The carriages rolled down the southern road, the wheels humming gently over stone as the fresh breeze carried the scent of pine and wildflowers. In the distance, lush green mountains stood like silent guardians. As they reached the border of Anjou County, the guards spotted the Medici crest and opened the gates without delay.
Inside, the county came to life.
The streets were bustling. Markets overflowed with people, their laughter and chatter blending into a lively rhythm. The air was filled with the aroma of fresh grape wine, sizzling dishes, and warm muffins pulled straight from the oven. A blacksmith's hammer rang out nearby, steady and strong.
"Come here! Best bread in the whole south!" shouted one vendor.
"Fresh, cheap vegetables!"
"Look at this armor—stronger than steel!"
Children darted between stalls like sparrows, their joy unchained. It was a scene painted in light and warmth, the very spirit of the south.
William watched quietly from his carriage, his eyes taking in every detail.
Soon, they neared Anjou Manor. The road leading up to it was lined with red carpet made from fine southern wool—fit for royalty. Servants stood in neat rows, dressed in vibrant colors, ready to receive their guests. Songs played, and dancers moved in graceful steps, their movements echoing the traditions of the land.
In the courtyard stood Count Anjou, a lively man in his thirties, his smile bright under the afternoon sun. Beside him stood the countess—her brown hair caught in the wind, green eyes calm and graceful. Behind them, a young girl waited quietly.
"Welcome, Marquis Medici, to our humble manor," the count said, bowing his head with respect.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Count Anjou," Edgar replied with calm authority.
"I hope your stay here will be pleasant, my lord," the countess added, her voice soft, refined.
The count turned. "Oh yes, let me introduce someone—my daughter."
The girl stepped forward and bowed. "Welcome, Lord Medici. Welcome, young master. I hope your journey was pleasant."
She was a mirror of her mother—graceful, poised, with the same green eyes and warmth.
"The young lady is quite smart for her age," Edgar noted.
"It is an honor," Lily replied, still bowing.
[Lily… I was desperate to see her ].
Behind the glass of the carriage, Wiz's screen glowed faintly with a smile.
Inside, William laughed silently, a twisted joy flickering behind his composed mask.
Hahaha… I'm so happy to see you, Lily.
He stepped forward, calm and noble, took her hand, and gently kissed it.
"It's an honor to meet you, my lady," he said, his voice gentle, every word shaped with elegance.
"Oh my," the countess said with a laugh. "Isn't young master so charming?"
William smiled, but only he knew the truth behind it.
I'm so happy, Lily Anjou.
Lily's cheeks flushed a soft pink as William kissed her hand with noble grace. Her eyes—green as the hills beyond the manor—met his for a fleeting moment before lowering again in a perfectly practiced gesture of etiquette. But there was something in her gaze. Curiosity. Intrigue. A question she could not yet form.
The count chuckled. "It seems our children are already getting along."
Edgar gave a nod, his expression unreadable, but the brief flicker in his eyes betrayed satisfaction. "As they should. Bonds formed young often last the longest."
Behind them, the servants had begun unloading the luggage, their movements sharp and practiced. A steward gestured politely toward the marble stairs leading into the manor.
"Please, my lords," said Count Anjou, sweeping his arm in welcome. "The rooms have been prepared. A feast awaits tonight. For now, let the weariness of the road fall from your shoulders."
As they moved toward the entrance, Lily subtly stepped to William's side. Her voice was soft, just loud enough for him to hear. "Do you like flowers, young master Medici?"
William turned to her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Only the ones that speak to the soul."
She blinked, slightly startled, then gave a shy smile. "Then I'll show you something later… if you're not too busy."
"I look forward to it, my lady," he replied, his tone smooth like aged wine.
Wiz's screen flickered behind the carriage window, barely visible beneath the shadows of the canopy. The smile remained on its glass face, but the glint in William's eyes was sharper now. Calculating.
So it begins.
As the grand doors of Anjou Manor opened before them, a faint breeze carried the scent of wine and jasmine through the hall. The walls shimmered with tapestries of gold thread and southern legends. For most, it was a scene of welcome.
But for William Medici, this was the next move.
And Lily Anjou… was already part of the game.
""The feast stretched late into the night, a whirl of wine and hollow laughter. Across the table, Lily's green eyes caught the candlelight each time she glanced his way—not coy, but deliberate, as if she too had been waiting for this moment long before they'd met. When the final toast was drunk, William slipped into the garden's embrace. The night smelled of jasmine and something sharper, like the air before a storm
The night sky above Anjou Manor was wide and full of stars, like someone had scattered diamonds across black velvet. The moon glowed softly, casting silver light over the quiet gardens. The air smelled like flowers and fresh grass, and a calm wind rustled through the trees.
William walked alone, his footsteps light. Lanterns along the path swayed gently, casting warm light around him. Everything felt still, like the world itself had slowed down.
Then he saw her.
Lily stood beneath a large old tree. Moonlight shone through the leaves, touching her hair and shoulders with silver. She looked like something from a dream—quiet and glowing, as if she belonged to the night.
"You came," she said softly.
William smiled. "How could I not? The stars are bright, the night is warm… and you're here."
She laughed. "You speak strangely sometimes, young master."
"Only when I mean it."
She turned to the tree, her fingers running gently over its bark. "When I was little, I used to talk to the stars. I believed they listened."
"Did they ever answer?"
She looked at him. "Maybe not with words. But it always felt like they were there."
William lifted a hand, and a soft light began to glow from his palm. Magic shimmered in the air, golden and gentle. Slowly, flower petals on the ground started to float upward, spinning softly.
Then, with a soft smile, William asked, "What did you wish for, Lily?"
She paused, her eyes soft and faraway as she gazed up at the stars. "I wish to fly… like a free bird. To feel the wind beneath me, to soar high, with no limits."
William smiled at her words. "A beautiful wish."
He raised his hand higher, and the magic around them intensified. The petals danced through the air like stars caught in a breeze. Then, Lily began to rise.
She floated upward slowly and gracefully, as if the wind itself had embraced her. Her hair lifted and swirled around her like a halo, and the moonlight touched her like a fairy's blessing. The flower petals followed her, glowing softly in the night.
Lily's eyes widened. "It's beautiful…"
"You look like a fairy," William said, his voice full of wonder.
She laughed softly as she rose higher, her feet no longer on the ground, her body weightless as she drifted in the air, like a bird soaring free.
She came down just as gently, her feet touching the ground without a sound. She turned to him, her eyes wide with wonder and awe.
"You didn't have to do that," she whispered.
"I wanted to," William replied, his voice warm and steady.
She took a small step closer, her cheeks flushed. "Will you be my friend, young master Medici?"
William looked at her for a moment, his expression soft. So kind. So trusting.
Friend? You'll be much more than that, Lily…
But his smile was gentle.
"I'd be honored, Lady Lily."
She smiled back, her face glowing with the moment's magic. The world around them felt quiet, still, as though something new had just begun.
But far behind them, hidden in the shadows, something moved.
William's gaze flicked to the side. Just for a second.
Someone is watching.
Still, he said nothing.
He simply turned back to Lily… and smiled.