The Duke's Reluctant Bride

Chapter 8: Under the Candlelight

The morning drizzle had lifted, leaving the air fresh and crisp. Now, as the sun climbed toward its peak, it spilled over the duke's garden, casting a warm glow on the damp leaves and the glistening trees. Adeline headed toward the garden, drawn by the stillness and the promise of a quiet moment alone.

She gazed at the untouched expanse before her. Any types of flowers are sat, sprouting in the soil, while bushes surrounded the space, their dense leaves enclosing it in a world of green. Even the few lingering vines seemed to hang themselves lazily from the large trees, basking in the slow approach of noon.

She took a deep breath, savoring the crisp air. Just as she turned the corner, a figure darted in her path.

"Clara?" Adeline blinked, surprised to see Lucien's niece bundled in a thick green cloak, her small frame almost swallowed by the fabric. The girl looked up, her bright golden eyes gleaming beneath the curtain of her soft black hair.

A little green fox padded up behind Adeline, sniffing curiously at her ankle.

"I didn't mean to startle you, Duchess. Oh—! Ivy, stop that, that's quite rude," Clara giggled, giving her familiar a playful scolding before quickly glancing around to ensure no one else was nearby.

Adeline chuckled softly, her eyes bright with curiosity. "I've never seen a familiar like this before," she whispered, her voice tinged with awe as she knelt down, reaching out her hand towards the familiar. Ivy sniffed her fingers before nudging them with her soft, damp nose, granting silent permission.

Adeline caressed Ivy's mossy fur, surprised at its soft, velvety texture. As she did, a soothing scent of nature and wildflowers began to rise; the fragrance was light and calming, like a hidden forest after the rain. The air between them felt peaceful, a quiet bond forming as Ivy let out a small, contented chirp.

Clara's expression softened, her gaze turning gentle as she met Adeline's eyes once more.

"I... I thought you might like this," Clara said, gesturing to the vibrant flower beds around them. "I bloomed the garden for you." Her voice was shy, a little uncertain, as if hoping for Adeline's approval.

Adeline looked around in awe, noticing how perfectly the flowers seemed to burst with life. There was a delicate balance to the way the garden thrived, as if each petal, each leaf, had been placed with care. Her heart swelled with an unexpected warmth.

"You did all this... for me?" she asked softly.

Clara nodded, a small, proud smile tugging at her lips. "I... I wanted you to feel welcome," she said, her gaze dropping shyly to the ground.

"I love it," Adeline replied softly. "It's beautiful."

Clara's head shot up, her eyes going wide with surprise, her mouth falling open. For a moment, she stood frozen, the joy of Adeline's words leaving her speechless. 

Then Adeline looked at her, raising an eyebrow in eager curiosity. "Could you tell me what you're doing? "

Clara hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting to the flower beds. "I just wanted to make sure they're safe."

Before Adeline could ask what she meant, Clara knelt down, parting the leaves and flowers to reveal two tiny dragon hatchlings. One had shimmering green scales, the other a soft gold. They lay nestled in the freshly bloomed flowers, curled up with their wings draped over themselves, their tiny snouts releasing faint tendrils of smoke.

"What?! No—Clara, they're dangerous!" Adeline exclaimed, her protective instincts flaring as she quickly pulled the girl into her arms. "You can't keep them! And what are they even doing here?"