Celeste acknowledged Bella's decision with a nod. "A ride with Moonstone under the morning sun might be just what you need, Lady Bella. The calming embrace of nature can be a balm for the complexities of Mystic Falls. I'll make sure everything is prepared for your ride."
The next morning Bella got up and made herself ready to leave as early as possible to not see any of the Salvatore brothers.
As she went on her ride she noticed that she was hungry again and looked for a stranger that she could feed from and compel afterward, as she was done with that she decided to go to the town and to help the villagers just as she did back home. She found a little girl with a book in her hand, she shook the book, opened it and seemed like she didn't know what to do with it.
Bella approached the little girl and asked "Do you need help reading that ? What's your name ?"
The little girl, initially startled by Bella's approach, looked up with wide eyes. She clutched the book tightly in her small hands, uncertain. Bella's warm and reassuring smile eased the tension, and the girl managed a shy nod.
"Yes, please. I'm Emma," she replied softly, offering the book to Bella.
Bella, with gentle encouragement, sat down besides Emma and began to help her read the words on the pages. As they delved into the story, Bella momentarily forgot the complexities of Mystic Falls, finding solace in the simple act of helping a young girl embrace the magic of words.
After a certain time Emma asked Bella "Wow can you teach me how to read and write ? I want to learn it" Bella replied with a smile "Of course I can do that, tell your parents that you can find me at the Salvatore estate".
Suddenly Damon approached her from behind "What's about the Salvatores ?". Bella thought to herself "Whatever I do I can't escape him it's getting annoying". Emma took that moment and asked "Are you two engaged ? You look so cute together!" Bella looked at Damon and started laughing "No Emma we're not engaged I don't even like him". Damon looked at her and than at Emma "She keeps me on track but she is really annoying after a time". Emma looked Damon death in the eyes "Stop saying that I like her and she teaches me reading and writing" and went to hug Bella. Bella laughed and hugged Emma back "Emma you're very cute".
Emma's innocence and genuine affection seemed to melt away the tension, creating a brief moment of unexpected camaraderie between Bella, Damon, and the little girl. Damon, caught off guard by Emma's directness, raised an eyebrow but couldn't help but crack a smirk.
"Well, Lady Bella, it seems you've gained a fan," Damon remarked, a playful glint in his eyes.
Bella, still chuckling, replied, "Seems so. Who knew Mystic Falls could be so full of surprises? Now, if you'll excuse us, Emma and I have some reading and writing to conquer."
As Bella and Emma continued their impromptu lesson, Damon watched with a bemused expression, realizing that Mystic Falls had a way of weaving connections even in the most unexpected places.
Damon, always up for a challenge, couldn't resist the allure of a woman who seemed to resist his charms. Determined to shift the dynamics, he contemplated how to pique Bella's interest. As he watched her engrossed in the lesson with Emma, a mischievous smile played on his lips, and he thought, "Time to show Mystic Falls' most enigmatic lady that there's more to me than meets the eye."
The game had just begun.
Damon sat himself next to the two girls, looked at Bella and than at the book "May I ?" He asked and began reading out loud, Bella was happy for that little break she could have.
Damon's unexpected participation in the reading session surprised Bella, but she welcomed the brief reprieve. His voice carried a certain charm, and as he read, Bella couldn't help but notice a different side of him—one that seemed genuinely engaged in the moment.
After Damon finished the chapter he gave the book back to Bella and looked her deep in the eyes, he than got up and helped Bella getting up. "Thank you Mr. Salvatore" replied Bella, "My pleasure" Damon replied with a smirk.
Damon noticed "Lady Bella, your dress is dirty at the bottom". Bella looked down and saw the mud.
Bella sighed, realizing she had unwittingly collected some mud during the impromptu reading session. Damon, with an almost playful glint in his eyes, suggested, "Fear not, Lady Bella. Allow me to remedy this small mishap."
Without waiting for her response, Damon gracefully kneeled down and brushed away the mud from the bottom of Bella's dress, his movements surprisingly gentle.
Bella said her goodbyes to Emma and went back to Moonstone, Damon was already feeding him and helped Bella up "We'll see us at the estate" he said.
Damon's assistance was both unexpected and oddly considerate, and as Bella mounted Moonstone, she found herself nodding appreciatively. "Until then, Mr. Salvatore," she replied, a hint of curiosity lingering in her eyes.
Bella arrived at the estate before Damon and she saw Stefan outside. "Hello Mr. Salvatore" she said as Stefan helped her down.
Stefan, with his usual calm demeanor, assisted Bella down from Moonstone. "Good evening, Lady Bella. How was the ride?" he inquired, genuine curiosity in his eyes.
Bella, appreciating the tranquility that Stefan exuded, smiled. "It was refreshing, Mr. Salvatore. A much-needed break from the complexities of Mystic Falls. Thank you."
Stefan said to Bella "I hoped to see you today, I wanted to ask you to go for a walk. But I guess you must be tired now" "No no I'm fine" Bella replied.
Stefan's face brightened at Bella's willingness to join him for a walk.
YOU ARE READING
Whispers of Immortality
Fantasía"Your path leads to the Salvatores," Adelina cryptically remarked, her eyes holding the weight of unspoken mysteries. Lorenzo, with a knowing smile, added, "Business and destiny often dance together, my dear." In the enigmatic year of 1864, Lady Bel...
