The shoe, ice cream and appointment

*Author pov*

A woman with long wavy chestnut hair and green eyes tends to her blossoming flowers in the breathtaking garden of the mansion of The Westallia Palace. The delicate petals unfurl under her gentle touch, and the air is fragrant with the promise of spring. Her fingers trace the counters of each bloom, coaxing life from the earth.

As she waters the roses, her skirt brushing the dew-kissed grass, she doesn't notice that somebody watches her.

In the dimly lit hallway of the palace Duke Akai strides purposefully towards his office, his mind churns with thought of the upcoming meeting-strategies, negotiations, and the weight of responsibility.

The world outside the window blurs as he mentally rehearses his role. 

Yet, fate has other plans. As he passes through the open area of the hallway, his gaze catches on a scene that defies the mundane routine.

There, 

In the courtyard garden stands an enchanting figure. She cradles a watering can, her fingers gentle as she tends to the roses.

He leans towards the window frame, momentarily forgetting his duties. Eveline's presence captivates him - a splash of colour against the gray monotony, her care for the flowers mirrors something deeper- an intimacy with life that Akai has long forgotten.

Akai's crimson eyes, usually sharp and analytical, soften as he watches her. 

The sunlight dances through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on her face. - She is a fleeting muse, a brushstroke in the canvas of his existence.

His serious expression cracks, and a smile slips through - a rare vulnerability

Does she know that her simple act of nurturing beauty has stirred something within him?

Perhaps it's the contrast - Eveline's connection to the flowers against his sterile office. Or maybe it's the way she bends over the roses, her movements fluid and deliberate. In her, he glimpses a world beyond his meetings and negotiations.

Their gaze met across the distance. Eveline didn't see him, but Duke Akai saw her. And for a heartbeat, the weight of his responsibilities lift. The roses bloom, and time stretches thin.

The petals tremble, caught between anticipation and hesitation.

Akai takes a step forward, drawn by an invisible thread. His black hair touched by the same golden light that bathed the flowers, framed his face - a face that held both mystery and longing.

Eveline's emerald eyes widened as he greeted her, and excitement danced in their depths. She has tended to the roses, her fingers brushing against velvety petals, unaware of his approach.

"Is everything okay?"

He asked, his voice a low murmur, as if afraid to disturb the fragile beauty of the moment.

Her smile faltered, and she looked down to the ground

"No"

she confessed, her words like fallen petals.

"There's no more ice cream left, and I wanted one right now."

His laughter surprised her - a rich, melodious sound that echoed through the garden.

"Ice cream?"

He repeated, as if the very idea amused him.

"And why does that make you sad?"

She tilted her head studying him.

"Because,"

she said,

"I am angry, just like a rabbit."

His brow furrowed.

"An angry rabbit?"

"Yes"

She insisted, her emerald green eyes sparkling.

"You see, there was a rabbit in my favourite childhood book. That rabbit loved carrots more than anything. But one day, someone stole his carrots - the very ones he had planted with care. And he became so distraught that he refused to eat anything else."

Akai's gaze softened, and he leaned against the stone wall, still watching her.

"And how does this relate to the ice cream?"

"Well,"

she said,

"I am like that rabbit. Ice cream is my stolen carrot. It's the treat I crave, the sweetness that makes life a little brighter. But now it's gone."

He chuckled, and the sound wrapped around her like a warm shawl.

"Fear not,"

he said.

"I have a solution."

Before she could ask, he gestured toward the path leading to the manor.

"Sebastian,"

He explained,

"Is quite resourceful, he'll fetch more ice cream for you. Consider it a gift - a stolen carrot returned."

Her laughter bubbled forth, and the same garden he knew seemed less lonely today.

Sebastian arrived bearing a silver tray. On it rested the strawberry ice cream. Eveline accepted it with delight, her emerald green eyes alight with anticipation.

Beside her, Akai watched, his smile a rare bloom in his serious countenance. He admired her - the way she savored each spoonful, as it tasted memories and dreams . The stolen carrot was forgotten; in its place, a stolen moment of sweetness.

Robert, the head-gardener whose soul tended to the land, shuffled passed. His eyes crinkled with nostalgia.

"Ah"

he murmured,

"how long it was, since I saw young master`s smile."

And then , as if summoned by fate, two more figures appeared - Saerom with her hazel eyes curious yet unbothered, and Zella, his red hair that matches the sunset. They joined Eveline and Akai, interrupting their delight conversation. 

"Why are you eating ice cream in the garden?"

Saerom asked, her voice that hinted at her curious-nature.

The garden held its breath as Eveline shared her whimsical reason for craving ice cream - a tale of rabbits and stolen carrots.

Saerom blinked, momentarily confused.

"Rabbit and Carrot?"

