Finding a discreet moment to give the notes of the melody to Sebastian proved to be harder than Elena had anticipated. Days had passed, and the folded sheet of paper still lay untouched at the bottom of her bag. Sebastian hadn’t returned to the bookstore, and at the academy, there was never a chance to catch him alone.  

"Maybe I should just give up," Elena muttered to herself, her shoulders slumping with disappointment as she trudged to her next class. The weight of the melody hung in the air, complete yet unfulfilled, as if it were waiting for a moment that might never come. 

As Elena passed the music room—the one where she had heard Sebastian play—the memory tugged at her, pulling her inside. The room was empty, silent, except for the soft click of the door closing behind her. She sank onto the piano’s bench, letting out a deep sigh.  

Her fingers grazed the keys absentmindedly as she thought about the melody she had worked so hard on, the one she had hoped Sebastian would hear. She had added her own touches to his song, something she’d never dared to do before. For the first time, she had created something that was partly hers. 

A faint smile flickered across her lips, quickly replaced by a lingering sense of defeat. She had never shared her music with anyone—not like this. Every piece she had ever played had been someone else’s work, carefully taught and practiced. But this...this was different. And now, it seemed like no one would ever hear it. 

Her fingers pressed a random key, the hollow sound echoing her disappointment. It’s fitting, she thought. As if saying goodbye to the song she had written with Sebastian, even though he had never known it. With a quiet resolve, Elena played the melancholic melody, letting her emotions flow into the keys. It was a song filled with everything she hadn’t said, a quiet farewell to something that never truly began. 

And when the last note faded, so did the hope that anyone would ever hear it. 

For a few moments longer, Elena lingered, a faint hope rising in her chest that Sebastian might walk through the doors, just as she had that day. But the door remained closed, and the room stayed silent. Eventually, she gathered her things and stood, the echoes of her steps chasing her as she left the room behind. 

“It’s almost time for midterms, isn’t it, Elena?” Professor Frowde’s voice broke through her thoughts as she sat idly by the window, a book resting forgotten in her lap. 

Elena blinked, dragging her gaze from the busy street outside. “Ah… yes, soon, Professor.” 

Professor Frowde smiled, his tone gentle. “How are you managing? You know, I’m always here if you need any help.” 

Elena offered a small smile in return. She’d shared bits and pieces of her life in Valtara with him during their time at the bookstore, explaining why she and her mother had moved to the capital. “Thank you, Professor. I’ll let you know if I need anything.” 

“Professor,” Elena finally said after a long pause, her fingers tracing the edge of the table, “why didn’t you ever mention that Sebastian was the Duke’s son?” It was a question she’d been holding onto since her first day at the academy, though she hadn’t found the courage to ask until now. 

Professor Frowde, unsurprised, set the fresh pot of tea down on the table beside her. He had expected that Elena would have discovered Sebastian’s family background by now, weeks after starting at Ashwood. He’d been waiting for her to bring it up since her return to the bookstore, but she never did—until today. 

With a calm smile, he poured them each a cup of tea before finally answering. “Well...” He took a seat across from her, his voice gentle. “Would you have liked me to tell you, Elena?” 

Elena paused, contemplating his question as she stirred her tea. “To be honest... I’m not sure,” she admitted. “I think I just wondered why you didn’t mention it, that’s all.” 

Professor Frowde leaned back, watching her thoughtfully. “Sometimes,” he began, “it’s not my place to reveal someone else’s story. Besides, I thought perhaps it was better for you to learn about Sebastian as he truly is, not just who his family is.” 

Elena nodded slowly, his words sinking in. “That makes sense,” she said, though part of her still wrestled with the idea. She had seen Sebastian through the lens of their brief, honest encounters—now, knowing his family’s status and their mothers' tangled past casting a shadow, the distance between her and Sebastian weighed heavier and the picture felt more complicated. 

