Out In the garden
It was already late؛ the three of them were in the garden, searching in every direction.
They moved carefully among the trees, the bushes. Their eyes darted between the grass, but the sky gets darker, even the faint outlines around them began to blur into darkness.
Amber let out a weary sigh.
"How are we supposed to find the stone in this darkness? It's impossible to see anything."
Kate didn't answer. She was focusing, her senses, in every sound and shadow.
Then, suddenly, she froze. A figure caught her eye—a man in shabby clothes, with long brown hair tied back. His silhouette flickered dimly in the darkness.
Her breath hitched...?
As soon as she looked closely, she recognized him, the gardener.
And he was holding the gem.
"Hey! Wait!" Kate shouted, she ran towards him.
But as she went forward, she stumbled and fell to the ground, she placed her hands in front of her catching from falling.
The man rushed toward her, reaching out—perhaps to help.
Before he could speak, Kate snatched the stone from his hand.
"Oh my God! I found it!" she exclaimed with triumph.
Aaron and Amber rushed to her side.
"We finally found it!" Amber breathed, relieved.
Kate stepped forward and handed the gem to Aaron.
"Take it. This is the gem. And... I'm really sorry for what I did," she said, her voice sincere.
"I mean it, Aaron—I truly apologise."
Aaron gave a soft smile.
"It's okay. As long as we found it."
He hadn't expected Kate to actually help him.
Amber rubbed her eyes.
"Alright, let's head inside. It's way too late."
They began to walk back. Kate stood for a moment, turning back.
He was still standing there—the gardener.
Silently, he held out a small earring—one that had fallen from her ear.
Kate touched her earlobe and realized it was missing.
"Looks like I dropped it... You can keep it."
And without another word, she hurried after the others.
in front of Claudion's Office
Outside the door on count Claudion's office, the hallway was silent.
Aaron stood tense, his posture stiff. Kate stood nearby, giving him an encouraging smile.
He stared at the door, unmoving.
"Just like I thought," he muttered to himself. "It is terrifying—especially after what happened today... Is he still mad?"
He took a deep breath and stepped forward—but then froze.
"Aaron?" Kate asked gently. "Why'd you stop? Are you scared?"
He quickly forced a smile.
"No, no. I'm going in. I just… needed a second."
Kate nodded.
"I know my father can be scary when he's mad, but he's not cruel. He's kind, deep down. He loves me—and he's fair. Don't worry. I'm right here."
Aaron gave her a skeptical look, half-laughing.
"Kind? Are we talking about the same person? He looked like an angry dragon earlier."
Kate giggled behind him.
"Maybe... But even dragons can be tamed. You've got this."
She gave him a gentle push toward the door and knocked for him.
Inside the Office
Aaron stepped in, his voice a little shaky.
"G-good afternoon, sir. I found the gem."
Claudion's looked up from his desk, slightly surprised.
"What? You were actually out looking for it all day?"
Aaron scratched his head.
"Uhh…maybe "
Claudion's sighed while, removing his glasses.
"Wouldn't it be better. to do your duty properly from the beginning?"
Aaron's face paled. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
"It was my fault, sir. I promise it won't happen again. If you could just give me another chance..."
Claudion looked at him steadily, then spoke with measured seriousness.
"It's fine. I'll consider it didn't happen. But be careful. You're not like the others. Your passion for gemstones and craftsmanship stood out to me from the beginning. I trust you, Aaron."
Aaron was stunned.
"Thank you, sir. I promise I'll be more responsible. I truly apologize."
He didn't yell...? Aaron blinked in disbelief. Maybe Kate was right. He is a little... kind, under all that steel.
In the Hallway
Kate and Amber were waiting outside.
"What did Dad say?" Kate asked.
Aaron rubbed the back of his neck.
"He just took the stone and told me not to mess up again."
Amber yawned.ahhh
"I'm off to bed. Good night."
She gently nudged Kate's shoulder before heading away.
Kate remained, walking beside Aaron quietly.
She hesitated, then spoke.
"Hey… I was going to say I'm sorry. For everything."
Aaron gave a soft smile.
"It's okay, miss Kate You've already apologized enough."
She blushed.
"Also… you don't have to call me 'Miss Kate.' Just Kate."
Aaron nodded. He wanted to say something, then hesitated.
Kate raised an eyebrow.
"What? Say it."
He chuckled.
"You know, Kate... I don't want to see you cry again."
Her eyes widened.
Before she could respond, he added with a smirk:
"Because your face looked really ugly when you cry."
"What!?" she snapped. "Did you just call me ugly!? Have you seen yourself? You're the ugliest man I've ever seen in my life!"
Fuming, Kate stormed off, still muttering insults under her breath.
Aaron burst out laughing behind her.
"Haha! You look like an angry cat."
Back in Claudions office, Claudion walked to a hidden cabinet and opened it. Inside sat a radiant gemstone—the real one.
He glanced at the stone Aaron had returned. Without hesitation, he slammed it down on the table. It shattered into fragments.
Then, he picked up the original stone, turning it slowly in his hand.
"This gem is priceless," he muttered. "There's no way I'd give it to a filthy foreigner."
With a quiet sneer, he tossed the shards of the fake stone into the trash and closed the cabinet behind him— nonchalantly