The drive to the mansion was quiet, the silence settling heavily in Zylan’s absence. Yet, Naomi’s mind was anything but still, replaying Zylan’s words over and over—"Never stopped loving him."
What did he truly an by that? There was depth in those words, sothing unspoken yet powerful. And for so reason, Naomi felt a strange sense of relief that she had confessed her feelings.
Her thoughts swirled, tangled with confusion and a flicker of hope she couldn’t quite suppress. The words had been raw, honest, but they left her wondering—had she misinterpreted them? Or was it really the beginning of sothing? Sothing she didn’t fully understand yet, but sothing that felt important.
She gazed out the tinted window, lost in thought, unaware that her lips had curved into a soft, thoughtful smile.
The car continued its smooth journey until it finally ca to a stop in front of the mansion. As soon as it halted, the chauffeur stepped out and swiftly opened the door for Naomi. She offered him a polite nod of gratitude before stepping out.
Just as she approached the entrance, Rhea stood waiting, her expression warm as she welcod her back.
"Welco ho, Mrs. Naomi. How was the trip?"
Naomi smiled faintly. "It was a lovely outing, thank you. I quite enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed yourself too."
Rhea nodded, her smile bright. "Yes, I really did enjoy myself, but I also missed you, Mrs. Naomi. It felt different without your presence here."
Naomi let out a soft laugh at Rhea’s words before nodding in acknowledgnt.
Rhea then spoke, her tone gentle but encouraging. "Since you just got back, why don’t we have so fruit salad and fruit kebabs? Sothing light and healthy for strength."
Rhea’s thoughtfulness ward Naomi’s heart. "Thank you, Rhea," she said sincerely.
"Anyti, Mrs. Naomi," Rhea replied with a nod.
Naomi finally made her way to the dining table, only to be greeted by an impressive display of fruits. To her surprise, the chefs were fewer this ti—if she counted, there were about nine of them who had prepared the spread. But, gosh, the fruits were abundant, each arranged in intricate, artistic designs that made them look even more appetizing.
As she scanned the table, one particular fruit caught her attention. Unlike the others, it had no additional decorations or pairings—just a uniquely shaped fruit on its own. Intrigued, she reached for it.
At that mont, from the far end of the room, a man bowed silently before slipping away. Naomi had no idea that he was the sa man who had executed that cake when she first arrived at the mansion—the sa one she had promised to eat from every evening, ensuring he wouldn’t be punished. Now, as she held the simple fruit in her hands, she finally understood why the smallest gestures could hold the deepest aning.
She took a bite, savoring its sweetness, before continuing to eat in silence. After a while, she glanced up. "Rhea," she called.
"Yes, Miss Naomi?" Rhea responded imdiately, her attention fixed on Naomi.
"Why don’t you join ?"
Rhea quickly shook her head, waving off the suggestion. "Oh no, Miss Naomi, I’m fine."
"Nonsense," Naomi said firmly, the words feeling more resolute than usual. "Please, join . Eat. You’re my friend."
A soft smile spread across Rhea’s lips before she finally obeyed, taking a seat beside Naomi and picking up so fruit. It was a quiet mont, one that seed to linger longer than usual, as if the simple act of sharing a al brought them closer in a way words never could.
As they ate, Naomi suddenly thought of sothing. "How is the eaglet?" she asked, turning to Rhea with a soft curiosity.
Rhea brightened at the ntion. "The eaglet is being well taken care of," she said. "He’s still learning how to fly, but we’re careful not to push him too hard. We want to help him grow into a strong eagle when the ti cos."
Naomi nodded thoughtfully, the image of the eaglet struggling to take flight already vivid in her mind. "I’d like to see him after this."
Rhea hesitated before responding. "If you say so, Miss Naomi. I’ll inform them to prepare for your visit."
Naomi shook her head. "You don’t have to do that. Where is he now?"
Rhea sighed, her tone shifting slightly. "I only suggested it because right now, he’s practicing his flying. If you want to see him, we’d have to place him back in his cage first."
