Magnus lay sprawled in the armchair, slowly sipping his tea. A few strands of his dark hair fell over his forehead, and his gaze was fixed on the distant horizon beyond the window. His fingers absentmindedly traced the smooth rim of the porcelain cup like a silent rhythm.
Duchess Eleanora gave him a graceful smile and gently broke the silence. "The Laurents will be visiting in a few days. Everyone needs to be prepared."
Magnus responded without turning his eyes from the window, his voice calm and respectful: "Understood, Grandmother."
Madam Gertrude placed a hand lightly on his shoulder and smiled warmly. "Have you considered arranging a private meeting with Emily on that day?"
Magnus set the cup down on the table, leaned back, and replied in a respectful yet composed tone: "I will honor whatever decision you deem appropriate. If this is what you believe is right, I am ready."
Eleanora stood up from her chair and walked toward the window, gazing at the garden outside. Her voice was soft and thoughtful:
"Emily is indeed a woman of beauty... though I've heard that her stepsister is said to be... unusually beautiful."
Gertrude nodded with a knowing smile. "Yes. She'll be coming along with them, won't she?"
Magnus stared down at his cup, his voice detached and indifferent: "I do not concern myself with such details."
Just as the cup neared his lips, Magnus's eyes froze for a brief second.
A silent yet sharp thought flashed through his mind: "Layla is coming here… So, we shall meet again."
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The morning sun cast a warm glow over the Eisenhardt estate's garden.
I walked behind my grandfather, carrying flower seedlings. He was already absorbed in his work, shovel in hand.
Beside his broad shoulders and sturdy figure, I always felt so small and fragile. Though he looked intimidating from afar, his heart was full of warmth and humor.
As we walked down the garden path, Duchess Eleanora appeared in the distance, flanked by two loyal maids. They stopped as they approached us. My grandfather came to a halt and bowed deeply. I followed his lead, bowing politely behind him.
Eleanora offered a gentle smile, her gaze sweeping across the scene. "Look at this... the gardens are as breathtaking as ever. Every flower is a little miracle."
My grandfather replied with modest calm: "Thank you, Lady Eisenhardt. I am no longer working alone—my granddaughter Layla is now helping me. Otherwise, I would have been exhausted by now."
Eleanora turned her gaze to me. Her eyes lingered in a moment of quiet study.
I stood behind my grandfather, staring shyly at the ground.
"Oh, Layla!" she exclaimed in surprise. "It's been so long since I've seen you. You've grown up... and turned into such a beautiful young lady!"
I bowed my head, my cheeks flushed as I replied with respect: "Thank you, Lady Eisenhardt."
She gave a small nod, her smile gentle. Then she turned back to my grandfather."There is a certain glow in your granddaughter," she said. "She shines even in a simple dress. Her beauty only grows with time."
Hearing her warm words, my grandfather smiled, pride flickering in his eyes.
"It is an honor to hear such kind words from you, Lady Eisenhardt," he replied softly.
"Layla carries light in both her heart and eyes. She is not just my helper—she is the peace of my soul."
At that moment, Filex, a servant, approached us through the garden path. He bowed deeply to Eleanora and adjusted his glasses before speaking.
"Lady Eisenhardt, pardon me. Your sister, Duchess Helena Von Rosethorn, along with her son Adrian, will be arriving tomorrow from Ardenshloss."
He paused briefly, then continued in a clear voice: "Additionally, Lord Sebastian Von Eisenfeld and his sister, Lady Annaliese, are also traveling from Gallerstein to Arvendale."
Eleanora's face lit up. Excitement and pride glimmered in her eyes.
"Tomorrow? Wonderful. Make the preparations. Filex, inform Magnus as well."
"Understood, Lady Eisenhardt," Filex replied with another bow, then turned and began walking away.
Eleanora turned her face back to us, her voice soft and gracious. "Mr. Edric, Layla, I enjoyed our little conversation. And you, Layla—we'll definitely talk more soon."
My grandfather bowed his head in response. "It is an honor for us, Duchess Eleanora."
I also lowered my head slightly and smiled. "Have a pleasant day, Lady Eisenhardt."
As we slowly walked away, I could feel Eleanora's gentle gaze lingering behind me.
The garden rustled once more with a serene breeze.
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Magnus stood silently among the gathering, dressed in a sleek, luxurious black suit.His hair was neatly combed, and his icy blue eyes stared indifferently across the grand hall—at the gleaming chandeliers, the golden columns, and the guests who moved gracefully through the music and light.
He sipped red wine quietly, standing near a marble window. His movements were calm and graceful, yet carried an undeniable coldness. Though surrounded by women in elegant gowns and men in tailored suits, Magnus seemed like someone who did not belong to this world.
At that moment, three men approached him. They bowed respectfully before speaking.
"Magnus von Eisenhardt! It's a pleasure to see you again," one of them said with sincere excitement in his voice.
"We heard you're to be engaged soon—congratulations. The Laurents are a fine match."
Magnus, with a barely noticeable smile at the corner of his lips, replied in a calm, composed tone: "Thank you for your congratulations. It was... an arranged decision."
One of the men sipped his wine thoughtfully and said in a reflective voice:
"We also heard about your lands in Arvendale. They say the trade routes are under your control."
Without taking his eyes off the window, Magnus answered in an indifferent voice: "Yes, you heard correctly."
The conversation shifted toward the territories of Arvendale. The men spoke with admiration about trade points, outer lands, and the expansion of the Eisenhardt estate, while Magnus listened with a reserved and quiet demeanor.
After a while, he left the hall. Outside, the night air was cool, and the stars were clear. The garden was silent. Magnus walked slowly and stopped near a red rose.
He gently plucked one, brushed its petals with his fingers, and whispered softly:
"Layla Laurent..."
Then he repeated it again—this time from his heart: "Layla Laurent..."
He smiled. But there was no ease in that smile—only a sliver of light covering the darkness inside him. Then he lifted his lowered head and looked up at the wind-stirred sky,
and in a voice that carried a possessive, thoughtful tone, he said: "One way or another... you will be mine."
After that, he cast a cold glance at the red rose in his hand, crushed it carelessly. The petals crumbled and fell between his fingers to the ground.
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We were having dinner with Grandpa in the cottage. Moonlight poured through the window, casting a soft glow on the wooden walls and filling the room with quiet light.
The food smelled delicious—roasted meat, vegetable pie, and freshly picked apricot jam. Seeing that I had taken only a small portion onto my plate,
Grandpa furrowed his brow slightly and looked at me.
"Eat more, Layla. You'll become weak with such little food," he said, seriously but kindly.
Without responding, I smiled. Grandpa added another piece of roasted meat, carrots, and pumpkin dish to my plate.
"Thank you, Grandpa," I said, smiling as I held my spoon.
The soft glow of the candles illuminated Grandpa's face. He remained silent for a moment, then for some reason continued in a serious tone: "Soon, your father and mother will come to Arvendale. For a meeting with the Eisenhardts."
I stopped holding my spoon. A cold sensation passed through my heart. A meeting... That meant Magnus would be there. To meet again... No, I didn't want that.
"Do I have to attend this meeting?" I asked quietly.
Grandpa looked at me and nodded slightly. His gaze was gentle, yet there was also a firmness in it. "The Eisenhardts want to see you too. They've seen you before, but didn't know who you were. If they find out, they'll be surprised, of course."
I stood still for a moment. Contradictory feelings swirled in my heart, but I still nodded. "Fine. I'll go," I said in a low voice.
Grandpa nodded in approval. I, on the other hand, tried to hide my discomfort while looking at my plate of food, and the moonlight made it feel like it was guiding me towards Magnus.