Chapter 42: Marcus Elias Ravenfield (5)
He opened the door, the warm light enveloping him like a gentle tide as he stepped into the greenhouse. A faint mist hung in the air, rich with the scent of soil and blossoms. In the middle of the serene garden stood a woman—tall, poised, and unmistakably elegant. Her black hair flowed down in loose waves, and her dark eyes shimmered beneath the gentle glow of hanging lantern-orbs.
She wore a simple yet intricately designed white dress, its hem embroidered with delicate silver thread that caught the light like morning dew. Modest jewelry—small earrings and a slender bracelet—glinted faintly with arcane etchings.
She stood perfectly still, gazing at a freshly planted bouquet of flowers nestled in fertile soil. The blooms were unlike anything Marcus had seen before—broad petals, inky dark with deep crimson centers that pulsed faintly, almost like a heartbeat. They radiated a subtle, strange energy.
Probably native to this world as well... he thought. Dark, with red in the middle. The perfect flower for this family's theme.
Those flowers really stand out in a place this colorful...
Around them, the greenhouse was a kaleidoscope of life. Glass panels fogged slightly at the edges, and soft golden light filtered through clusters of hanging vines and fern-like plants that pulsed with soft luminescence. The distant sound of water trickling through a narrow fountain filled the silence like a lullaby.
Just across the greenhouse, Aveline moved slowly between rows of flora—eyes scanning, fingers brushing against leaves and petals. She crouched beside a different patch of blooming growth, bright and wild with color, utterly unlike the muted elegance of the flowers near their mother.
"How was your first day in school?"
The woman's voice was soft, almost like a whisper through silk, but it carried clearly as she turned her head slightly to look at Marcus. Her tone was calm—neither too warm nor cold—but there was a distinct undertone of curiosity and maternal attention.