Clara's POV
"Are you enjoying this, my love?" Ciel asked, his voice gentle as he kept pushing the swing from behind.
"Yes," I said, unable to hide the soft smile tugging at my lips. The air was crisp, the scent of flowers lingering with every sway. For a moment, I felt free—like the world had stopped turning just to let me breathe.
I let myself live in this beautiful moment, wishing it would never end.
Then I felt a shift in weight beside me. Someone had taken the other swing.
It was Ciel.
"What are you doing?" I asked, blinking in surprise.
"Can't let you have all the fun alone, can I, love?" he said with a wink. Then he snapped his fingers, and the wind—obedient to his magic—caught the swings, lifting us higher.
The wind whooshed past my face, making my hair dance as we soared. Higher. Faster. Laughter spilled from my lips as the swing lifted me toward the sky. I hadn't felt this alive in so long.
"Whooo!" I screamed, my voice echoing through the garden. Ciel laughed beside me, a deep, rich sound that melted through the ache buried in my chest.
But then… we started going too high.
"Whoa!" I screamed as the swing lifted even higher, the wind snapping past us.
"Hold on tight!" Ciel said through laughter, clearly amused as the swings soared toward the sky.
"Ahhh!" I shrieked, terrified now. My hands clung to the ropes like my life depended on it.
Then—suddenly—the motion stopped.
The air stilled. The garden fell quiet.
I whipped my head to look at him, and to my disbelief, he was doubled over laughing.
"What the hell was that?" I snapped, breathless and trembling.
"I'm sorry," he managed to say between chuckles, wiping a tear from his eye. "I couldn't help it."
I glared at him, but strangely enough… I wasn't really that annoyed. His laughter was warm. Alive. Like a melody I had forgotten but still recognized.
"Hah," he exhaled, finally catching his breath. "It never gets old. I used to do that to you all the time—as a prank. And every time, you'd shriek like a banshee."
He laughed again, eyes sparkling.
Wait…
He used to?
Was he teasing me? Was that supposed to be a memory?
"Really?" I fumed, hopping down from the swing. "So you thought that was funny?"
He tried to follow, still chuckling. "Clara—wait—"
"No!" I said as I stormed off toward the path. I didn't want to admit it, but I was flustered. Embarrassed. Maybe even… softening?
As I turned the corner, I heard him mutter behind me with a small smile in his voice.
"You're still the same as ever."
"Still the same as ever…"
Liar, I thought bitterly. I couldn't believe he pulled that stunt on me. How dare he treat me like a toy from his past—like I was supposed to laugh along with him?
I stormed off faster, my feet crunching over the garden path as I tried to drown out the sound of his voice behind me.
"Wait—Serena!" I heard him call.
I didn't slow down. I didn't even look back.
By the time I reached the castle entrance, I was practically running—only to crash straight into someone.
"Whoa there," a familiar voice said.
I looked up and saw Jason, staring at me with raised eyebrows. "Where are you rushing off to, Your Majesty?" he asked, an amused smile tugging at his lips.
"Excuse me," I said curtly, brushing past him and walking quickly through the hallway.
"Serena, wait!" I heard Ciel's voice again, getting closer.
"Oh… a lovers' quarrel?" Jason teased, his voice thick with amusement. "Tsk. I better not get involved—everyone knows you don't interfere in married couples' fights."
"Shut up, Jason," Ciel growled behind me, clearly not in the mood for his humor.
Jason only laughed, backing away with a casual wave. "Best of luck, Your Majesty," he called, before disappearing down a different hallway.
I didn't stop. I didn't even turn around.
I just ran—up the stairs, away from all of them, away from the strange feelings clawing at my chest.
I rushed through the halls, heart pounding—not just from anger, but from confusion and everything that was swirling inside me.
Then suddenly—he appeared. Right in front of me.
Ciel.
"All right, my love," he said, stepping closer, "I know you're upset, but please don't be mad. It was just a prank." His voice was soft, almost pleading.
I turned sharply, about to walk away again—when he grabbed my wrist gently and pulled me toward him.
"Don't be upset, my love," he whispered, his arms wrapping around me. "I promise I'll make it up to you. Anything. Just say the word."
Anything? I thought, my heart skipping. I wanted to scream take me home! But I knew better. He'd never agree to that.
Fine. I'd start small.
"I want more freedom," I said firmly, lifting my chin. "I want to leave the room whenever I want, and go anywhere I wish in the castle."
He looked at me for a long moment, like he was trying to read the truth beneath my words.
Then he smiled. "Done," he said simply. "Anything you want, my love."
He leaned in and kissed my forehead gently.
"I hope you're not still upset," he added, searching my face.
"I am," I replied bluntly, stepping out of his arms. "And if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go to my room."
He gave a small sigh, but nodded. "Okay, my love. I'll see you later."
I turned and walked away, this time with purpose.
One step closer, I thought. One step closer to getting out of here.
And just like that, he left.
I walked into my room, shutting the door behind me with a soft click. A grin slowly spread across my face.
He agreed. I can't believe he actually agreed.
I leaned against the door for a second, breathing in the quiet. The anger I'd been carrying vanished, washed away by the thrill of victory.
Now I can explore. Get out of here. Uncover whatever secrets he's been hiding.
I threw myself onto the bed, letting the soft blankets wrap around me like triumph itself. One step closer. Just one step closer to everything I needed.
But then…
I thought back to the garden.
The scent of flowers.
The way the wind rushed through my hair as we swung higher and higher.
The sound of his laughter—unrestrained, real.
That moment had felt so warm, so safe.
So… right.
It made me forget everything.
I wanted it to last forever.
No, I whispered. Forget it.
He's just trying to manipulate me. Make me feel things that aren't real. Cloud my judgment with illusions.
I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the memories to fade. Drowning them in the darkness.
Don't fall for him, Clara. Don't forget why you're here.
Ciel's POV
I walked into my study and sank into the chair behind my desk. Paperwork lay in front of me, waiting — but my mind had already drifted elsewhere.
I thought of her face, still twisted with irritation as she stormed off today.
I chuckled softly. She's always gotten mad when I teased her.
It was… comforting. Familiar.
Like a glimpse of the past slipping through the cracks.
I can't wait for her to remember everything. When she does, things will go back to how they used to be.
But then a darker thought crept in.
Even if she regains her memories…
Will she still want to stay with me?
Even with all her memories intact… she still chose to leave once. She wanted to escape me. She wanted to go far away — as far as she could.
What if she does it again?
What if she remembers… and runs?
The thought turned cold in my chest. My smile faded.
A shadow passed through me, sharp and heavy.
I clenched my fists slowly on the table, pushing away the ache that rose up in my chest.
I can't lose her again.
Not after everything.
"Your Highness," a voice called, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Yes, what is it, Jason?" I asked as he stepped into the study.
"It's about the information you asked for… I found out earlier, but I didn't want to disturb you and Her Highness."
I straightened in my seat. "What did you find out?"
He paused, face unusually tense. "It's about the ones who attacked you… You were right — they felt like demons, but they weren't."
I narrowed my eyes. "Then what were they?"
Jason hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, almost like he didn't believe his own words—
"They were… fallen angels."