The following days brought a tension that wrapped the Verden estate like a heavy fog, thick and suffocating. Liana moved through her mornings like a carefully controlled shadow, performing her duties with exacting precision, yet every glance at her surroundings reminded her that Darius' shadow had stretched further than she realized. He had begun testing her — probing subtly, planting seeds of doubt, watching how she reacted. The garden, once a sanctuary, had become a stage where even the softest smile or the faintest hesitation could betray her.
Her parents' presence was no longer distant and ceremonial. Every conversation about Darius, every mention of the engagement, carried sharper edges, subtle threats disguised as familial concern. "Liana," her mother would say, voice sweet but iron-laced, "you must understand the importance of your choices. A woman's happiness is often found in obedience."
Obedience. The word scraped against Liana's heart like stone. She wanted to scream, to defy, but she knew the stakes — a single misstep could destroy everything she held dear.
---
One afternoon, while the house was busy with the usual clatter of servants and distant town traffic, Liana slipped into the garden. She needed a moment to breathe, a moment where the suffocating expectations could not reach her. Her steps were cautious, eyes scanning the horizon for Darius, for anyone.
Eren was there, kneeling among the roses as always. His dark hair caught the sunlight in strands of copper, his hands moving with careful precision over the delicate blooms. He looked up as she approached, his expression softening, though shadows of worry lingered in his eyes.
"Miss Liana," he said, voice low and steady. "I feared you might not come today."
"I… I needed to," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "Every time I am away from you… it feels as if something is missing. Something essential."
Eren's eyes softened, but the worry in them deepened. "And yet, every moment we are together is a risk," he said quietly. "Darius watches. Your family watches. Every small gesture, every lingering look… it could be discovered."
She drew a shaky breath. "I know. And I am terrified. But I… I cannot deny it. I cannot pretend that I do not care for you. Not now. Not ever."
Eren rose, stepping closer, just close enough that she felt the warmth of his presence without breaking their delicate balance. "Then we endure," he whispered. "Careful, hidden, but always together in the moments that matter. We protect this… however we can."
Her chest tightened. "I… I trust you," she said, her voice barely audible. "Even when the world is against us."
---
Their fragile sanctuary was shattered by the unmistakable sound of polished boots crunching on gravel. Liana's stomach tightened. Darius.
He emerged from the shade of the tall estate trees with his calculated grace, but his eyes were sharp, predatory, and fixed on them with unhidden intent. He took deliberate steps forward, as though savoring the moment of discovery.
"Miss Liana," he said smoothly, voice sweet with danger. "Enjoying your… walk? Or perhaps you were hoping to escape your responsibilities?"
Liana's heart hammered. Her pulse raced with a dangerous mix of fear and excitement. "I… I was merely… walking," she said, trying to steady her voice.
"And you, sir?" Darius asked, turning his attention to Eren, a sharp edge in his tone. "Tending to the garden? Or keeping company with someone… who should not be near you?"
Eren's posture remained composed, but his dark eyes met Darius' with unwavering calm. "Just performing my duties," he replied, voice steady, betraying nothing.
Darius' lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. "Interesting," he murmured, eyes flicking between them. "Very interesting. Some attachments are difficult to hide, are they not?"
The implication hung in the air, sharp as a knife. Liana felt a jolt of panic, her fingers tightening over the folds of her dress. She wanted to run, to hide, but her body remained frozen, tethered by Eren's calm presence.
"You see?" Eren whispered, brushing a hand lightly over hers. "He will not let this rest. We must be more careful. Every glance, every word… it matters."
Liana nodded, her chest tight with both fear and desire. "I know," she whispered. "But I cannot stop caring for you."
Eren's eyes darkened, fierce and unyielding. "Nor can I stop caring for you, Liana. Even if the world refuses to bless our love, even if it calls it forbidden… I will not abandon you."
---
The tension in the following days escalated. Liana found herself under constant scrutiny, small details scrutinized by servants who were more observant than she realized. Darius' presence at the estate increased, often arriving unexpectedly, lingering with a charming yet dangerous attentiveness that left her uneasy.
Her parents' inquiries became sharper, probing for signs of disobedience or rebellion. Every misstep — a delayed answer, a distracted glance — was noted, analyzed, and criticized. "Liana," her mother would say softly, but the words carried iron, "your choices shape not only your future but the family's. You must act responsibly."
Adrian's support became her lifeline. In whispered conversations in hidden corners, he guided her, advised her, and reminded her that she was not alone. "Remember," he said one evening, voice low and urgent, "Darius is clever. He is testing you. But so long as you trust your heart and remain cautious, you can endure this. And I will protect you, quietly, always."
Tears pricked her eyes. "I… I don't know how to face him," she admitted. "How to face the pressure, the danger… the fear of losing you."
"You do it because it matters," Adrian replied, eyes soft but resolute. "And because your heart is stronger than anyone gives it credit for. Love like yours… it does not bend easily. And it is worth fighting for."
---
One evening, as twilight descended and painted the estate in hues of purple and gold, Liana found herself walking toward the garden once more. The air was thick with the scent of roses, and the soft rustle of leaves seemed to carry whispers of the danger surrounding them.
Eren was there, waiting beneath the oak tree, his expression calm but tense. "I feared today might be dangerous," he murmured, voice low, almost reverent. "We must remain vigilant. He is clever, Darius. Cleverer than we anticipated."
"I know," Liana admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "And yet… I cannot stay away from you. Even if it is impossible… even if it is forbidden… I cannot stop caring."
Eren stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Then we endure," he whispered. "Careful, hidden, but steadfast. And when the world turns its back… we turn to each other. Always."
Her heart swelled at his words, a mixture of love, fear, and dangerous longing. In that moment, beneath the oak tree, surrounded by the fading light, the garden became their secret universe — a place where love could exist, fragile, forbidden, and undeniable.
And as shadows lengthened, stretching across the estate and creeping toward the house, Liana knew the truth: the world might never bless their love, but it had found them. And that finding… was worth every risk, every fear, every heartbeat stolen in secret.