Chapter 77

After taking photos, Asher and Thalia began building a snowman in the courtyard.

Thalia created an adorable large snowman about half her height.

She adorned it with a scarlet scarf and a little crimson hat, then used her peach oolong tea–colored lipstick to give the snowman rosy cheeks.

Asher leaned close to her ear, his breath warm against her skin. “Those rosy cheeks are utterly enchanting, just like yours when you’re… flustered.”

Thalia laughed, a delicate blush rising to her own cheeks at his suggestive tone. “Of course they are–this is my very own daughter, after all.”

After completing the snowman, Thalia brushed the snow off her gloves and looked at their creation with the pride of a new parent. “We simply must give her a proper name, don’t you think?”

“Capital idea,” Asher’s lips curved upward, his eyes never leaving Thalia’s face. “How about Sugar? It sounds rather like your name, Lia. Sweet… irresistible… tempting…”

Thalia’s eyes brightened, ignoring–or perhaps enjoying–his playful innuendo. “That’s absolutely perfect. Sugar it is.”

“Let’s take a family portrait, shall we?” Asher suggested, his smile warm and tender as his hand found the small of her back, drawing her just a fraction closer than strictly necessary.

“I’d love that,” she replied, taking the camera. “I’ll find someone to help us.”

Thalia approached the young couple who had been building snowmen earlier. “Excuse me, would mind awfully taking a photo for us?”

you

“Of course,” the young woman took the camera. “Though I’m not terribly familiar with how to use this

contraption.”

Thalia leaned in to show her. “The settings are already adjusted. You need only press here.”

“Right, I see.”

“Thank you ever so much.”

Chapter 77

“It’s no trouble at all.” The young woman whispered to Thalia, “You and your boyfriend make such a gorgeous couple. Are you Instagram influencers or something of the sort?”

Thalia shook her head, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “Goodness, no. And thank you–you’re quite

lovely yourself.”

After taking photos, Thalia and Asher visited a famous spot nearby.

It was a traditional inn with a distinctly historical ambiance. From the carved wooden windows on the third floor, one could see the snow–capped mountains in the distance, embodying the poetic sentiment of “the window frames a thousand years of snow on the western mountains.”

Annecy made a point of taking

visit. She had previously planned an itinerary that included this inn, but

had never failed to disappoint when it came

that? I’ll take you to Switzerland someday–the mountains there

busy, she no

two years later, she had finally made it.

time, she was here

cold breeze blew past, causing Thalia to

“Chilly, my

down jacket

strand of hair from her face. “Keep your hood up to block the wind.

to take photos soon, and the hood won’t look particularly fetching in

can take it off for the photos. The wind is

her eyes playful. “Are you cold as well?”

slightly. “A kiss would

Chapter 77

you’re not cold then.”

I still want a kiss. Call it… payment

help but smile at him. This man who normally appeared so cool

when they

now–by his stance, it was clear he wouldn’t budge until

and stood on her tiptoes to

inches, he stood more than a head taller

man,” the young woman pouted. “I can’t reach

Thalia’s, offering himself for her kiss. “Your wish

to anyone was willingly lowering his head.

would he gladly and willingly

her arms around Asher’s neck

so she merely gave him a fleeting peck

kiss, his

free

crimson.

tactically twice to hide her embarrassment. “Ahem,

many people here. We can continue this when we get back,” she whispered, the

was in excellent spirits, his eyes soft with affection, his lips curved in a satisfied smile. “I shall hold you to

her face

Chapter 77

the smile vanishing

wind swept through, and snow began to

Ashcroft stood at the entrance of the inn, gazing at her from afar through

also noticed

his eyes, replaced by an icy coldness that cut to the bone.

hand and walked toward Drake.

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