As the limousine pulls into the palace gates, Ivy's eyes widen in wonder. "Wow!" She squeals. "Your home is HUGE!" Without a second thought, she launches herself out of the car and sprints towards the entrance, her tiny legs pumping with excitement.
"Be careful, little one!" Cian calls after her, but Ivy skids to a halt and darts back to his side, her hand reaching out to grasp his.
"A proper lady must always be on her best behavior in the presence of her admirer," she recites, her voice as prim and proper as a miniature princess.
Cian's amused chuckle fills the air as he squats down to meet her gaze. "And what other life lessons has your wise Aunt bestowed upon you?"
Ivy's grin widens, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, important ones," she replies, before spreading her arms wide and looking up at him expectantly.
Cian, still chuckling, obliges, scooping the child into his arms. "Now, little one, you mentioned something about not touching, if I recall correctly?"
"Oh, please!" She huffs in mock indignation. "Don't you know? The most beautiful ladies must be guarded from the ravages of male attention. It's a good thing you're so handsome or else I wouldn't allow you to woo me."
Cian's eyebrows shoot up in surprise, "Little one, you are certainly full of surprises," Cian muses, studying the girl's unabashed confidence. "And how, pray tell, did you come to that conclusion?"
Ivy rolls her eyes, as if he's being obtuse. "You wanted to touch me in the car" She tilts her head, her expression almost too wise for her years. "Don't worry. I've decided to grant you permission to woo me. You don't have to be shy."
Eyebrows raised, Cian asks, "And what makes you think I'm interested in wooing you, hmm?"
Rolling her little eyes, she says,"Pfft, I'm not silly. I see how you look at me."
Cian's face breaks into a smile, his emerald eyes twinkling. "You are far too clever for your own good, little one. But I appreciate your permission to woo you." He gives her a mock bow.
Ivy rubs her stomach and pouts, "I'm hungry."
Upon Ivy's declaration that she's hungry, Cian raises a hand, his voice carrying a note of authority as he addresses Silas, "See to it that a meal is prepared, Silas. Something befitting our young guest."
Ivy smirks to herself. 'Aunt Julian is always right. Chocolates don't make a man. If Aunt Julian hadn't shown me Aunt Cecilia spanking Luke's buttocks I would have agreed to be his girlfriend because of the chocolates he gave me. As expected, it's only when you're out in the world you'll see good men. Luckily I not only have a good man I also get to eat good food.'
Silas nods briskly, executing Cian's order with practiced efficiency. In due time, he ushers the pair into the dining room, where a sumptuous feast awaits them.
With childlike enthusiasm, Ivy dives into her food, her appetite voracious. Cian, watching with amusement, raises a brow as her appetite shows no signs of slowing.
"You look like you have been starved for days," he remarks, a teasing lilt in his voice.
"Not days, a few hours ," Ivy replies, her mouth stuffed with food.
Cian shakes his head in amusement. "Now I understand why you parents reduced your food intake."
Tilting her head she blinks at him,"Why?"
"That's because your parents know that moderation is key." A hint of concern creeps into his voice.
"Overindulging can lead to all sorts of ailments," he warns. "What if you get indigestion?"
Ivy, unfazed by Cian's cautionary tale, simply continues eating, her little fingers working faster than her mouth can chew. With her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk, she manages to reply, "Aunt says husbands like to see their wives eating well."
Cian's eyes widen slightly at the mention of Aunt again. "And who is your husband, pray tell?"
Ivy, having stuffed yet another bite of food into her mouth, turns to Cian, her eyes narrowing as she gives him a pointed look. "You, of course!"
Cian's laughter fills the room, deep and rich like velvet. "Oh, little one. I just started wooing you and I have become your husband? You are full of surprises, aren't you?" He shakes his head in amusement. "Now, tell me more about this Aunt of yours."
"Ann Chu-liww," Ivy blurts out with a mouth full of food, her pronunciation garbled.
Cian can't help but laugh again at the absurdity of the name. "Eat slowly, little one. No one is going to take the food from you."
Ivy, still pouting slightly, swallows her food and enunciates as clearly as her tiny mouth allows, "Aunt Julian! My aunt's name is Aunt Julian.
Cian's smile widens. "Ah, Aunt Julian. Her name is as peculiar as her character."
"Oh yes, Aunt Julian has a good life," Ivy begins, her voice taking on a serious tone. "She's married to three men and two women, and she has seven concubines, all men. And they're really pretty!" Her face lights up as she describes her aunt's unconventional family. "Aunt Julian says the secret to a good life is marrying early and eating good food. I was only living half a good life before, but now I'm going to have a full good life since I have a husband."
The girl's lively tale of her Aunt Julian's unconventional family arrangement earns another round of laughter from Cian. "Aunt Julian seems like quite the character," he chuckles, shaking his head in amusement. "Marrying early and eating well—a simple recipe for a good life, according to her, eh? But tell me, how did I become your husband?"
Ivy glares up at him, her small face set in a fierce scowl."You carried me into our house," Ivy says, jabbing a tiny finger in his direction. "And you're not going to take advantage of my body and then refuse responsibility, are you?" Her arms cross over her chest in a gesture of defiance, even as her cheeks flush a faint pink.
Ivy swallows her mouthful of food, a little indignant at Cian's laughter.