Irene observed Elsie and Y/n from her place at the edge of the garden. The morning sun bathed the table in a warm glow, casting soft shadows and illuminating the vibrant colors of the blooming flowers around them. Elsie and Y/n sat close, their heads bent together as they shared a quiet conversation. A small, content smile played on Elsie's lips, and there was a gleam in her eyes that hadn't been there before.

Y/n chuckled at something Elsie said, his hand gently brushing hers. Irene noticed how relaxed they both seemed, a stark contrast to the tension that had hung over them in the days prior. She watched as Y/n stood, excusing himself with a soft apology. "I need to talk to Lord Carrington," he said, giving Elsie's hand a final squeeze before walking away.

Seeing an opportunity, Irene approached the table, her steps light and unhurried. Elsie looked up, her eyes still sparkling with a happiness that was impossible to miss. Irene took a seat across from her, folding her hands neatly on the table.

"Elsie," Irene began, her tone gentle but curious, "you seem... different today. Happier. There's a light in your eyes that I haven't seen in some time. What happened?"

Elsie blushed, a delicate pink coloring her cheeks. She looked down at her hands for a moment, gathering her thoughts. When she met Irene's gaze again, her expression was a mix of relief and joy. "I finally understood what the issue was, Irene," she said softly. "Y/n and I had a long talk yesterday by the river."

Irene listened intently, nodding for her to continue.

"We talked about everything," Elsie went on. "About how I felt during our... intimate moments. How I often felt overwhelmed and, well, not truly seen. Y/n apologized and said he wanted to change, to make things better for both of us."

She paused, a small smile tugging at her lips as she remembered the conversation. "We decided to take things slow and gentle. To focus on what felt right for both of us. And last night... we did the deed in a way that was soft, loving, and considerate. It was everything I needed, and more."

Irene's eyes softened with understanding. "And how do you feel now?" she asked, her voice kind and encouraging.

Elsie's smile widened, her eyes shimmering with happiness. "I feel... incredible. Happier than I ever thought possible. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. And Y/n, he was so attentive, so caring. It was like he finally understood what I needed, and he gave it to me wholeheartedly."

Irene reached across the table, placing a comforting hand over Elsie's. "I'm so glad to hear that, Elsie. It's clear that Y/n cares deeply for you and is willing to make the necessary changes to ensure your happiness."

Elsie nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude. "He does, and I can see that now. We're both learning and growing together. It's not always easy, but it's worth it. I feel closer to him than ever before."

Irene smiled warmly, a sense of pride and relief washing over her. She had watched over them both for so long, and seeing them find their way to each other filled her with a deep sense of satisfaction.

"That's wonderful, Elsie," she said. "Relationships require effort and understanding from both sides. I'm glad you both found a way to connect on a deeper level."

Elsie sighed contentedly, her thoughts drifting back to the gentle embrace by the river, the tender words they had shared. "Yes, Irene. And it's made all the difference. I feel like we can face anything now, as long as we're together."

Irene squeezed her hand gently, her smile never wavering. "You two are strong, Elsie. Never forget that. And you have a whole family here who supports and loves you."

Elsie glanced towards the garden where Y/n had disappeared, her heart swelling with affection. "I know, and I'm so grateful for it."

. . .

Y/n found Lord Carrington in his study, a grand room filled with shelves of leather-bound books and ornate furniture. The large windows let in the morning light, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden surfaces. Carrington was seated at his desk, reviewing some documents when Y/n knocked softly on the door.

"Come in," Carrington called out, his voice steady and authoritative.

Y/n entered the room, closing the door behind him. He walked over to the desk, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. Carrington looked up, a polite smile on his face.

"Ah, Y/n. How can I help you?" he asked, setting aside his papers.

Y/n took a deep breath, trying to choose his words carefully. "Lord Carrington, I wanted to ask you about the job request. If a marriage is something you need to do, why don't you have your daughter marry someone?"

Carrington's smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. He gestured to a chair, inviting Y/n to sit. "That's a good question, Y/n. Please, have a seat."

Y/n sat down, watching Carrington closely as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled thoughtfully.

"You see, Y/n, my daughter's future is of the utmost importance to me," Carrington began. "I want her to marry someone she truly loves, someone who will treat her with respect and kindness. This job request, this... performance, is a different matter entirely."

Y/n listened intently, trying to understand the complexities of the situation.

