Charlotte stopped in front of the large gate of the estate.
The gate stood tall and wide, its iron bars thick and strong, almost like the walls of a prison.
Yet, it looked nothing like one.
Fine carvings ran along the surface, and the metal shone softly under the morning light.
It felt grand, almost welcoming, rather than cold or harsh.
Beyond it, the path stretched deep into the estate, lined with trees that moved gently with the breeze.
Beside Charlotte stood Elena.
Her posture was straight, but there was a quiet tension in her shoulders.
Her hands were lightly clenched in front of her, as if she was holding back the excitement rising inside her.
Her eyes remained fixed on the gate, calm on the outside, but filled with anticipation.
It had been a long time, and even someone as composed as her could not stay completely unaffected.
On the other side stood Edward, and unlike the others, he made no effort to hide what he felt.
