Maya woke to find the parlour overflowing with gifts. Elegant gowns were neatly arranged across the sofas, while velvet boxes filled with jewellery, bracelets, bangles, shoes, and perfumes covered the tables Fresh bouquets of flowers completed the extravagant display. Among the flowers, a folded note caught her attention. Curious, she picked it up and unfolded it.
****Hello, Miss Maya.
I would love to see you this afternoon. Please don't eat too much, for I would love to satisfy your appetite.
Yours sincerely,
Duke Nathaniel Clifford **
She finished reading, rolled her eyes, and casually tossed the note onto the table.
Across the hall, Evelyn noticed the paper lying there. She walked over, picked it up, and quietly read its contents.
"Oh?" she smiled with amusement. "It seems the Duke is serious about courting you."
Maya folded her arms, "I'm not going anywhere. He thinks he can impress me with expensive gifts."
Evelyn looked around the room before facing her daughter.
"Look at everything he sent." She gestured towards the gifts. "Has Lord Duncan ever done anything like this for you?"
Maya remained silent.
"I thought so." Evelyn sighed. "Your father was right. You should at least give the Duke a chance."
"He can keep his gifts," Maya replied coldly. "They won't change my mind."
"Maya," Evelyn warned, her voice becoming firm. "Behave yourself. Duke Nathaniel has shown you nothing but respect since he arrived. The least you can do is meet him."
Without waiting for another argument, Evelyn folded the note neatly and placed it back beside the flowers before leaving.
Once the room fell silent again, Maya slowly looked around at the expensive presents.
She had to admit...
They were beautiful.
But somehow...
They failed to move her heart, by afternoon, Maya reluctantly prepared herself.
She wore a flowing amethyst-purple gown that hugged her waist before cascading gracefully to the floor. The off-the-shoulder neckline elegantly framed her collarbone, while the fitted bodice complemented her figure without appearing excessive. Her dark hair was styled into a loose half-up arrangement, with soft curls resting gently over her shoulders. A touch of nude makeup highlighted her features, while rose-coloured lipstick completed the look. Around her neck rested one of the necklaces Nathaniel had gifted her that morning, accompanied by matching earrings and a delicate bracelet.
She looked at herself in the mirror for several seconds.
Yet...
The expression in the mirror remained far from excited. A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Miss?"
A maid's voice echoed from outside, "His Grace has arrived."
Maya closed her eyes for a brief moment, then exhaled.
"I'm coming."
Outside, a luxurious carriage stopped before the mansion.
Nathaniel stepped down, dressed in a perfectly tailored navy-blue noble coat embroidered with fine silver patterns along the cuffs and collar. Beneath it was a crisp white high-collared shirt fastened with a sapphire brooch bearing Aerathia's royal crest. Black fitted trousers disappeared into polished leather boots, while a silver signet ring rested neatly upon one hand. His dark brown hair was combed smoothly backwards, revealing calm emerald-green eyes that quietly observed everything around him.
As Maya descended the staircase, Nathaniel's eyes settled on her, he didn't speak immediately, he simply looked.
A small smile eventually appeared, "You look beautiful, Miss Maya."
His voice was gentle, almost too gentle.
"Thank you, Your Grace," Maya replied politely, offering a graceful bow.
Nathaniel extended his arm, "Shall we?"
After a brief hesitation, Maya accepted.
The moment her hand rested against his arm... he looked down at it, not in surprise, not in affection.
Simply...
Studying it. His thumb absentmindedly brushed against the back of her glove before he began walking, a tiny gesture.
Yet somehow...
It made Maya instinctively pull her hand away the moment they reached the carriage. Nathaniel looked at his now-empty arm, then smiled to himself, how curious. He climbed into the carriage after her.
Maya spent most of the ride looking through the window, admiring the passing scenery. Every now and then, she could feel Nathaniel looking in her direction. Whenever she glanced at him, he simply smiled, making the silence feel strangely heavier.
The moment their eyes met, he looked out the opposite window as though nothing had happened.
Maya frowned.
A few minutes later... she felt it again, she looked. There he was, watching, smiling.
"... Is something amusing?" she finally asked.
Nathaniel blinked, "No."
