Nolan hugged her. “So, how will you express your appreciation?”Maisie stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips. “This is my favorite gift that I’ve ever received in my life. I’ll definitely keep it for a lifetime.”Nolan kissed her on the forehead and between the eyebrows. “I’m glad as long as you’re happy.”The next day, flowers were in full bloom in the music academy, and the garden in the academy was filled with tender verdures. People were walking in the corridors, and several instructors passed by too.“I heard that Jodie has returned to the academy to be an instructor. But didn’t she major in ballet?”“So what if she majored in ballet? She won an award as a pianist. She won’t be at a disadvantage even when she returns to her alma mater as an instructor.”“It’s said that she and Mr. Lucas were students of the same department, and she was the belle of the solo instrumentation department of the music academy. They would’ve been the perfect couple on campus if they had got t
Ryleigh was startled.Charles walked up to her and patted her on the shoulder. “Ryleigh, we can’t expect others to fight for us. When everyone else is looking down on you, the more you have to prove it to them.”Ryleigh’s confusion was instantly cleared after listening to Charles’s guidance.She smiled, thanked him, and then left his office. “I understand now, thank you.”Looking at her leaving his office, Charles gave off a satisfied grin.In the next few days, Ryleigh brought in a few students from the orchestra department.They obviously looked a little bewildered. “Ms. Hill, why did you summon us here?”Ryleigh looked at the music manuscripts in her hand and laughed. “Let’s start a band!”One of the girls looked even more confused. “A band?”Another girl sighed. “What kind of band can we form? The students from the solo instruments department will surely laugh at us for playing music for a funeral when they see us rehearsing.”“Yeah, thanks to them, we’re often not in the
“However, these music genres emerged only around the 19th to 20th century. We’ve mastered these genres, and that’s something to be proud of, but what are we going to tell the public when classical music is being put forward?”Ryleigh chuckled. “Classical music has been primarily a written tradition since at least the 9th century, spawning a sophisticated notational system ever since. The earliest extant music manuscripts are said to date from the Carolingian Empire that flourished during that era. The Fradianites popularized such symphonies in the 12th century. They stood the test of time during the Renaissance period that took place from the 14th to 17th century and evolved throughout the whole history of humanity.“It’s famous for its high emotional penetration and its pompous, majestic harmonies that give a symphony its dynamics. You’ll run into a gentle caress among waves of rigidity and sometimes a harsh punch in the face among the soft embrace of the symphony. So, you can argue
Ryleigh slapped his hand away and said, “I just can’t stand seeing them like that. Hmph!”Louis pinched her puffed-up cheeks. “If I didn’t come over, were you going to fight them?”Ryleigh looked at him, deep in thought, but didn’t speak. At that moment, a beautiful woman in a long dress stood not far away with a smile on her face. “Lew.”Ryleigh stared at Louis, who had great luck with women. The woman walking over wasn’t as pretty as his ex-girlfriend Xyla but was just as graceful. She could guess who this woman was. She was probably Jodie Smalls that the other instructors had been talking about a few days ago. Xyla was an international supermodel who had a classy grace, while Jodie was a ballet dancer who was demure and elegant, gentle as water.Louis looked at her, then frowned. “Who are you?”Ryleigh turned away and covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. Jodie was probably surprised when Louis didn’t recognize her and paused, feeling a little awkward. “I’m Jodie, don
Louis enjoyed her ‘performance’ and couldn’t help but say, “You can do that too.”Ryleigh was disgusted. “No way!”Louis leaned in closer to her. “Weren’t you nastier when you called me honey?”Ryleigh paused and quickly looked away. “Did I? I didn’t, no way. You misheard.”He pinched her cheek and made her look at him. “Playing dumb, are we?”Before Ryleigh could speak, Louis kissed her. She was surprised but then started smacking him playfully. “We’re in public— Mm!He ignored it, then backed her up against the wall and took her breath away, taking in all her sweetness.When Ryleigh saw someone walk past them again, she pushed him away anxiously and turned around while she blushed, fanning with her hand.“Professor Lucas.” A student nodded at Louis, who responded with a nod.Ryleigh hid behind him and tried to slip away after the students walked away. Unfortunately, Louis caught her. “Where are you going?”Ryleigh whispered, “I’m going back.”“Why? You don’t have class i
The next day…Ryleigh sat crossed-legged on the couch in Louis’ loose T-Shirt, waiting for someone to bring her clothes over.She happily went to get the door when the doorbell rang. However, her face fell when she saw the woman outside was Xyla. “Why are you here?”Xyla looked at her and smiled. “You’re living together after your wedding.”Ryleigh was going to close the door when Xyla suddenly held the door open and stuffed a bag of designer clothes into her hands. “Hold these. I wouldn’t have wanted to come over if not for Louis.”Xyla put on her sunglasses with a smile, turned, and left. Ryleigh froze for a few minutes, tossed the bag to the floor, and angrily stomped her feet. “I’m going to mess you up, Louis Lucas!”After throwing a tantrum, Ryleigh picked up the bag of clothes. Having something to wear was better than nothing!Xyla returned to the car and received a text from Louis, who asked if she had sent the clothes over.Xyla: [I did. Don’t ask me to deliver anythi
