Jasper's boots crunched softly against the forest floor as he walked alongside Lord Theodore. The cool breeze from the lake sent ripples across the water, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and pine. The forest around them was serene, but the tension between the two men was palpable. Theodore led them to a secluded trail, ending at the edge of the lake. He gestured politely for Jasper to sit on the bench beside the water while he stood, his eyes fixed on the shimmering surface.
Jasper, sensing the weight of the conversation to come, reluctantly sat down. His violet eyes scanned the horizon, a practiced calm settling over him, though his instincts remained on alert.
