Verena had returned to Heisenberg's opulent mansion, a place of grandeur and mystery. As she stepped inside, an eerie silence enveloped her.
The absence of any servants or staff was unusual, but she paid it little mind. Perhaps they were occupied with their duties, or maybe Liliya, her personal maid, had retired for the night.
With cautious steps, she proceeded to her lavishly adorned room. The moment she crossed the threshold, her senses were overwhelmed by a breathtaking sight.
Her room was full of beautiful flowers!
The room was adorned with an abundance of flowers, creating a mesmerising tapestry of colours and scents.
Roses in various shades, lilies that radiated purity, and orchids exuding an air of exotic elegance adorned every available surface.
Verena couldn't help but be drawn to a magnificent bouquet of peonies, their delicate petals unfurling like layers of satin.
She plucked one from the arrangement and brought it to her nose, inhaling deeply. Verena was confused but loved this scene.
The room was infused with the intoxicating fragrance of the flowers, casting a spell of tranquilly and beauty upon her.
Amidst this sea of blossoms, she noticed a small, elegantly folded letter. Its parchment was adorned with intricate designs, making it clear that it was a message of significance.
Verena carefully unfurled it, her eyes tracing the words written in flowing script.
"Sorry."
That was the first word she read, and her heart swelled with curiosity and anticipation.
Verena's eyes fixated on the letter, its elegant script dancing across the parchment. She couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and intrigue.
As she turned to Louis, who had quietly materialised behind her, his posture was laden with regret, his gaze cast downward.
"I... Verena, I'm so sorry. I messed up badly. It was thoughtless. I'm really sorry for hugging you without thinking. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I understand that you don't like physical touch, and I should have been more mindful of that. I promise to be more considerate of your boundaries in the future. Your comfort and feelings are essential to me."
Verena clutched the delicate peony in her hand, its soft petals almost mirroring her own softening expression.
"Louis, you're right; what you did was wrong. But I want to thank you for your honesty and for promising to keep me safe." She took a deep breath, releasing the tension that had built up within her.
"I truly appreciate your understanding, Verena. I mean every word. I won't ever cross any boundaries unless you explicitly tell me it's okay." Verena nodded, her smile spreading like a warm, forgiving embrace.
Seeing her smile for him made his heart softer and more relaxed. He asked hesitantly. "S-So have you forgiven me?"
"Of course. I accept it wholeheartedly."
For a brief moment, silence enveloped them as their eyes locked onto each other's.
Louis found himself captivated by the vision before him—a breathtaking girl holding a peony to her chest with an innocent, doe-eyed expression.
It was as if she held a world of purity and allure within her, a combination that stirred emotions in him reminiscent of the previous night.
He knew that if he had to tell her how she appeared, her face would take on a grumpy expression.
He hesitated but eventually produced an envelope from his pocket. Verena's brow furrowed in curiosity as she placed the peony gently back on the table.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Go ahead and look."
She reached out and accepted the envelope, unfolding its contents. Her eyes widened as she read its contents.
"When did this happen? How did you even get it?" Verena asked, shocked and confused. Louis replied with a trace of confidence, though a sense of mischief lurked in his voice.
"The details aren't important. What matters is that this certificate makes you my wife." Verena's heart skipped a beat as she stared at the marriage certificate.
She couldn't believe what she was reading. The room seemed to spin around her as she tried to process the information.
Thoughts raced through her mind, wondering how this could have happened without her knowledge.
Louis's mischievous smile grew wider as he watched her reaction, clearly enjoying the surprise he had orchestrated.
She looked up at Louis, her eyes searching for answers. Verena's frown deepened as she processed this unexpected revelation.
She wasn't excited; instead, she felt a mixture of shock and bewilderment. How had he managed to obtain such a significant document without her knowledge?
Louis, however, seemed undeterred by her reaction, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Let's celebrate."
He gestured towards the balcony, and Verena's gaze followed his hand. It was then that she noticed the balcony door, which had remained unopened until now.
Verena's curiosity piqued, and she couldn't resist a playful retort.
"I see you've been quite busy behind my back, Louis. What other surprises do you have in store for me?" Verena asked with a teasing smile, her curiosity getting the better of her.
She couldn't help but wonder what other secrets Louis had been keeping from her. With a smirk, he extended his hand towards her, a twinkle of excitement in his eyes.
"There is only one way to find out. Care to join me for a celebration under the stars?"
Verena hesitated for a moment, her intrigue outweighing her reservations. With a smile, she walked with him, ready to step out onto the balcony and uncover the mysteries of the night.
Verena and Louis ventured out onto the open balcony, greeted by the gentle night breeze and the soft, silver glow of moonlight. The view was breathtaking, with a panorama of stars strewn across the dark canvas of the night sky.
Louis had arranged a small, intimate celebration on the balcony. A table adorned with candles, fine china, and a bottle of champagne awaited them.
The soft flickering of candlelight added a touch of enchantment to the scene, casting dancing shadows on their faces.
"Please, have a seat, my love." Louis pulled out a chair for Verena with a charming smile.
Verena couldn't help but be drawn into the allure of the moment. She settled into the chair, her eyes never leaving Louis.
"You certainly know how to surprise a girl, don't you?" Louis poured champagne into their glasses, the effervescent liquid shimmering in the dim light.
"Only for someone as special as you, Verena." He replied flirtily, his voice laced with a hint of mischief. Verena felt her heart flutter at his words, unable to resist the magnetic pull of his charm.
They clinked their glasses together, the sound echoing through the night as they sipped the sparkling wine.
"I still can't believe you got that certificate without my knowledge. How did you manage it?" Verena asked once again.
Louis leaned in, his voice a whisper mischievous. "Ah, my love, a magician never reveals his secrets."
"Well, you certainly have a way of keeping things interesting." Verena chuckled, captivated by his charisma and the sense of adventure that seemed to surround him.
She noticed something and stared at him before saying, "Don't use tender words for me."
"Why?"
"I don't deserve to be called so dearly. 'Love' is a precious word reserved for someone who truly deserves it. I fear that I have not lived up to that standard." Verena's voice held a hint of sadness, her eyes avoiding direct contact with Louis.
"Why do you say that?" Louis reached out and gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
He added. "My dear Verena, you are more deserving of love than anyone I have ever known. Your heart is kind, and your spirit is pure. Do not doubt yourself, for I see nothing but love when I look at you."
Verena chuckled dryly. "You don't know me."
"I want to know you." He affirmed with a deep voice.