12 Years Ago…
When they were still children, 6 years old Lady Kimberly Theodore—the daughter of viscount Theodore, blessed with chestnut hair and warm brown eyes was chasing after a boy four years her senior.
The boy, 10 years old Rafael Grady, heir to Duke Cassian Grady, possessed striking black hair and deep sapphire—blue eyes. He was running ahead of her through the gardens of the Theodore estate.
"Brother, wait!!" Kimberly called breathlessly.
"Faster, Kimberly! We are almost there!"
Rafael shouted back with a grin.
"I am tired, Brother…I can't walk no more…" she complained, stopping to catch her breath.
Rafael turned at once and hurried back to her side.
"Come. Climb on," he said, bending slightly to offer his back.
"Really?" Her eyes sparkled with delight as she eagerly climbed onto him.
Smiling warmly, Rafael lifted her and carried her the rest of the way.
They soon arrived beneath a grand and magnificent tree, its branches stretching wide as though sheltering a secret.
"Wow… I have never seen this place before, even though I live here," Kimberly said in awe.
"Not that," Rafael replied gently. He turned her shoulders so she faced the breathtaking view beyond the hill—rows of distant houses and the lively scenery below.
Her eyes widened. "Woah… how fascinating!"
"Come, sit," he invited.
They settled beneath the great tree while a gentle breeze brushed against them. Rafael noticed the perspiration upon her forehead and quietly took out his handkerchief, dabbing her face with care.
"Thank you, Brother Rafael," she said sweetly.
"I am sorry, Kimberly. Because of me, you are exhausted," he said with concern.
She shook her head firmly.
"No. It is worth it for such a view. But how did you find this place when I am the one who lives here?"
"Your brother brought me here," Rafael admitted. "It is our secret place. He wished to surprise you one day… but I wanted to show you first. If he brings you here later, pretend it is your first time, all right?"
Kimberly giggled. "I promise."
They laughed together, savoring the moment.
"But I think my brother may forget," Kimberly added sadly. "He is always busy now. It is difficult to see him."
Rafael looked at her gently and took her small hand in his.
"Kimberly, when we grow up… I promise that even if I become busy, I will always stay by your side."
"Really? Then I shall marry you!" she declared boldly, not fully understanding the meaning of her words.
"Marriage?" Rafael froze, his cheeks turning crimson.
"Brother, why is your face red?" she asked worriedly.
"Because it is hot," he replied quickly, covering his face.
"Really? I do not feel hot enough to turn red," she said in confusion.
"Never mind. Forget it," he muttered.
After a moment, he cleared his throat. "Do you even know what marriage means?"
"Of course I do! What do you think I am—five?" she said proudly.
"Oh? Then what is marriage?"
"It is when two adults live together… like playing house," she answered confidently.
Rafael burst into laughter.
"What is so funny?" she pouted.
"Nothing. You simply look adorable," he said between laughs.
"You are teasing me again, Brother Rafael!" she huffed, turning away from him.
"I am sorry, Kimberly," he said, still smiling as he gently touched her shoulder.
She pushed his hand away.
"No, truly—I apologize," he insisted.
"Brother Rafael always teases me," she muttered.
"Very well, I am done laughing. Please forgive me."
"Fine… but we must promise to marry each other, all right?" she said solemnly.
Rafael nodded with a soft smile.
"Then if I am the mother and you are the father… who shall our child be? Bunny or Bear?" she asked, thinking of her two favorite stuffed toys.
Rafael burst into laughter once more.
"Brother!"
And thus, their childhood passed—filled with laughter, promises, and innocent dreams beneath that great tree.
***
12 Years Later…
Twelve years passed swiftly.
Lady Kimberly had blossomed into a radiant young woman, elegant and graceful. Beside her walked Rafael, now grown tall and broad-shouldered, his presence commanding yet gentle.
They strolled hand in hand through the gardens of Theodore estate.
"Oh! Look at this," Kimberly said happily, releasing his hand to pluck a delicate blossom.
"Is it not lovely?" she asked, placing the flower behind Rafael's ear. "See? It suits you."
Rafael chuckled softly. Removing the flower, he tucked it behind her ear instead.
"Instead of me, it suits you far better." Kimberly smiled shyly.
They clasped hands once more and made their way to the grand tree—their cherished place.
"It has been so many years," Kimberly murmured. "How quickly time passes."
"Indeed," Rafael agreed.
She turned to him. "Will you attend my debut?"
He smiled gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Of course. It is your birthday celebration. How could I possibly miss it?"
Her heart felt at ease.
"Oh—wait," he said suddenly, reaching into his pocket. He withdrew a delicate necklace adorned with pearls.
"It is beautiful…" she breathed.
"An early birthday gift," he said softly as he fastened it around her neck.
"Thank you, this necklace is really pretty" she whispered, touched as she held the necklace.
Rafael's gaze softened. Slowly, he leaned forward and kissed her.
Kimberly gasped softly and pushed him away. "What if someone sees?"
"Does anyone else know about this place?" he asked calmly.
"There must be someone."
"I assure you, no one knows."
"How can you be so certain?"
"Instinct," he replied confidently while her eyes locked with Kimberly lips.
She hesitated, then smiled faintly letting Rafael kiss her lips as she enjoyed the warmth.
In their kingdom, it was forbidden for an unmarried man and woman to engage in such intimacy.
Yet beneath the sheltering branches of their secret tree, Rafael and Kimberly lost themselves in a kiss that felt as though the world belonged solely to them.
After a moment, both Kimberly and Rafael caught their breath, hearts still racing.
"I love you," Rafael said sincerely, his gaze locked on hers.
"I love you more," Kimberly replied, a playful smile curving her lips.
"I love you infinitely," Rafael declared, leaning in once more. His kiss made Kimberly laughed, the sound light and joyous, echoing through the quiet garden.