Ch.8 -Fear

The road to home was quiet. Amber hadn't uttered a word, while Kate kept stealing glances at her, feeling helpless. As she watched her friend consumed by sorrow.

Aaron walked silently behind them; He stayed close the entire way yet showed no intention of intervening.

As soon as they reached the mansion, Amber rushed inside. Her steps faltered as she climbed the staircase, then she vanished into her room.

Kate looked at Aaron for a brief moment. He responded with a simple nod before turning away.

 She knew that he preferred to stay out of emotional affairs.

Inside Amber's Room

Kate found Amber sitting on her bed, clutching a pillow tightly, as though holding on to it would keep her from falling apart. Silent tears streamed down her face, and her eyes stared blankly into space.

"Amber…"

Kate called gently as she sat beside her.

Amber looked up, her voice strangled with emotion: "Kate… he was so a cold . I've never seen him like that before. He said… it was impossible for us to be together. Then he just left me… alone, by the Bird Tree…" Her voice shook more with every word.

Kate furrowed her brows in pain. She didn't know what to say, but she knew she had to be strong—for Amber. She wasn't just her cousin; she was her only true friend.

Kate: "Don't worry, Amber… I'm here. I'll find a way to fix this.

 Just rest now. And remember—I'll always be here for you."

Amber wiped her tears but said nothing. She simply nodded faintly.

As Kate left the room.

She gently closed the door behind her, only to find her mother standing there, eyes filled with curiosity.

 Margaret: "Kate, you're back. Where's Amber?"

Kate replied, somewhat flustered: "She's resting… she got tired after all the shopping.

 Did you need anything?"

Her mother shook her head: "No, I just wanted you both to start preparing for the—

Kate? Kate? Are you even listening to me?"

But Kate's gaze was lost in the distance, drifting out the window as if her mind were trapped somewhere far away.

She suddenly snapped out of it: "Yes, Mother! What… what were you saying?"

Margaret sighed: "I said we need to start preparing for the upcoming ball—in two weeks."

Kate blinked in confusion, frowning: "What ball?"

Margaret raised her brows: "Kate, did you forget? The charity event your father is hosting.

 Many nobles and high-ranking guests from the region will be attending. We must receive them properly!"

Kate forced a smile to hide her anxiety: "Oh… right. Of course, Mother."

As the days passed, the tension in the estate grew. Servants bustled in every corner, decorations were being hung, and the aroma of lavish meals filled the grand kitchen. The reception hall was slowly transforming into a work of art, worthy of Claudion's house

Several days later…

Kate sat quietly in the garden, on a stone bench, dressed in a simple cream-colored gown. The breeze gently played with her hair, but she didn't seem to feel it. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon, as if waiting for something—or someone.

Aaron approached and took a seat beside her.

He spoke eagerly: "The master gave me permission to attend the ball! And the lady Margaret picked out clothes for me from the provincial collection—they're completely different from what we wear back home! I was afraid they wouldn't fit and—"

But Kate seemed lost, staring blankly at the ground.

Aaron waved a hand in front of her face: "Kate… Kate!!"

Kate looked up at him: "What? What is it?"

Aaron sighed: "I was talking to you."

Kate looked at him with distant gaze.

Aaron: "the ball—the one coming up?"

Kate replied coldly: "Oh, yes… right. I'm busy right now."

Aaron raised a brow: "Busy? With what? Oh—this is about Amber… and Eric, isn't it?"

Kate's eyes widened. She turned to him slowly, a sarcastic smile creeping onto her lips: "Oh… I forgot you knew about that."

Aaron spoke quietly:"Yes… I saw Amber a while ago. She looked worried… really sad."

Kate sighed deeply, her eyes falling once more to the ground: "I know… But what I don't understand is why Eric would say something so cruel. He knows… he knows she loves him."

Aaron tried to comfort her: "I don't know Eric very well, so I can't speak for his intentions. But… maybe he's afraid? Maybe he thinks your father wouldn't accept his relationship with Amber."

Kate shook her head quick: "No… that's not true. My father is kind-hearted. He loves Amber deeply—he's never denied her a single request. And he knows Eric well. He raised him, trusted him enough to make him his assistant. He's also been Amber's friend since childhood."

Aaron hesitated: "Then… are you sure your father wouldn't object to Amber marrying Eric?"

Kate lowered her eyes, her voice dropping to a whisper: "I was sure… but now I'm worried. Amber hasn't left her room in three days. She barely eats."

A pause hung between them.

Then, suddenly, Kate looked at Aaron, her eyes gleaming with a sudden spark.

She smiled: "Yes! That's it—I've got it!"

Aaron eyed her suspiciously: "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Kate grinned mischievously: "Aaron… may I ask you for a favor?"

Aaron shrank back a little, turning his head away: "Fine but stop smiling at me like that—it's creepy!"

On a bright morning a busy day in the Claudion palace …

Eric, the ever-loyal assistant to Claudion, was overseeing preparations for the grand ball himself.

He moved swiftly among the servants, meticulously checking the decorations, arranging the flowers, and ensuring the polished silverware gleamed perfectly on the long tables. His face was stern as always, his sharp eyes filled with unwavering focus—or so it seemed.

From behind him, Aaron approached quickly, with a cheerful smile

 Aaron: "Good morning! How are you today?"

Eric turned and replied promptly: "Morning. Hello, Aaron."

Aaron tried to start a conversation: "How about we take a quick break and grab something to eat?"

Eric responded coolly: "No, I'm busy right now."

But Aaron suddenly grabbed his arm, his expression unusually serious.

Aaron: "Wait… I want to talk to you. It's about Amber."

Eric flinched, glancing around, and spoke in a low, firm voice, each word tense: "Keep your voice down—are you out of your mind? Talking about this here?"

Aaron whispered: "It's fine—no one's listening. Everyone's busy."

Eric pulled his arm free: "Still… I don't want anyone overhearing. This is personal. How did you even find out?"

Aaron replied calmly: "Kate told me. Don't worry. Why don't we talk in the garden?"

In the back garden, beneath the shade of a large tree where the breeze was gentle, the two of them stood. Eric looked uneasy, his eyes avoiding Aaron's, the subject heavy on his chest.

Eric sighed: "Three days… I haven't seen Amber. Is she alright?"

Aaron nodded quietly: "Like I said—she's sad. Because of what you said to her."

Eric looked down: "That's how it has to be… Someone like me has no right to dream such a big dream. I want Amber to forget about me. She deserves better than a nameless orphan like me."

Aaron's face clouded with concern: "I don't think she'll give up so easily. And the master isn't that harsh… I don't think he'd reject her request."

Eric snapped: "And what makes you think that?"

Aaron replied with a trace of confidence, remembering Kate's words: "You know master Claudion never says no to Kate. And she told me her father would never break Amber's heart. From what I see, he respects you—trusts you."

Eric lowered his head, his voice full of bitterness: "You don't know him like I do… He doesn't forgive betrayal. He despises lies above all else. Who in this world would accept a servant as a husband for his niece, over a nobleman?"

Aaron frowned: "And so you run?"

Eric blinked: "What?"

Aaron's voice tightened with restrained anger: "Don't you love Amber too? Then why won't you take responsibility?! She trusts you… and you betrayed that trust. She doesn't know that you're… a coward."

Silence fell. Aaron's words hit like a slap.

Eric spoke, voice breaking: "You can say whatever you want… but forgetting me is the only right choice for her. Excuse me."

He walked away quickly, leaving Aaron in the garden, exhaling deeply.