Flower in the Trap - Chapter 11

The weather outside was clear. Gentle sunlight streamed in as a soft breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers, slipping quietly through the windowpanes.

Kaellian lifted his hands from the keys, letting the final notes fade into silence. After breakfast, he and Linaelina had spent the morning practicing in the piano room. It was already the second week of such a routine.

He looked out the window, the spring scenery was vibrant, after a moment of silence, he turned his head back to the girl beside him.

“You are making rapid progress. The weather is nice, why not …… take a walk in the garden,” he said. The tone of his voice was calm and soft, yet devoid of any particular emotion.

Linaelina lifted her eyes to gaze at the same brilliant spring light outside the window. She gave a small nod and responded, “Alright.”

The garden was filled with spring’s vitality. Flowers bloomed in vivid splendor, and fresh green buds adorned every branch. Warm sunlight poured over her body as a faint floral scent lingered in the air.

Linaelina slowed down her pace, describing the scenery along the way “Over there is a greenhouse …… the white camellias bloomed earlier than usual this year.”

Kaellian turned slightly to look at her but did not reply right away. He simply listened in silence. The reserved and cautious Linaelina in the piano room seemed to have shed her restraints. At this moment, her eyes were bright with a lively glow.

“I see. So, you like walking in the garden.” He said with a smile on his face.

Linaelina was slightly stunned. “Mother… ever since I was a child, she used to take me for walks in the garden. From the seasonal flowers to the most unnoticeable blades of grass, she knew them all…”

Kaellian’s steps came to a halt. His gaze lingered on the side of her face for a few quiet seconds, and at that moment, her gentle expression seemed especially lonely.

“I don’t know,” he said suddenly.

Linaelina turned her head, unsure what he meant.

“I don’t recognize most of these,” he added. “So instead, you can tell me about them.”

Linaelina blinked, then slowly understood what he was trying to say.

Kaellian noticed her hesitation and let out a quiet sigh. “It doesn’t have to be the greenhouse. Just show me your favorite spot.”

Linaelina pressed her lips together, her gaze wavering for a moment. In the end, she turned and led him along the winding paths. The plants in the garden were arranged in a loose pattern, with shrubs forming natural barriers that muffled sight and sound.

Kaellian followed in silence, his eyes drifting between the blooming flowers and the strands of her hair as they fluttered in the breeze. After weaving through several turns and passing along a narrow flower path, the view ahead suddenly opened into bright light.

It was a small, tranquil patch of green, hidden deep within the garden like a long-forgotten secret place. Several unfamiliar trees were in full bloom with pink flowers, their petals drifting down in the wind, twirling in the sunlight as if dancing in the air.

Unlike the bustling flower paths outside, this place had an indescribable tranquility and purity.

Linaelina slowed her steps and stopped at the edge of the grass. In a soft voice, she said, “This… is probably a place only I ever come to.”

Kaellian stood behind her, quietly taking in the gentle scene. Pink petals reflected in her hair as she stood beneath the blooming trees, her back so delicate it seemed almost unreal.

“Do you often come here alone?” He asked.

She nodded and looked up at the blossoms. “This view only lasts for a short time each year,” she said, then turned to him with a smile as radiant as the flowers. “Do you like it?”

The wind stirred the strands of hair on her forehead. That quiet and harmless smile remained on her lips, but for a moment, Kaellian felt strangely overwhelmed.

Without warning, he reached out and pulled her tightly into his arms.

“Kae… Kaellian?” Linaelina gasped in surprise. She struggled lightly, but his hold was firm. The warmth of his breath brushed against her, making her heartbeat quicken.

“I like it,” Kaellian murmured. His low voice, so close to her ear, felt like a spell cast in the wind.