Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Bramwell Elderstone gazed at the young couple embracing each other. Tears glimmered in his cloudy eyes as he leaned on his cane and walked away, leaving time and space for the two lovers.

In the courtyard, he picked a stem of hyacinth and, with slow steps, made his way to a grave. He placed the hyacinth gently before the headstone.

Staring at the photograph on the tombstone, his aged fingers traced the image over and over again.

"Miss Seraphina, I've done it. Your granddaughter will not spend her life alone as you did. You can rest easy now, watching from above..."

Years ago, Seraphina had yearned to know what her beloved other half looked like. She had seen him countless times in her dreams, but upon waking, the memories would always fade.

"Your granddaughter is remarkable. She has achieved what you could not. The family is thriving again, the poison has been removed, and the future looks brighter."

Leaning against the edge of the tombstone, Bramwell murmured, as though chatting with an old friend. He didn't care whether there was a response-he only needed to say what was on his mind.

The setting sun stretched his shadow long and thin. Slowly, his eyes closed, as if he had fallen asleep.

A breeze swept by, carrying the petals of the hyacinth away.

Miss Seraphina, I've finally completed your wish... But if there is a next life, could you love me just once?

Julian and Aurora pulled apart.

"Come back with me to the Barnet family later. My grandfather wants to meet you," Julian said.

"So soon? I... I'm a little nervous." Aurora, still basking in the joy of regaining her memories, hadn't expected Julian to bring her home so quickly.

"How is it sudden? I already mentioned it back in Clothville, but we never had the time. My grandfather has mentioned you several times already. You've met Rebecca and Lila, haven't you? And my Aunt Clara? They're all wonderful people," Julian explained gently.

gifts. It's your fault for not telling me earlier! I don't know what they like. What if I bring something

family. When she visited the Alvarez family, it had been at Joaquin's invitation, and she hadn't even

using their surname after all this time. They were important to him, so Aurora felt she had to take this seriously, even though she

her to face him. "Don't worry. They don't need

matter of etiquette. Otherwise, they'll think I'm impolite," Aurora retorted, glaring at him. With so little time, what could

weren't this nervous when you visited the

family might not lack possessions, but they had an abundance of antiques. She selected

to her room to change into a more formal outfit, signaling how much she valued this visit

go," Aurora said as she

a smile. "My

heart felt sweet, as if it had been

hand, and they left

The next chapter is just a

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hadn't stayed long enough to attend the birthday banquet. She had

and plants. Exotic and rare blooms were scattered throughout the estate, leaving

many flowers and plants? It's like

filled with plants they've collected from all over the world. My grandfather is practically

didn't you tell me earlier? I brought a painting for your

done? Gone to a flower market to buy him a pot? After seeing the garden, you know how extensive our collection is. Do you think anything from a flower market would catch his eye? You'd have to trek into a forest to dig something up. Besides, as

Julian didn't have a mother, so his two aunts filled that role. Meeting them felt as significant as meeting in-laws for

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them at the door and led them into a smaller hall used for family gatherings, different from the grand hall

out to welcome them as soon as they entered. "Aurora!

during the welcome party-they were easy to get along with. However, other elders were

began introducing everyone. "This is my Aunt Clara. And this is my