"Ten... nine... eight..." Elizabeth's voice rang out in the fairy garden, her eyes closed as she counted, facing a tree. Elara and Calum ran away from her in opposite directions, their giggles filling the air. She had promised them a game of hide-and-seek, and the garden's lush greenery and vibrant blossoms made for the ideal setting.

With each number, her anticipation grew. With a mischievous grin, she embraced her role as the seeker and set off to discover the children's hiding places. The garden became a playground, and she explored its verdant expanse with childlike wonder. Elizabeth peeked behind bushes but found only empty spaces. She ventured beneath the shadowy trees, but the children were nowhere to be found. Like whimsical spirits, they were always one step ahead.

Just as she thought she had them cornered, muffled giggles and rustling leaves came from an entirely different direction. It seemed they held secret knowledge of the garden's mystical pathways and enchanted nooks, constantly keeping her guessing.

Undeterred by their cunning, Elizabeth relished the chase. The garden seemed to pulse with life around her, and she was determined to find the hidden corners that might conceal her young playmates. However, despite her best efforts, Calum and Elara consistently proved to be masters of the game, always escaping.

Venturing deeper into the garden, Elizabeth discovered a hidden gem concealed behind a thick curtain of wisteria: a serene pond, its waters shimmering under the gentle sunlight. Within this tranquil oasis stood a solitary figure at the water's edge: William. He fixed his gaze on the rippling water. His aura of detachment sharply contrasted with Elizabeth's joy and happiness.

When a sudden noise disrupted his thoughts, he turned to face her, and his eyes widened in surprise. He looked at her as if he didn't recognise her at first. Then his features softened as he took in her transformed appearance. Elizabeth's eyes sparkled with joy, and a delicate blush graced her cheeks. Tender flowers, woven into her flowing hair, showcased her radiant beauty. Elizabeth's dress, a gift from the fairy princess, wrapped around her with grace, making her appear as if she were one of the fairy folk.

The effect she had on William didn't go unnoticed. A surge of satisfaction washed over her at his brief entrancement.

"Sir William, would you mind playing hide-and-seek with us?" Elizabeth's voice held a playful enthusiasm, and a mischievous glimmer shone in her eyes. Complete silence followed the unexpected proposal. A whirlwind of emotions stormed across William's face, bouncing from absolute amazement to a 'you-cannot-be-serious' kind of disbelief.

Elizabeth couldn't help but imagine the serious and stoic William running alongside them, ducking behind trees, maybe even lying flat on the ground, trying to blend in with the underbrush. The sheer absurdity of the image—Sir William, the epitome of stoicism, playing a child's game with all the earnestness of a knight on a quest—was too much for Elizabeth.

Her laughter erupted with a loud snort, much to her own surprise and clearly to William's as well, as astonishment was the only emotion now on his face. As her infectious giggles bubbled forth, a wave of self-consciousness washed over her. Her face turned red with a blend of mirth and mortification.

Despite every attempt to pull herself together, her laughter took on a life of its own, escaping in delightful peals. She hastily retreated from William's view, hiding behind the lilac vines. Elizabeth battled the mirth that threatened to consume her, but it was all in vain—the sound of her uncontrolled laughter lingered in the air. It felt like an eternity since she had laughed like that, so freely, with no restraint until the muscles of her belly ached. This had worked its magic, temporarily dispelling her worries and immersing her in pure happiness.

As her laughter subsided and she steadied her breathing, she recalled the way William had looked at her at first. Was there a hint of interest... perhaps even admiration? Yes, that gaze of genuine interest a man can give a woman was unmistakable and hard to conceal. Her heart fluttered at the thought. She leaned back against the tree trunk, a radiant smile blossoming on her lips. Her efforts to look stunning had definitely hit the mark...

But then a moment of clarity struck, and a troubling thought arose: Could William misinterpret her laughter, seeing it as mockery or disdain? This realisation changed her earlier amusement to concern. Yet the idea of the poised and serious William indulging in their playful game surfaced again, leaving a mischievous smile on her lips.

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