I was stunned by his words. "How could this be possible?" I wondered.
Yet, oddly, my heart was calm. Because… it could have been me in Emily's place. But if I had been in her place... that would've been terrifying. Emily and Magnus — they both had the same kind of arrogance and cold mockery in their eyes. To me, they seemed like a perfect match — like two shards of ice.
Magnus gently touched the petal of a flower in the garden and gave a faint smile. "You're quite an emotional girl, Layla. Your face gives everything away," he said.
I bit my tongue and remained silent.
"This life plays strange jokes on us, doesn't it?" he added, fixing his gaze on me again. "You are a part of the Laurent family, Layla. But have they ever truly seen you as one of them?"
A weight pressed heavily on my chest. He crushed the flower in his hand, scattering its petals in every direction. His eyes were cold, yet something hid behind that coldness — as if he was playing a game, testing me.
"Interesting," he said in a mocking tone. "Even though you share the Laurent blood, the marriage is not meant for you — it is meant for your stepsister, Emily."
I tried to conceal the emotions on my face. "I... am not surprised by that, my duke, " I replied.
Magnus raised his eyebrows with a barely noticeable smile. "Is that so?"
I took a deep breath. "I'm two years younger than Emily. It's only natural that she gets more attention right now, not me."
Magnus let out a soft laugh. There was a sharp edge of irony in his voice.
"Of course. For aristocratic families, marrying off daughters at the right time is perfectly normal. After all, your father is doing exactly that, isn't he?"
I fell silent.
Watching the changes on my face, Magnus continued, "Doctor Daniel Laurent — a respected nobleman.
But not for you. He has never placed you above the others."
His words cut through me like a blade of ice. Something inside me broke. I swallowed hard, but tears welled up in my eyes.
"Your father is offering a better life not to his own daughter, but to someone else's."
I slowly lowered my head, my eyes searching the ground — as if I could find comfort somewhere in the soil beneath my feet. A heavy emptiness grew inside me, the pressure in my chest becoming harder to bear with each second. There was no escaping the truth — my father had not chosen me.
I fell silent for a moment. "Emily is nothing like me, my duke. She grew up surrounded by luxury. Her mother, Charlotte, always raised her to be a proper noblewoman. That's why today, it's not me... but Emily who is being married off."
Magnus tilted his head slightly and examined my face closely. He stepped forward and leaned in, whispering near my ear. "But what if it had been you instead of Emily?"
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe, and I instinctively stepped back.
Magnus smiled and walked closer toward me. "Imagine it… If you had been the favored daughter of the Laurent family, would this marriage have been yours?"
His voice turned cold."Would I be your future husband then, Layla?"
I steadied my breath and replied quietly, "I would never have wanted that to happen."
Magnus let out a soft chuckle, but his gaze grew colder. He leaned in slightly and whispered into my ear, "I'm certain, Layla. Because I, too, never wished for it to be so."
His expression remained unchanged as he smiled and turned away. Inside, I was already shattered. Covering my lips with my hand, I wept silently.
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The morning light was just beginning to spread over the forests as duchess Eleanora , Madam Gertrude, and Magnus traveled in a black, elegant carriage toward the Laurent manor. The luxurious gift boxes placed within the carriage underscored the seriousness of the journey.
Magnus, dressed in black trousers and an aristocratic-style suit, his hair neatly styled, moved with graceful nonchalance. The carriage halted before the modest yet tastefully adorned Laurent manor. The dark brick walls, historic doors, and pathways adorned with delicate flowers drew the eye.
At the gate stood Lady Charlotte and Daniel Laurent, the father of Emily and Layla, welcoming them with smiles. As Magnus descended from the carriage, he held his shoulders high, stepping with the calm demeanor characteristic of aristocrats. His gaze met my father's, and though a surge of disdain rose within him, he concealed it from everyone.
With a feigned smile, Magnus bowed gracefully to my father and stepmother. "Mr. Laurent, Lady Laurent," he said respectfully.
"My lady," he said softly to Emily, gently taking her hand and raising it close to his lips.
Emily smiled. Her sleek black hair and hazel eyes shone with the quiet grace of a refined lady.
Lady Eleanora, meanwhile, greeted Charlotte politely. "I'm pleased to finally meet you, Charlotte."
The Laurent family led their guests into the sitting room. The floor was made of white marble, and the wooden furniture was crafted with elegant detail. They gathered around a lavishly set table. Magnus and Emily sat side by side.
Emily turned to him with a soft smile."I hope you find this place comfortable."
Magnus offered a faint smile in return. "Wherever my lady is, I feel at ease."
As Eleanora observed the surroundings with mild curiosity, she asked,"I've heard you have another daughter as well. Is she not here?"
Father removed his glasses from his pocket, carefully putting them on. After a brief pause, his tone became more serious.
"No, Layla isn't here at the moment. Her grandfather recently took her with him. He is quite old and lives alone. Layla staying at his old cottage."
Gertrude raised her eyebrows slightly and said gently,
"Well then, very well... I do hope we'll get to meet her next time."
Leaning back in her chair, Eleanora placed a hand on Emily's shoulder and added,
"We wish to strengthen the bonds between our families. What matters most is mutual understanding."
Charlotte took a sip of her tea and smiled.
