I met her gaze. Her dark green eyes, much like the man beside her whom I assumed to be her father, were clear and steady, reflecting me like a flawless mirror.
For a brief instant, my breath faltered. The composure I had just regained wavered again. But this time, I steadied myself faster. I couldn't afford to lose control twice.
With measured calm, I offered her a gentle smile. She noticed and in response she smiled back. Elegant and effertless, the kind of smile that felt practiced, yet genuine enough to falter the composure im maintaining.
For a split second a word caught in my throat, almost slipping out as a stutter but I held it back.
Man I almost said beautiful now.
After what felt like an endless moment Father stepped forward and invited them inside.
"Why are we just standing here for, come inside."
We followed alongside him. I walked in silence, maintaining a steady pace yet every now and then, my gaze drifted toward her.
And each time I had to steady myself again.
This is… troublesome.
No matter how much I tried to remain composed, her presence disrupted that balance with ease.
Her beauty, it wasn't something I had ever witnessed before. Not in this world, not even in my past life. It was on another level entirely. And that made it all the more difficult to ignore.
After arriving at one of the finest living rooms in the mansion, everyone took their seats. Father and Mother sat across from the guests, and soon, a warm yet composed conversation began.
"Lucian, how have things been on your end lately?" Father asked, his tone calm, almost casual. "Kardamshia hasn't stopped picking fights, I assume?"
There was a faint hint of amusement in his voice as if the answer was already obvious.
"You already know the answer to that," Lucian replied with a small, knowing chuckle. "They've never been fond of losing."
"Still… I can't help but wonder where that Swordmaster disappeared to," Father added, a hint of curiosity slipping into his tone.
The moment the topic shifted, my attention followed. For a brief time, even her presence faded from my thoughts.
"Ever since his disappearance, his trail has gone cold," Lucian replied calmly. "No one's been able to track him. It's as if he vanished without leaving a trace."
There was a faint trace of disappointment beneath his composed expression but it never broke his demeanor.
Swordmaster…?
The word echoed in my mind.
Isn't that the pinnacle of warriors?
Then why would someone like that… disappear?
Questions surfaced one after another, pulling at my curiosity. I found myself watching the conversation more intently.
Beside me, Allen listened as well though, unlike me, he showed little interest in the matter.
"Haha… your children have grown well," Lucian said with a light laugh. "I can still remember when they were little."
When we were little…?
The words caught me off guard.
He's been here before? Did I… forget?
A trace of confusion surfaced in my mind, lingering for a brief moment before I suppressed it.
My expression remained unchanged.Composed and Proper.
…How tiresome. Always acting refined… always maintaining this dignified facade.
"Since we're already here, why not let the children get to know each other better?" Lucian suggested, his tone light yet intentional.Father seemed pleased.
"Indeed. That would be appropriate," he agreed without hesitation.
Mother, unable to hide her delight, looked between me and the girl with a warm, knowing smile.
"You two can take a walk around the manor if you'd like." Her words carried a gentle push.
I felt a slight tension rise within me as my gaze shifted toward the girl.
"Lara," Lucian called, "if you wish, you may walk with Rio."
Lara…
The name lingered in my thoughts.
A fitting name… No, compose yourself.You cannot be swayed by beauty alone.
I steadied my mind before it could wander further. Sensing everyone's attention, she gave a small nod.
"Of course, Father."
She rose gracefully from her seat and turned her gaze toward me. Understanding what was expected, I stood as well. With measured composure, I stepped forward and began to lead the way out of the room.
As we stepped out of the room, I could feel it. Allen's gaze on my back.
No more specifically, that unmistakable grin of his. I didn't even need to turn around to confirm it.
He's definitely enjoying this…He's probably wondering how I'll act around her.…Or worse, waiting to tease me about it later.
I sighed self deprecatingly in my mind.
We walked along the corridor, side by side, wrapped in an awkward silence. Each step echoed faintly against the polished floor, making the quiet feel even more pronounced.
…This is uncomfortable.
After a brief moment, I decided to break it.
"Lara… is there anywhere you'd like to go?" I asked, keeping my tone calm, yet gentle. Anything was better than this silence.
"Very well… I've heard wonderful things about the gardens of House Nightingale," she said. There was a hint of excitement in her voice, subtle, carefully restrained beneath her composed demeanor.
"I'd be happy to see them." A small smile formed on my lips.
"Of course. I'll show you." With that, I guided her toward the garden.
After a short walk, we arrived. The moment we stepped in, it felt as though we had entered a different season altogether.
The garden was always in bloom, as if spring itself had chosen to reside here.
Roses of various colors flourished across the space, arranged like natural bouquets. Marigolds, dandelions, chrysanthemums, and golden lilies swayed gently in the breeze, flowers I could recognize from my past life.
Alongside them were unfamiliar blooms, Sevythelym, Myriad Flowers, Blue Dart Felix. Names I had only learned in this world. Each carried its own distinct charm.
The garden stretched out in carefully arranged sections, rows of vibrant colors blending seamlessly into one another a living canvas of nature.
I led her along the central path, toward a small resting area prepared for tea. We took our seats.
With a subtle gesture, I signaled to Cecilia, who had been observing from a respectful distance.
Before long, several maids approached with a trolley, Suzu, Raphelia, and Mina.
They moved gracefully, placing delicate porcelain plates before us, arranging an assortment of desserts and pastries with practiced ease. Fresh tea was poured, its gentle aroma rising into the air.
Once everything was set, they quietly withdrew. Only Cecilia remained nearby, attentive as ever, ready should we require anything further.
A calm silence settled between us once more, though this time, it felt different.
Her eyes shimmered with a quiet excitement as she watched the flowers sway gently under nature's breeze. For a moment, she forgot to hide it. And for some reason, I found myself smiling warmly.
Before long, she noticed my gaze. Almost instinctively, she composed herself, her expression returning to that refined calm expected of a noble lady.
"I hope the garden is to your liking," I said, though I already knew the answer.
She lifted her teacup, taking a small sip before replying.
"It is… just as the rumors say," she said softly. "Though… I believe the rumors should exaggerate it even more."
Her voice was gentle like a breeze that carried quiet elegance with it. A faint smile rested on her lips, and in her eyes lingered a genuine interest that she could not completely conceal and just like that something within me shifted.
My heart began to race. Before I even realized it, I was staring at her.
Then she spoke again.
"You look like a white rose."
The words struck me completely off guard. For a moment, my composure shattered. I quickly reached for my teacup, masking my reaction as I took a slow sip as if buying time. Nearly two minutes passed before I managed to steady myself again. Even then, my heart refused to fully calm.
"May I ask… why you think I resemble a white rose?" I asked, my voice steady, though a hint of curiosity slipped through.
I watched her carefully wanting to understand what she had seen in me.
"Your hair… reminded me of it," she replied softly. Then, after a brief pause, a hint of concern touched her expression. "Was it… uncomfortable?"
I shook my head lightly, offering a reassuring smile.
"Not at all."
Her shoulders seemed to ease, even if only slightly.
"I was just curious," I continued. "No one has ever compared me to a flower before."
The smile I wore was genuine like neityer forced nor suppressed.
For a brief moment, it felt less like the composure of a noble and more like that of a child, free of restraint, who just want to play all day long like a ten year old children.