The sun was setting, casting a soft pink and golden hue across the sky. The last rays of sunlight streamed through my window, illuminating the delicate chiffon layers of my ethereal evening gown. The pale pink fabric shimmered with every movement, wrapping me in a mysterious glow. The flowing layers of the gown whispered around my legs like a gentle mist, and the sheer drapes that fell from my shoulders fluttered lightly, as if protecting me from an unseen force. My crystal-studded heels sparkled with each step, adding a touch of grace to my every move.
At the bottom of the staircase, my grandfather stood waiting for me. I paused, taking a deep breath before descending. His eyes brightened the moment he saw me, a mixture of pride and concern reflecting in his gaze.
"Am I not looking strange, Grandpa?" I asked softly, gently holding the flowing edge of my dress as I stepped closer.
He moved towards me, his sharp eyes inspecting my face closely before his lips curved into a warm smile.
"No, my dear. You look like a true princess tonight," he said, his voice tender yet slightly worried. "But... there is something in your eyes, a hint of sadness."
I bit my lip, dropping my gaze to the polished floor. Indeed, a shadow lingered in my heart. The thought of visiting the Eisenhardt estate tonight stirred an uneasy feeling within me, especially knowing that Magnus would be there...
"Hurry up, my dear," my grandfather said, stepping closer and gently placing his hand on my shoulder. "Your father and mother are already there. You're running late."
I gave a small nod, holding his hand tightly. "Thank you, Grandpa. For waiting for me."
His eyes lingered on me for a moment, filled with warmth and a touch of worry, before he released me. "Be careful, Layla. The forest path is full of whispers and shadows."
I nodded again, then turned toward the door. As I opened it, a cool breeze rushed against my face. Outside, the forest murmured with rustling leaves and the distant song of birds. The path ahead was dark, yet I steeled myself, taking my first steps into the night, the chiffon hem of my gown shimmering with each stride, as if I too had become part of the forest's secrets.
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When I reached the estate, I slowly made my way along the lush garden paths. The air was heavy with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, and a gentle breeze whispered through the trees, causing the delicate chiffon layers of my gown to swirl around me like a ghostly mist.
Suddenly, I noticed a small figure hiding behind a large tree. A little girl, her light blonde hairin the fading light, peeked out at me with wide, curious eyes. She took a hesitant step forward, her head tilted in wonder.
"Who are you?" she whispered, her voice tinged with awe. "Are you a fairy?"
Her innocent question made me smile. I knelt down, bringing myself to her level, my gown pooling around me like a shimmering cloud.
"No, I'm not a fairy," I replied gently. "My name is Layla. And you, little one? What's your name?"
"My name is Annaliese," she said, lifting her chin proudly. "But I've never seen you before. Why are you here?"
I looked into her bright, inquisitive eyes, my heart warming at her innocence. "I came here with my family," I replied with a soft smile. "But why are you sitting here all alone, Annaliese?"
Annaliese's face scrunched up a bit, like a child revealing a secret she had been hiding. "I don't like it here," she said in a small, delicate voice. "We came here as guests yesterday. My brother is probably looking for me, but... I just wanted to be alone."
I gently placed my hand on her small shoulder, offering a warm smile. "Don't worry, now that I've found you, you're not alone anymore," I said with a comforting tone.
Annaliese moved a little closer, her small hands hidden behind her back as she cast a shy smile down at the ground. Just then, a deep, firm voice called out from nearby.
"Annaliese!"
I turned around. Through the trees emerged a tall, broad-shouldered man with the same light blond hair as Annaliese. His expression was serious, but the moment he saw me, his steps faltered. His clear blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, he seemed to forget how to breathe. He froze, his gaze lingering on my face, clearly captivated.
I slowly rose to my feet, adjusting my flowing gown, and met his eyes with a soft, polite smile.
"Greetings, sir," I said, my voice steady and calm.
He seemed to snap back to reality, quickly regaining his composure as he took a step closer. He gently took my hand, bowing slightly as his lips brushed the back of my hand.
"Greetings, my lady," he replied, his deep voice a bit softer now. "May I know your name?"
I took a slow, calming breath, letting my lips curve into a gentle smile.
"My name is Layla Laurent. I've come here with my parents as guests," I replied, my tone formal yet warm.