She repeated, blinked with her hazel eyes.

The memory stirred and suddenly, she exclaimed,

"Oh! That Childhood storybook - the one about the rabbit who loved carrots!"

Recognition dawned, as she turned to Eveline.

"You still remember it?"

"Of course"

Eveline replied, her voice soft

"Some stories stay with us forever, like forgotten promises waiting to be fulfilled."

As they spoke, Duke Akai listened, his gaze shifting between them, he admired their connection- the way words wave bridges between hearts. Beside him Zella attempted lean his arm to Saerom`s shoulder, but she stepped aside before he could even reach her, and gave him a glare. And then as if summoned by the fading light Eveline glanced at the big clock on the wall.

"We have to go,"

she said,

"It's almost six o'clock - we have an appointment."

Saeroms eyes widened.

"Right,"

She said, panic fluttering in her chest.

"The appointment!"

Akai and Zella exchanged confused glances, where were the girls heading with such urgency? What was this important appointment they spoke of? Eveline dismissed it as unimportant, but Zella insisted it seemed significant.

Without hesitation, the girls sprinted to their dorm , changed their clothes swiftly, and raced towards the palace entrance. There, two men stood waiting- Alex and Leo.

Alex's eyes lingered on Eveline, while Leo's gaze fixated on Saerom.

"Late,"

Leo chided, his disappointment evident

"Sorry, Leo,"

Saerom gasped, out of breath.

"But you need to understand, ladies like us need their dramatic entrances."

She flipped her divine curly hair to the side, as if to prove her point.

"And gentlemen like us,"

Alex stepped forward, arranging a carriage for all four,

"need their patience."

As they rode into town, Gray Agatnez bustling with activity, Duke Zella's nosy nature got the better of him. He leaned toward Duke Akai.

"What do you think they're up to?"

Duke Zella whispered.

"Who knows,"

Duke Akai replied back.

In full disguise, black cloaks concealing their identities, Duke Akai and Duke Zella tailed the girls and their suitors. Annoyance etched their expression. They ducked behind market stalls, eavesdropped on whispered conversations, and even climbed a tree for a better view, mostly Zella and Akai tagging along.

In the bustling town, the quartet stepped into clothing shops - their footsteps echoing with purpose. Leo's gaze occasionally drifts toward Saerom. There was something about her, the way she moved, the light in her eyes - that distracted him from the task at hand.

After much deliberation, Leo settled on an outfit that Saerom had deemed suitable. It fit him well, and he looked pleased with the choice. Meanwhile Alex had a different mission: new shoes.

He sought advice from Eveline, who patiently evaluated each pair. Her eyes sparkled when she spotted a special pair of summer shoes- a girly delight that tugged at her heart.

Saerom sensed Eveline's longing. She approached her friend, whispering,

"Get them. You deserve a little joy."

Eveline's smile held gratitude, but practicality intervened.

"We don't have enough for that money,"

she confessed, barely audible

"We already paid to that hideous man, covered our usual expenses, and sent extra for the kids. Only two thousand remain."

Undeterred, Saerom reassured her.

"Go, for it ,"

she said.

"Our old shoes have stories to tell, and these memories are worth more than any price tag."

Finally, Eveline pointed at a pair for Alex and ignored what Saerom said .

"These looks good on Alex,"

she declared. And so Alex purchased the shoes, his heart lighter knowing that Eveline's choice had guided him.

The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the bustling streets, as Saerom, Eveline, Alex, and Leo continued their day, each moment leading them further into the unexpected. Their laughter mingled with the clamour of the market, a harmonious soundtrack to the day's adventures.

Meanwhile, lurking in the background, Duke Akai and Duke Zella trailed the group with the stealth of a cat stalking a mouse—though with considerably less subtlety. Zella's curiosity was an ever-burning flame, and Akai, though more composed, couldn't help but be drawn into the intrigue. Their noble presence, however, was as inconspicuous as a peacock in a henhouse, attracting attention from all passersby.

It wasn't long before a flock of giggling girls surrounded them, each vying for the attention of the dukes with fluttering lashes and coy smiles. Zella, ever the charmer, seemed momentarily caught in the web of admiration, while Akai's stoic mask did little to deter the crowd.

From a distance, Saerom's sharp eyes caught the commotion.

"Something is happening in the midst of the girls,"

She remarked to Eveline, whose gaze followed Saerom's to the commotion. - Unbeknownst to them, it was the dukes.

Duke Akai and Duke Zella, having narrowly escaped the adoring crowd, found refuge at a tea house- a cozy haven, its walls lined with shelves of aromatic teas and the air filled with the gentle clinking of porcelain. seated on a secluded table in the corner.

