"That's certainly advanced technology, but we have access to much better equipment at the company," Rowan remarked after examining the product specifications. "At our level, this kind of technology isn't exactly groundbreaking."
The two of them spent about half an hour on the fourth floor, trying out a variety of interesting gadgets and futuristic devices. Despite their novelty, neither of them felt any desire to make a purchase.
"The fifth floor is the dining area, right?" Silvermoon asked, glancing at the mall directory.
"Yes. I've heard there are quite a few famous restaurants up there," Rowan replied. "Though it's still too early for dinner."
"Then let's check out the sixth floor before heading back to the hotel," Silvermoon suggested. "We've already done enough shopping for one day."
The sixth floor was dedicated to art and antiques.
The atmosphere here was noticeably quieter and more refined. The exhibits on display all possessed significant historical or artistic value.
"The quality of these artworks is incredible," Silvermoon said as she admired a painting from an ancient civilization. "You can really feel the weight of history."
"Some of these pieces are probably more valuable than what we've seen in museums," Rowan agreed, equally captivated.
After spending some time browsing the galleries, Silvermoon finally showed signs of fatigue.
"Let's head back," she said. "Walking around all afternoon has been more exhausting than I expected."
"Agreed." Rowan checked the time. "It's already five o'clock."
The two began walking toward the exit.
Then Rowan suddenly stopped.
"Wait for me in the lobby," he said casually. "I'm going to use the restroom."
"Okay." Silvermoon nodded and took a seat in the lounge area.
Rowan walked briskly toward the restroom corridor, but as soon as he turned the corner, he changed direction entirely and hurried back to the third floor, returning to Stellar Treasures.
"You've come back?" Ellie asked in surprise when she saw him. "How may I assist you?"
"I'd like to purchase the Heart of the Galaxy necklace," Rowan said directly. "The one my companion was looking at earlier."
A delighted smile immediately appeared on Ellie's face.
"Of course. Is it a gift?"
"Yes," Rowan confirmed. "For my partner. But I'd appreciate it if this could remain a secret for now."
"I completely understand," Ellie replied professionally. "We can provide premium gift packaging and even arrange a discreet delivery service."
"Delivery?" Rowan considered it briefly. "We're staying at the Blue Star Grand Hotel. Can it be delivered there?"
"Certainly. We specialize in confidential deliveries," Ellie explained. "We can have it delivered at any time you specify, without attracting attention."
"Then have it delivered tomorrow morning at ten o'clock to Suite A-7 at the hotel," Rowan instructed. "Please send it under the name of hotel room service."
"No problem," Ellie assured him.
Rowan paid the eight million credit price tag and provided all the necessary delivery information. The entire process took less than ten minutes.
"Would you like us to include a message?" Ellie asked as a final detail.
Rowan thought for a moment.
"Write: 'To the Best Partner.'"
"Understood." Ellie recorded the message carefully. "We'll ensure it's delivered exactly at ten tomorrow morning."
After completing the purchase, Rowan quickly returned to the first-floor lobby.
Silvermoon was still sitting in the waiting area, quietly watching the crowds pass by.
"Did I keep you waiting?" Rowan asked.
"Not at all," Silvermoon replied, standing up. "The break was nice."
They left the shopping center and took a taxi back to the hotel.
During the ride, Silvermoon seemed lost in thought.
"Today's shopping trip was really interesting," she said eventually. "Those luxury items were unbelievably expensive, but the craftsmanship was extraordinary."
"Especially that jewelry store," Rowan remarked casually.
Silvermoon couldn't help responding.
"That necklace really was beautiful."
Then she immediately added,
"But the price was outrageous."
"Eight million credits is certainly expensive," Rowan agreed. "Though for a piece of that quality, it's probably a fair price."
"Even so, we don't need to spend that much money on accessories," Silvermoon said rationally. "There are more meaningful ways to use that kind of money."
"You're right," Rowan said with a smile.
Meanwhile, he was already looking forward to seeing her reaction the next morning.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the ocean-view suite, filling the room with warmth and brightness.
Silvermoon had woken up early.
Standing on the balcony, she admired the sunrise over the artificial ocean, feeling unusually refreshed.
She couldn't stop thinking about the previous day's shopping trip.
Especially that necklace.
Although she had convinced herself that it was far too expensive, its elegant design and mesmerizing glow had left a deep impression on her.
"Forget it," she told herself. "I shouldn't dwell on luxury items. Today should be about experiencing something more meaningful."
She was just about to get ready for breakfast with Rowan when the doorbell rang.
"Who could that be this early?"
Curious, she checked the door display.
Standing outside was a hotel employee in uniform.
"Good morning," the attendant said politely. "I'm from hotel guest services. We've come to provide a special service."
"A special service?" Silvermoon opened the door. "I didn't request anything."
The attendant smiled.
"This is a surprise service offered to selected VIP guests. We've prepared a complimentary gift for you."
"A gift?" Silvermoon blinked in confusion. "What kind of gift?"
The attendant presented an exquisitely wrapped box.
"This is part of a collaborative program between our hotel and one of the city's premier jewelers. Please accept it."
Silvermoon accepted the box.
It felt surprisingly heavy.
The packaging itself was luxurious: deep blue velvet embroidered with golden constellations.
"This seems far too expensive," she said hesitantly. "I'm just an ordinary guest."
"You are one of our honored guests," the attendant insisted politely. "And this is a random selection program. It would place us in a difficult position if you declined."
After a brief hesitation, Silvermoon nodded.
"Very well. Thank you. Please pass along my gratitude to the hotel management."
