Chapter 4: "The Mysterious Watcher"

That day, I stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the man in the black cloak. My heart pounded, and my body trembled. His silhouette remained still within the mist, only watching. Fear and curiosity intertwined within me, pulling me toward him. But...

I was afraid.

I wanted to take a step forward, yet I was frozen in place, trapped between my desire to approach and my overwhelming fear. His dark gaze seemed to surround me, wrapping around my very being.

Suddenly, a hand touched my shoulder. My blood ran cold.

"Layla!"

I knew that voice! That familiar sound from my distant childhood! For a brief moment, I felt as though I had lost my senses, but then I quickly came to and turned around.

Jasper!

It was my childhood best friend, whom I hadn't seen in years. He stood before me, taller than before, his chestnut-colored hair slightly tousled, and his golden-hazel eyes still shining just like in the past. His smile was warm—just as it had always been.

I looked at him and offered a gentle smile in return.

"Hello, Jasper," I said.

He smiled and extended his hand. "Layla! It's so wonderful to see you again! You're still wandering around this forest, huh? Are we about to start another adventure like in our childhood?"

I smiled and shrugged. "Maybe the past just doesn't want to let me go."

Jasper chuckled playfully. "Or maybe you're the one who doesn't want to let go of the past!" He let out a lighthearted laugh and gave me a friendly punch on the shoulder. "Ah, Layla, I've missed you! You've changed a lot. But this place... it hasn't changed at all. It's still the same old forest!"

I glanced around. To me, this place felt strange, mysterious. But Jasper didn't seem to notice anything unusual. He saw nothing more than an ordinary forest.

"Don't you feel anything strange about this forest?" I finally asked.

Jasper widened his eyes slightly and grinned. "Layla, you were always like this when we were kids! You saw mystery in everything! No, this is just a forest. Maybe you're just overthinking things again?"

I stared at his cheerful face in silence for a moment. He was just my old friend—kind, lighthearted, always making jokes.

But the shadows, the whispers, and the eerie feeling I had… they were real.

For me, at least.

̴"The Race"̴

Jasper shook his head and smiled. "Come on, let's see how old friends reunite! You still can't outrun me, Layla!"

I smiled at him and said, "I already know you're going to win again because you're much faster than me."

Jasper laughed and teased, "Of course, I'll win! After all, you're so small, and I'm incredibly quick! Layla, you're like a little cloud—light and delicate, while I run like a raging storm!"

I laughed at his joke. "Jasper, that's just an excuse! I've been training a lot too!"

"Then prove it! Let's race to the big oak tree! The loser has to bake an apple pie for the winner!" Jasper said, his eyes shining with excitement.

I shrugged. "Deal!"

Jasper began counting down. "Get ready... Three... two... one!"

We took off at the same time. The leaves beneath our feet rustled, and the trees around us swayed as if dancing with the wind. I pushed myself as hard as I could, but as always, Jasper was slightly ahead of me. He jumped lightly and laughed.

"You're still so slow, Layla!" he teased.

I clenched my teeth and tried to speed up, but Jasper had already reached the big oak tree.

He spread his arms wide and laughed triumphantly. "I won again! Accept your defeat, Layla!"

I took a deep breath and walked up to him. "That wasn't a fair race! You're still faster than me!"

Jasper shrugged and squinted playfully. "We had a deal. Now you have to bake me an apple pie!"

I looked at him with a smile and nodded. "Alright, Jasper, I'll make your favorite dish. But next time, I'll win!"

Jasper raised his hands in the air, excited. "That just means I'll win another pie!"

We both burst into laughter. This forest still held its mysteries, but at that moment, we were simply reliving childhood memories.

̴"The Mysterious Annex"̴

Across from the great oak tree where we had stopped, a small, calm river flowed. Its surface shimmered like glass, reflecting the golden light of the setting sun. On the other side of the river, a grand annex stood tall.

How had I never noticed such a magnificent building before?

The annex, built from dark wood and white stone, radiated an air of timelessness, as if it had been standing there for centuries, guarding secrets of the past. Its tall windows and intricately decorated balcony faced the water, as though it were detached from reality itself.

Everything about it hinted at nobility. It was clear that whoever lived there belonged to an aristocratic family.

But how had I never paid attention to this place before?

Jasper sat down beside me, gazing at the annex with a relaxed expression.

"I never imagined there was such an annex here..." I said in a low voice, still studying the mysterious appearance of the building with my eyes.

Jasper smiled, his usual calmness seeming strange to me.

"This is Magnus Von Eisenhardt's annex," he said in a casual tone.

A shiver ran down my spine.

That name… It was familiar.

Magnus Von Eisenhardt.

I turned to Jasper. "Who is Magnus?"

Jasper chuckled lightly and rested his hands behind his head. "You don't know him? He is the youngest duke of the Eisenhardt family. Since the age of fourteen, he has owned vast lands. He is incredibly disciplined, and he is very handsome, hardworking, and... solitary."

I looked back at the river, then at the annex. "Does he live here alone?"

Jasper nodded. "Yes. His mother and grandmother live elsewhere. This place is Magnus's sanctuary. He works here. No one is allowed to disturb him. He doesn't like being around people."

I glanced at Jasper. "You seem to know a lot about him."

Jasper shrugged slightly. "The Eisenhardt family is famous everywhere. But Magnus… he's different. He thinks through every word he speaks, executes every task with precision. Whether it's horseback riding, marksmanship, or even a simple game of chess, defeating him is nearly impossible. He spends most of his time working, barely interacting with anyone."

I took a slow breath, feeling my heartbeat quicken.

"So, he's a man of secrets," I murmured. "And people are fascinated by him."

Jasper smirked. "They say he lost his father at a very young age. No one speaks openly about his death. The Eisenhardt family keeps it a secret."

I watched as the reflection of green leaves trembled on the surface of the water. The annex stood still, almost as if it were watching me in return.

I wanted to learn more about Magnus.

Yet at the same time, it felt as though stepping into his world was something impossible.

He lived in the solitude he had built for himself.

"The Forest of Secrets"

I took a slow, deep breath.

̴"The Forest of Secrets"̴ 

At that moment… something tightened in my chest. It felt as if someone was watching me from behind the trees.

The wind blew. Leaves rustled. A strange sensation stirred inside me.

"Jasper, don't you feel like someone is here?"

He looked at me in confusion. "No, Layla. There's no one here. You're getting lost in your thoughts again."

But I was certain.

I could feel it.

Someone was here.

Beyond the river, secrets were being kept.

And I was getting closer to them.