novelraw Chapter 726: Are You Looking for Me?
Chapter 726: Are You Looking for Me?
Delphine finished handling the matters in the Imperial City, had a video call with Nicholas and Benjamin, and then flew to Paris.
Since she had been preparing for early graduation, this trip would last about half a month before returning to her home country.
Each day, apart from dealing with graduation-related tasks, Delphine would video call the two little ones. As for Ignatius Leclair, ever since she left Nanyang, this man hadn’t made even a single phone call.
Delphine didn’t mind much. This level of distance was fine. Their earlier closeness had made her faintly uneasy.
During the final week, Delphine found herself less busy, so she went to Colmar Town in Alsace, located on the French-German border, famous for its rows of charming wooden houses.
She arrived early, and the streets were quiet with few pedestrians. Backpack slung over her shoulder, Delphine picked a riverside café, sitting at a wooden fence adorned with fresh flowers. Across the way, the walls were lush with climbing ivy, as she leisurely sipped coffee and penned her travel diary.
Occasionally, a tourist boat would glide past on the river, eliciting cheerful cries of excitement.
Time seemed to stand still here. She was accustomed to traveling in this manner—slow, leisurely, and aimlessly wandering. After Nicholas came into her life, she’d occasionally organize trips with him, too. Perhaps influenced by her personality, Nicholas developed into a quiet, considerate, and independent child from a very young age.
Leaning against the riverbank, Delphine finished her diary and mailed postcards to both Nicholas and Benjamin, whiling away most of the day before getting up.
On her way, she encountered an adorable French girl, chubby and cheerful. The young girl handed her a bright wildflower and said, "je t’embrasse."
Bending down to accept the wildflower, Delphine was momentarily stunned. This phrase translated into English as "I kiss you." Taken aback, she froze briefly, and the girl had already scampered off.
Holding the unrecognized wildflower in hand, Delphine lowered her gaze with a soft smile before meandering along the riverbank. Walking and pausing sporadically, she eventually returned to the hotel, where she was informed her original room had plumbing issues and she’d been upgraded to the honeymoon suite free of charge.
This unexpected surprise left Delphine slightly dazed, especially as the staff rattled off a string of well-meaning congratulations that made her feel even more confused.
The honeymoon suite was far cozier than the single room she had initially booked, with love-themed touches and scattered flower petals creating an atmosphere brimming with romance.
The second day, then the third—after receiving the wildflower, now balloons appeared. Inscribed on the balloons were French phrases confessing love. Between consecutive nights in the honeymoon suite, her favorite French cuisine, and serendipitous surprises found in winding alleyways and bustling streets, Delphine realized—however dense-headed she might be—that this was far from a coincidence.
"You’re asking about Li, the one who helped upgrade your suite?" The hotel’s elegant French landlady grinned and winked mischievously. "He’s right behind you."
Delphine turned around. The man had just returned from the riverbank, carrying the discarded balloon. With his refined, handsome features, deep eyes like ink, and a voice as smooth and magnetic as velvet, he spoke, "Mrs. Leclair, are you looking for me?"
Seeing such a graceful, composed man holding an oversized balloon in the hotel lobby, utterly incongruous yet entirely fitting, Delphine couldn’t help but smile. Her gaze shifted slightly as she quietly asked, "When did you arrive?"
"The same day you did." Ignatius walked toward her, handing her the balloon with an intimate and steady voice. "Don’t throw it away again."
"The same day you arrived in Colmar or Paris?" Delphine accepted the balloon and asked.
"Imperial City." His voice low, his gaze profound. Ever since she left Nanyang, he had sent the two little ones to the Howard Family and followed her every step of the way.