The sun had started its descent, casting long shadows across the Varnhart estate. The guests had gathered in the drawing room, where the Duke and his wife greeted the visitors with the cold politeness that was customary among the nobility. Yet, Orion, still unaware of the politics and pomp that filled the grand halls, continued his solitary exploration of the gardens.
He moved quietly, staying out of sight of the bustling house, preferring the silence of the flowers and the soft murmur of the wind. His small hands brushed over the petals of the last autumn blooms, the only part of the estate he could truly claim as his own. The garden was his world—free from the expectations and coldness of the mansion. His heart was light as he crouched near the stone fountain, watching a pair of birds flutter near the water's edge.
However, his peaceful moment would not last long.
A soft voice, distant yet clear, reached his ears. Orion froze. It was that same young girl—the one who had been among the visitors earlier. The princess.
Her voice was calm but commanding, as she spoke to one of her attendants. Orion, curious and cautious, peeked through the thick greenery of a nearby bush, his eyes narrowing to catch a glimpse of her.
Princess Diana stood on the far side of the garden, surrounded by a small entourage. Her eyes were scanning the area, searching with intent. The servants and guards who accompanied her were speaking quietly among themselves, but she seemed lost
In thought, her gaze flickering over the flowers and the winding garden paths.
Without warning, her eyes shifted in Orion's direction. For a long moment, their gazes met—his heart skipped a beat as her sharp, intelligent eyes locked with his. There was something in her expression that made him feel both small and strangely seen, as if he were no longer just an invisible shadow, but a part of something bigger.
The princess didn't seem startled, nor did she look away quickly. Instead, she studied him, her gaze lingering just a bit longer than was typical for someone of her status. Orion, unsure of what to do, remained motionless behind the thick foliage, holding his breath as though that might make him invisible.
"Who is that?" Princess Diana's voice broke the silence, her words directed toward one of her guards. Her tone was calm but insistent, as though she expected an answer.
The guard, a tall man with a stern expression, looked around, clearly not having noticed Orion until the princess had pointed him out. His gaze followed hers, and when his eyes landed on the young boy, he stiffened slightly.
"He is one of the Duke's children, Your Highness," the guard replied, his voice neutral but respectful. "I believe he resides here at the estate."
Orion's heart sank. A child of the Duke—was that how he was seen? Not a servant, but still one of the family, though never acknowledged.
Princess Diana's expression softened slightly at the guard's response, but her curiosity hadn't dulled. She stepped closer to where Orion stood, her movements graceful as she approached the edge of the garden. The garden had always been a sanctuary for him, but now it felt strangely like a stage, with her poised in front of him.
Orion felt the pull of her gaze, not hostile, but intense. She knelt down to his level, her face calm and kind, though her eyes still held that analytical gleam.
"Are you lost?" she asked softly, her tone gentler than he expected.
Orion blinked, unsure how to answer. His eyes flickered nervously to the ground, afraid that whatever he said would somehow reveal too much about the reality he lived. He wasn't supposed to be seen like this—he was supposed to remain hidden, unnoticed.
"No," he said quietly, feeling a little braver now that she was speaking to him. "I was just looking at the flowers."
Princess Diana smiled, the warmth of it unexpected, though still somewhat distant. She glanced down at the flowers Orion had been admiring, her fingers brushing over a delicate petal.
"They are beautiful, aren't they?" she remarked, her voice reflecting a quiet wonder, like she had been lost in thought about them as well. "Much like the stars in the sky, hidden away but always there, waiting to be seen."
Orion nodded in agreement, his heart pounding in his chest. She spoke as though she truly understood the beauty in small things, in the hidden corners of the world. For a brief moment, it felt like the world had slowed down, and the distance between the life he knew and the one she represented had closed.
But the moment was fleeting. The guard, standing a little ways off, cleared his throat sharply, a reminder that the princess had other matters to attend to. Diana straightened up, her smile fading into a more composed expression as she glanced at her attendant.
"It's time to go," the guard said, his tone firm yet respectful.
The princess nodded, but before she turned away, her gaze lingered on Orion one last time. There was something thoughtful in her eyes, something that made Orion feel… seen. Not just the invisible child of the Duke, but someone worthy of a moment's attention.
"Take care," she said softly, her words unexpected and full of quiet grace. "Perhaps we'll meet again."
And with that, she walked away, her attendants following suit. The quiet murmur of their conversation faded as they exited the garden, leaving Orion alone in the silence once more.
He stood there for a long while, the words "Perhaps we'll meet again" echoing in his mind. The princess's kindness, though brief, left him with a strange warmth, a flicker of hope that things might someday change. Perhaps he wasn't as invisible as he had always thought.
But for now, he returned to his hiding place in the garden, still the same forgotten child, and watched as the world continued to move around him, just out of reach.