"There's no need to rush the wedding. It would be better if the young couple and our families spent more time together first."
Gertrude nodded in agreement.
"That's a wise approach. What matters most is respect and harmony."
Emily smiled at Magnus from the side, her fingers playing with the small tea spoon.
Magnus, meanwhile, sat slightly leaned back in his armchair, his eyes fixed downward. His gaze was calm.That day, everything was settled. The engagement between Emily and Magnus was a political arrangement—
a cold, calculated decision made for the benefit of two influential families. They agreed not to rush into marriage. Instead, it was decided that they would meet more often and get to know each other better.
For Magnus, it brought a sense of calm—on the surface. But deep within his eyes, a hidden storm brewed. He didn't even want this marriage— but he agreed to it, because he knew, without going through this path, he wouldn't be able to carry out his plans.
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The sun was setting, and the edge of the sky was painted a clear shade of deep orange. We — Grandpa, Jasper, and I — were gathered around a modest dinner table in the small cottage at Arvendale, sharing our evening meal.
Everything felt unusually calm and warm.Grandpa reminisced about funny stories from his youth and told them to us one by one.
Jasper and I laughed and listened with delight, as if those moments would never end. But there was a heaviness in my heart — I hadn't yet told Grandpa or Jasper anything about Emily and Magnus's engagement. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
I ran to open it. In the yard, already wrapped in twilight, stood a man in an old, dark brown coat. It was — as always — our cheerful and kind postman, Mr. Hargrove. In his hand was a light folder, usually containing letters and newspapers, and in his eyes danced a familiar gleam of joy.
"Good evening, Layla. You've got a letter," he said, smiling warmly.
"Thank you, Mr. Hargrove," I replied, taking the letter and gently closing the door.
The letter was from the Laurent manor. I handed it to Grandpa.
He put on his glasses and began reading slowly:
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"Dear Layla,
We hope this letter finds you well.
We have some news we wish to share with you and your grandfather:
Emily and Magnus Von Eisenhardt will soon be formally engaged.
The wedding date has not yet been decided,
but this is an important step for both of our families.
With respect,
Daniel and Charlotte Laurent."
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As soon as the letter ended, silence filled the room. Jasper said nothing, but the color drained from his face, and his eyes darkened with sorrow. I noticed it instantly — this news hit him hard. I had always known that Jasper had feelings for Emily, ones he had quietly carried for years. But Grandpa didn't seem to notice anything.
He carefully folded the letter, took off his glasses, and said thoughtfully,
"Well, I suppose that's good news. Magnus is a very intelligent, well-mannered, and thoughtful young man. He is the pride of the Eisenhardt family — sharp, responsible, and truly professional in all he does. Elegance and gentlemanly behavior come naturally to him.A man like that brings peace and blessing to any family."
I nodded, but inside, I was caught in a whirlpool of conflicting emotions.
The Magnus Grandpa was talking about was the one everyone else saw —
composed, refined in manner, always polite and measured in speech.
But the Magnus I knew…
Every time we met, he crushed me under his chilling coldness.
He never showed me compassion. Whenever our eyes met, there was no trace of mercy. Yes, Magnus might be a gentleman… for others. But for me — he was cold, ruthless, and someone who tore my heart apart.
"Maybe..." I said quietly.
A few minutes later, Jasper slowly stood up. "It's getting late. I should head home," he said in a low voice.
I followed him with my eyes. "Jasper, are you okay?" I asked.
He lifted his head and tried to smile. "Yes, Layla. Just a bit tired today. I think I'll go home and get some sleep. See you tomorrow."
I immediately walked toward the door and saw him off. As he walked away, I stood in the doorway, watching him disappear into the night. There was a quiet ache in my chest — my heart hurt for Jasper.
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Night had already fallen. The luxurious sitting room glowed softly under the warm light of candle sconces. Crystal dishes shimmered on the table, plates trimmed in gold reflected the gentle light, and carefully arranged flowers adorned the cloth — each detail a point of pride for Emily's mother, Charlotte.
Around the table, my father, Emily, and my stepmother sat together, sipping tea after lunch and enjoying a cheerful conversation.
"Becoming related to the Eisenhardts... it's a great honor for our family," Charlotte said, her eyes glowing with satisfaction.
"Yes, it was definitely the right decision," my father added with pride in his voice.
"Just look at the gifts Magnus brought this morning — each one like a work of art."
Emily smiled, but there was a strange coldness in her eyes. "They have exquisite taste. Especially the silk scarves and rings in the silver boxes — simply stunning."
Leaning back in her chair, Charlotte continued, "We should visit their estate in Arvendale soon and extend our greetings. It would also be the perfect opportunity to introduce Layla..."
At that moment, my father's expression changed. His voice turned cold. "There's still time for that matter. Layla isn't ready for discussions of this level."
Charlotte, gently rotating her teacup between interlocked fingers, smiled politely."Of course, no need to rush. Everything must fall into place in due time."
Emily sat in silence, her eyes fixed on a painting on the wall, as if the conversation had nothing to do with her at all.The discussion carried on, but every time the topic shifted to me, the room seemed to grow colder — like a drop in temperature no one acknowledged.
All the warmth and interest circled around Emily alone.
And I was left wondering... was there truly a place for me in this family?