Leo’s Adoption

Despite his doubts and confusion, Leo was soon taken by the Ravenswood. The adoption process was swift, and before he knew it, he was leaving the orphanage behind, ushered into a life of luxury, comfort, and security—things he had never even dared to dream about.

The Ravenswoods' estate was grand, with sprawling gardens and an elegant manor that seemed as though it belonged in another world entirely. Leo was given a room larger than any space he had ever known, adorned with fine furniture, delicate curtains, and a plush bed that felt too soft under his body. He was bathed in riches, surrounded by the kind of opulence he had only seen in books or dreams.

At first, Leo was swept away by the novelty of it all. He had never known such luxury—fine clothes, a steady supply of food, and the gentle kindness of Lady Ravenswood, who spent hours trying to make him feel at home.

"Leo, do you like your room?" Lady Ravenswood asked one afternoon, her voice warm and sincere as she sat beside him on the edge of the bed.

Leo hesitated, his fingers tracing the intricate pattern on the blanket. "It's... it's amazing," he said, though the words felt hollow. He had to force himself to smile.

Lord Ravenswood, a man of few words, had greeted him with a firm handshake and a silent understanding, but Leo could see the quiet strength in him, the way he made an effort to include Leo in family conversations, even if his reserved nature kept him distant.

"Leo," Lord Ravenswood said one evening after dinner, glancing at him across the grand dining table. "We're glad to have you with us. You're part of this family now." His voice was firm but welcoming, and Leo nodded quietly, feeling the weight of the words settle into his chest. But no matter how hard he tried, something didn't feel right.

As the days passed, the weight of his new life became heavier. The fine clothes felt foreign on his skin, and the meals, though delicious, didn't fill the emptiness he felt inside. The grand rooms felt hollow, as if they were meant for someone else. Leo wanted to believe this was his new home, but deep down, a part of him still clung to the simpler, more genuine existence he had with Elias at the florist shop.

One afternoon, as he sat in the garden, a book open on his lap but unread, his thoughts wandered back to the florist shop. He missed Elias—the way the older man had treated him like a son, the quiet warmth of the shop, the scent of fresh flowers that always seemed to hang in the air.

"I miss him," Leo muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

Lady Ravenswood, walking by with a tray of tea, paused and turned toward him, her brow furrowing slightly. "Who, darling?" she asked gently.

"Elias," Leo said, his voice a little wistful. "He runs the flower shop in town. He... he was like a father to me."

"Oh, I see," Lady Ravenswood replied softly, her expression understanding. "I'm sure you'll adjust here, Leo. We're all trying our best to make you feel at home."

Leo smiled faintly but didn't respond. The truth was, no matter how much they tried to be kind, no matter how welcoming their gestures were, it wasn't the same. Nothing felt like the quiet, peaceful days at the florist shop.

Then there was Zane. Leo couldn't forget the boy from the slums—the one who had stepped in to protect him from the bullies, the one who had shared a part of his world with Leo. Zane had made Leo feel less alone, less like an orphan with no place to call home.

"Do you ever think about the people you used to know?" Lady Ravenswood asked one evening as they sat in the library, the fire crackling softly.

Leo looked up at her, surprised by the question. "What do you mean?"

"Your old life," she continued. "You've been through a lot, Leo. I'm sure there are things you miss. People, places…" She let her voice trail off.

Leo's heart clenched at the thought of Elias and Zane. "I... I miss Elias," he said softly. "He made me feel like I belonged. And I miss how simple everything was. The shop, the flowers… it wasn't perfect, but it was real."

Lady Ravenswood looked at him with a gentle understanding in her eyes. "I can only imagine how hard this must be for you. But, Leo, you're a part of this family now. We want you to feel at home with us."

Leo nodded, but deep inside, he felt the emptiness grow. The gilded walls of the mansion, the grand meals, the servants who obeyed every command—none of it felt like his life. He missed the simplicity of the florist shop. He missed Elias's steady presence, his quiet care. He missed the way the world felt real when it was just the two of them, surrounded by flowers.

One night, unable to sleep, Leo sat at the large window in his room, gazing out at the sprawling estate below. His thoughts turned to Zane again. He missed him. Missed the boy who had walked alongside him in the quiet of the night, who had shown him the reality of life on the streets. Zane had made Leo feel less like an outsider, less like someone who didn't belong anywhere.

But now, in this place, surrounded by all this luxury, Leo wasn't sure where he truly fit.

The Ravenswood gave him everything he could ever want, but Leo felt like a fish out of water. He didn't know if they truly saw him as their son, or if they were simply holding on to a hope that they had found a replacement for the child they lost. The thought gnawed at him—did they love him for who he was, or only because of his resemblance to their son, Thomas?

Lady Ravenswood had been kind, and Lord Ravenswood had shown patience. But they weren't Elias. And Zane wasn't here. No one else understood him the way Elias had, or made him feel as though he truly mattered.

The gilded walls of the mansion, the fine meals, the endless luxury—none of it felt like his life. It all seemed so far removed from who he was.

Leo's heart was torn between two worlds: one that promised comfort and wealth, and another that offered something more precious—belonging and genuine care. How could he leave behind the life he knew, the people who had become his family, for a life that, no matter how grand, felt so far removed from who he was?

