A few days had passed since that incident. After I woke up, everyone came to check on me. Since then I have been confined to my room, ordered to have complete rest. They even forbade me from using magic, citing my weak mana as a reason. Damn that Azure. Such a weak brat. And so-here I was, locked in my room, forbidden from using magic, and sentenced to endless rest. Boredom gnawed at me.
There was nothing to do except stay put in bed and read the few books Azure had with him (Though, honestly, I doubted if he'd ever touched them) and being the bookworm that I was, I gnawed them in no time and was now out of reading materials. Not even allowed to go to the library, I could only gaze longingly at the world beyond my balcony. The grand halls, the sprawling manor-all of it seemed beyond reach. I had seen them, yes, but I had never set a foot on them.
Sure, I could ask John and Martha to bring me new books, but... What I really wanted was to walk out there myself. To breath fresh air, to feel the earth under my feet.
Thus, a rebellious idea took out in my mind.
I would sneak out.
Enough was enough! I was a freedom loving person! I wouldn't be caged forever like some frail little bird! I had been carefully observing everyones daily routines these past few days:
Fiona visited during meals time to ensure that I ate properly. Count Wilson dropped after breakfast, often bringing along a book of advanced mathematics, which I solved surprisingly with ease. Sometimes, he even patted my head in approval-a strange but not unpleasent gesture. Glenn and Rowan visited rarely, still cautious, but slightly less tense after that night. Martha and John came mainly to deliver meals and help me do my chores. It was clear-after lunch until evening, no one would check on me.
The perfect window for my escape.
After lunch, I tiptoed onto the balcony, clad only in my nightgown. Checking for any wandering eyes, I carefully climbed down, my heart pounding with the thrill of adventure.
My goal was the library, but along the way, something caught my eye. Through a gap in the hedges, I spotted a beautiful white gate-the entrance to a lush garden. A sudden urge pulled me towards it.
The Windward Manor's garden... I remembered it from the original story. It had been built for Azure's mother, and later became a place beloved by Fiona and the twins.
Stepping inside, I was awestruck.
Flowers of every colour danced gently in the breeze, and neatly trimmed paths wove through them. The air was rich with the sweet scent of blossoms and fresh earth. Further in, I found fruit trees filled with bounty-apples, pears and... cherries.
Glorious, ripe cherries.
Their ruby-red glow was too tempting. A childish excitement, long forgotten, surged within me. Perhaps it was Azure's young body influencing me, or perhaps it was simply a part of myself that I left behind. Either way, I found myself climbing the nearest cherry tree like an eager child.
Sitting among the branches, I plucked cherries by full handful, stuffing them into my mouth with full abandon. The juice stained my lips and cheeks, but I couldn't care less. It reminded me of those carefree days, climbing mango trees at my grsndfather's orchard back home.
I laughed quietly to myself.
At last, when I decided it was time to climb down, I spotted a cluster of particularly large cherries hanging just out of reach. Greedily, I stretched for them... And lost my balance.
"Look out!" I shouted as I toppled downwards-and crashed directly onto someone.
"Ow!!" "Ouch!!" Two groans answered my fall.
Dazed, I opened my eyes to find... Two boys.
No-wait. Glenn and Rowan!?
Horrified, I scrambled backward, landing with an undignified thump. "I-I'm sorry!" I squeaked, bowing awkwardly in a sitting position. "Please don't tell anyone! I'll really get locked up this time!" I clasped my hands together pleadingly.
The twins, still recovering from shock, stared at me.
"Wait, wait... but why are you here? And how did you even get out of your room?" Rowan asked, his voice lace with confusion.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly, averting my eyes. "Um... through the balcony? I just wanted to go to the library..."
"But weren't you told to rest?" Glenn's voice turned sharp.
I sighed, shoulders slumping. "Yes... but I got so bored. I already dinished all my books in my room, and they won't let me buy new ones. I just wanted to go out a little."
My voice grew softer with each word, and unconsciously, I pouted.
The twins exchanged bewildered glances.
"Then... why did you climb a tree?" Rowan asked, blinking. "And why is your face such a mess?"
I flushed with embarrassment.
"I-I just wanted to eat the cherries... they looked so good..." I muttered.
There was a long, stunned silence. Then, Rowan slowly said, "So you risked everything... for some cherries?"
Flustered, I waved my hands. "W-well, when you say it like that, it sounds stupid! But it made perfect sense at that time! Anyway, I'm really sorry! Please don't tell anyone!"
Without waiting for a response, I turned tail and fled toward the manor.
Behind me, faint laughter echoed through the garden.
-Meanwhile, Glenn and Rowan-
The two boys sat in stunned silence for a moment, staring after the retreating figure. Then, Rowan snorted. Glenn cracked a smile.
And together, they burst out laughing.
"I didn't imagine Azure had this side to him," Glenn said between chuckles. "Honestly, he looked so cute with cherry juice all over his face." Rowan added, grinning.
As their laughter subsided, a soft, nostalgic feeling settled between them.
"It's been so long since we laughed like this," Rowan muttered.
Glenn nodded, his expressions thoughtful. "Looks like Azure is more than we thought. Maybe... we misunderstood him."
Their words hung in the air, unspoken emotions stirring quietly beneath them.