Carrington continued, "The request is not about a real marriage. It's about creating an illusion, an image that I need to project to certain business partners. There are powerful individuals in my circle who value appearances above all else. They need to see stability and tradition in my household, especially when it comes to marriage."

Y/n nodded slowly, beginning to grasp the gravity of the situation. "So, this is all about appearances?"

"Precisely," Carrington confirmed. "By presenting a staged wedding, I can give the impression of a strong, unified family. It's a temporary measure, a strategic move to secure important alliances and business opportunities."

Y/n leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "But why not use your own daughter for this? Wouldn't that be more convincing?"

Carrington sighed, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "My daughter, Lila, has been through a great deal. She needs time to heal, to find her own path. I will not force her into a charade that could cause her further distress. She deserves to choose her own future, on her own terms."

Y/n felt a surge of respect for Carrington. Despite the cold and calculating nature of the request, it was clear that he cared deeply for his daughter's well-being.

"I understand," Y/n said softly. "I admire your dedication to your daughter's happiness."

Carrington's expression softened. "Thank you, Y/n. It's not an easy decision, but I believe it's the right one. I hope that by doing this, I can secure a better future for her and for our family."

Y/n nodded, his resolve strengthening. "We'll do our best to help you, Lord Carrington. I just wanted to understand the full picture."

Carrington smiled warmly, a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes. "I appreciate that, Y/n. Your willingness to take on this task means a great deal to me. And I trust that you and Elsie will perform admirably."

Y/n stood up, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "We'll make sure everything goes smoothly. Thank you for explaining."

Carrington rose from his chair and extended his hand. "Thank you, Y/n. For your understanding and your support."

. . .

Elsie wandered through the garden, savoring the tranquility of the twilight. The soft rustling of leaves and the distant song of a nightingale created a serene atmosphere, and she let the beauty of the evening wash over her. She found a quiet spot near a small fountain, its gentle trickling sound soothing her frayed nerves. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the fragrant air.

Suddenly, a strong hand clamped over her mouth and another around her waist, pulling her down to the ground. Panic surged through her as she struggled, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Shh, don't scream," a rough voice hissed in her ear, sending a chill down her spine.

Elsie's mind raced as she fought against the man's grip, her nails clawing at his hands. She tried to twist away, but he was too strong. He forced her onto her back, pinning her wrists to the ground with one hand while the other began to tear at her dress.

"No, please, stop!" she cried, her voice muffled by the fear choking her throat. Tears streamed down her face as she realized the horrifying intent in the man's actions. "Please, don't do this!"

Her pleas fell on deaf ears. The man's eyes were dark with malicious intent, and he ignored her desperate cries, his grip tightening painfully. Elsie's heart ached with terror and helplessness. She had never felt so vulnerable, so powerless.

"Y/n," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Y/n, please... help me..."

The man's weight pressed down on her, his breath hot and foul against her skin. She closed her eyes, praying that someone would hear her, that Y/n would somehow know she needed him. The seconds stretched into an eternity, each one filled with despair. She closed her eyes to not see what would happen while trying to close her legs which failed miserably as the male easily pried them open with just one hand.

Then, with a thundering ripple in the sky, she woke up. She was drenched in sweat, her heart racing. The room was dark, the only sound the gentle rise and fall of Y/n's breathing beside her and the drops of rain hitting the window. She sat up abruptly, gasping for air, her mind struggling to shake off the remnants of the nightmare.

Y/n stirred, instantly awake and alert. "Elsie? What's wrong?" She looked at him, her eyes wide and filled with residual fear. "I... I had a nightmare," she whispered, her voice trembling and lighting going of in the sky. Y/n immediately sat up, his concern palpable. He gently cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had escaped during her sleep. "Tell me what happened," he urged softly.

Elsie took a shuddering breath, trying to steady herself. "I was in the garden, and... and someone attacked me. He... he wouldn't stop, no matter how much I begged. I thought I was going to... to be..."

Her voice broke, and she couldn't bring herself to say the word. The terror she had felt in the dream still clung to her, making her feel small and vulnerable. It felt too real for her. Y/n pulled her into his arms, holding her gently against his chest. His embrace was warm and reassuring, a stark contrast to the cold, terrifying grip of her nightmare assailant.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, even in a dream," Y/n murmured into her hair, his voice filled with genuine sorrow. "You're safe here with me, Elsie. I promise, I'll always protect you."

She clung to him, her tears soaking into his shirt. "I was so scared, Y/n. It felt so real..." 

