淑女的欲望

Scarlett found herself speechless, baffled by Melinda\'s seemingly joyful reaction. Melinda appeared perfectly content seeing Scarlett without her usual disguise.

Just as Scarlett was about to speak, Roland Gilwynn\'s graceful voice filled the room, "Scarlett, I have explained everything to your aunt..." He calmly stated, his loving smile directed at his daughter.

Instantly, the tension that had gripped Scarlett since her arrival began to dissipate. She accepted Melinda\'s outstretched hand, and they shared a warm embrace. 

Scarlett couldn\'t help but smile, relieved by Melinda\'s reaction. She had been fearful about how her presence here would unfold, but it seemed that her fears were unwarranted.

Melinda\'s teary eyes were filled with joy as she held Scarlett\'s hands and said, "I can\'t believe you are my real niece Scarlett..."

Scarlett returned the affectionate gesture, her voice trembling with emotion. "Aunt Melinda, I... I\'m sorry for not revealing myself sooner. I didn\'t want to complicate things, but I\'m here now and ready to explain everything."

Roland Gilwynn, still wearing his reassuring smile, chimed in, "It\'s a relief that we can finally have an open and honest conversation about our family."

Melinda nodded, her grace and composure never faltering. "Indeed, it\'s time we have a proper conversation, and I\'m grateful for that."

After Melinda expressed her joyful feelings to Scarlett, she warmly invited Scarlett to join Roland in the seating area. The three of them settled into a comfortable conversation.

As Scarlett settled into the familiar surroundings, she could still sense the enduring warmth of her visits here, and it brought her a deep sense of comfort. Her beloved aunt held onto her hand as if afraid that she might disappear at any moment.

"Scarlett," Melinda began, her voice filled with affection, "I sensed from the very beginning that you were special. The first time we met, I felt an instant connection with you, regardless of your weird wig and concealed eye color." She gently stroked Scarlett\'s beautiful red hair as she continued, "We share a bond through blood, and no disguise can ever hide that. You will always be recognized as part of our family."

Observing the close bond between Scarlett and Melinda warmed Roland\'s heart, yet it also stirred feelings of jealousy. Although his relationship with Scarlett had improved significantly, they couldn\'t reach the same level of closeness. Unlike her connection with his sister, his daughter still maintained a certain emotional distance from him.

"Aunt, I\'m sorry..." Scarlett couldn\'t help but smile wryly, remembering how she had tried to deceive Melinda the first time they met. "Back then, I wasn\'t honest with you. I didn\'t even know the truth of the past. I was afraid—"

Melinda interrupted Scarlett gently, her voice filled with warmth. "My lovely Scarlett, actually, I should also apologize for my words back then, which caused you to worry. But everything is clear now. Let\'s not dwell on the past anymore. Shall we?"

Scarlett responded with a smile, appreciating Melinda\'s understanding.

"I agree. Let\'s stop talking about it anymore. What\'s important now..." Roland said in a thoughtful voice as he locked eyes with Scarlett before continuing, "Scarlett, you can\'t back out. You promised me that you would accept your fate as part of the Gilwynn family if your aunt accepted you, didn\'t you?"

Scarlett was left momentarily speechless. She had indeed made that promise, but did it need to be emphasized like this? 

\'Gosh! Father...\' She silently took a deep sigh, feeling shy.

"Yes, Scarlett… You might refuse to be part of our family because Gilwynn\'s blood runs through your veins." Melinda gently squeezed Scarlett\'s hand, which she still held.

"Yes, F-father... A-aunt..." Scarlett answered, her voice shaking not with anger but with immense happiness at finally meeting her blood family after years of not knowing about them. However, being part of this continent\'s old and powerful royal family still felt strange and unreal to her.

Hearing Scarlett\'s words, Roland and Melinda Gilwynn couldn\'t contain their excitement, their smiles widening. 

"But..." Scarlett continued with a firm voice that momentarily dampened their happiness. Roland and Melinda stared at her in worry, waiting for her to finish her sentence, "I don\'t want my status to be exposed in the media. Mmm... I mean, I don\'t mind if you announce it to your family—" she stopped when she saw Roland interrupting her.

"Our family!" Roland corrected Scarlett.

Scarlett, "..."

"Our family..." She repeated her father\'s words, making him smile happily. "I want to live as a commoner."

Melinda smiled upon hearing Scarlett\'s words. "Oh, my dear Scarlett, no worries. It\'s been several years since we withdrew from the spotlight. The media and social media nowadays are very cruel and scary. That\'s why we no longer want to open up again. Now it\'s just Simon and a few relatives who work out there, but our main family no longer appears in the news," Melinda explained. There was sadness in Melinda\'s voice, which piqued Scarlett\'s curiosity.

Scarlett knew this royal family had disappeared from the news and the spotlight, but she had never learned why. No matter how hard she searched for information, she could never find it. After discovering that Mel Tan was the one who protected the privacy of this royal family, she realized that something must have happened in the past.

Now, hearing Aunt Melinda\'s words, her curiosity was thoroughly aroused. She couldn\'t help but ask, "Aunty, may I know the reason?"

Melinda didn\'t answer Scarlett\'s curiosity but instead looked at Roland as if asking him to explain to Scarlett.

"I believe you already know my reason from your aunty, right?" Roland asked Scarlett. She answered him with a small nod.

Scarlett still remembered that her father had stepped down from his throne and withdrawn from public life after her mother disappeared and his wife, the late queen, died.

"We withdrew completely from the spotlight, related to your sister\'s scandal..." Roland said weakly.

Scarlett was stunned to hear that, "Sister Maggie?"

"Hmm, she is—"