The estate had grown quieter in the early morning, as though holding its breath. Liana moved carefully through the polished corridors, each step measured and deliberate. Her parents' eyes seemed to follow her even when they were elsewhere, and every servant she passed seemed to carry a hint of curiosity, whether intentional or not.
Her heart throbbed in her chest, heavy with anticipation and fear. Darius had arrived the night before, unexpectedly, and his presence left a lingering tension that suffused every corner of the house. Liana's stomach twisted at the thought of him wandering through the estate, analyzing, calculating, and waiting for the smallest misstep that would betray her feelings.
---
She stole into the garden as soon as the morning chores allowed, moving quickly through the familiar paths lined with roses and hedges. She felt a faint relief at seeing Eren already tending the flowers, his hands careful and precise as he worked.
"You came," he said softly, looking up. "I wasn't sure you would."
"I… I had to," she whispered, closing the distance between them. "Every hour apart… it feels like a piece of me is missing."
Eren's eyes softened, though tension lingered there, unspoken. "Then we endure," he said quietly. "Careful, cautious, but together. Whatever happens, whatever dangers lie ahead… we endure."
A faint rustling drew their attention to the estate gates. Liana's stomach dropped as she saw the polished black carriage approaching. Darius.
---
He stepped from the carriage, his movements smooth and deliberate, exuding charm and menace in equal measure. His eyes fixed on Liana with a predatory intensity, though his smile remained polished.
"Good morning, Miss Liana," he said, voice soft but carrying a hidden threat. "A lovely day for the garden… isn't it? I wonder… are you walking alone?"
Liana's heart raced. She clenched her hands at her sides, careful not to betray the closeness of her secret companion. "I… I enjoy the garden in the mornings," she said cautiously.
"And you, sir?" Darius said, turning to Eren with subtle venom hidden behind polite curiosity. "Tending the roses, or keeping company with someone… unexpected?"
Eren remained calm, but the sharpness in his eyes betrayed a simmering protectiveness. "I am performing my duties," he said evenly, his tone controlled.
Darius' lips curved slowly, a dangerous smile. "Interesting… very interesting," he murmured. "It seems some things are difficult to hide. And I intend to see clearly what is happening here."
---
After Darius left, lingering like a shadow, the weight of the day pressed down even harder. Liana felt as though every step she took, every word she spoke, was being watched, measured, and judged. That evening, Adrian found her in the library, where she had sought refuge among rows of books.
"They are closing in," he whispered, voice urgent. "Your parents, Darius… they will push harder. And today, I fear, a trap has been set."
Liana's heart thudded painfully. "A trap? What do you mean?"
Adrian's eyes were dark with concern. "Darius will try to catch you together, in the garden or elsewhere. He will attempt to force you into exposure — either to test your loyalty or to create fear. You must be more cautious than ever. Hide your heart… but do not abandon it. Not even for a moment."
Tears pricked Liana's eyes. "I… I don't know if I can survive this, Adrian. The pressure… the constant fear…"
"You can," Adrian said firmly. "Because your heart is stronger than you realize. And because love like yours… it endures. It thrives even in the shadows."
---
The next morning, the garden felt alive with danger. Liana approached Eren beneath the oak tree, trying to appear calm. His dark eyes met hers, filled with concern and unspoken reassurance.
"I fear today will be dangerous," he whispered. "We must be extremely cautious. Darius is cleverer than we imagined, and he will attempt to trap us."
"I understand," she said softly, swallowing the lump in her throat. "But… I cannot stay away. Not now. Not ever."
Eren stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face, careful not to break the delicate secret of their closeness. "Then we endure," he murmured. "Hidden, careful, steadfast. Even if the world rejects us… we turn to each other. Always."
A rustle at the edge of the garden made them freeze. Through the corner of her eye, Liana saw a servant standing too close to the hedges, a servant who clearly had been influenced by Darius' subtle inquiries.
"They know," she whispered, panic threading her voice.
Eren's jaw tightened. "Then we act. Follow my lead."
With careful precision, he guided Liana through hidden paths in the garden, winding through the hedges and roses until they reached a small, secluded fountain, far from prying eyes. Their hands brushed, a fleeting touch that sent warmth racing through her, even as adrenaline surged through her veins.
---
The remainder of the day was a dance of stealth and caution. Liana avoided the main halls, the watchful eyes of her parents, and the subtle traps Darius had set through whispered warnings and influenced servants. Every stolen glance at Eren, every fleeting touch, felt dangerous, yet exhilarating.
By evening, exhaustion pressed down on her, but she found a small, private moment in the garden. The sky was streaked with violet and gold, and the roses glowed faintly in the twilight. Eren approached, his expression both soft and tense.
"You endured today," he whispered. "And you did it with grace. I am proud of you."
"I… I could not have done it without you," she admitted, pressing her hand to his. "Every moment, I feel… alive, and yet so terrified."
Eren's hand covered hers, firm and grounding. "Fear and love often walk together," he said quietly. "But the heart that dares to love… even when the world refuses to bless it… is stronger than all the fear in existence."
Her chest tightened. "Then we continue," she whispered. "Careful, hidden… but together. Always."
And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the estate, Liana knew one thing with absolute certainty: no matter the traps, no matter the threats, no matter how the world tried to claim her heart… she would never abandon Eren.
A love forbidden… yet undeniable. A love the world would never bless… yet unshakable.