The sun had just begun to rise, and I woke up slowly as the soft morning light filled my room, feeling strangely motivated to get out of bed early for once, while the cat was still lying beside me as if it had been waiting for me to wake up.
I stood up, walked toward the window, and opened the curtains before pushing the window open, letting the fresh air enter the room as I admired the beautiful view outside, the calm atmosphere and the perfect temperature making me wonder what I could possibly do today.
As I left my room, the cat quickly followed me, as if it had been waiting for that exact moment.
In the bathroom, I took my time getting ready, doing my skincare and everything I needed before returning to my room feeling fresh, and as I looked around, I suddenly realized how empty and lifeless it felt, almost as if it needed something more… something softer.
That's when I got the idea.
Flowers.
After putting on my earrings, I went downstairs, where the house felt unusually quiet, and I found my breakfast already placed on the table, so I sat down alone and ate slowly while the children were watching TV in the background, the noise filling the silence just enough.
At the same time, I scrolled through my phone, opening Instagram out of habit, and as I clicked on my profile, a suggestion appeared.
Kael Carter.
His account.
His picture...
I hesitated for a moment before clicking. His account was public.
And he had posted.
I went through his highlights, his photos, noticing how… perfect everything looked. His style, his presence, the way everything about him felt carefully put together.
Rich. Clean. Attractive.
Too perfect.
After a few minutes of scrolling, I locked my phone, deciding not to follow him for now, before cleaning the table and heading outside.
The moment I stepped out, I ran toward the horses and dogs, enjoying the open space and the freedom, before noticing the flowers near the river that separated our land from the Carter's.
Near the small bridge from the other day, I began picking some flowers, choosing the prettiest ones to decorate my room, enjoying the calm moment until.... A woman's voice.
"Wow… you're really charming."
I froze.
Slowly standing up, curiosity took over as I moved quietly between the trees, trying not to make a sound.
Then
A man's voice.
Familiar.
"We should go."
I stopped completely.
And when I looked
It was him.
Kael.
Standing with a girl I had never seen before, blonde, her hair tied in a braid, wearing a soft pink-beige dress with a hat, looking like she belonged in a perfect picture.
Questions rushed into my mind all at once.
Who is she?
Why is he here?
Is this his "appointment"?
I stayed hidden behind the tree, my heart beating faster as I tried to leave, but my body refused to move, as if something inside me needed to hear more.
Then
Silence.
"Kael…" the girl said softly.
"Yes?" he replied, slightly confused.
"…Do you think… one day… it could work between us?"
I held my breath.
"What do you mean?" he asked, more serious now.
She hesitated.
"I mean… would you ever… ask me to marry you?"
My hand instantly covered my mouth in shock, the flowers pressed tightly against my chest as I waited for his answer without even realizing it.
"Mia…" he said, his tone firm."To be honest, I don't want to marry you."
My heart skipped.
"Even if my father suggests it… I refuse."
The girl, Mia looked hurt, her expression falling slowly.
"Oh… I see…"
She stepped back.
"Well… I guess we agree then."
Kael sighed slightly.
"My father made me come here just to talk, but I want this to be the last time. I don't want to marry you, Mia."
She nodded, forcing a small smile.
"You're right…"
I shifted my position slightly, my leg moving against the leaves.
A sound.
Too loud.
Kael turned his head sharply in my direction, his eyes scanning the area as if he felt something, but after a few seconds, he looked away and continued walking with Mia.
I didn't wait.
I ran.
As I ran back toward the house, my heart was beating so fast I could barely think, and when I finally reached the entrance, I quickly went inside, took off my shoes, and rushed to my room, placing the flowers in a vase filled with water before setting it on my nightstand, trying to calm myself.
Why did that scene bother me so much?
I didn't even know.
Later, I decided to go to the city.
After informing Giulia, who once again warned me to be careful but finally allowed me to go, I realized that her strict behavior wasn't random, it was clearly connected to the Carter family… even if I still didn't understand how.
Half an hour later, I took the bus and headed into town.
The city felt alive, filled with noise, people, and movement, reminding me of Belgium in a strange way, and without thinking too much, I went back to the library.
Once inside, I walked directly toward the same section as before.
History.
And there it was.
The golden book.
This time, I took it without hesitation and sat down in a quiet corner, opening it with curiosity, expecting something interesting, something meaningful.
But instead.... Nothing.
The pages were empty.
All of them.
Blank.
Confused, I flipped through the book faster.
Until the last page.
Only one word was written.
"Light."
Not understanding anything, I closed the book but still decided to borrow it, feeling like there was something strange about it that I couldn't ignore.
As I lifted my eyes from the book
I froze.
Kael.
In the same section.
My heart started racing as I quickly stood up, trying to leave before he could notice me, but it was already too late.
"Liora!"