Naomi frowned slightly, her mind already working through the logistics. "What’s the fun in that? Don’t worry, we’ll go together. I’d love to watch him practice."
Rhea hesitated once more before finally nodding, the softness of her expression betraying her initial reluctance. "Alright, Miss Naomi. If that’s what you want."
Naomi finished the fruit at a steady pace, savoring each bite rather than rushing through it. The fruit, sweet and fresh, lingered on her tongue. She found a strange comfort in it, as if the act of taking her ti was a quiet rebellion against the uncertainty she felt. For once, there was no rush, no pressure. Just the simple act of being.
Once they were done, Rhea stood and gave a small bow. "Thank you very much for the al, Miss Naomi."
Naomi smiled, the warmth of the mont still settling within her. "Anyti, Rhea."
A soft expression lingered on Rhea’s face before she quickly returned to her usual professional deanor. She then gestured for Naomi to follow and led her toward the side of the mansion.
They approached a small gate, and with a gentle push, Rhea swung it open. Beyond it lay an open area—a spacious sparring ground. The field was plain but well-maintained, with elegantly crafted benches lining both sides, creating the perfect setting for spectators to watch fights for entertainnt.
At the center of the area stood Rylan, and beside him, Rose, both watching as the eaglet attempted to fly. Naomi paused, slightly taken aback by the sight. The eaglet was struggling, its small wings flapping furiously but its body barely lifting off the ground. There was sothing endearing in its clumsy determination.
Before she could say a word, Rose suddenly turned, spotting her. Her face lit up with excitent.
"Naomi!" she shrieked, her voice a burst of energy in the otherwise calm space.
Rylan, unaware of Naomi’s presence until that mont, flinched at Rose’s outburst before quickly turning—his eyes widening in surprise.
Before Naomi could react, Rose dashed toward her, scooping her up into a tight hug before spinning her around. Naomi gasped in surprise, but then, a giggle escaped her. It was an unexpected warmth, a reminder that despite everything that had changed, so things remained the sa.
Still, Naomi couldn’t deny her surprise at seeing Rose here. She hadn’t expected her friend to be at the mansion. Then again, Rose herself hadn’t thought Rylan would allow her to co.
She had simply told him that she wanted to visit Naomi, but he had been adamant in his refusal. He had insisted that she shouldn’t co, reminding her—quite bluntly—that Naomi was married now and had other priorities. She’s not just yours anymore, he had said. You’re no longer her favorite.
Despite his reluctance, Rose had managed to convince him. However, he had made it clear that if she ca this ti, she wouldn’t be allowed to visit frequently—just once in a while. She hadn’t been too upset by his words, though, because deep down, she knew he was right.
Naomi blinked before speaking. "Wow, Rose, I didn’t expect to see you here."
Rose ducked her head slightly before responding. "Your eaglet... he’s very, very determined."
Naomi giggled. "Really?"
She turned toward the small bird, watching as it flapped its wings, struggling to lift off the ground before tumbling back down. The sight made her giggle again—it was undeniably adorable.
As if sensing her gaze, the eaglet turned to face her. Naomi didn’t move closer, simply smiling as she observed its tiny efforts. It was an innocent scene, but in the quiet of the mont, there was sothing more—a subtle shift, a recognition of sothing new unfolding.
After a mont, she glanced at Rose. "So... he let you in?"
Rose hesitated before answering. "Not exactly. We ca together."
Naomi turned to her, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "Where did he pick you up?"
Rose leaned in closer and whispered, "If I tell you this, promise you won’t scream."
Naomi raised a brow but nodded. "Alright."
Taking a deep breath, Rose finally admitted, "Rylan and I... we’re living together."
Naomi’s eyes widened in pure shock. Her head snapped toward Rose as she stared at her friend, completely taken aback.
"You’re what?" she nearly gasped, her voice almost lost in the weight of the words.
Before Rose could respond, sothing unexpected happened.
The eaglet suddenly flapped its wings and took flight, soaring toward Naomi. Before she could react, it landed gracefully on her shoulder, tilting its head as if studying her.
To her surprise, it whistled.
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