The morning air in Blackthorn House was brisk, cutting through the high windows of the grand dining hall where breakfast was already laid. Nerine sat alone at one end of the long, polished ebony table, the kind that could seat fifty nobles with ease. Her place setting was delicate, fine china and silverware that gleamed in the soft daylight. A glass of freshly squeezed orange juice stood beside her plate.
A few seats down, at the other end, Lord Kael Blackthorn sat with his usual cold composure. He wore a black high-collared coat, dark hair tied back.....he looked hot with his her tied though..., his pale fingers loosely wrapped around a crystal goblet filled with deep red liquid.
Nerine tried not to stare, but her eyes flickered to the wine glass. No—she knew better. That wasn't wine.
She looked down at her plate. Eggs, bread, and fruit. Nothing had been touched yet.
She shook her head softly. Of course, he wouldn't eat what she did. That glass… the color was unmistakable.
A beat of silence passed.
"Lady Sofia," Kael said finally, breaking the silence. His voice was even, unreadable. "Is the food to your liking?"
"Yes," she replied politely. "Thank you."
She picked up the bread to eat.
Another silence settled in. It was not exactly uncomfortable, but not welcoming either. They were strangers sharing a table, bound by politics and blood.
Kael didn't speak again, sipping slowly from his glass, watching her only briefly. She kept her gaze lowered, every movement deliberate. She was trying to be invisible.
The butler stepped forward after a few minutes. "My lord, shall I have the carriage prepared?"
Kael nodded, standing up. "Yes. I have an errand."
He paused before leaving the room and turned briefly toward Nerine. "If you need anything, speak to the butler."
Nerine nodded with a faint smile. "Of course...have a great day."
Kael paused for a second at her reply before nodding at her.
And then he was gone.
*****
Kael made his way toward the west wing of the estate, his boots quiet against the marble floor. Few servants lingered here—it was a secluded part of the mansion, designed to stay undisturbed.
He stopped outside the carved wooden door, then entered gently.
The room was sunlit and warm. At the center sat his little sister, pale as snow, her dark brown hair in soft waves that trailed down her back. She sat in a cushioned chair beside a large window, sketching the trees outside.
"Good morning, Penelope," Kael said, voice softening.
She turned, face lighting up with a smile. "Kael!"
He walked over and crouched beside her. "Still drawing the same trees?"
"They're different every morning," she replied. "Today the sky looks happy."
He smiled faintly, brushing her hair from her face. "Have you eaten?"
She nodded. "Yes. Mrs. Yuria brought me toast with plum jam. I liked it today."
"Good," he murmured. "I came to tell you something."
Penelope tilted her head. "What is it?"
"I've gotten engaged."
Her eyes widened. "To a girl?"
"Yes, Pen," he said with a chuckle. "To a girl, of course"
"Is she nice?"
"I don't know yet."
She looked at him thoughtfully. "Will she come here?"
"Soon," he said. "I'll bring her to meet you, I promise. But only if you feel strong enough."
Penelope nodded solemnly. "I'll try my best."
Kael kissed her forehead. "That's all I ask."
*****
Meanwhile, Nerine had wandered out into the garden, needing something to fill the silence left behind by breakfast. She had changed into a lighter dress and tied her hair into a messy braid.
The garden had seen better days. The only plants that truly thrived were a strange row of black flowers near the wall—beautiful in a haunting way. The rest were overgrown or half-dead.
Nerine rolled up her sleeves. "Let's fix that."
She set to work pulling weeds, trimming leaves, and clearing space for new plantings. The sun was already climbing, and dirt smeared across her skirts. But she didn't care. There was something healing about digging into the earth.
She didn't notice she'd drawn an audience until she heard hurried footsteps.
"Lady Sofia!" Clara gasped, running toward her. "What are you doing out here? You'll ruin your hands! What if Lord Kael sees....."
Nerine looked up, slightly breathless but smiling. "Relax, Clara. I know what I'm doing."
"But..."
"I've gardened before," Nerine cut in, a playful glint in her eyes. "Trust me. These flowers will thank me for it."
Clara looked both horrified and impressed. "My lady, at least let me help you....."
Nerine stood, brushing off her dress. "Not yet. I'll call for you when I need you. But can you do something for me instead?"
"Anything."
"Keep the others off my back for an hour. Including Lord Kael."
Clara hesitated, then grinned. "As you wish, my lady. But if he asks, I'll say you ordered me under pain of death."
"Waaw....."she said playfully and then nodded in agreement.
From the second-floor window, the butler watched the exchange quietly. He had intended to interrupt when he saw her dragging up flower roots, but the determination on her face intrigued him. This Lady Sofia was not what he expected. Not at all.
When the sun reached its peak, Nerine returned to her chambers, dirt under her nails, cheeks flushed with sunlight. Clara had already drawn a warm bath.
"My lady, your dress…" Clara began.
"I know, I know," Nerine groaned. "Hide it if you must....for now."
After scrubbing clean and changing into a fresh gown, Nerine sank into her chair by the window. She looked down at the garden she had just begun to reclaim, a small pocket of peace in a house filled with sharp eyes and unreadable silences.
For now, that would have to be enough.
She had made a space for herself here....even if it was only in the dirt.
And someone had to water the black flowers.
And also the mansion needs colour now.....she just had to find a way to persuade kael into allowing her plant the flowers.
That was all she could do right now.