Days turned into weeks, and every afternoon Lena found herself drawn back to the manor, where William waited for her. She listened to his stories of the past, tales of grand parties that once filled the house with laughter and music, of dances under glittering chandeliers, and of the bitter winter night when he'd met his untimely end. He'd been the young master of the house, a poet, filled with dreams of love and adventure. But illness had claimed him at the tender age of twenty-two, and his spirit had lingered, tethered to the place he once called home.Though they came from different worlds, separated by time and mortality, Lena found herself captivated by him. His words wove around her like spells, making her feel as though she was living in his memories. And, somehow, she could sense that he was equally drawn to her. She'd often catch him gazing at her, a bittersweet longing in his eyes.One autumn evening, as twilight descended over the manor, Lena felt bold enough to ask, "Why are you still here, William? Why haven't you... moved on?"He looked away, the faint outline of his figure wavering in the dim light. "I'm bound to this place," he replied softly. "But I don't know why. Perhaps I'm waiting for something... or someone."His gaze drifted back to her, and Lena's heart skipped a beat. She knew he couldn't physically touch her, but whenever he was near, she felt an invisible warmth radiate from him, as if his very presence was brushing against her soul.The days grew shorter, and the nights grew longer, filled with their whispered conversations and gentle laughter. One night, he recited a poem he had written about unfulfilled love, a verse that seemed to echo Lena's own heartache. In that moment, she knew the truth: she was falling in love with a ghost."William," she murmured, the words trembling on her lips, "I wish I could stay here with you forever."For a moment, his face lit up with hope, but it faded as quickly as it had appeared. "Forever is a long time, Lena," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I wouldn't wish this half-life upon you. You deserve to live... to be free."But even as he spoke, she saw the same longing in his eyes that she felt in her own heart.---
