Chapter 4: The Arrival of Sir Leonard.

Next morning, when the sun’s soft rays hit the Belonia estate, the manor began to stir with the gentle hum of a new day. The servants went about their morning routines, but a ripple of excitement ran through them as a carriage approached the estate. A guest had arrived, and this was no ordinary visitor.

Marcus, still drowsy from sleep, heard the unusual commotion in the main hall. Curiosity got the better of him, and he quickly dressed before descending the grand staircase. As he reached the top of the stairs, he peered down to see what had captured everyone’s attention.

Below, the entire household staff had gathered in a semicircle, awaiting the arrival of the guest. At the center stood Merida, poised as ever, with a welcoming smile on her face. The guest, a tall man with an air of quiet authority, stepped into the hall, and immediately, all eyes were on him.

As the guest glanced up, his eyes locked with Marcus’s. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. The guest’s expression softened into a sweet, almost familiar smile, but Marcus only felt more confused. He didn’t recognize this man. Feeling slightly awkward, Marcus simply nodded before continuing down the stairs.

Merida noticed her brother’s unease and quickly moved to introduce the guest. “Marcus, this is Sir Leonard,” she said warmly. “He’s an old friend of the family and will be staying with us for a while.”

Marcus struggled to place the name, but nothing came to mind. He must have looked puzzled because Leonard placed a hand over his heart, feigning mock hurt.

“How it pains me that you do not remember me, young Marcus,” Leonard teased, his voice smooth and laced with humor.

Marcus forced a smile, still feeling awkward. “I’m sorry, Sir Leonard. I must have forgotten. It’s been a long time, I suppose.”

Leonard chuckled softly, his laughter filled with a warmth that didn’t quite match the intensity of his gaze. “Indeed, it has. But no matter, we’ll have plenty of time to reacquaint ourselves.”

The morning passed quickly as Leonard was shown to his quarters, and the servants attended to his every need. Despite the activity, Marcus couldn’t shake the unsettled feeling left by the encounter. And as the day went on, that feeling only grew stronger.

By noon, Marcus found solace in the stables, tending to his cherished stallion, Becky. The rhythmic brushing of the horse’s coat was comforting, a moment of peace in an otherwise unsettling day. But even this quiet moment was soon disrupted by the sound of footsteps. He turned to see Sir Leonard standing at the stable entrance, watching him intently.

Leonard stepped closer, his gaze still fixed on Marcus. “You have a fine stallion,” he remarked, breaking the silence. “Becky, was it?”

“Yes, his name is Becky,” Marcus replied, feeling a bit uncomfortable under Leonard’s unwavering stare. “I’ve had him since he was a foal.”

Leonard nodded, his eyes briefly shifting to the horse before returning to Marcus. “He’s quite the beauty. You must be very proud.”

Marcus couldn’t help but feel that there was more to Leonard’s words than simple admiration. The silence that followed was heavy, and Marcus felt compelled to break it. “Do you ride, Sir Leonard?”

Leonard smiled, but there was something mysterious about it. “I do, though not as often as I’d like. Perhaps you’ll take me riding one day, Marcus.”

“Perhaps,” Marcus replied cautiously, sensing there was more to Leonard than met the eye.

For the rest of the afternoon, Leonard’s presence became increasingly difficult to bear. He followed Marcus everywhere, his silent observations growing more unnerving by the minute. Marcus, who was unused to such close scrutiny, began to feel a creeping annoyance. It wasn’t long before he started taking measures to escape Leonard’s ever-present gaze.

Whenever Marcus sensed Leonard nearby, he would find ways to slip away—ducking behind corners, disappearing into the gardens, or sneaking off to the less frequented parts of the estate. But no matter how clever he thought his hiding spots were, Leonard always seemed to find him. The constant game of cat and mouse grated on Marcus’s nerves, making him wish for a moment of true solitude.

Yet, there were times when Leonard would disappear without a trace, usually when Merida summoned him for one of their private discussions. During these brief respites, Marcus found himself surprisingly relieved. The estate seemed to breathe easier without Leonard’s watchful eyes, and Marcus enjoyed the quiet moments when he didn’t have to worry about being followed. Though the mysterious nature of Leonard’s sudden absences sparked some curiosity, Marcus found that he didn’t particularly mind being left out of whatever his sister and their guest were discussing.

As the days passed, Marcus’s frustration with Leonard’s omnipresence grew, though he never voiced it. Instead, he tolerated the older man’s company, engaging in polite conversation when necessary, but always looking for an opportunity to slip away. Leonard, for his part, seemed to take Marcus’s evasions in stride, never pressing too hard, but always reappearing at the most inconvenient moments.

It was a delicate balance, a dance of sorts, with Marcus trying to avoid Leonard while still maintaining the semblance of courtesy. But no matter how much Leonard’s presence irritated him, Marcus couldn’t help but feel that there was something more going on—something that involved both his sister and their enigmatic guest.

For now, though, the answers remained hidden, and Marcus could only hope that the week would pass quickly, bringing with it a return to normalcy. But as long as Leonard remained a guest at the estate, Marcus knew that nothing would be quite normal.

On the seventh day of Leonard’s stay, a message arrived at the Belonia estate. It was an invitation to an evening party from Baron Gustavo Ferin, who lived across town. The moment Marcus heard about it, he felt a surge of excitement. Baron Ferin’s second son, Aamon, was a close friend, and the prospect of seeing him and their mutual friends at the party was thrilling.

However, Marcus’s excitement was quickly dampened when Merida informed him of one small detail: Leonard was to accompany him to the party. “It would be impolite to leave our guest behind,” Merida had said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Marcus tried to protest, but it was no use. His sister’s command was final. Resigned to his fate, Marcus couldn’t help but feel a pang of irritation. The party, which he had looked forward to so eagerly, now seemed like an ordeal. The thought of Leonard following him around, even at the party, made Marcus groan inwardly.

He knew Leonard would be watching his every move, just as he had done all week. And though Marcus had managed to escape him a few times, the prospect of doing so in a crowded party seemed impossible. Even as his excitement for the party lingered, the thought of Leonard’s presence was a constant thorn in his side.

But there was nothing Marcus could do. As the day of the party approached, he tried to push his irritation aside and focus on the fun he would have with his friends. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Leonard’s presence would cast a shadow over the evening.

And so, Marcus prepared himself for the party, hoping that the night would turn out better than he expected. Little did he know that the evening would bring more surprises than he could ever imagine.

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