Meanwhile, Eveline had suggested to Saerom, Leo, and Alex that they visit the very same teahouse. Unaware of the dukes' presence, they entered, chatting merrily.

As fate would have it, Eveline and Saerom chose a table adjacent to the dukes. The knights, Alex and Leo, upon realising who was seated nearby, could barely conceal their shock. They exchanged awkward glances, unsure of how to proceed.

The tension was palpable. Saerom felt a sudden chill run down her spine, and Eveline leaned in, whispering,

"Do you feel an intense stare from somewhere?"

Saerom nodded.

"You too?"

Their curiosity piqued, they scanned the room. Their gaze landed on Duke Zella and Duke Akai, who were doing their utmost to appear nonchalant.

With a mix of boldness and mischief, Saerom and Eveline stood up, chairs scraping against the wooden floor. They approached the duke's table, their expressions a blend of amusement and mock severity.

"hmm, Duke Zella and Duke Akai,"

Saerom began,

"Fancy meeting you here."

Duke Zella cleared his throat.

"Ah, yes, quite the coincidence."

Duke Akai, maintaining his composure, added,

"We were just… enjoying the tea."

Eveline raised an eyebrow.

"And the cloaks? Part of the new tea-drinking attire?"

The dukes exchanged a sheepish look before Duke Akai replied,

"One must always be prepared for… unexpected weather."

The knights, still standing to the side, finally mustered the courage to join the conversation.

"Shall we all sit together, then?"

Alex suggested, gesturing to the empty chairs.

Duke Akai, breaking the awkwardness with the skill of a seasoned diplomat, inquired,

"Did Alex and Leo bother you?"

His softened tone directed at Eveline, who promptly jumped to her companions' defenses.

Meanwhile, Zella leaned toward Saerom, his voice a mischievous whisper.

"Is my wife really cheating on me,"

He teased, alluding to her closeness with Leo.

Saerom's quick wit was her weapon of choice. She leaned toward Leo, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm,

"What else does it look like?"

Her laughter— a sweet melody, both Zella and Leo, finding themselves smiling despite the situation, mesmerised by Saerom`s enchanting smile.

As the sun began its descent, casting a warm glow over the teahouse, Zella and Akai signaled it was time to depart.

Duke Akai, ever the gentleman, offered his hand to Eveline, guiding her into the waiting carriage with a softness in his eyes that betrayed his usual stoicism.

Duke Zella, with a flourish of his cloak, escorted Saerom to the carriage, his mischievous grin never wavering.

"No more space for you,"

He teased Alex and Leo, who stood by with a mix of annoyance and disbelief.

"It's good weather outside—you can walk back to the palace."

As the carriage clattered away, Eveline leaned toward Saerom, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Where´s Alex and Leo?" she inquired, peering out the window.

Zella chuckled, the sound rich with amusement.

"They wanted to walk back,"

He said, the twinkle in his eye suggesting a story left untold.

Akai, sitting across from Eveline, furrowed his brow, his thoughts a whirlwind. —What could possibly be so important about Alex and Leo's absence?.

The carriage came to a halt in front of the grand entrance to Westallia Palace. The men assisted the girls as they stepped down. Eveline's sadness lingered—a shadow cast by the unattainable shoes.

Zella, ever perceptive, noticed Akai's desire for privacy. Without hesitation, he whisked Saerom away to the kitchen, leaving the palace's opulence behind.

And there, in the heart of the palace, they encountered Theodore—the kind-hearted cook who knew the language of hunger. His apron was dusted with flour, and his smile crinkled the corners of his eyes.

"Hungry, my dears?"

He asked, his voice a soothing melody.

Akai and Eveline stood in the grand hallway, Alone. Akai's request for a private meeting left Eveline curious and uncertain.

"Why the private meeting?"

Eveline wondered as Akai made his way upon the stairs. She stayed in the hallway, a mix of anticipation and hesitation.

Outside Akai's office, Eveline's old habit of cracking knuckles resurfaced.

Akai opened the door, inviting her in. The room smelt of polished wood, the moonlight seeping through heavy curtains.

Akai stayed by the window, the view outside a mix of greens and blues. He turned to ask if she was okay. She nodded, avoiding his gaze. Her eyes held secrets he wanted to uncover.

Drawn to her, Akai stepped closer. The air between them charged with unspoken words. Her rose-scent surrounded him, and for a moment, time slowed.

Eveline's heart pounded as Akai approached. Overwhelmed, she pointed to the window for an escape. Akai turned, and she slipped past him to the door, her breath uneven.

"Just my imagination,"

She mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

"I have to go now, Duke Akai,"

She rushed out and left. Akai murmured,

"A good escape, rabbit."

His smile held a promise. They would cross paths again, and there'd be no escape next time. Hearts were the ultimate prize in this dance.