As he sat by the window, Leo's heart ached. He longed for something simpler, where love wasn't measured by wealth but by the heart. He missed the way Elias had made him feel, the way they had shared a quiet understanding in the florist shop.

He wanted to believe in this new life, but every time he looked out the window at the vast estate, he couldn't shake the feeling that the world he truly belonged to was somewhere else—somewhere simpler, where people like Elias and Zane were still part of his life. A life that didn't come with fine clothes or gold-plated silverware, but instead, the kind of belonging that made him feel whole.

Introduction to the Ravenswood Family

Lady Evangeline

Lady Evangeline Ravenswood, the eldest daughter of the Ravenswood family, is the epitome of grace and poise. At twenty-two, she's already well-versed in the formalities of noble life—her days spent in elegant salons and ballroom dances, her evenings filled with refined conversation. As she meets Leo for the first time, she's struck by how different he is from the world she's grown up in. His modest demeanor, his quiet humility, all seem at odds with the polished life of the Ravenswoods.

At first, she doesn't quite know how to interact with Leo. She's grown up with her siblings, but they're different—raised to fit seamlessly into the world of nobility. Leo, however, feels like an outsider. He doesn't carry himself with the same confidence or grace as her other siblings. He's not the little brother she imagined; his presence in the family feels like an awkward puzzle piece, one that doesn't quite fit.

Her early interactions with him are formal, almost cold, as she tries to figure out how to relate to him. She's aware of her parents' attachment to him, but she doesn't know how to feel about it. She wonders whether Leo truly belongs in their world or if he's just a reminder of the child they lost.

As time goes on, however, something shifts. Despite her initial distance, Evangeline begins to notice Leo's sincerity—his kindness, his way of looking at the world with wide, unassuming eyes. Though she's not one to show much emotion, she starts to feel a protective instinct toward him. Leo doesn't seem to know much about nobility, about the rules and expectations of their family, and that bothers Evangeline. She sees his innocence as something that needs to be nurtured.

She begins offering him advice, though it's often cloaked in the form of gentle criticism. She teaches him the finer points of etiquette, the art of conversation, and the expected behavior in high society. But what surprises her most is how much she begins to care about him—how, despite his lack of interest in their world, she wants to ensure he's not left behind. She realizes, though it's hard for her to admit, that she's growing fond of him—Leo, who may not be the brother she expected, but who is still a part of her family, in his own way.

The Twin Brothers – Alistair and Sebastian

Alistair Ravenswood, the elder of the twins by just a year, is serious, studious, and deeply focused on the family legacy. At twenty, Alistair feels a heavy responsibility to uphold the Ravenswood name and its many obligations. He's the kind of person who spends hours with books and scrolls, learning about their estate, their social standing, and the intricacies of their family's business. Alistair doesn't mind that life is somewhat predictable—he thrives in structure and duty.

When Leo arrives, Alistair watches him with quiet skepticism. Though he's intrigued by the idea of a new sibling, someone to share the burden of the Ravenswood family's future, he's unsure how to relate to someone so different from himself. Leo's lack of interest in noble affairs, his carefree spirit, and his humble background all stand in stark contrast to the life Alistair is accustomed to. It challenges everything Alistair has known about what it means to be part of the Ravenswood family.

Alistair feels conflicted. He wants to accept Leo, but he also wonders if this sudden shift is really what's best for the family. His focus remains on the larger picture—the family legacy, the responsibilities that come with their title—and Leo's arrival forces him to question whether the past is truly gone and whether Leo can truly fit into the world they have built. Still, Alistair can't help but study Leo from the shadows, trying to decipher who he is and what role he will play in their family's future.

Sebastian Ravenswood, the more carefree and mischievous of the two twins, is everything his brother Alistair isn't. Where Alistair is serious and studious, Sebastian is charming and playful. He lives for the thrill of adventure, the excitement of the unknown, and is rarely found without a smirk or a witty remark. Sebastian has never had a problem fitting into their world. He's been the darling of many social events, always the center of attention, always the one to make an impression.

At first, Sebastian is curious about Leo but also a bit wary. He can't help but wonder why Leo—who has only just arrived—seems to be getting so much attention from their parents. His parents, the people who have always doted on him and Alistair, suddenly seem to have shifted their focus to the newcomer, and that unsettles Sebastian. Why does Leo deserve their affection when he's not even a true part of the family yet?

Despite his jealousy, Sebastian is also intrigued by Leo's story. The boy's origins—his life at the orphanage and the sudden appearance of his birth parents—seem like something out of a fairy tale. Sebastian, however, keeps his insecurities hidden behind his charming grin and playful demeanor. He's not the type to let his true feelings show easily, but beneath the surface, a small seed of doubt begins to grow. Could Leo, in all his simplicity and earnestness, pose a threat to the attention he's always had? Could this new sibling displace him in his parents' eyes?

Yet, as the days pass, Sebastian finds himself watching Leo more closely. The boy, despite his quietness, seems strong in his own way. There's something about Leo that intrigues him, and despite his jealousy, Sebastian can't help but wonder if there's more to this new brother than he first imagined. Though outwardly, he may appear carefree and mischievous, Sebastian's inner conflict with Leo's presence begins to simmer, creating a mix of feelings that he's not yet ready to confront.