Rebirth of the Fallen Zenith.-Chapter 18: A Beautiful Intruder

Side by side, Orion and Elara entered the main hall of the mansion.

And then— Both stood transfixed.

Daintily seated opposite Lady Celia was an impossibly stunning woman.

Her fall of rich, deep-black hair, reminiscent of the dark sky at midnight, cascaded down her back in silky waves, reflecting light like molten metal. Her golden eyes shone, possessing an intoxicating charm, elusive and teasing, as if she knew much more than she spoke. Her complexion was as porcelain as that of a child, perfect and radiant in the golden light of the chandeliers. She wore a lovely purple gown, wickedly close-fitting, that hugged her curves in just the right places, emphasizing the natural beauty of her upright carriage.

She stood like a tune—delicate, entrancing, yet with an underlying hint of something not said, something perilous.

Seated opposite her, Lady Celia and Lady Sera sipped their tea, their expressions composed yet undeniably intrigued. A knowing glint flickered in their eyes as they observed their guest.

Orion's brows lifted slightly.

"Miss Laura?"

At once, all three women turned toward him.

Laura's eyes grew soft—no, they shimmered with the quiet excitement of a thrum. Her mouth curving slowly into a wicked smile. She glided toward him with the ease of an art practiced long ago, her hips' small swing subtle but deliberate. The steps she took were calculated, assured—as though she walked to him rather than toward him, and drew him into her step.

When at last she approached him, she cocked her head, darkness tumbling like molten black over her shoulder. With a smooth bow, she addressed him, her voice rich and smooth.

"Greetings, Lord Orion."

She performed a smooth bow, her lashes dipping in a smooth sweep before rising again, her golden eyes fixing on his.

To Orion's side, Elara bristled.

Laura smiled at her, a saccharine but entirely false one. "And a welcome to you as well, Lady Elara."

Elara's fingers bunched into clenched fists at her sides. It wasn't the words so much, it was the tone, the studied softness that seemed less a genuine expression than a practiced affect.

She didn't believe her.

She didn't want her.

Orion, on the other hand, was calm, though a glimmer of caution flashed across his eyes. "Miss Laura, it's a pleasure to see you, but... might I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?"

Laura's lips twisted into a slow smile. She set a dainty hand against her cheek, playing at innocence. "Oh my, am I not permitted to pay a visit to a dear friend?"

Orion's face did not alter, but inside, he paused. Dear Friend? When were we—

Before he had a chance to reply, Elara rolled her eyes, folding her arms. "I don't believe Brother is your Dear friend or—"

Her tone was harsher than she meant, and she caught the attention of every person in the room. The atmosphere became tense as Lady Celia and Lady Sera shared a look—one of knowing mirth.

Elara stuttered, only then becoming aware of her error.

Laura, being the opportunist that she was, shifted towards the two older women, her face softening into something nearly... adorable.

"Lady Celia, Lady Sera, I'm certainly not uninvited in your house to greet my friend?" Her tone oozed the precise mixture of respect and charm. Her golden eyes went wide, round with feigned innocence.

Lady Celia smiled, cocking her head at an angle, as if considering the young merchant.

"Of course not, dear. If you're friends with Orion and Elara, then you're welcome at any time."

Friend. There it was once more.

Laura turned to Orion and Elara; her eyes full of quiet mischief. "See? I visited you, and Lady Celia and Lady sera Both also approves."

Orion let out a quiet breath, shaking his head. His eyes flashed toward his mother, who—along with Mother Sera—now sported barely hidden smirks. They knew precisely what Laura was doing. And yet, they enjoyed it thoroughly.

And then, like a decision to blow on embers, Lady Sera placed her teacup aside, speaking with laughter in her tone.

"Orion, perhaps you should walk Laura in the garden. I see she has so much to say."

Every part of Orion's body hardened.

Did my own mother really just—?!"

Even a blind and deaf man could decipher the innuendo in what she said.

"Mother, I—"

But Laura got to her before anyone else could react.

