Chapter 147: A Date in Yatria

Nathael was taken aback by her swift agreement; a surreal feeling washed over him as he gazed into her beaming eyes. Maggie tilted her head, her lips curving into a smile, and gently inquired, "Happy?"

Nathael's throat shifted slightly, and a faint grin spread across his handsome features as he murmured, "Yes, I am." Maggie's eyes twinkled with excitement; her brows mirrored it as she clasped his hand and continued strolling.

She was happy, too.

The night deepened, and the streets grew quieter, with fewer shops open than before. Maggie, still exploring with great interest, held Nathael's hand.

Yatria boasted numerous unique specialty shops, showcasing handcrafted leather goods, fabrics, and paintings. Despite their small size, these shops brimmed with treasures, often attended to by the owners or talented artisans. The ambiance was not overtly commercial; instead, it exuded a distinctive charm and allure.

Maggie and Nathael meandered through the streets, eventually spotting two jade hairpins that caught their eye. Despite their modest price, Maggie was fascinated by their design and texture. Slipping the hairpins into her hair, she turned to Nathael with a grin, asking, "Do they look pretty?"

Nathael admired the sky-blue jade hairpin nestled amidst Maggie's locks; its pearl accompaniment lent an eye-catching yet modest charm, infusing a hint of sweetness and clarity. "Wow, that's gorgeous," he murmured, his attention then drawn to a topaz hairpin shaped like a miniature cat. This piece, a departure from the previous style, boasted a subdued hue yet radiated a distinctive allure due to the gem's natural sheen.

Turning to a mirror, Maggie found the cat-shaped pin endearingly cute. She decided to collect the items she liked in a small basket, intending to buy more to gift to classmates and friends. Observing her, Nathael didn't intervene but grabbed a woven basket himself, selecting a few items to add to it.

Maggie stole a glance at him. The way he carefully selected these dainty treasures seemed incongruous yet strangely touching, inexplicably warming her heart. A soft smile graced her lips.

Her previous relationship with Joseph had been more about his needs than hers. Despite his occasional gifts, Joseph would never have been as thoughtful as Nathael. She couldn't quite articulate the difference, but Nathael made her feel cherished.

Being with Nathael felt surreal yet comforting. However, sometimes spontaneity outweighs careful consideration.

Maggie shifted her gaze, offering a light smile before turning her attention to a couple's bracelet. One half boasted delicate rose gold; the other was woven with fine red nylon rope, featuring a diamond at their intersection. Maggie's keen eye estimated the diamond at fifty carats, with excellent clarity. The rose gold border muted the diamond's brilliance, lending the bracelet a subtle, refined aesthetic. After removing both bracelets, she placed them side by side on her wrist, evaluating their appearance. The red and rose gold hues complemented her fair skin tone, and the diamond size was perfect, creating a delicate and understated elegance.

Taking both bracelets, Maggie made her way to the checkout. Nathael approached from behind, handed the basket to the shopkeeper, and murmured, "Together."

Maggie glanced at Nathael's basket, noting the assortment of trinkets within. (The sentence about pendants and dolls feels out of place and should likely be removed or integrated elsewhere, perhaps as a description of the items in Nathael's basket.)

"I'll pay for these," Maggie declared, selecting the bracelets.

As they exited the shop, Maggie handed him a bracelet in its box, stating, "This is for you." Maggie's ears felt strangely warm; she had never given him a gift before. Nathael paused, clearly taken aback. Maggie patiently awaited his acceptance.

(The following section needs significant restructuring to improve flow and clarity. The information about the previous life and the tie is jarring and disruptive to the current narrative. Consider moving it to a flashback or separate chapter.)

Unbeknownst to anyone, in her previous life, Nathael had died wearing a tie she had given him—a horrible memory that tormented Maggie. She had never actually given him a gift; the tie was for Joseph after her disfigurement and blindness. As Mary lost her usefulness and attractiveness, Joseph lost interest. Heartbroken and disappointed, she resolved not to further disrupt his life (out of gratitude to the Camerons who fostered her), quietly giving Nathael the tie. She never imagined he would cherish it so much.

Nathael's throat bobbed as he slowly accepted the bracelet, admiring its simplicity and elegance. "Would you mind helping me put it on?" he requested, his voice resonant.

After a moment's surprise, Maggie smiled and agreed, "Of course." He always wore a watch on his left hand. Maggie hesitated briefly and fastened the bracelet to his left wrist. After adjusting the length, the bracelet lay beside his watch. The red and rose gold accents blended seamlessly with his fair skin, exuding a stylish charm that caught the eye with every movement.

Maggie nodded with satisfaction, refraining from revealing her own bracelet. However, Nathael prompted, "Isn't there another one?"

"You know?" Maggie was astonished, her cheeks flushing.

Nathael smirked, saying, "Give it to me. I'll help you put it on."

Amidst the quiet night, illuminated by streetlights and the occasional passerby, the two hid their thoughts as if alone. Maggie's cheeks flushed even more as she insisted, "That one's for a friend, not for me."

Nathael chuckled, drawing closer, and asked in a deep voice, "Which friend?"

Maggie hesitated, meeting his gaze nervously. "W-why?"

Nathael's eyes darkened as he softly uttered, "Toss it to the fish in the sea."

(The final "Send Gifts 20 0" is unexplained and should be removed.)