Ryleigh fell to the ground, and the skin of her palm scratched against the floor and bled. She winced and balled up her fist. The instructor crossed her arm. “Stop pretending. I just pushed you lightly, and you fell?”“If Mr. Lucas saw this, he would say that we’re bullying you. You fell, so don’t come blaming us.”“You—” Ryleigh was going to retaliate when a woman walked over with her phone. “I’m sorry, I accidentally took a video of the interesting event that just took place. I wonder if this video can help clear this lady’s name.”Ryleigh looked over and was surprised because it was Xyla. The instructors all turned pale. Jodie smiled when she saw that it was Xyla. “Xy, why are you here?”She walked toward her. “Don’t misunderstand, Xy. It was an accident.”Ryleigh stood up. Xyla turned to look at Jodie. “We’re not very close.”Jodie’s smile froze, but she still calmly said, “Don’t you recognize me? I’m Jodie Smalls.”“I know you’re Jodie Smalls.” Xyla twirled her phon
When she saw how pale Jodie turned, Xyla leaned closer. “You try to scare the women around Louis away because you’re not good enough for him? Do you think you’d get a chance to dance ballet if you didn’t get close to me because my father was the director of Royal Crown?”Jodie’s shoulder shuddered. Ryleigh looked at her curiously.Xyla patted her face. “Do you think you’re so pure and innocent? You used your relationship with me and got to know the people in my father’s circle and sold yourself out just so they would pay for your ballet career overseas.“After so many years of dancing, you still haven’t gotten famous, just enjoying life with money people give you. If it weren’t because they saw through your plan and cut off your finances, would you have returned?”Xyla didn’t speak too loud, but everyone could clearly hear her, and they were shocked. Jodie looked more and more embarrassed. Her face was pale as a sheet, as if she had faced immense shame, while her eyes filled with
“Daisie.” Leah and Morrison walked up to her with wine glasses. “You look so pretty today.”“Thank you,” Daisie said with a smile.Leah lifted her wine glass. “I propose a toast. Morrison and I wish you a happy marriage.”Daisie clinked glasses with her. “Same goes for you and Morrison.”After the toast, Cameron walked up to Daisie with Waylon. Behind them were Freyja, Colton, Maisie, and Nolan.Maisie raised her hand and caressed her on the cheek. “You were great earlier today.”She giggled. “Really?”Nolan added, “You’ll forever be our dazzling pride, so yes.”Daisie grinned as if she was still the little princess of the family.Nollace came over. “Dad, Mom, a toast to the both of you. Thank you for letting me have Daisie’s hand.”“Consider yourself lucky.” Nolan snorted softly, picked up his wine glass, and clinked glasses with him. “You’d better treat my daughter well from now on.”Nollace glanced at Daisie. “Don’t worry. She’ll forever be my one and only.”Maisie chuck
In order to make way for the wedding carriage, other vehicles had been forbidden from accessing the route from the palace to the cathedral.Daisie looked out of the carriage—the streets were crowded with citizens, and they were all there to witness this grand scene.Nollace, sitting on the side, was wearing a double-breasted dark blue military jacket. He looked tall and broad, and there were two St. Patrick’s Stars on his epaulets, one on each side, a full set of medals on his chest, and other complicated decorations.He held the back of Daisie’s hand and smiled suddenly. “You have sweaty palms.”Daisie looked back at him and responded with a trembling voice, “I’m nervous.”He lifted her hand and kissed the back of her hand. “I’m here, so don’t be nervous. Just take it easy.”Daisie’s gaze landed on his wedding jacket. “You look nice in this uniform.”Nollace chuckled. “And my bride looks stunning too.”Arriving at the cathedral, Nollace was separated from Daisie. Accompanied b
“By the way, where’s Cameron?” asked Morrison.Waylon replied, “She’s accompanying her father on a stroll. I’m going to go meet them already, so I’ll leave you to yourselves for now. You can do whatever you want with your free time.”After saying that, he got up and left the couple.Morrison shook his head. “He’s changed now that he has a wife.”“You’re speaking as if you haven’t changed.” Leah got up instantly and left the restaurant.Morrison put his cup down and caught up to her immediately. “Hey, why would you leave me behind? Wait for me.”Maisie and Saydie came out of the private room and ran into Nolan and Quincy in the corridor.Quincy nodded. “Mrs. Goldmann.”Maisie stopped in front of Nolan, and Nolan grabbed her by her hand. “Have you finished catching up?”“Of course. Didn’t you want to go to the Hathaways’ villa with Dad in the afternoon?”Nolan smiled. “I was waiting for you. We’re just going over to have a meal together.”Quincy walked up to Saydie’s side and
