Leopold pressed a hand to his forehead with a weary sigh, "You really have that little faith in me?"
"None," she replied bluntly, "Uncle Charles and Aunt Harriet were childhood sweethearts, their love ran deep, and yet Charles
could still betray Harriet. You and | don't share a deep bond. If it weren't for Arnold breathing down your neck, you wouldn't give
Leopold exhaled in frustration, "So that's how you see me."
Aurelia looked down, her thick lashes casting a shadow over her fair eyelids, "You never likedbefore. | was never the bride of
your dreams."
He was helpless, "How do you know you're not my ideal bride?"
She countered, "You probably dream of an elegant belle from a wealthy family, a perfect match for your status, not a plain Jane like
me."
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Leopold flicked her forehead gently, "You're not a mind reader. How could you possibly know exactly what | want?"
She pouted, "Il just do."
He tousled her hair affectionately, "If | really wanted a society girl, would | have remained faithful to you all this time?"
"That's because you're picky and haven't met 'The One' yet. You're so high and mighty, and we mere mortals can't catch your
eye," she retorted.
Leopold couldn't help but laugh as he pulled her into his embrace, "You're the only one | can stand to look at."
She quipped, "I'm young and pretty now, of course, you like me. But what about when I'm as old as Aunt Harriet, no longer in the
bloom of youth? Will you start looking elsewhere for syoung sweetheart like Uncle Charles did?"
Her tone carried a hint of sorrow, and Leopold felt a gust of turmoil, "When you age, I'll age too. I'm even older than you."
She scrutinized him from head to toe with a critical eye, "Men and women aren't the same. A wealthy and influential man like you
could be eighty and still attract young beauties." Even as he aged, he'd still have his charm.
He caressed her cheek, "Honey, you need to trust me. I'm a one-woman man, and | wouldn't touch anyone else."
Aurelia was far from convinced. “Men's words are as fickle as the wind,” she thought.
"Uncle Charles probably said the sto Aunt Harriet. Maybe he even swore."
Leopold was silent.
"Honey, I'm not like Uncle Charles. He wasn’t as faithful as you think, and he always had his dalliances, you just never knew."
Aurelia was shocked, her worldview crumbling. Was there no true love in the Stirling family?
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"Are there no truly loving couples in the Stirling family?"
"Of course, there are us," Leopold kissed her forehead tenderly, "Let's be a model couple for future generations. How about that?"
Aurelia glanced at him coyly, "You said it, not me. What if you stray when we're old?"
"I'll beca monk," he said nonchalantly.
Aurelia choked, coughing and quickly taking a sip of her lemon water. Wasn't that a bit extreme?
"No need for drastic measures. If you cheat, just step down gracefully and leave with nothing but your name."
Leopold smiled softly, "Agreed." It was an impossible scenario, but to ease Aurelia's mind, he was willing to make the promise.
Aurelia leaned against the headboard, her hand resting on her slightly swollen belly. If he left with nothing, any mistress would be
left empty-handed, and that would be vindication for Aurelia.
She mused, "Poor Harriet, she always smiling as if nothing's wrong, but she must be hurting inside, right?"