Though Elena had been the one to initially keep her distance, following her mother's warnings, being alone with him had rattled her, stirring old emotions.  

Yet, Sebastian had become even more elusive, and his absence only deepened her desire to see him. To cope, she threw herself into her studies with laser-like focus, pushing herself to the point where midterms no longer seemed a challenge. But now, with fewer academic worries, she found herself back at square one—thinking about him. 

“Everything seems so complicated in the capital. Do you also not care about class and nobility, professor?” Elena asked, her voice tinged with genuine confusion. 

“Of course, I care,” Professor Frowde replied thoughtfully. “To live in the capital, you have to understand your place. But it's also up to you to define your role, even when society tries to decide it for you, Elena.” 

She nodded again, considering his words as they both sat in the peaceful quiet of the bookstore, watching the bustling street through the window. 

By the time Tomas arrived, Elena felt both mentally and physically drained. She stepped out of the bookstore and slipped into the carriage, kicking off her shoes to relax as they headed home. 

Tucked away at the end of the street, making an effort to stay inconspicuous, Sebastian sat in his motorized carriage, privacy curtains drawn. His eyes followed Elena as she entered her carriage, not bothering to wait for her driver to assist her like most ladies in the capital would. Why was she so different? 

"Should I follow, sir?" Geoff asked, glancing at Sebastian through the rearview mirror. 

"Yes, but keep a good distance," Sebastian replied coolly, his attention flickering between the papers in his hands and Elena’s carriage. What was it about her that kept pulling him into this unusual surveillance? 

Geoff nodded, aware of the need for subtlety. This was the second time Sebastian had ordered him to follow her. The route led them to a quiet suburb just outside the city center. 

Once again, Sebastian watched as Elena’s carriage turned into the short driveway with a quaint cottage at the end of it. 

Through the trees and shrubbery, Sebastian watched as Elena descended from the carriage, her shoes in hand. Her mother, Catherine, stood waiting by the door, greeting her with a smile. Elena’s behavior—carrying her shoes rather than following the formalities expected of a noblewoman—amused him.  

It was yet another quirk that set her apart, a quiet rebellion against the norms he had been taught to strictly follow. It felt refreshing, her deviation from what was expected, and it intrigued him even more. 

Their home was modest, as Sebastian had anticipated, especially after learning of their financial difficulties. His eyes followed Elena and Catherine until they disappeared inside. His thoughts lingered on the information Geoff had gathered about Catherine.  

Seeing her now, Sebastian tried to imagine what she must have been like as a young girl, when the incident had first occurred, and how that past now intertwined with the present. 

Though the incident between his mother and Catherine Sinclair had taken place many years ago, Sebastian was wary of his interest in Elena. He didn’t want to stir up buried emotions if his interest became known. He hoped that his mother’s curiosity about Elena was just that—curiosity about the child Catherine had raised, and nothing more.  

“Let’s go,” Sebastian said to Geoff after lingering for a moment. As Geoff began to turn the carriage around, Sebastian spoke again. “Actually, let’s head to my grandfather’s lake house. It’s been a while since I’ve been there.”  

The drive was quiet, with Sebastian still consumed by his thoughts. Soon enough, they arrived at the quaint estate by the water, the stillness of the lake house greeted them. 

The Lakehouse had once belonged to Sebastian’s grandfather, the former Duke Jonathan Carlisle von Edmonton. It had been his sanctuary, a place of peace where he often brought Sebastian as a child. Now, it belonged to Sebastian, though he rarely visited anymore. 

In the spring, he’d take the boat out on the lake, enjoying the tranquility. Occasionally, Jonas took his guests fishing, especially those less inclined toward hunting. The estate, with its calm surroundings, held memories of simpler times, yet it felt like another distant piece of the life Sebastian now led. 

As the carriage door shut, Geoff stepped aside, and Sebastian emerged onto the stone driveway. The sound of their arrival stirred George from the annex, the groundskeeper hurrying out, looking slightly bewildered. 