"I would love to," she interjected smoothly. She turned to Orion, golden eyes glinting. "Shall we, Lord Orion?"

Orion groaned internally. There's no way out of this, is there?

Before he could accept, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Mother!"

Elara turned to Lady Sera; eyes wide with disbelief. "Why would you—"

Lady Sera gave a small sigh, but she maintains her smile. "Come sit with your mother's, Elara. Let them talk."

Elara tensed. "B-But I... I'll be going with Brother—"

Lady Celia, however, spoke this time in a gentle but firm voice. "Sit with us, dear."

Elara opened her mouth to complain again, but the instant she caught her mothers' expectant stares.

Elara's mouth opened to protest once more but as soon as she encountered her mothers' eyes, she knew she had no choice. She looked at Orion, then at Laura, who stood watching her with a tiny, triumphant smile.

Her gut curled.

With a defeated sigh, she marched over to the couch, sitting down between them with a dramatic huff. Her arms crossed; her lips set into a stubborn pout.

Laura laughed softly before returning to Orion. "Shall we?"

Orion exhaled. "Let's go."

With that, he turned and strode toward the door.

Laura, always elegant, bowed respectfully to Lady Celia and Lady Sera before following him.

Elara, observing them depart, clenched her teeth.

"I don't like her at all," she grumbled.

Lady Celia and Lady Sera smiled only.

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The Vale estate garden lay out before them, a magical work of art in nature's splendor. Tall, venerable trees were quiet sentinels, branches heavy with blooms of every conceivable color—gentle pinks, deep reds, and whites shining bright. Luminous ivy vines coiled up over marble arches, glittering under the warm glow of the declining sun. A twisted stone pathway wandered through bunches of slender bluebell flowers, their petals gently swaying in the soft wind. The fragrance of fresh roses blended with the subtle, sweet scent of lilac, producing an intoxicating aroma that hung in the air.

Laura moved a slow step forward, her golden eyes shining with unmasked admiration.

"This place is beautiful..." she whispered, trailing her fingers along a soft red rose.

Her voice held a softness rarely heard, one free of flirtation or charm.

Orion was standing a little behind her, his arms crossed, watching her. She was completely entranced, as if she had entered a dream world. The way her eyes moved, drinking in each detail—the flowers, the precision-planted trees, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze—made him think of a painter viewing a masterpiece.

For an instant, he beheld her against the garden—her black flowing hair against the green background, her purple dress standing out amidst the sea of soft petals. Any man would have been captivated by the sight.

Orion, however, was not any man

But even so, he noticed something new in her today. No mask. No teasing grins. No flirtatious look.

She spun around him abruptly, golden eyes clashing with blue ones. Her smile for the first time was genuine and not teased or planned out. It was warm. Gorgeous.

"You do know lord Orion, I do have a little hobby," she confessed softly. "Gardening. I love to watch things grow and make an area something beautiful."

Orion raised his brow ever so slightly. "I never would have anticipated that about you."

Laura smiled, sweeping her hair behind her ear. "There's a great deal you don't know about me and my aspirations, Lord Orion."

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Her tone was teasing, but there was a sincerity underlying it.

"And what is your aspiration?" Orion inquired.

Her face became wistful. She looked at the garden again, as if seeing something much farther away than it was. "To have the most lovely garden in all of Eldora."

Orion looked at her for a second. It wasn't a passing thought—it was something she'd had in her heart for a long time. He admired that.

"A big dream," he stated, his tone level. "I wish you could get it done someday."

She faced him again, laughing. But then, her eyes flickered for a moment with something else—doubt.

"Miss Laura, why did you come to see me in such haste?" Orion inquired calmly but firmly.

She cocked her head, a winking look of knowledge in her eyes. "Must there always be a reason?"

Orion's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "With a woman like you? Yes."

Laura released a gentle laugh, but this time she didn't dispute him. She paused, her fingers gently tracing over the edge of a rose petal. When she did speak again, her voice was soft.

"Orion," she said hesitantly, "may I ask you something?"