He took another step forward, his eyes never leaving my face.
"I'm Sebastian Von Eisenfeld, my lady," he said, his voice firm yet respectful.
Annaliese, sensing her brother's awkwardness, let out a small, mischievous giggle.
"Big brother, why are you acting so flustered? Have you never seen a princess before?" she teased, her bright eyes sparkling with amusement.
A slight blush crept onto Sebastian's cheeks as he cleared his throat, straightening his posture. I couldn't help but smile at the sight, my heart feeling a bit lighter.
"Alright, Annaliese, the guests are waiting for you in the hall. Let's go," Sebastian said, his eyes still fixed on his sister.
I smiled warmly at Annaliese, gently taking her small hand in mine. "Let's go," I whispered softly.
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The grand hall of the Eisenhardt estate was bathed in a warm, golden glow, illuminated by crystal chandeliers and adorned with gleaming silverware. The long dining tables were set with a lavish spread of delicacies, fresh fruits, and fine desserts, their scents mingling to create an intoxicating aroma. As we entered, the lively chatter of the guests died down, and every eye turned toward us, the sudden silence thick with curiosity.
My stepmother and Emilie's cold stares cut through the warm light, while Magnus's mother and grandmother watched me with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. I felt a sudden wave of self-consciousness, my pulse quickening as dozens of eyes bore into me. Magnus's gaze met mine for a brief second. His eyes lingered on me, a flash of something sharp and dangerous flickering in their depths before he turned away, his jaw tightening. He stood beside Emilie, his posture rigid and his expression unreadable.
Sebastian leaned casually against the wall, a playful smile on his lips as he glanced at me. "I found this charming young lady in the garden with Annaliese," he said, his tone light, his eyes twinkling.
Annaliese, still holding my hand, beamed up at me, her innocent face glowing with pure admiration. "Yes, Layla is like a fairy from a storybook. She is so kind," she said, her voice filled with sincere affection.
My father stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through the murmur of the crowd. "This is my second daughter, Layla," he said with a hint of pride, his gaze resting on me for a moment before turning back to the crowd.
Emilie leaned closer to Magnus, a sweet, almost cunning smile on her lips, and whispered softly into his ear. "Remember, I told you about my sister? That's her, Layla," she said, her tone dripping with hidden meaning.
Magnus's expression shifted for a brief moment, his icy eyes locking onto mine. His lips tightened, and for a heartbeat, his calm facade seemed to crack. He quickly looked away, slipping his hands into his pockets as if to steady himself. "Ah, yes. I remember, my lady," he said, his tone flat and detached, his gaze still fixed on me, his sharp eyes following my every move like a predator sizing up its prey.
His words were polite, but his stare felt intense, almost invasive, as if he were dissecting every detail of my being. I instinctively looked down, my grip on Annaliese's small hand tightening as a wave of unease washed over me.
Madam Gertrude's lips curled into a faint, amused smile as her sharp eyes settled on me. "Oh, Layla, I never imagined you were a Laurent," she said, her tone carrying a hint of surprise mixed with something else, something I couldn't quite place.
I lowered my gaze modestly, offering a polite curtsy to those around me. "I should have informed you of this earlier. For that, I apologize, Madam," I said, my voice steady but my heart racing.
The Duchess Eleanora offered me a gentle, reassuring smile. "Welcome, Layla," she said, her tone warm and inviting.
I returned her smile, my nerves tingling beneath my calm exterior.
"Thank you, lady Eisenhardt. I hope you find the evening enjoyable," I replied, my tone respectful.
Duchess Helena Von Rosethorn, with a curious glint in her eye, joined in, her lips curving into a testing smile. "You are a very beautiful young lady," she said, her gaze carefully studying my face.
I felt my cheeks heat up, a faint blush coloring my skin. "Thank you, Madam," I replied, my voice soft yet clear.
Charlotte, with a tight, slightly forced smile, added her own remark. "Yes, Layla is indeed beautiful, but her sister, Emilie, is truly a rare gem," she said, her tone dripping with hidden sharpness.
Madam Gertrude placed a hand on Emilie's shoulder, her smile wide and pleased.
"Yes, Emilie is a truly remarkable woman," she said, her voice filled with pride as she glanced at her granddaughter.