“Young master, you’re here,” George greeted with a respectful bow, his voice touched with surprise. 

“It’s good to see you again, George,” Sebastian replied, glancing out at the lake, where the evening light shimmered on the water. 

“Forgive me, young master, we didn’t receive word of your visit. I’ll fetch the keys to the house right away,” George said, motioning toward the annex where he and his wife, Elly, lived. 

“No rush, George,” Sebastian said kindly, waving off the older man’s concern. “I’m the one who showed up unannounced. I’ll take a walk around to the back deck. You can meet me there when you’re ready.” 

When George returned, Elly followed a step behind, her face lighting up at the sight of the young master. She and George had watched Sebastian grow, and Elly was always especially delighted to see him. 

"It’s always great to see you, young master Sebastian," Elly greeted warmly. Sebastian, who had been staring out at the lake, turned with a small smile to greet her in return. 

"It’s always a pleasure, Miss Elly," he replied, using the same title he had called her as a child. Memories of her homemade treats whenever he visited flickered through his mind. 

“I’ll bring you some tea,” Elly offered, her voice full of enthusiasm. “We’ve recently stocked the pantry since the young lady visits most Sundays.” 

Sebastian nodded, though his thoughts paused for a moment. He had almost forgotten about their request to allow a young lady access to the property to enjoy the lake. 

"The young lady brought some tea leaves from her hometown as well. It’s very fragrant," Elly added, her joy unmistakable as they stepped inside the cozy Lakehouse. 

Sebastian raised a brow, intrigued by the mention of the "young lady." He wondered briefly who this visitor was but decided not to ask right away, letting Elly’s excitement fill the space as she busied herself with preparing the tea. 

"You should visit more often," Elly continued happily, handing Sebastian a cup of tea. "Though it’s getting colder, it's still beautiful as the leaves change color." 

Sebastian took a sip and, to his surprise, found the tea remarkably fragrant. Noticing his reaction, Elly smiled. "I can pack some for you to take with you when you leave." 

Sebastian nodded in approval, appreciating the offer. 

"Lady Elena would be pleased to hear you like the tea," Elly said casually as George gently guided her toward the door, leaving Sebastian alone in the sitting room. 

Sebastian froze for a brief moment, nearly losing his usual composed demeanor at the mention of Elena’s name. Elena? Could it be that she was the one visiting the lake? He had never considered such a scenario. The coincidence felt almost impossible, yet again, Elena had unknowingly stepped into another part of his world. 

"George..." Sebastian called just as the couple were about to leave the room. "Does the lady, by any chance, know who owns this Lakehouse?" 

"I don’t believe so," George replied, glancing at Elly, who nodded in agreement. "Neither of us mentioned it. I don’t think many people know who owns the Lakehouse, sir. Is that a problem?" 

"No, it’s not a problem," Sebastian responded, his tone unreadable. After a brief pause, he added, "But, moving forward, I’d prefer if you didn’t mention it to her." 

"Of course," George and Elly agreed in unison, though clearly curious about the young master’s request. They dared not ask any further questions. 

As Sebastian sat silently in the room overlooking the lake, his thoughts drifted to Elena, imagining what her days at the lake had been like. Did she sit there quietly, watching the water as he did now? Or did she explore, curious and unburdened, the way she seemed to approach everything? 

He took another sip of the tea, its fragrant warmth grounding him, but his mind remained on her. Should I come more often? The question surfaced almost involuntarily, bringing with it a string of other thoughts. What would happen if I did? Would we run into each other here? Would the quiet, private space of the lake reveal things neither of us could say elsewhere? 

The thought unsettled him—how Elena, unknowingly, kept crossing into the parts of his life he had once considered separate. The Lakehouse was supposed to be a sanctuary, but now, the idea of seeing her here didn’t feel like an intrusion. Instead, it left him curious. Would her presence change the air of the place, the way her presence had altered the rhythm of his thoughts?