The wind whipped Ruby's crimson cloak around her legs as she navigated the bustling market square. Merchants hawked their wares – shimmering silks, exotic spices, and cages overflowing with exotic birds – while the air buzzed with the chatter of the crowd. Ruby, however, had eyes for only one thing: the Duke of Eldoria, Luke, who was currently haggling with a vendor over a particularly fine Damascus blade.
Luke, with his tousled raven hair and eyes the color of a stormy sea, was a vision of masculine grace. He moved with an effortless elegance that belied his strength, his every gesture exuding an air of quiet authority. Ruby, a mere Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen, felt a flutter in her chest whenever he was near.
Their paths had crossed at court, where Luke, a renowned warrior and a renowned diplomat, often attended royal functions. Ruby, a skilled musician and a gifted botanist, had caught his attention with her spirited performance at a recent ball. He had sought her out afterwards, his gaze lingering a little too long on her face, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine.
Since then, Ruby had found herself drawn to him like a moth to a flame. She spent countless hours practicing her lute, hoping to impress him further. She even ventured into the royal gardens, seeking out rare and exotic blooms to present to him as a token of her admiration.
But their interactions were fleeting, mere glimpses and stolen glances. Luke, with his duties to the crown, was a man of action, while Ruby, confined to the court, was a woman of quiet contemplation.
One day, while exploring the forbidden section of the royal library, Ruby stumbled upon a hidden passage. Curiosity piqued, she ventured deeper, discovering a secret garden, a haven of tranquility hidden from the prying eyes of the court.
As she wandered through the fragrant blooms, she heard a rustle in the bushes. Startled, she drew back, her heart pounding. A figure emerged from the shadows, and to her astonishment, it was Luke, his face etched with worry.
"Who's there?" he demanded, his hand instinctively reaching for the sword at his hip.
Ruby, her voice trembling, stepped out from behind a flowering vine. "It's me, Ruby," she said, her eyes wide with surprise.
Luke stared at her, his expression a mixture of disbelief and something akin to… relief?
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice softer now.
Ruby, emboldened by his unexpected gentleness, explained that she had been exploring the library.
"This garden… it's beautiful," she said, her gaze sweeping over the vibrant blooms. "I've never seen anything like it."
Luke nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "It's a place of peace, a sanctuary from the demands of court."
They spent the next hour wandering through the garden, their conversation flowing easily. Ruby discovered that Luke, despite his warrior persona, had a deep appreciation for nature, for poetry, for music. He listened intently as she spoke, his eyes never leaving her face.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the garden, Luke rose to leave.
"I must go," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "But I… I hope to see you again, Ruby."
Ruby's heart soared. "I hope so too," she replied, her voice barely a whisper.
As Luke disappeared into the gathering dusk, Ruby lingered in the garden, the scent of night-blooming jasmine filling her senses. She knew this was just the beginning, that their chance encounter in the secret garden had the potential to blossom into something more.
And as she walked back towards the palace, her crimson cloak swirling around her, Ruby knew that her life, like the blooms in the secret garden, was about to bloom in the most unexpected and enchanting way.
