The following morning, the Verden estate awoke with its usual quiet rhythm, but a tension lingered in the air that even the sun's gentle warmth could not dispel. Liana moved through the grand halls with careful grace, her thoughts heavy. The previous evening's encounter in the garden replayed endlessly in her mind — Darius' sharp eyes, his subtle threat, and the fleeting touch of Eren's hand that had left her heart trembling.
She tried to focus on her duties, walking through the long corridors lined with portraits of stern ancestors whose painted eyes seemed to judge every step she took. Yet, each time she paused, she imagined Eren's steady gaze, the quiet reassurance in his voice. The memory brought warmth and fear in equal measure — a dangerous combination.
---
At breakfast, her mother's voice cut through the morning silence with practiced elegance.
"Liana, have you considered Darius' proposal more seriously?" Her words were sweet, but the underlying pressure was unmistakable. "The family expects you to take your place. We cannot afford hesitation."
Liana's hands gripped her fork tightly, her appetite gone. She forced a calm nod. "Yes, Mother. I understand."
Her father's eyes met hers over the rim of his teacup, a subtle warning buried beneath polite composure. "Good. Darius is a fine match, and your life will be… easier if you comply."
Liana swallowed, trying not to let the fear and frustration show. Compliance. That word had been drilled into her life for as long as she could remember. Yet her heart refused to obey. Every fiber of her being rebelled against the thought of marrying Darius, whose charm masked a controlling nature she could already feel in small interactions.
---
Once the breakfast ended, Liana excused herself, claiming she wanted to check the garden. She moved swiftly through the hallways, careful to avoid the housekeeper's eyes, until she reached the familiar sanctuary beneath the oak tree.
Eren was already there, kneeling among the roses, his hands dusted with soil, his presence steady and grounding.
"You're early today," Liana murmured, approaching cautiously.
"I could say the same," he replied softly. "But… it is good to see you."
She hesitated, her chest tightening. "Eren… yesterday… Darius… I don't know how long I can keep this a secret."
His eyes darkened slightly, but his tone remained calm. "Then we must be more cautious. Secrets are fragile, and he is… clever. But I trust you, Liana. And I will protect this, whatever it takes."
A small, dangerous thrill coursed through her. "You'll protect me?" she whispered.
"Always," he said simply, and the weight of that single word settled deep in her heart.
---
The peace was short-lived.
From the corner of the garden, Liana spotted movement — a shadow slipping between the trees. Darius.
Her stomach dropped. He wasn't supposed to be here. The thought of him witnessing anything, even by accident, made her heart pound. She tried to step back, but Eren's hand found hers, holding her in place.
"Stay calm," he whispered, his voice steady, grounding her. "Do not react."
Darius' approach was deliberate, his eyes scanning the area until they landed on Liana and Eren. "I didn't expect to find you here again," he said smoothly, though a dangerous undercurrent lurked beneath his charm. "Enjoying the gardens… with your favorite servant?"
Liana's heart skipped, and she pulled her hand from Eren's grip slightly, though her gaze never left his. "I… I was merely walking," she said, her voice firm despite the fear twisting in her chest.
Eren stepped slightly forward, a subtle shield between her and Darius. "Just tending to the roses," he said evenly.
Darius' eyes narrowed. "Interesting," he murmured. "It seems there is more to this… friendship… than I first realized."
The implication hung heavy in the air. Liana's pulse quickened. She wanted to shout, to explain, to deny, but she knew words could make things worse.
"You should be careful," Eren said softly, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "Some people notice more than you think."
Darius' smile sharpened, and he turned on his heel, his footsteps deliberate as he walked away. But the tension remained, lingering like a storm cloud over the garden. Liana exhaled shakily, her body trembling. "He's… dangerous," she whispered.
Eren placed a steady hand on her shoulder. "So are we," he said. "But our hearts… they are stronger than the threats outside these walls. As long as we are careful, we can endure."
---
That evening, Liana retreated to her room, where the weight of the day pressed down on her chest. The sunlight had faded, leaving the room bathed in soft twilight. She closed her eyes, recalling the warmth of Eren's hand, the steady reassurance in his voice. A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Liana," Adrian's voice called softly. "May I come in?"
She nodded, and he entered quietly, closing the door behind him. His eyes were serious, yet gentle, full of concern and understanding.
"I know," he said simply, without preamble. "I know about Darius. And I know about Eren."
Liana's breath caught. "How… how do you know?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Adrian smiled faintly. "I see what others do not. I notice the small things — the way your heart races when he is near, the way you linger in the garden longer than you should, the way you smile when no one is watching. Liana… you deserve happiness. And I will not let anyone take that from you."
Tears pricked her eyes. "But… he's a servant. My parents… Darius… it's impossible."
"Impossible doesn't mean it's not real," Adrian said firmly. "And sometimes, the heart knows the truth long before the world is ready to accept it. You are not alone, sister. I will help you. Quietly, carefully, so no one suspects."
Relief and fear mingled in Liana's chest. "Thank you… Adrian," she whispered, leaning slightly against him. "I… I don't know what I would do without you."
"You'll never have to find out," he replied softly. "But… be careful. The walls of this house are thick, but secrets have a way of slipping through cracks. And Darius… he is clever. He notices more than you think."
Liana nodded, her resolve hardening. She had tasted the warmth of forbidden love, and now, bolstered by Adrian's quiet support, she felt ready to face the challenges ahead. No matter how impossible it seemed, no matter how dangerous, she would not abandon the heart that had chosen Eren.
And as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in deep shades of purple and gold, Liana allowed herself to hope — hope that love, even when the world refused to bless it, could endure, survive, and perhaps… even triumph.