The days in the Verden estate passed in a rhythm that felt almost serene from the outside. The sun rose and fell over the calm town, the streets humming with life, while inside the walls of the grand house, tension simmered quietly beneath polite smiles. Liana moved through her days with careful precision, performing the duties expected of her, yet her thoughts continually wandered to the garden, to Eren, to the moments of quiet rebellion they shared.
That afternoon, a servant appeared at her door with a small note written in neat handwriting. Her fingers trembled as she opened it. The paper read only:
Meet me by the fountain before sunset. —E
Her heart fluttered uncontrollably. Eren had taken the bold step of leaving her a message, breaking the unspoken boundaries they had maintained. The thrill of danger raced through her veins, mingled with an almost unbearable longing. She clutched the note to her chest for a moment, savoring it before carefully tucking it into the folds of her dress.
---
By the time the sun began to dip toward the horizon, painting the estate in hues of gold and rose, Liana slipped quietly into the garden. The roses glowed warmly in the evening light, their fragrance heavy in the soft air. She walked toward the fountain, each step measured to avoid being seen, her pulse beating faster with anticipation and fear.
Eren was already there, kneeling beside the fountain, his hands resting on his knees as he looked at the water. When he lifted his eyes and met hers, Liana felt a warmth spread through her chest, and for a fleeting moment, the weight of her family, the engagement, and every expectation melted away.
"You came," he said simply, his voice quiet but firm, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I had to," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't stop thinking about… about us."
Eren stood, moving closer, yet maintaining a careful distance. "Nor can I," he admitted, his dark eyes softening. "Every moment we're apart… I feel as though I'm missing something essential. Something I don't have anywhere else but here, with you."
Her chest tightened. The raw honesty in his voice made her knees feel weak, and she wanted desperately to cross the distance between them, to close the space that fate and society had imposed. But she held back, knowing that every inch closer carried the weight of risk.
"I… I know this is wrong," she said, her voice trembling. "Everything about this… everything about us… it's wrong. And yet, I can't seem to care."
Eren's lips curved into a faint, sad smile. "Some things are right even when the world says they aren't. That… is the truth I cannot ignore."
---
They stood together in silence, letting the soft rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds fill the space between them. For a while, the garden became their universe — one where rules did not exist, where no one could dictate the desires of the heart.
But reality has a way of intruding, even in moments of fragile peace.
The crunch of footsteps on gravel caused Liana to start. Eren's eyes flicked toward the path, sharp and alert. A man's silhouette appeared — tall, imposing, and all too familiar. Darius.
Liana froze. Her pulse hammered in her ears. Darius' gaze swept over her and Eren, lingering a fraction too long. His eyes narrowed, and a faint, dangerous smile curved his lips.
"Enjoying a quiet moment, Liana?" he called, his tone deceptively casual. "I didn't expect to find you out here alone."
Eren stepped slightly in front of Liana, a subtle barrier of protection. His dark eyes met Darius' with calm defiance, though inside he felt the first stirrings of real concern. He had been careful until now, keeping his distance, keeping their interactions subtle. But this confrontation could not be ignored.
"Good evening, Darius," Liana said, trying to keep her voice steady, though her hands trembled slightly. "I… I was just walking. The garden… it's peaceful this time of day."
Darius' gaze flicked between her and Eren, sharp and calculating. "I see," he said smoothly, though the tension in his voice betrayed his curiosity — and perhaps, jealousy. "And you, sir?" he asked, turning to Eren. "Tending the estate? Or… are you keeping company with my intended?"
Eren's jaw tightened slightly, but his voice remained calm. "Just tending to my duties, as always," he replied. His tone was polite but firm, giving nothing away.
Darius' smile sharpened, a faint edge of danger in it. "Interesting," he murmured, as if tasting a secret he was not supposed to know. "Be careful, Miss Liana. People talk, and the world has little patience for… improper attachments."
Liana's heart raced. She felt both fear and a forbidden thrill. The words struck like a warning, but also confirmed what she had always known — her feelings for Eren could never be public, could never be accepted. And yet, the intensity of their attraction only deepened in the face of danger.
Darius turned and walked away, his steps slow and deliberate, leaving behind a tension that hung thick in the air. Liana exhaled shakily, leaning slightly against the fountain for support.
Eren's hand brushed hers — accidental, fleeting, yet electric. Their eyes met, and in that silent exchange, everything was said: fear, longing, and the unshakable bond that had formed between them.
"We must be more careful," Eren whispered, his voice a soft anchor in the storm of her emotions. "Every step we take… someone may be watching."
Liana nodded, biting her lip to hold back both fear and desire. "I know," she said. "But I… I can't stop caring for you. Not now. Not ever."
Eren's dark eyes softened, and he reached out, barely brushing her fingers with his. "Then we endure. We protect this… whatever it is between us. And we cherish it in secret."
For the first time, Liana felt a fierce determination rise within her. The world may not bless their love, may not allow it, but she had tasted the reality of her heart — and she would fight for it, quietly, carefully, but with everything she had.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the garden. The roses glowed faintly in the twilight, and the fountain rippled gently in the soft evening air. In that moment, surrounded by the calm of their hidden world, Liana and Eren silently vowed to protect their forbidden love, no matter the cost.
A love the world would never bless… and yet, they had found it. And that was enough to make every risk worthwhile.