"I know, love. I know." He gently rocked her back and forth, his hand stroking her back in soothing circles. "But it was just a nightmare. I'm here with you, and I'm not going anywhere."

Gradually, her breathing slowed, and the fear that had gripped her heart began to ease. She could feel the steady beat of Y/n's heart against her cheek, a comforting rhythm that grounded her in the present. She pulled back slightly to look into his eyes, finding nothing but love and concern in their depths.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice steadier now. "I don't know what I'd do without you." She smiled as he traced his finger gently along the bangs of her hair.  "You'll never have to find out," he replied, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "We're in this together, Elsie. Always."

As they settled back into bed, Y/n's arms still wrapped protectively around her, Elsie closed her eyes, feeling a sense of safety she hadn't felt in her dream. She knew the memories of the nightmare would linger, but with Y/n by her side, she felt protected and secure.

Y/n lay beside Elsie, holding her close, feeling the tremors of her recent nightmare gradually subside. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as a thunderstorm raged outside. The soft patter of rain against the windows created a melancholic symphony, a backdrop to the tense silence that had settled between them. Still one question remained in the air.

"Elsie," Y/n whispered gently, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves, "can you tell me why you had that nightmare? Was it because of something that happened in the past, some traumatic experience?"

Elsie hesitated, her body tensing in his embrace. She took a deep breath, drawing strength from his presence, before nodding slowly. "Yes," she murmured, her voice barely audible above the rain. "There's a story I've never told you... one from my past, when I was still a princess in the Dragnof Kingdom."

Y/n remained silent, giving her the space and time she needed to begin. He held her hand, his thumb tracing soothing patterns on her skin, silently encouraging her to continue.

"It was a dark and stormy night, much like this one," Elsie began, her eyes distant as she was transported back to that fateful evening. "The kingdom was under a bit of turmoil due to some local bandits. I was only fourteen, still so young and naïve. My parents had sent me out in the woods with an escort of knights, hoping I would be safe there while they dealt with the bandits, who did an all out attack on the city."

The thunder rumbled ominously, as if echoing the memories she was unearthing. "I remember feeling terrified, during that entire trip, knowing that even in the woods with knights I could be attacked. My heart pounded with fear, and I prayed for the safety of my family and the kingdom."

She took a shaky breath, her grip tightening on Y/n's hand. "Then, an ambush to my group happened, and a man stormed at me in the dim mist. He was one of the ambushers, his eyes wild with malice. I tried to scream, but no sound came out. He grabbed me pulling me away from my protectors behind a tree to cover us, his hands rough and cruel, pinning me to the dirty forest ground."

Tears welled up in Elsie's eyes as she relived the horror. "I begged him to stop, pleaded for mercy, but he didn't listen. His intentions were clear, and I felt utterly helpless, knowing what was about to happen."

Y/n's heart ached for her, his protective instincts roaring to life. He squeezed her hand gently, urging her to continue. "What happened then, Elsie?"

She swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "Just as he was about to... do the unthinkable, his head was cleanly separated from his body. My knights, my loyal protectors, had defeated the attackers. They fought them off, saving me from a fate worse than death. But the damage was done, Y/n. The fear, the helplessness, it never truly went away."

A single tear slid down her cheek, mingling with the rain that streaked the windows. "Since then, I've had nightmares, reliving that moment over and over. And even though I know you would never hurt me, sometimes the fear comes back, unbidden and uncontrollable, that's why I cried in the shower."

Y/n pulled her closer, his heart breaking for the pain she had endured. "I'm so sorry, Elsie. I wish I could take away all your pain, erase those horrible memories." She buried her face in his chest, seeking comfort in his warmth. "Just knowing you're here helps more than you can imagine," she whispered. "But sometimes, the past refuses to stay buried."

Y/n kissed the top of her head, his resolve to protect her strengthening. "I promise you, Elsie, I will always be here for you. We'll face these nightmares together, and I'll do everything in my power to make sure you feel safe and loved." Elsie looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with gratitude and lingering fear. "Thank you, Y/n. Your love means everything to me."

He held her tightly, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against his chest, grounding them both in the present. Outside, the storm continued to rage, but inside, they found solace in each other's embrace, a beacon of hope and love amidst the darkness.

As the night wore on, the storm began to abate, leaving behind a fresh, clean scent in the air. The sound of raindrops became a soothing lullaby, and gradually, the tension in Elsie's body eased. She found herself drifting off to sleep once more, this time cradled in the safety of Y/n's arms.