"This rose is so beautiful," Celine murmured softly. She gently stroked the petals of a red rose that had just bloomed to perfection. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath of the fragrant scent wafting from the flower.
"Be careful, Celine. There are still many sharp thorns there," Billy warned with a tone of sincere protectiveness.
Celine opened her eyes and offered a small smile. "Ah, you're right."
With movements that were deft yet cautious, Billy clipped the stem of the rose. He did not hand it over immediately. First, he meticulously trimmed every single thorn along the stem, ensuring Celine's hands would not be hurt when she touched it.
"Here, for you," Billy said, holding out the now safe red rose.
"Thank you, Billy." Celine accepted it with a bright sparkle in her eyes. She inhaled the flower's scent repeatedly.
"Would you like a white one as well? There are some in the corner over there," Billy offered, pointing toward a cluster of white roses that were just as stunning.
"Yes, I do!" Celine replied with full enthusiasm.
They moved toward the other corner of the garden. That position was much closer to the second floor window, allowing Leo to see every inch of the cheerful expression on Celine's face with perfect clarity.
"The flowers in this garden are truly wonderful, Billy!" Celine exclaimed joyfully. She twirled slowly, stretching out her arms as if she wanted to embrace the entire beauty of the garden shrouded in moonlight.
However, that joy vanished abruptly. Celine's body stiffened, and the laughter that had just escaped her lips died instantly. Her gaze locked onto the figure of the man standing rigidly behind the second floor window.
Leo was there, standing frozen, watching her with a look that was difficult to decipher. It was a mixture of anger, jealousy, and a hidden sense of vengeance.
"Ah, Billy. I think I need to get back to the kitchen right away," Celine said nervously, her voice suddenly turning flat and cold. Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked away in a hurry.
"Celine! Wait! You aren't going to take the white rose?" Billy shouted in confusion. Celine's rapid pace widened the distance between them in a matter of seconds.
Celine turned back briefly, holding the single red rose Billy had given her high in the air. "This is enough!" she called back, half shouting.
Celine could feel Leo's eyes still boring into her. With her heart racing wildly from a mixture of fear and hatred, she quickened her steps, trying to disappear from the man's sight as fast as possible.
***
Celine's hurried pace only slowed when she reached the kitchen doorway. Inside, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the tension in the garden. The savory aroma of home cooking filled the room, mingling with the low laughter of the servants enjoying their dinner.
"Celine, over here!" Hilarry called out energetically, waving her hand for Celine to join them at the large wooden table in the center of the kitchen.
Celine tried to steady her breath, which was still slightly labored, then approached them with a genuine smile.
"Where have you been?" Bella asked, noticing that Celine's face looked somewhat frightened.
"Just a short walk in the garden," Celine answered briefly while pulling out a chair and sitting beside Hilarry.
Hilarry slid a plate of grilled meat and steaming potatoes toward her. "Eat something before bed. You haven't eaten yet, have you?" she asked with a warm gaze.
Celine nodded slightly, feeling her eyes grow a bit warm. "Yes, thank you, Hilarry."
Celine began to fill her plate, feeling the warmth of the table. In the middle of the storm ravaging her life, she found that there were still friends who cared for her.
***
After finishing the warm dinner with maids, Celine immediately went back to her room. She wanted to wash up and rest after her long day.
Celine had just finished bathing when she stepped out of the small, cramped bathroom. Her body was wrapped only in a white towel that covered her from her chest to her thighs. However, she stopped dead in her tracks. Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest when she saw a tall, imposing figure standing by the corner of her closed door.
It was Leo.
Without breaking his sharp gaze from Celine, Leo moved his hand behind him. There was a loud, distinct click as he turned the key in the lock.
Now, Celine was truly trapped inside the narrow room with a man consumed by rage.
"W-what are you doing here?" Celine asked, her voice trembling violently.
Leo did not answer. He simply stared at Celine with a chilling, cold expression, as if he were hunting prey that had no way to escape. Instinctively, Celine stepped backward, moving away from Leo's reach until her back hit the cold wall.
"Get out of here, Leo," Celine whispered, trying to gather what remained of her courage even though her entire body was shivering with fear.