The thought of that was indeed enticing. Elise wondered if this was what it was like for Loriel. He was treating her like some kind of princess who didn't even need to worry about a single thing in her life.

Loriel thought about it some more and smiled. "You wanted a bakery, didn't you? We could immediately start a shop if you'd like… I think you've already learned quite a lot from Chef Lucy. You're quite a pro already."

​​

Oh, how much Loriel wished to have that handsome chef out of the picture already!

Elise smiled at Loriel and shook her head. "I have to refuse, Loriel. You know me, I have my aspirations in life and that includes being an independent person. That's why I've come to New York."

Loriel couldn't say a word to that.

If Elise truly wanted to be rich and live affluently, then Daniel York's inheritance to her was already a sizable sum that could have allowed her to live in prosperity even with that wench Tessa and her family trying to steal it.

However, it was this humble and gentle nature of Elise that allowed Loriel to meet her again.

"I really want to work for myself and also meet other people from different walks of life," Elise explained her reasoning to Loriel.

She added, "I've been cooped up so much in my home for the past years that I hadn't experienced what it was like to make friends and enjoy such relationships. I want to experience all of that, Loriel."

Loriel gazed at his wife and wondered how so much had changed about her.

Back in the past, Loriel's presence alone was enough to satisfy Elise. All she ever wanted before was to obtain his love and affections, and for her to be someone who could make him happy as well.

Things were a whole lot simpler back then, and maybe it was selfish of him to want that. Times have changed so much, that the relationships of the old and how they were now considered outdated.

Perhaps that was also holding Loriel back a little.

Loriel gazed at Elise and watched the woman that he dearly loved give him a serious look.

No matter how much she changed since they last met, she was still Elise through and through. The both of them loved each other now and that was all he ever wanted.

"I hope that you can respect my decisions, Loriel," Elise said. "I'm really grateful and thankful for all of this and what you're trying to do for me… you're treating me like, well… as if we're married."

Elise couldn't help but blush at those words.

Loriel wanted to say yes, that was why he was willing to do all of these things for her.

But Loriel eventually nodded and relented to his wife's desires and wishes. "Of course, I'll support your decisions wholeheartedly, Elise. Whatever you choose, I'm more than happy to just be with you."

Now that they were together, Loriel could finally say the words that were on his lips after so long. It was satisfying to see Elise's reactions and responses to them.

"Thank you for understanding, Loriel." Elise smiled in relief.

"No, thank you for letting me know," Loriel said. "If there's anything that you want me to know, I will always be willing to lend you an ear and pay attention to whatever you want me to notice."

"Ah, now that you've mentioned that, there is something that I did want to talk about with you," Elise said.

"I'm ready to listen." Loriel smiled.

Elise sheepishly returned a smile. Loriel was truly an amazing boyfriend that wanted the best for her and yet listened to what she wanted.

Perhaps it was a little early to suggest this right now, after this talk, and yet Elise wanted to bring this up ever since the Christmas Gala.

"Would you like to go to Japan with me?"

Loriel didn't say an answer immediately. He was surprised by the words that came out of Elise's lips and wondered if he was still dreaming. Maybe he was caught in an illusion that revealed to him his greatest desires?

Elise looked at him and started worrying instantly, she waved her hand a little frantically. "Ah, maybe it's a little too fast for us to plan a trip together? You know I won the ticket from the raffles in Marc's company so I thought we could go visit it together."

Now that Elise thought about it, why was she even suggesting something like this?

Trips were expensive and although Elise received her Christmas bonus from the company, it was still a little shameless to suggest it outright. It was almost as if she were asking Loriel to cover most of the expenses.

Elise rubbed her chin. "Maybe I can just sell these tickets online to anyone who'd like to purchase them. Perhaps Sarah or someone from my friends can get it since these tickets are—"

"Elise, I'd love to go to Japan with you." Loriel smiled.

This was one of the things that Loriel wanted to do with Elise now that they were together. Loriel had already traveled the entire world countless times, but now that he was going to do it with Elise then it changed everything.

He could finally look at the world with a more vivid and beautiful perception thanks to Elise. She was the one who'd bring color to the world that already seemed dull to him.

"That's great, Loriel. If you have anything that you need to do before we travel though…?" Elise assumed that Loriel was still busy with his business affairs unlike her who was employed under a company.

Loriel shook his head and smiled. "Nope, it's usually arranged that even my financial adviser is able to take a break during the holidays. If there's an urgent matter that needs to be taken care of, we just conduct an online video conference."

"O-oh, that makes sense." Elise nodded.

Loriel reached out and grasped Elise's hands in his. "I'm eager for us to take our first trip together, I've always wanted to travel with you."