Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling is Multifaceted!-Chapter 308: No Need

Ethan Sterling intertwined his fingers with hers, "Whenever I’m free, I can accompany you wherever you want to go, whether domestically or abroad. No one will know who you are, and no one can harm you even a bit. But once I’m healed, I definitely need to return to the Sterling family to continue working. I’m worried you’ll be bored, so I’ve built these for you. If you want some vibrancy, I’ll create a small city just for you. These should be enough to make you happy."

"..."

Seraphina Redgrave listened to these words as if she saw burning money before her, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. She pursed her lips, "Ethan, you don’t actually need to do this."

"What, you don’t like it?" Ethan looked at her puzzled.

"No, it’s just I..."

"Then just accept it. As long as you like it, I’ll definitely bring it to you. I promise, even if I’m not by your side, you’ll still be very happy." Ethan’s voice was tender as water.

"It’s really not necessary."

Seraphina knew what he was thinking. He thought she’d given up freedom, so he offered her the greatest freedom within this limited space.

But even with museums and amusement parks, even if she could select jewelry and clothing in malls, everyone understands these are just fantasies.

Seraphina Redgrave didn’t need such fantasies.

Yet Ethan seemed not to understand, pulling her towards the carousel ahead, "Let’s have some fun."

"No, I’m no longer a child." Seraphina shook her head.

"But you are my little friend."

Ethan spoke decisively, so he simply reached out and awkwardly lifted Seraphina onto one of the wooden horses.

He activated the switch, and the carousel began to move up and down, golden lights draping over her like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.

Ethan opened another mechanism, causing snowflakes to fall from above her head, magnificent and wondrous.

Seraphina raised her hand, catching the falling snow in her palm, but alas, it was fake.

She pursed her lips, unable to express her emotions.

Leaned against the railing, Ethan’s gaze was indulgent, "Look, what else would you like here? Just say it, and I’ll make it happen."

"I really don’t want anything."

Seraphina quickly replied, hoping to deter him from such thoughts.

"Since you enjoy painting landscapes, I’ll build you a green park or botanical garden, with mountains and water. You can paint however you like, okay?" Ethan was thrilled, opening up possibilities.

"..."

Seraphina remained silent, seated on the white wooden horse, watching Ethan ponder what this place should have.

The more he spoke, the more excited he became, even suggesting building a racetrack here where they could ride horses together.

Ethan continued to elaborate.

Seraphina found it increasingly difficult to maintain her calm expression, gripping the pole tightly, she spoke up, "That’s enough."

"What’s wrong?"

It was only then Ethan noticed her face wasn’t looking well.

"I said that’s enough, please stop, I’m getting a bit dizzy."

Ethan immediately shut off the carousel, and the fake snow ceased falling.

Seraphina dismounted the wooden horse, accidentally tugging at her healing wound. She pressed it, then looked at Ethan, "Ethan, when I decided to do this, I already knew the kind of life I would lead. I’ve willingly given up my freedom; you don’t need to do these things for compensation."

Her voice remained gentle, without aggression.

Compensation?

Ethan hadn’t expected Seraphina to uncover his intentions so swiftly, his face darkened, staring straight at her.

"The more you do, the more I think of my current situation. It’s unnecessary."

She had actually thought through it a lot and accepted such a life.

She’d rather never leave the estate than partake in this false liveliness.

After Seraphina spoke, she turned and departed.

"..."

Ethan stood still, before the carousel he had personally built, watching her shrinking silhouette, his expression dark as water, his fingers clenching into a fist.

...

Seraphina returned to the estate and saw the almost finished painting, lacking the mood to continue, thus she packed up the materials and tools.

Feeling bored, Seraphina headed to the kitchen.

Nanny Lynch was handling ingredients, surprised to see Seraphina enter, "Miss, weren’t you with Master Sterling?"

"I just came to see if there’s anything I can do."

Seraphina spoke calmly.

As she approached, Nanny Lynch quickly stopped her, "Oh dear, Miss, there’s nothing here to help with. You’re injured, why come here? The kitchen’s smoke is heavy; please go rest."

"I’m just bored."

Seraphina replied.

Nanny Lynch looked at her with some pity, thinking that someone stuck in one place forever, never having the chance to go out, could go crazy or dumb.

She sighed and said, "Then please watch the oven for me, and once the chiffon cake is done, help me frost and add fruit. Please add ingredients as per your liking."

"Okay." Seraphina agreed.

She approached the oven, watching the cake steadily rising, soft and seemingly delicious, the aroma drifting out.

Seraphina stepped up to the kitchen counter, filling different flavored creams into separate piping bags, just as the cake finished baking.

Nanny Lynch, wearing thick gloves, retrieved the cake from the oven, placing it before Seraphina, reminding, "Wait until it cools a bit before frosting."

"Alright."

Seraphina stood by the cake waiting a while, decided it was time, and scooped a large spoon of cream onto the cake, spreading it smoothly.

Carefully smoothing the cream, even around the cake’s base, unrecognizable from a novice’s hand.

Once done, Seraphina picked up the piping bag to decorate the buttercream on the cake, a blossom at a time like little flowers. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

This task was simple, requiring little thought.

Repeating the action of piping cream, Seraphina felt her heart settle.

Earlier, perhaps she shouldn’t have spoken to Ethan in such a manner; he devised such plans for her sake.

Sigh.

Romantic relationships are truly troublesome, more than what she’d imagined. She was pondering if she hadn’t done well, if she’d upset Ethan.

Seraphina lightly sighed, saw most of the frosting was done, and was about to start fruit decorating, when suddenly she heard a strange sound.

Then, all the lights in the kitchen went off, even the curtains were tightly closed, plunging her into darkness.

"Nanny Lynch?"

Seraphina called out for Nanny Lynch, realizing she, who should have been cutting vegetables, had long vanished from the kitchen.