The following days pass quite steadily.
Every morning, Cassius follows Thomas to the garden behind the mansion. The work is not too heavy. Cassius works very quickly, sometimes even stopping longer than usual just to admire a certain flower.
And almost every day, Eliana appears.
Sometimes she stands from afar, pretending to "pass by." Sometimes she walks straight over, one hand on her hip, calling:
"Cassius"
At first, their conversations are very short.
"How old are you?"
"Eleven."
"Hm… two years younger than me"
Eliana nods, as if she has just confirmed something very important.
"Then remember to call me older sister"
Cassius tilts his head.
"But… I think calling your name normally is fine?"
Eliana pauses.
"No. I'm older than you, that's it"
Cassius looks at her for a moment, then nods naturally.
"Mm… then sister Eliana"
"…!"
Eliana freezes for a second, then lets out a small "hmph" trying to stay calm.
"Good that you understand"
In the following days, the time they spend talking gradually becomes longer.
Sometimes Eliana stands beside him, watching him work.
"You're used to doing this already?"
"Yeah. I used to do it with Thomas"
"You're quite hardworking"
"You can try too"
"I don't want to"
She turns her face away, but still stays there, not leaving.
One noon, under rather harsh sunlight, Eliana holds a small light-colored umbrella and stands at the edge of the garden.
She looks toward Cassius.
He is crouching down, gently adjusting flower petals that the wind has displaced. His movements are very slow, very careful, as if afraid of hurting them.
Eliana tightens her grip on the umbrella slightly.
'Why do I… keep wanting to come here?'
She doesn't know.
It's just that whenever she thinks about not seeing him, something feels missing inside.
Her gaze rests on Cassius's dark hair, then drifts down to his hands holding the petals.
'The red thread…'
She remembers the story she heard since she was young , about an invisible red string connecting people who are most meant for each other.
Eliana looks down at her wrist.
There is nothing there.
She frowns slightly.
'Maybe… I'm not the "most suitable" one'
But then she looks up again.
Cassius is still there, completely unaware of her, only focused on the flowers in front of him.
A gentle breeze passes, making his hair sway slightly.
Eliana stays silent for a moment.
'But… not having the thread doesn't mean it's impossible'
She grips the umbrella handle lightly.
'Many people never find that string in their whole life… but they're still fine'
'If it's him…'
She slightly turns her face away, avoiding the sunlight shining directly into her eyes.
'…I can try'
After a few more days, the distance between them becomes much closer.
Eliana no longer stands far away. She sits right next to Cassius, though she still keeps that slightly "superior" attitude.
"You're too slow"
"But like this, the flowers will look better"
"…"
She doesn't argue.
One time, during a break, Cassius mentions Emily.
"My little sister doesn't like going out much"
"Little sister?" Eliana asks again.
"Yeah. Her name is Emily. She's quite shy around strangers"
Eliana rests her chin on her hand, thinking.
"Sounds weak"
"No, Emily is strong"
Cassius says it very naturally.
"She just doesn't like talking"
Eliana stays silent for a moment.
"Then I want to meet her too"
"You can, but Emily might run away"
Cassius chuckles softly.
Eliana lets out a small huff.
Eliana starts talking about her family.
"My father is very smart, he can handle everything perfectly. My mother manages almost the entire mansion. My older brother… is quite busy, but also very capable"
There is a hint of pride in her voice, even though she tries to stay calm.
Cassius nods.
"That sounds great"
Eliana glances at him.
"Of course"
While Cassius is picking up a small blue flower from the ground, he suddenly stands up and walks toward Eliana.
"This suits you"
"What-"
Before she can react, Cassius gently places the flower into her golden hair.
Eliana freezes.
Her eyes widen.
"What are you doing?!"
"It looks nice"
Cassius says casually.
Eliana immediately turns her face away.
"…D-Don't do that without asking"
Her ears turn slightly red.
"But you're not taking it off"
Cassius tilts his head.
"…I… I just forgot!"
She turns back, trying to stay calm.
"Don't misunderstand"
Cassius just smiles.
He says nothing more.
A gentle breeze passes, making the blue flower sway lightly in her golden hair.
Eliana does not take it off.
—
Behind the large glass window at the center of the Prisce mansion, facing directly toward the garden, a mature woman stands quietly observing outside.
Her gaze stops on Cassius.
Then, she turns around.
Behind her, in a neat study room, a man is sitting behind a desk. Papers are arranged orderly, not messy at all. He does not look up immediately, only slowly sets his pen down.
"I believe" he says, his voice low and steady "Someone in your position would not come here without a clear reason."
He looks up.
His brown eyes are calm, but cautious.
"Am I right? The head maid of the Duke Eclipse"
Hela Pelos stands straight, her hands placed neatly in front. Her expression barely changes.
"I come to convey the will of my Duchess, Lord Leopold"
Her voice is even, without emotion.
Leopold does not respond immediately.
He observes her for a moment longer, as if weighing every detail.
Hela continues, keeping the same tone.
"There are things better left as if they were never known"
"And what is unclear does not need to be clarified"
The statement is not harsh, but clear enough.
Leopold slightly closes his eyes for a brief moment.
"I understand"
He says simply.
A short silence.
"Then… what I have assumed about that boy is probably not entirely unfounded."
He does not say it directly, only stops there.
Hela neither confirms nor denies.
She turns, walking toward the door.
Before leaving, she pauses for a moment.
"The Prisce family has always been highly regarded for its caution"
She says, her voice still calm.
"I hope that will not change."
The door opens.
Then closes gently.
Inside the room, Leopold remains seated for a while.
Then, he stands up and walks to the window.
His gaze once again turns toward the garden.
A light breath.
"What have you done, Eliana?"