Chapter 73: Gift for Ellory
As they began to walk slowly along the stone path lined with blooming white roses, the warm afternoon light spilling through the tall garden trees, Lady Marianne—or Elena, as her parents had softly called her earlier—turned her head gracefully to look at Axelius, her green eyes calm and her voice carrying that elegant tone only noble-born girls seemed to master, "May I ask where we are going, Lord Axelius?"
Axelius didn’t look at her and simply answered in a short tone, trying not to sound too bored, "To my sister."
Elena didn’t say anything in return, but she walked beside him without pause, her small steps matching his with perfect rhythm, the hem of her cream dress barely brushing the stones beneath them, until her eyes noticed something he was holding in his hand—partially hidden in the folds of his coat—and her expression lit up in an instant, a soft sparkle forming in her eyes as she tilted her head slightly and said in a sweet, curious voice, "That’s very pretty. Is that for me?"
Axelius almost tripped on his own foot, caught completely off-guard by the question, and his expression shifted awkwardly as his face twitched, clearly not expecting her to notice the item, let alone ask that, and without answering directly, he quickly moved his arm behind his back to hide it, clearing his throat lightly and muttering, "Uhh... no, it’s for my sister. It’s my gift for her."
Elena blinked, her expression not changing much but her voice still soft and proper as she nodded slowly, "Oh, I see... Though, are you not going to wrap it? Gifts should be presented with proper care—especially for young ladies, don’t you think?"
Axelius sighed inwardly, wondering why she was even talking about wrapping now, and glanced at the small crystal hairpiece he was holding—a delicate piece shaped like a white blossom, with silver edges that glowed faintly from the enchantment Owen had applied earlier, something he had picked thinking Ellory would love it.
"I was just gonna hand it over," he mumbled, not really caring for the formality.
From his shoulder, Owen whispered with a teasing tone, "See? Even she thinks your gift-giving skills are tragic."
Axelius narrowed his eyes at the slime and muttered back, "Shut it. You didn’t suggest wrapping either."