THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

"Huh," David exhaled a heavy sigh as he strolled through the expansive corridors, his mind replaying the moments he had just shared with Shay. Their steamy encounter had been abruptly cut short by her sense of duty.

Shay had pleaded with him to let her prepare him for the day and then rush off to handle some event preparations that the head maid had assigned. With a delegation from neighbouring counties expected in the next two weeks, the staff was buzzing with activity. David suspected it had something to do with the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony.

She had practically assaulted him with her pleading chestnut eyes, and, unable to resist, David had reluctantly allowed her to go. But not before they indulged in a long, heated minute of kissing, their arms wrapped tightly around each other in a bittersweet embrace.

As he walked, David's gaze drifted to the obsidian earpiece Seraphina had given him. He wondered what she was up to, the distance between them feeling all the more vast without any means of communication. The only way he'd know she had arrived at the castle entrance would be if the earpiece changed to a moss-green hue.

Slipping the earpiece into his pocket, David redirected his thoughts and headed towards the dining room, the weight of anticipation and responsibility settling on his shoulders as he prepared to face the day ahead.

David had planned to start his day with a hearty breakfast before setting off to find Vivian. His mind was already spinning with the idea of what he intended to do next: whisk her away from whatever mundane tasks she might be caught up in within the castle walls and take her beyond the estate, with the intention of exploring Eldoria.

The thought alone filled him with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Eldoria had always been a mystery to him, a place he'd only seen briefly as he returned from Willowmere. His reputation outside the castle wasn't exactly stellar, but that wasn't his concern today. Today was about something much more personal—spending quality time with Vivian.

As he walked, making a left turn down one of the castle's grand corridors, David paused to consider the implications of his plan. Wasn't this, in essence, a date? The realization hit him with a jolt, causing him to slow his pace. He'd never been on a date before, not a proper one, anyway.

The concept was both foreign and thrilling. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he imagined the possibilities. What did people even do on dates in Eldoria? He had no clue where the best spots for couples might be, but that didn't deter him. David was determined to make it work, to carve out a special memory for them both, regardless of where they ended up.

Eldoria was a vast and vibrant town, full of hidden gems and bustling marketplaces, serene parks, and winding riverside paths. David didn't need to know the best place to go—he only needed to be with her. As long as Vivian was by his side, he felt confident that the day would be perfect, no matter where it led them.

He pictured the two of them wandering through the streets, discovering new sights and sounds, perhaps even finding a quiet spot to sit and talk, away from the prying eyes and expectations of the castle. David wasn't just curious about Eldoria; he was curious about Vivian—about how she'd react to the world outside, what would make her laugh, what sights would make her eyes light up.

As he neared the dining room, his mind was already racing ahead to the end of the day, imagining what her answer would be to the question he had posed to her.

As David pushed open the grand doors leading to the dining room, he was greeted by an unexpected emptiness. The room, usually bustling with activity, was eerily still. Not a single maid or guard was present, a stark contrast to the usual scene where at least one maid would always be on hand to serve the De Gor family, regardless of the time of day.

Today, however, the space was deserted. "Looks like the coming-of-age ceremony is a bigger deal than I thought," David mused, piecing together the reason for the unusual absence.

Being a transmigrator from another world, David was no stranger to the art of cooking, a skill that set him apart from his noble peers. With the room void of any attendants, he decided to take matters into his own hands and prepare his own breakfast. The mere thought of a noble from the esteemed De Gor family cooking for himself would surely cause shock and disbelief if anyone were to witness it.

With a purposeful stride, David made his way to the kitchen, his fingers brushing against a hidden door seamlessly blending into the dining room's walls. As he opened it, he stepped into a space steeped in warmth and history.

The kitchen exuded a rustic charm, each element telling the tale of countless meals crafted with care and precision over the years. The stone walls, weathered and worn by time, seemed to cradle the lingering aroma of culinary masterpieces created by professional chefs and maids long gone. Sturdy wooden beams spanned the ceiling, their age etched into every crack and crevice, supporting a grand chandelier that cast a soft, golden glow over the room.

Shelves lined the walls, filled with earthenware pots, copper pans, and jars that held the remnants of an era when everything was crafted by hand. In the center of the room stood a large wooden table, its surface marred by the passage of years, yet still strong and enduring. Bowls of fresh fruits and vegetables, likely just harvested from a nearby garden, sat atop the table, offering a splash of colour to the otherwise muted tones of the room.

The hearth, although quiet now, still radiated a gentle warmth, the remnants of a once lively fire crackling softly in the background. The stove, dark and sturdy, stood as the heart of the kitchen, its surfaces polished from years of use.

A small, arched window allowed streams of light to filter into the room, casting a gentle illumination that added a sense of peace and timelessness to the space—a space that had witnessed generations come and go, and would continue to do so for years to come.

David had initially planned to whip up a simple breakfast—some eggs and ham, perhaps toast a loaf of bread and craft it into a hearty sandwich. But as he set his mind on the task, something in the corner of the kitchen caught his attention, pulling him away from his culinary intentions. He had assumed the kitchen and dining room were deserted, everyone occupied with preparations for the upcoming event. Yet, his curiosity piqued, he moved toward the source of the unexpected presence.

He approached a small, dimly lit room adjoining the kitchen, the wooden door slightly ajar. Pushing it open, his eyes fell upon a figure standing gracefully by a wooden shelf. A maid with long, vibrant ash-blond hair was carefully stacking small boxes, her every movement exuding a quiet elegance.

Her delicate hands moved with practised precision, her white apron fluttering slightly with each motion. The soft rustle of her black and white uniform was the only sound in the room, a gentle contrast to the stillness that enveloped her.

In one hand, she held a parchment, its edges slightly worn, listing the items that needed to be checked and confirmed. Her clear blue eyes scanned the paper with calm focus, ensuring that each box matched the neat, careful script. Every so often, she would pause, glancing between the boxes and the parchment, her expression serene yet intent on the task at hand.

As she worked, the faint scent of rose petals filled the air, mingling with the subtle musk of aged wood, adding a layer of warmth to the cozy, intimate space. The small room felt like a world of its own, a place where she could lose herself in her quiet duties, each box she placed on the shelf fitting perfectly into the larger puzzle she was assembling. Her movements spoke of dedication and care, a quiet diligence that made her task seem almost like an art form.

David recognized her instantly—Katrina. A predatory smile curled his lips as he quietly sneaked behind her, his steps silent on the worn wooden floor. Completely oblivious to his presence, Katrina continued her work, her attention fully absorbed in the task. It wasn't until David closed the door behind him with a soft click that she realized she was no longer alone. Startled, Katrina turned swiftly, her eyes widening in surprise as they met David's.

"Young master," she breathed, her voice catching as her heart raced, the calmness of moments before replaced by a sudden, electrifying tension in the air.

"We finally meet, Katrina," David replied his glacial eyes filled with longing.