"Then why do you keep looking at me?"
"I enjoy it."
His answer came so naturally that Maya wasn't sure she'd heard correctly.
"... Do you enjoy staring at people?"
"I enjoy staring at you."
Silence. No embarrassment, no apology, he simply continued smiling. Maya slowly turned back towards the window.
This man... he's strange. The rest of the journey passed without another word.
At last, the carriage came to a gentle stop before a private botanical garden.
Nathaniel stepped down before offering Maya his hand. She accepted it. The moment she looked ahead...
She froze.
The private botanical garden was breathtaking.
White marble pathways curved through fields of colourful flowers. Crystal fountains shimmered beneath the afternoon sun, while graceful willow trees swayed gently with the breeze. At the heart of the garden stood an elegant pavilion draped in flowing white curtains. A table prepared for two rested beneath it, decorated with candles, roses, and fine porcelain.
It looked like something from a dream.
Nathaniel quietly observed her reaction, "...Do you like it?"
For the first time that day... Maya genuinely smiled.
"...It's beautiful."
Nathaniel's smile deepened, "I'm glad."
Nathaniel guided Maya beneath the flower-draped pavilion.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh roses through the air, causing the white curtains to sway softly around them. Crystal glasses sparkled beneath the afternoon sun, while neatly arranged dishes filled the table with an inviting aroma. Nathaniel pulled out a chair for her.
"After you."
"Thank you," Maya replied politely before taking her seat.
Only after she had settled comfortably did Nathaniel sit opposite her. A waiter soon approached, placing their meals before them before quietly excusing himself.
For a few moments...
Silence.
Maya lowered her eyes to her plate and began eating. She welcomed the quiet. It was far less unsettling than his smile.
Yet...
Something still felt wrong, she looked up, Nathaniel wasn't eating, he was watching her again, not casually, not absentmindedly.
His eyes followed every movement she made-the way she held her fork, the way she tucked a loose curl behind her ear, even the way she reached for her glass.
Her appetite slowly began to disappear, and she cleared her throat, "... Is the food not to your liking?"
Nathaniel smiled, "It is."
"Then why aren't you eating?"
"I wanted to watch you first."
A strange silence followed, and Maya forced a small laugh.
"I'm afraid I'm not that interesting."
"I disagree."
His answer came so quickly that it caught her off guard.
"You've barely spoken to me."
"I don't need conversation to observe someone."
Maya lowered her gaze, "... You're making me uncomfortable."
"I know."
The words were gentle, matter-of-fact, as though he had merely commented on the weather.
He finally picked up his utensils and began eating.
Maya stared at him, He knew? Then why doesn't he stop?
She quietly returned to her meal, hoping the rest of the afternoon would pass peacefully. It didn't.
Nathaniel suddenly leaned across the table.
Maya instinctively stiffened, "...What are you doing?"
Without answering, he reached for her plate. His fingers wrapped around her fork. Before she could react, he calmly lifted a piece of roasted meat from her plate and tasted it.
He chewed thoughtfully, "Hm." He nodded to himself, "It's better than mine."
Maya blinked, "... You just used my fork."
"I did."
"...Why?"
"I was curious."
She frowned, "You could have asked."
"I could have."
Again... No apology, no embarrassment, simply a calm admission.
Before Maya could even process what had happened, Nathaniel reached for her wine.
"Nathaniel..."
He raised the glass to his lips.
Slowly... He drank every last drop, setting the empty glass back on the table. He looked at her with that same unreadable smile.
"The wine is excellent."
Maya stared at the empty glass, "... That was mine."
"I know."
"You don't think that's inappropriate?"
"I hadn't considered it."
She let out a slow breath, struggling to remain composed, "You've crossed my boundaries twice in less than five minutes."
Nathaniel tilted his head, "I suppose I have."
"And?"
"I'll try to remember them." His answer sounded sincere.
Yet...
For some reason...
She didn't believe him.
The waiter approached with another bottle of wine, and Nathaniel accepted it before filling Maya's glass himself.
"There." He slid the glass towards her, "A replacement."
"...Thank you."
"You're welcome."
His smile never faded, and that somehow made it worse, trying to put the awkwardness behind her, Maya reached for her glass.