I felt a slight wave of discomfort rise within me, but I maintained my composed expression, refusing to let my inner unease show.
Magnus, standing off to the side, took a slow sip of his wine, his eyes momentarily meeting mine with a distant, indifferent stare before he looked away, his jaw tightening.
"Let us begin the meal," Duchess Eleanora said, breaking the short silence that had settled over the group.
They directed me to my seat, which was directly across from Magnus. As I took my place, I felt his intense gaze on me, even as he casually swirled his glass of red wine. Then, without warning, I felt a sharp, deliberate nudge against my foot under the table. My heart raced as I looked up, only to find Magnus staring at me with a sly, knowing smile, his eyes dark and unreadable.
Suddenly, Annaliese, sitting beside me, accidentally tipped her glass, the cool, sticky juice spilling onto my dress. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Layla!" she exclaimed, her small face flushed with embarrassment.
For a moment, all eyes at the table turned toward me, the sudden hush making my pulse quicken.
Madam Gertrude, her expression calm and controlled, gestured toward a side room with a slight wave of her hand. "You can fix yourself up in that room, Layla," she said in a composed tone, before returning her attention to the ongoing conversation with the other guests.
I gave a small nod and left the hall, my steps echoing softly against the polished floors as I walked through the grand corridors, eventually reaching the guest chambers. The lavish rooms around me were adorned with rich tapestries and ornate furniture, a reminder of the Eisenhardt family's long-standing power and wealth.
I stepped into the bathroom to clean the juice-stained dress. Upon exiting, I was captivated by an ancient mirror adorned with intricate patterns, causing my breath to catch. Suddenly, I realized the back tie of my dress had loosened and come undone. I attempted to fix it, but the complex lacing was difficult to manage alone. My fingers trembled, and the strings slipped from my grasp.
Suddenly, I felt the cold touch of a hand against my bare back. My heart skipped a beat, my eyes widening in shock as I stared into the mirror. Magnus stood behind me, his tall frame looming over me. His hands reached for the loose laces of my gown, fingers moving with a chilling precision as he began to tie them. His touch was cold, firm, and commanding, each movement sending a shiver down my spine.
"M-My duke," I stammered, my voice trembling as his cool hands continued their work, the faint rustle of silk the only sound in the room.
He tightened the laces, his fingers brushing against my bare skin, sending a wave of heat and fear through my body. His hand then rested lightly on my shoulder, and I felt his cool breath against my neck as he leaned in closer, his voice a low, dangerous whisper.
"I can feel you trembling," he said, his tone dark and taunting. "Like a little lamb caught in the claws of a hungry wolf."
My heart raced, my breaths coming in short, sharp gasps. I instinctively tried to take a step back, to escape his overwhelming presence, but his strong arms pressed me firmly against the wall, trapping me with his body.
He smirked, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light as he toyed with the laces, his cold fingers grazing my exposed shoulder.
"Hm," he mused, his voice dripping with mockery. "Just yesterday, you were a simple girl in a dirt-stained dress, helping your grandfather in the garden. And now, look at you, dressed like a queen, stealing the gaze of every noble in the hall."
"P-Please... let me go," I whispered, my voice barely more than a frightened plea, my hands trembling against his chest as I tried to push him away.
But Magnus leaned in closer, his face mere inches from mine, his intense gaze locking me in place. His cold breath brushed against my cheek as his eyes bore into mine, a dangerous fire flickering within them.
"Are you afraid of me?" he asked, bringing his face close to mine. "Perhaps you're trying to escape? But this time, unlike in the forest, you won't be able to run away from me, Layla."
"I am not afraid of you, " I replied, though my voice trembled from within.
"But you're trembling," he whispered, suddenly biting and sucking on my earlobe, then added in a nonchalant tone, "My delicate little lamb."
The smile on his face and the coldness in his voice intensified the fear within me. I tried to steady my breathing, pulling my shoulders back. Attempting to distance myself from him, I found him drawing closer, his eyes locked onto mine.
"Please, don't do this, my duke." I whispered, lowering my head. My face flushed, and my heart pounded in my throat.
A slight chuckle sparkled in Magnus's eyes. He brought his face very close to mine and whispered into my ear, "This time, you won't be able to escape from me, Layla," as his hands slowly moved from my shoulders down to my neck. "I'm enjoying your fear."