she admitted grudgingly.

When she finished eating, she stood up, stretched her arms, and was about to say something when a sudden boom echoed across the city.

Her gaze snapped to the horizon just in time to see the first fireworks explode into a cascade of brilliant colors against the night sky. One bloom became two, then dozens, and finally, countless bursts of light illuminated the cityscape.

The buildings around them shimmered in hues of gold, purple, and red as the fireworks reflected off the glass windows. The entire city seemed transformed, a dreamlike wonderland of light and sound.

Felicia stood still, her breath caught.

Down below, a group of Stephan's crew was hard at work coordinating the drones. Their faces strained with effort as they worked to perfect the synchronized light display.

"Not enough! We need more drones!" one of them barked, sweat trickling down his face as he adjusted the controls.

Another crew member glanced up at the sky, squinting at the intricate patterns already lighting up the night. "Isn't this… enough?" he muttered hesitantly.

"Talk about enough. What do you know about romance? This is about creating magic. Mr. Russell finally decided to show his softer side, and that woman up there, Ms. Fuller, will be the future Mrs. Russell. Now, stop complaining and add more drones!"

"On it!" the crew called out, scrambling to make the display even grander.

…

Fireworks burned bright but were fleeting, and even the drone lights would eventually fade.

But for Felicia, this moment felt like it would stay with her forever. It etched into her memory as something rare and unforgettable.