Daisie grinned from ear to ear. “Then I’ll wear this crown on my wedding day, which can be considered an endorsement for my mom’s jewelry company and design.”Nollace hugged her from behind. “You can do anything as long as you like it.”…The members of the Goldmanns arrived in Yaramoor two days before the wedding and stayed in the hotel arranged by Nollace. The royal family had reserved the entire hotel for receiving distinguished guests from Zlokova who came to attend the wedding.Members from the Bouchers and the Lucases showed up, and Sunny was also present.There were also some familiar faces from the Zlokovian entertainment industry. Hannah, Amy, James, and Charlie, who were close friends with Daisie, all came.Leah and Morrison were also on the invitation list.When Maisie came to the restaurant, the waiter led her into a private room.As soon as she saw the man sitting inside, she smiled and exclaimed, “Godfather!”Strix slowly turned around.She had not seen him for
The rest of the people laughed.The night came, and the entire city was shrouded in a mist of neon light. Daisie and Nollace returned to Taylorton after having their dinner.Her hair was wet as she got out of the shower. Nollace took over her towel and helped her to dry her hair.She sat in front of her dresser and looked at the person behind her through the mirror. There was a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she said, “Nolly, I’m really looking forward to our wedding.”“Really?” Nollace gently dried the soft tips of her hair. “I’m looking forward to it too.”“I can say that my life is perfect now, right? Since I can marry and walk down the aisle with the man I love the most.”He laughed out loud and leaned down to her ear. “You know what? All the wishes in my life have come true as well.”Daisie turned her head around. “What are your wishes?”“Marry you, give you a wedding, and have our own kids.”She was stunned. Slowly, her face turned red due to her embarrassme
“Yeah, it’s true,” replied Zephir.“It seems like you’ve finally become more mature after coming back from your vacation.” Naomi patted his shoulder. “I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.” He smiled at her but did not say anything.…Soon, it was the end of the month. Their vacation had come to an end, and they returned to Bassburgh.Maisie and Nolan were waiting for them in the courtyard. After getting out of the car, Daisie ran up to them. “Mommy! Daddy!”She hugged both of them.Nolan petted her head and smiled helplessly. “You’re an adult now. You should stop acting like a kid.”She smiled back at them and said, “But I know I’ll always be your kid in your eyes.”Maisie chuckled and looked at the other people. “It seems like you guys had a lot of fun. Anyway, come in first. We should eat together tonight.”Freyja and Cameron went to look for their kids after they went into the house. Charm and her two cousins were staying in the same room. All of them were sl
Nollace looked at them. “What a coincidence.”“Morrison and I were here earlier than you guys,” said Leah. “We only found out that you guys were here when Daisie posted a photo on her Facebook page.”Daisie pulled Leah to the seat and said, “Then you should stay a few more days with us.”After Morrison took his seat, Waylon introduced him to Freyja and Daisie. “She’s my sister-in-law, Freyja, and she’s my sister. Her name is Daisie.”“I’ve seen them before at your wedding,” said Morrison. “Your sister is my wife’s classmate. She has told me before.”“Since when did I become your wife? There’s a chance I may not marry you in the future,” said Leah.“We’re already engaged. If you don’t want to marry me, who else are you going to marry?” Morrison frowned, causing the crowd to break out in a burst of laughter, save for Daisie.She looked at Leah in disbelief and asked, “Engaged? When did you get engaged, Leah?” Leah cleared her throat and replied, “Well, I forgot to inform you abo
The stall owner said, “$10 for three chances.”“$10 for three chances only? That’s expensive,” commented Freyja.The stall owner raised his head and said, “I’m the cheapest around here. Other stalls offer $15 for three chances.” Daisie tugged at Freyja and said, “Let's just give him the money. It isn't easy for them to set up a stall here anyway, so let's have some fun.”After that, she gave $20 to the stall owner and said, “Please give us six hoops.”The stall owner gave her six hoops. She had her eyes set on a bracelet. Although she knew it was fake, it was rather beautiful. She held a hoop and threw it toward the bracelet.However, she did not get it.She threw another two hoops at the bracelet, but her attempts failed, much to her chagrin. She had only three hoops left.Seeing that Daisie was prepared to give up, Cameron took over the rest of the hoops in her hand and said, “Leave it to me.”She squinted and aimed at the bracelet. After that, she threw the hoop at it an
The night of the old town was silent. The air was filled with nothing but the humming of insects. There was a lamp hanging outside of the tent on the grass. The atmosphere was quiet. Daisie was tossing and turning in the sleeping bag as sleep just wouldn't come to her. Suddenly, an arm appeared across her waist as she was brought into a chest. “What’s the matter? You can’t sleep?”“Yeah…” She buried her head in his chest and said, “I want to go to take a leak, but I’m a little bit scared.”Nollace kissed her forehead and said, “I’ll go with you then.”Both of them came out of the tent. Nollace took a flashlight and led Daisie to a row of trees in the distance. Daisie turned her head and said, “You wait for me here.”Nollace nodded. “Just shout my name if you need anything.”She walked into the forest and stopped in front of a tree not far away from Nollace.After she had done her business, she hastily got out of the forest and held tightly to Nollace’s arm. “Alright, let’s go