“Now,” Sir Orton began again, “before we move on to the feast, there’s something I want to ask, something we all want to hear.”

The room became silent, and Anabel, along with Desmond, looked up in curiosity.

Sir Orton turned to her with a serious gaze. “Anabel, my only daughter… Do you truly want to accept Desmond again? Do you want to marry him? Not out of pressure, not out of nostalgia, but from your heart?”

All eyes turned to her, and the room held its breath. Anabel’s lips curved into a gentle smile. She turned her head slowly to look at Desmond, who was already watching her with eyes...