CHAPTER 07

“Listen, Vanessa. Elaine, well…!”

Fernando began complaining to Vanessa in the most pitiful, sorrowful voice imaginable.

“It looks like Elaine is seeing a man. Just look at those flowers. She could have handed them to Anna, but instead she’s hugging them to herself like that… And even though I couldn’t see clearly because of the carriage, I’m sure a man escorted her. But there wasn’t even a family crest on that carriage. It’s obvious—they’re trying to deceive us and meet in secret!”

“Elaine has only just come of age, yet she acts as if she’s already a grown adult. You need to scold that arrogant child with me. If we don’t rescue that reckless girl before she gets involved in something improper…!”

As Fernando rambled on endlessly, Elaine let out a scoff, leaning back with a crooked posture. Meanwhile, Vanessa listened patiently, which made Elaine realize once again just how deep their love must be—otherwise, there was no way she would tolerate such nonsense.

Before long, Vanessa had taken Fernando’s seat. Fernando slid down from the sofa and knelt at her feet, wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his face in her lap.

Like soothing a child, Vanessa gently stroked his hair, occasionally responding to him. At the same time, she cast Elaine a subtle glance, signaling her to go up to her room.

Catching the hint, Elaine quickly nodded and slipped upstairs, avoiding Fernando’s gaze.

Once inside her room, she collapsed onto the bed for a moment before suddenly sitting upright. After making sure the door was securely locked, she sat at her desk.

She pulled out a small notebook, hesitated for a moment, and began writing:

“He was handsome again today. They say repeated coincidences become fate… and I’ve run into him three times already without any warning.”

Of course, their second meeting at the royal ball had not been a coincidence at all, but Elaine chose to think of it that way.

Perhaps it was the shy wish of a young girl hoping all their encounters were destined.

“It’s so strange. Every time I see him…”

As she scribbled down her unfiltered feelings about Dominic, she suddenly stopped.

Just as she began to feel embarrassed about what she had written, a knock came from outside her door. Startled, she quickly hid the notebook deep inside a drawer.

“Who is it?”

It was Bella, Vanessa’s maid.

“My lady Vanessa has sent you a gift.”

Inside a box tied with a pink ribbon were several items and a small note.

“I’ll take responsibility for that foolish Fernando, so please let my dear Elaine, now that you’ve come of age, begin your beautiful love. —Always on your side, Vanessa.”

Inside were a luxurious silk handkerchief, a pair of lace gloves, a pair of jeweled earrings Elaine had once admired, and a sweet, fruity perfume.

They were all gifts celebrating a young girl’s first love.

But tucked in the corner were also rather embarrassing undergarments… and even contraceptives.

“When did she even prepare all this…?”

As Elaine stared in shock, Bella added:

“She prepared these even before you came of age, saying she would give them to you when your love story begins.”

“Oh my goodness…!”

Deeply moved, Elaine covered her mouth and burst into laughter.

“Tell Vanessa I love her so, so much! Even more than that foolish Fernando… much more!”

She barely restrained herself from running to her and kissing her, instead shyly cupping her flushed cheeks.

Love…

Did others really see her as someone who had fallen in love?

Like the love described in Artman’s classics—burning like flames, yet cold as winter frost. Contradictory, yet the most beautiful thing in the world.

Had her love begun?

Thump, thump…

Elaine placed her hand over her racing heart.

She had finally become an adult… yet still felt like a clueless child.

“Dominic Cheshire…”

She softly whispered his name.

Did he know? That just seeing him three times had already shaken her this much? That perhaps—just perhaps—she might be falling in love with him?

“Congratulations, my lady. You’ve finally fallen in love.”

Anna, who had come upstairs, said with a proud smile.

Elaine pouted at being treated like a younger sibling by someone two years younger than her.

“Love? Don’t be ridiculous.”

But the servants only laughed.

Something had changed about Elaine Aiola. Turner Herdian Vert noticed it after the royal ball.

Whenever he pointed it out, she brushed it off, saying she had simply grown up. But Turner couldn’t shake the feeling that something else was going on.

Especially the way she had looked at Dominic Cheshire.

Anyone could see it—the face of a girl deeply in love.

“What’s going on?”

Even now, she barely acknowledged him, lazily waving her hand without even looking at him.

Still, Turner suppressed his hurt and approached her. It was nearly noon, yet Elaine was still in her nightclothes, lying on her bed reading a thick book.

“We don’t need a reason to meet, do we?”

“That’s only when I’m free. I’m busy, Turner.”

He sat at the edge of the bed and peeked at the book. It was a dense philosophy text—completely unlike her usual taste.

“Since when do you read things like this?”

Only then did she glance at him, puffing her cheeks like a sulking child.

Truth was, the book mattered more. Dominic had recommended it. They had planned to visit the botanical garden together, and she wanted to finish it before then.

Just imagining walking beside him, discussing the book—it felt romantic.

When she returned to reading, Turner stubbornly insisted on staying beside her.

“Go away.”

“No.”

“I said go.”

Eventually, she kicked him in the shin.

“Ow!”

He retreated, clutching his leg, while she smirked.

“If you bother me again before I finish this, I’ll throw you out.”

“Fine. I’ll sit quietly.”

But he clearly wasn’t focused.

As Elaine turned the page—

A small note slipped out.

“To the beautiful Lady Aiola, follow the yellow petals that suit you…”

Her heart fluttered wildly.

Hidden among colorful markings, she traced the yellow letters and pieced them together.

“You are…”

As she read the words, her face turned bright red, and she dropped the book in shock.

Inside it read:

“You make me feel like the most precious person.”

Blushing, she hid behind the book.

That single sentence from Dominic pierced deeply into her heart.

Me too…

She smiled softly.

When I’m with you, I feel like the most special person in the world, Lord Cheshire.

Meanwhile, Turner, who had been secretly watching her, frowned.

Why is she smiling like that…?

And why does she look so beautiful when she smiles…?

A gentle early summer breeze drifted through the open window, quietly cooling the warmth between them.