Nathaniel watched the rim touch her lips. His eyes lingered there for a second too long.
She slowly lowered the glass, "...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I was wondering."
"Wondering what?"
"If everything tastes sweeter after you've touched it."
Maya nearly choked. She carefully placed the glass back on the table.
"...You say very strange things."
"I've been told."
His tone remained perfectly calm.
As though he genuinely saw nothing unusual about his words, unable to bear another second beneath his unwavering gaze, Maya rose from her chair.
"I need some air."
Nathaniel nodded, "As you wish."
She stepped away from the pavilion, taking a slow breath as she wandered towards the nearby rose bushes.
What is wrong with him? He's polite...
Yet every conversation leaves me more uncomfortable than the last.
She reached out absentmindedly to touch one of the roses.
"Ouch."
A sharp thorn pricked her finger, a tiny drop of blood appeared before she could search for a handkerchief, Nathaniel was already beside her.
"You've hurt yourself."
"It's only a scratch."
She attempted to pull her hand away, and he gently caught it. His touch wasn't rough.
If anything... It was surprisingly careful.
Still...
Her heart began beating faster.
Nathaniel examined the tiny cut with unusual concentration.
Then... very slowly... he lifted her hand, Maya's eyes widened.
"Nathaniel..."
For one suspended moment, she genuinely thought he was about to put her finger into his mouth.
Instead, he stopped just short of her skin.
A faint smile touched his lips, then he reached into his coat, produced a spotless white handkerchief, and carefully wrapped it around her finger.
"There."
His fingers lingered for only a heartbeat before letting go.
"You should be more careful around roses."
Maya looked at him, completely speechless. Did he... do that on purpose? She couldn't tell. That somehow frightened her even more.
Several nearby nobles had begun glancing in their direction, whispering quietly amongst themselves.
Nathaniel seemed entirely oblivious.
Or perhaps... he simply didn't care.
"I'm sorry if I startled you," he said, his voice as gentle as ever. Yet the amused glint in his emerald eyes betrayed him.
"...It's alright."
It wasn't, not even close. Nathaniel reached into the inner pocket of his coat, and he withdrew a small velvet box. Opening it, he revealed a breathtaking sapphire necklace that shimmered brilliantly beneath the afternoon light.
Even Maya couldn't hide her admiration, "It's beautiful..."
"It is one of the rare and expensive jewellery in the whole of Aerathia."
Her eyes lifted to his, a brief silence settled between them.
"I'd like you to have it."
She opened her mouth... then closed it again. What was she supposed to say to that?
Nathaniel stood, "Stand!"
She looked at him, "...Say please."
For the first time all afternoon... his smile faded, only slightly, the silence between them stretched.
Then...
A smile returned.
"Please."
Satisfied, Maya stood, Nathaniel stepped behind her, his fingers brushed lightly against the back of her neck as he fastened the necklace.
The touch lasted no more than a few seconds, yet it felt much longer.
When he finished, he gently moved one of her curls aside and admired his work.
"...Beautiful." His voice was almost a whisper, "when you become my wife..." He met her eyes, "...I'll spend the rest of my life finding beautiful things worthy of you."
Maya forced a polite smile, "That's... very generous."
It was the safest response she could think of, Nathaniel chuckled softly. He knew she hadn't answered him, and he didn't seem bothered by it.
As the afternoon drew to a close, they returned to the carriage.
The journey home passed in silence, Maya watched the countryside through the window, relieved that the strange afternoon was finally over.
Across from her, Nathaniel rested his chin against his hand, watching her.
Again.
She didn't look back this time. She simply pretended not to notice, but she could still feel his eyes on her.
The carriage finally stopped before the mansion.
Nathaniel stepped down first before helping Maya to the ground.
"I enjoyed today," he said.
Maya managed a courteous smile, "I'm glad."
She wasn't, not even a little. As she walked towards the mansion doors, she resisted the urge to look back, something told her...
If she did...
Nathaniel would still be standing there, smiling, watching, and somehow...
That thought unsettled her more than anything else.
what a strange man.
No matter what anyone said-or how many priceless jewels he offered-she would never marry him.