Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 30

Turning around, Mila saw a boy with lavender-gray hair cascading down to his shoulders, his eyes hidden behind a mask. His appearance was striking, and she instinctively became cautious, remembering her father and Leo's warnings not to let her guard down at the royal ball. "Who are you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady while scrutinizing his features.

"You don't know me," the boy replied, his tone tinged with disappointment. He stepped closer, and as he did, Mila noticed that his attire was simple, lacking any family crest or symbol that might have revealed his identity. Then, from his pocket, he pulled out a ribbon tassel made of silky violet hair—her hair color. Mila's eyes widened in shock, her jaw dropping as recognition dawned on her.

"ZH!" she exclaimed, rushing forward to hug him. He embraced her warmly in return, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I finally know how you look... a bit," Mila said, pulling back slightly to study his face more closely. He wasn't what she had expected, yet there was something familiar about him, a sense of connection she couldn't quite explain. She guessed he might be a bit older than her, perhaps by three years.

"And I can finally say the same to you," ZH replied, his voice gentle as he looked down at her. His smile deepened when he noticed the purple pearl hairpin nestled in her hair. "You even wore it here," he said, his tone warm with appreciation.

"Of course, I wear it all the time. You're my very first friend," Mila said, her voice filled with genuine affection. She couldn't believe they had finally met, and at the royal ball of all places. The moment felt surreal, but it was a moment she had longed for, ever since their first exchange of letters through Jero.

"Come with me," ZH said, taking Mila by the hand. They slipped away from the bustling ball, making their way down to the unguarded palace garden. As they walked along the path that led into the rose garden maze, they talked easily, enjoying each other's company. The maze was a quiet refuge, the tall hedges and fragrant roses providing a sense of privacy.

"So, how did you imagine I looked based on our letters?" ZH asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

Mila giggled, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "Honestly? I thought you were a girl."

ZH sighed, feigning exasperation. "You shouldn't always assume everyone is a girl," he teased, playfully poking her in the ribs.

Mila burst into laughter, her giggles echoing softly through the maze. "Okay, okay, I got it!" she said, still laughing. As they continued to walk side by side, Mila grew more curious. "Why didn't you want to tell me more about yourself in your letters?"

ZH smiled at her question, his pace never wavering. "I wanted to save it for when we met in person. There's something about talking face-to-face that you just can't capture in a letter." Mila nodded, appreciating his honesty. She liked that about him, this genuine quality that made her feel at ease.

"We've known each other for six years now," Mila mused as they walked. "If it weren't for Jero finding his way into my home garden, we might never have become friends."

ZH paused, considering her words. "Are you saying that if Jero hadn't found you, we wouldn't have met now?" he asked as they reached the end of the maze. Before them stood a massive tree with a beautifully crafted swing hanging from one of its sturdy branches.

Mila sat down on the swing first, patting the space beside her. "Maybe," she said thoughtfully. "But I feel like we would have met eventually, just not this soon." ZH took the seat beside her, and they began to swing their legs slowly, the rhythm of the swing calming.

"Why do you go by ZH?" Mila asked, her curiosity piqued.

"It's what my mother used to call me," he replied, his tone tinged with nostalgia. "Or how my father would address me."