The warm rays of spring poured through the glass walls, filling the greenhouse with light, and the flowers thrived. Magnus sat in a light armchair, gently sipping his coffee. Letters and important documents lay scattered on the table. Felix stood quietly in the background, waiting for orders.
Baron Tressel stood up from his chair, bowed his head slightly to Magnus, and said, "I will send the remaining details in writing,my duke."
Magnus responded in a calm, authoritative tone, "Good. Do not delay the action."
Once Baron Tressel left and the door closed, Magnus ripped a leaf off the flowerpot beside him and looked at Felix.
Felix stepped forward and bowed. "My lord, your orders?"
Magnus spoke in a low voice, "Call the gardener, the flowers need replacing."
Felix coughed lightly, straightened himself, and replied, "My lord, the gardener is ill and cannot work."
Magnus remained silent for a moment, then spoke calmly, "In that case, call Edric Belmont. He is a worthy person." Felix bowed his head and left.
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My grandfather and Jasper were sitting at the table, and my grandfather was busy interrogating Jasper. I was washing strawberries in the kitchen, placing them in a bowl, and slowly walked toward the table. I carefully placed the bowl on the wooden table and sat down in front of them. The fresh, delicious-looking strawberries made the table even more beautiful.
Grandfather looked at Jasper intently. "What are you doing here? How did you know Layla moved in? I didn't tell anyone."
Jasper shrugged and replied in a playful tone, "Edric grandfather, I overheard it by chance. I just came to see a friend."
Jasper then turned to me, studying my face carefully. "The last time I saw you, you were 12 years old. You were small and shy. Now you've grown up... but you're still thin!"
I smiled and said, "You've grown too, but you're still talking like a child, Jasper."
Suddenly, Jasper's eyes landed on the strawberries in the bowl. He picked one up and began eating it eagerly. "Wow! Strawberries!"
I immediately reached for the bowl, pulling it towards me. "Hey! Don't eat all the strawberries! I haven't even tasted one yet."
Grandfather yanked Jasper's ear. "Glutton!" he scolded, shaking his head with irritation. "You still haven't kicked your old habits, have you? This boy is going to die from hunger one day, or from gluttony—who knows? Jasper, you remind me of the gluttonous calf from my childhood!"
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Footsteps were heard from outside. Three servants were approaching the house, among them a serious-looking man dressed in a black suit and wearing glasses. He approached us and asked, "Lord Magnus Von Eisenhardt requests that you replace the flowers in the annex by the river, Lord Edric Belmont."
Grandfather stood up. After a moment of thought, he said, "Magnus Von Eisenhardt doesn't choose people for no reason. But I am getting old... will I have the strength to work as a gardener?"
Sensing his hesitation, I grabbed his hands. "Grandfather, I will help you!"
Jasper laughed and slapped my hand away. "Layla, you? You're so delicate and small! Forget about holding the rake, you won't even be able to dig! You may be eighteen now, but you look nothing like it, you're so thin! If Magnus Von Eisenhardt sees you, he'll probably think you're just a lost servant girl in the garden!"
Grandfather looked at Jasper with a sharp gaze and shook his head. "Jasper, think before mocking Layla. Being delicate doesn't mean being weak. There are places where she can go that you never could. Her intellect and beauty make many envious."
The servant nodded. "Mr. Belmont. What is your decision?"
Grandfather sighed lightly. "Alright, I agree. Layla will work with me."
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The servant turned and left. I said my goodbyes to Grandfather and Jasper, then made my way through the forest toward Magnus Von Eisenhardt's annex. My thoughts were troubled as I was about to meet someone I had not wanted to see for years.
I approached the annex. I stopped in front of the door – it was a luxurious, intricately designed door. Surrounding it were roses and marble statues, all decorated with exquisite and refined taste. The building itself was unique, constructed with delicate elegance.
I knocked on the door. Silence.
I was about to knock again when the door opened by itself. I stepped inside.
In the dim light, delicate furniture was visible. Everything in the room was luxurious. I hadn't even realized I had entered the living room. On the wall hung a portrait of Magnus Von Eisenhardt. His cold gaze... it reminded me of my childhood.
At the age of seven, when I visited my grandfather's cottage, I was playing in the forest by the river. In my hand was the doll my mother had bought for me before I was born. I saw a red apple and climbed up the tree.
A calm voice came from behind me: "Who are you?"
I looked down and saw a boy, about 13 years old, tall, well-dressed, with dark brown hair and eyes as blue as the sea, holding my doll.
"I'm... Layla," I said softly. "Please, give it back."
The boy glanced at the doll. "This is for children. You, however... are too emotional."
"It's precious to me!" I said, tears starting to well up.
"Such attachment is a sign of weakness," he said, shrugging.
"I'm not weak!" I replied, choking on my sobs.
He casually tossed my doll into the river.
The shock made my heart race. "Why? Why did you do that?!" I cried.
He turned and walked away. Crying, I ran toward the water's edge. My doll was floating in the water. I reached out my hand, but my foot slipped, and I fell into the water. The cold water froze my heart. My breath caught in my throat. I couldn't scream. I thrashed with my hands, but I sank further. My vision blurred.
In the last moment, he appeared. Under the water, he grabbed my shoulder tightly. I couldn't see him clearly, but his eyes were different. His eyes were red, like burning fire, glowing brightly in front of me.
A soft, gentle touch brushed my face. He kissed me. He was giving me artificial respiration. His lips were cold, yet it felt as if he was giving me life. I slowly closed my eyes. My breath returned. My heart began to beat again.
He pulled me out of the water. Now, I was beneath him, and he stood over me. My eyes were full of water, and I gasped for air. He slowly stood up and moved to the grass, as if nothing had happened.
I swallowed hard, shivering, and looked at him. "Why did you save me?" I asked in a broken voice.
He shrugged. "It's just... it would have been boring to watch you die."
He gave a slight smirk, but his gaze was cold. "Someone who can't forget a doll... won't survive in this world."
"You... you're a bad boy!" I cried, unable to hold myself back, and I turned and ran away.
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I cried a lot for not being able to save my doll. Back then, I didn't know it was duke . I tried not to meet him again. I looked at the picture again, this time his eyes were red. The air turned cold, and cold wind blew through the windows. My hair fluttered in the wind, and my head started to spin, making the room feel like it was swaying. My legs gave way, and I collapsed. I didn't feel the impact. Someone caught me, cold hands gripping me tightly, and my breath caught in my throat.
It... was Magnus Von Eisenhardt's.
I tried to open my eyes, but it was impossible—I had lost consciousness. After a while, I started to wake up. My vision cleared... and I realized I was lying on a soft bed next to the wall.
Magnus Von Eisenhardt was standing in front of me. His arms were crossed, and he wore a light white robe, with a stern expression on his face as he stared at me. Under the robe, his muscles and broad shoulders were clearly visible. The light made his face appear even colder and more intimidating.
"Finally awake?" he said, with a slight smile at the corner of his lips. "You couldn't even be bothered to open your eyes."