The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 192

Callum escorted Natalia back to the grand hall of the castle and handed her cloak to a waiting servant. He then turned to her with an excited grin. "In honor of your triumphant return, I'm throwing a spectacular feast tonight. I want everyone to celebrate your success."

Natalia blushed. "Callum, isn't that a bit excessive? I just won a minor award. Won't this be too ostentatious?"

"Excessive? Minor? Ostentatious?" Callum responded with a hearty laugh. "My dear, you underestimate the significance of your achievement. Designers worldwide dream of the honor you've received. I'm merely adding a cherry on top of your celebration. There's nothing excessive about that."

"But Callum," Natalia lowered her gaze, feeling guilty, "I've been living here for so long. I can’t let you spend so much on me. I feel like I'm taking advantage of your generosity."

Callum ruffled Natalia's hair affectionately. "You seriously need to stop worrying about that, my dear. You're my fiancée; everything here is yours as well. If you keep talking like this, I might have to spank you."

His words made Natalia's cheeks flush. Was he flirting with her?

"All right, go freshen up. The feast will start once you're ready. No rush, take your time. Remember, you're the star tonight." Callum then turned to the servants behind him. "Assist Miss Natalia with her preparations."

"No, Callum, I can manage on my own." Natalia hastily refused, waving her hands in dismissal. She was okay with everything but the maids assisting her with her bath. She still remembered the embarrassment she felt when the maids helped her bathe after she regained consciousness. They were so thorough; they didn't even spare her private parts. The experience made her blush all over with embarrassment. Since then, Natalia had set certain boundaries with Callum and no maid would assist her in bathing. Absolutely not!

Callum laughed aloud. "Natalia, you need to get used to their assistance. If you don't need them, then what's the point of hiring them? Maybe I should just let them go."

"No, Callum." Natalia objected, afraid that Callum might dismiss the maids. "They're very helpful. I'm uncomfortable with their assistance because I'm not used to this type of service." As Natalia spoke, her voice gradually faded until it was nearly a whisper, and she hung her head low in embarrassment.

Callum waved her off. "Alright, I was just teasing you. Go freshen up, you're going to be the center of attention tonight."

Natalia hurriedly retreated to her room. The moment she arrived, the diligent maids already had an evening gown ready for her.

"Miss, do you need our assistance?" A maid asked humbly, bowing her head.

"No, thank you. I can manage." Natalia quickly picked up the dress and made her way to her private bath.

Natalia's face changed slightly as she touched the long scar. Callum had said that the scar was left from an appendectomy. But she wasn't stupid. Even appendicitis wouldn't leave such a long scar.

Wouldn’t it have been some type of gynecological surgery that left such a scar? Could it be...

Just then, a maid's voice came from outside the door. "Ma’am, have you finished soaking? The Duke said that you shouldn't soak in the hot spring for more than an hour."

"Oh, I'm coming," Natalia responded hastily, putting all her messy thoughts aside. She quickly dried herself, put on her bathrobe, and headed to the dressing room.

In the dressing room was an evening gown that Callum had specially prepared for Natalia. Dressed in an intricate and exquisite outfit, Natalia took a good fifteen minutes to finally get herself all dolled up. She picked up the hem of her dress and slowly stepped out, immediately catching the admiring gaze of her maid. "Miss, you're absolutely stunning. You look like an angel descended from heaven."

Natalia almost burst out laughing at the over-the-top compliment. She was far from angelic. But who didn’t enjoy a good flattery? Natalia was no exception.