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The Silvermoon estate was a breathtaking sight, nestled within the heart of a lush valley.
The grand mansion stood tall, its pristine white walls gleaming under the afternoon sun. Delicate vines of blooming wisteria cascaded from its balconies, filling the air with their sweet, lingering fragrance.
A gentle breeze carried the soft rustling of leaves, and the distant chirping of birds blended harmoniously with the faint sound of a fountain trickling in the courtyard.
The gardens stretched endlessly, a sea of vibrant colors—roses, lilacs, and moon lilies swayed in the wind as if whispering secrets to one another.
A grand marble pathway wound its way through the estate, leading to a vast crystal-clear pond where koi fish danced beneath the surface, their golden scales shimmering in the sunlight.
Towering cherry blossom trees stood like silent guardians, their petals occasionally drifting through the air like snowflakes.
And amidst this beauty, a small girl with raven-black hair and gleaming amber eyes stood with an excited grin.
She turned eagerly, her gaze locking onto a timid-looking boy with pale white hair and crimson eyes, who stood uncertainly at the grand entrance of the mansion. His small hands fidgeted at his sides, his gaze darting everywhere except at her.
"Hello! I am Layla Silvermoon. What's your name?"
she asked brightly, standing before a pale-haired boy with striking crimson eyes.
The boy hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. He avoided her gaze, his small hands curling into fists at his sides. Behind him, a gentle hand rested on his shoulder.
"Noah, it's rude to keep a lady waiting," his mother whispered softly.
Swallowing his nerves, he muttered, "H-Hello… I-I am Noah Von Augustus. It's nice to meet you."
A grin stretched across Layla's face as she grabbed his hand. "Come on! I'll show you my house!"
Noah barely had time to react before she dragged him through her home, enthusiastically pointing out her favorite spots.
"This is the garden! My mom says the flowers here are magical, but I think she just says that to stop me from picking them," she giggled, looking back at him. "Do you like flowers, Noah?"
"Uh… I guess?" he mumbled, unsure how to respond.
"Then I'll pick one for you later!" she declared proudly before pulling him toward the kitchen.
"And this is where all the delicious food comes from! Our chef makes the best pastries. Oh, wait! Let me show you something!"
She ran to a cabinet and pulled out a small cookie, handing it to him with an expectant look. "Here! Try it!"
Noah hesitated before taking a small bite. "It's… good," he said quietly, causing Layla to beam with pride.
Next, she led him to her magic practice room, where shelves lined with books and artifacts filled the space.
"This is where I practice my magic! My mom says I have a gift for curse magic!" she said excitedly. "Look! I can make a small curse flame!"
She lifted her hand, and a faint dark fire flickered in her palm before vanishing. "One day, I'll be strong enough to cast real spells! What about you, Noah? Do you use magic?"
"N-No… not really," he admitted.
"That's okay! I'll teach you some tricks! You can be my magic partner!"
Noah's face turned red at the thought, but he said nothing as she continued her grand tour.
Then, without hesitation, she led him into her room.
"And this is where I sleep! Oh, and that's my bathroom!" she added proudly.
Noah's face burned red. He had never been inside a girl's room before, let alone been shown something as private as her bathroom.
Layla giggled, finding his reaction adorable. "You're cute," she declared.
It was the first time anyone had called him that. He didn't know how to respond, so he simply stood there, flustered.
As the years passed, the two grew close. Layla was always full of energy, and Noah found himself trailing after her, listening to her endless stories. But there was one topic that she never failed to bring up—Prince Arthur.
"Layla, I started magic training today!" Noah said excitedly one afternoon.
"Oh really? You know, Prince Arthur is an amazing mage! He's so powerful, and his control over light magic is just flawless! and..." Layla gushed.
Noah clenched his fists. He didn't know why it irritated him so much, but every time she brought up the prince, something inside him twisted painfully.
She loved to tease him, knowing full well that it made him jealous. But she never stopped.
And eventually… Noah stopped trying.
He convinced himself that Layla would never see him the way he saw her. So, he buried his feelings deep within, choosing to silently support her happiness instead.
But Layla never realized what she had done.
She took his presence for granted, assuming he would always be there.
Until one day… he wasn't.
Three months passed without a single visit from Noah. Concerned, Layla decided to find him. But when she arrived at his home, what she saw shattered her world.
Noah stood beside a blonde-haired girl with empty, void eyes. He was smiling at her, his once shy demeanor replaced with warmth. He held her hand gently, guiding her through the halls of his estate, just as Layla had once done for him.
Her heart clenched painfully. Who was she?
Later, she learned the truth—Charlotte de Angelis, Prince Arthur's step sister.
Noah's fiancée.
She couldn't understand it. Why her? Why not me?
What had she done wrong?
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Now, as she lay on the ground,
Scarlett's words echoing in her mind, it finally clicked.
Noah had never left her.
She had pushed him away.
All those years of teasing, of taking his feelings lightly, of assuming he would always be there… she had been a fool.
Tears slipped from her closed eyes, soaking into the earth beneath her. "Ah… I'm sorry, Noah…"
She had lost something precious without even realizing it.
And now… she didn't know if she could ever get it back.
BOOM! BOOM!
"Kyaaaaaa"