"Of course. We hope you enjoy your stay in Reno Port."
The attendant bowed and departed.
Silvermoon closed the door and returned to her room.
Although something about the situation felt strange, she didn't dwell on it.
"Let's see what it is."
She carefully opened the box.
The moment the lid lifted, a familiar blue glow illuminated her face.
Inside lay the necklace she had been unable to forget.
The Heart of the Galaxy.
"That's impossible..."
She stared at it in disbelief.
Carefully lifting the necklace from the box, she watched as the star gemstone emitted a dreamlike glow beneath the morning light.
The moment she touched it, she felt the gentle energy contained within it, exactly as Ellie had described.
"This can't be a coincidence."
Silvermoon quickly calmed herself and began analyzing the situation.
"A hotel would never randomly give away jewelry worth eight million credits. And certainly not the exact necklace I was looking at yesterday."
She searched the box again.
There, tucked inside, was a small card.
Written in elegant script were four simple words:
To the Best Partner.
The moment she read them, she understood everything.
"Rowan..."
She whispered his name softly.
Warmth spread through her heart.
There was no signature.
There didn't need to be.
No one else in the universe called her "partner."
And no one else would have noticed how much she had loved that necklace.
"When did he buy it?"
She replayed the events of the previous day.
Then she suddenly remembered.
"The restroom!"
Realizing that Rowan had told a small lie just to buy her a gift, she couldn't help laughing.
The gesture was so thoughtful, so sincere, that it filled her with warmth.
Standing before the mirror, she carefully fastened the necklace around her neck.
The gemstone rested perfectly against her collarbone.
Its blue glow complemented her deep blue eyes beautifully.
"It really does suit me."
She turned slowly before the mirror, admiring the reflection.
"Rowan has excellent taste."
The necklace made her seem even more elegant than before.
Yet at the same time, she began to feel troubled.
"Eight million credits..."
She murmured quietly.
"Maybe it's not a huge amount for him, but I can't simply accept something this expensive."
She immediately reached for her communicator.
Then she stopped.
"It's only nine in the morning. He's probably still sleeping."
After a brief pause, she made up her mind.
"This is something we should discuss face to face."
Even while getting ready, she couldn't bear to remove the necklace.
It simply looked too beautiful.
Half an hour later, Silvermoon stood outside Rowan's room and knocked gently.
"Rowan. It's me, Silvermoon."
"One moment," Rowan's voice answered from inside.
Soon, the door opened.
Rowan had already changed into casual clothes.
The moment he saw the necklace around her neck, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"It looks perfect on you," he said immediately. "I knew that necklace matched your temperament."
"Rowan!"
Silvermoon glared at him with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration.
"How could you spend so much money on a gift for me? And why would you do it like this?"
"You don't like it?" Rowan asked innocently.
"That's not the point!"
Silvermoon became flustered.
"That necklace costs eight million credits! I can't accept something so expensive."
"Why not?" Rowan asked.
"We're partners. Isn't exchanging gifts perfectly normal?"
"But this is far too much!"
She immediately pulled out her communicator.
"I'm transferring the money back to you."
"No."
Rowan gently stopped her.
"A gift isn't a gift if you pay for it."
"But..."
"No buts."
His expression became unexpectedly serious.
"I bought it because I wanted you to be happy. If you insist on paying me back, then I'd rather return the necklace."
Silvermoon fell silent.
She knew he meant every word.
And she understood that insisting on repayment would only hurt his feelings.
"Then I'll buy you a gift too," she said finally.
"That's the only way this can be fair."
"Sure," Rowan agreed with a grin. "I'm looking forward to seeing what you choose."
"Then it's settled."
Silvermoon finally relaxed.
"I'll find you a gift of equal value."
"It doesn't have to be equal in value," Rowan said softly. "The thought is what matters."
"Besides, you've already given me the best gift."
Silvermoon blinked.
"What gift?"
"Seeing you smile."
His voice was sincere.
"That's the best gift I could receive."
A faint blush appeared on Silvermoon's face.
His words were simple.
But the emotions behind them were genuine.
"Enough of that embarrassing talk," she said, trying to sound casual.
"I'm hungry. Let's go eat breakfast."
"Sounds good."
They headed to the hotel restaurant together.
As they walked, Silvermoon couldn't stop wondering what she could possibly buy for Rowan.
It was a difficult problem.
After all, with Rowan's power and status, there was very little he lacked.
"What hobbies does he even have?" she wondered.
"Training... work... and..."
She paused.
"He doesn't really have any hobbies at all."
Even during breakfast, Silvermoon remained distracted.
She spent the entire meal thinking about what gift she could possibly give him.
"What are you thinking about?" Rowan finally asked.
"You've been spacing out since we sat down."
"I'm trying to figure out what to buy you," Silvermoon admitted honestly.
"It's much harder than I expected."
"Why?"
"Because you already have everything."
She sighed.
"And your standards are so high that ordinary gifts wouldn't mean much."
Rowan laughed.
"You're overthinking it."
"I'm not picky."
"As long as it's from you, I'll treasure it."
"Even so," Silvermoon insisted, gently touching the necklace around her neck, "I want to give you something special."
"Something meaningful."
"Just like this."
The star gemstone shimmered softly beneath her fingertips, almost as if it were responding to her feelings.
"Then take your time," Rowan said warmly.
"The best gifts are worth waiting for."
After breakfast, they proceeded with their original plan and headed to the Ocean Park.
Unfortunately, throughout the entire journey, Silvermoon remained preoccupied with one thing alone:
What kind of gift could possibly be worthy of Rowan?
-------------------------------
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