Episode 6

The wind gently blew through the trees, carrying with it the fresh scent of pine and new leaves. Lilian, mounted on her white mare, allowed herself to be lulled by the peaceful sounds of nature. It was here, among the tall trunks and the light filtering delicately through the leaves, that she found refuge whenever the world threatened to overwhelm her.

She leaned slightly to stroke the horse’s neck, her mind lost in childhood memories. She had forgotten how comforting this place could be... until she heard the sound of footsteps crunching on the leaves covering the ground. She turned toward the noise.

“Don’t tell me you're afraid of the forest now, Lilian?” a deep voice said, tinged with irony.

Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the tall, relaxed figure emerging from the shadows of the trees. Gabriel stood there, hands in his pockets, his white shirt unbuttoned enough to reveal part of his bronzed chest. The smile on his lips was a mixture of provocation and challenge.

Lilian tightened the reins of her horse, tilting her head in a haughty gesture. “It’s not fear, Gabriel. It’s prudence. After all, you never know what kind of dangers can lurk in a forest.”

Gabriel took a few steps toward her. “Dangers, you say? Well, I suppose you’re right. But I’d say the biggest danger here is you.”

Lilian laughed, though she tried to suppress her smile. “Always so arrogant. Do you really think you can impress me with that kind of talk?”

Gabriel feigned offense, placing a hand over his chest. “Impress you? Never, Lady Cavendish. That would be an impossible task. But admit it: you miss someone telling you the truth.”

She raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly in the saddle. “And what kind of ‘truths’ do you think should be told to me?”

He moved closer, stopping beside the horse, his expression mischievous. “For example, that your haughty demeanor fools no one. You’re still the same girl who used to chase after me in this very forest... even though today you try to act like a lady.”

Lilian dismounted the horse, moving with deliberate elegance. “And you’re still the same conceited boy who thought he could win every race.”

Gabriel leaned slightly toward her, a sly smile playing on his lips. “And didn’t I win?”

She stepped closer, her green eyes mirroring the challenge in his. “Only because I let you win.”

“You let me?” he repeated, leaning in even more until his face was almost level with hers. “I think you prefer to think that way so as not to hurt your pride.”

Lilian crossed her arms, but the smile curving her lips betrayed her attempt not to laugh. “If you want, I can prove to you that I’m right. A race to that oak tree,” she said, pointing to a tree in the distance. “Just like we used to.”

“Still as stubborn as ever,” Gabriel teased, watching Lilian brush stray curls from her flushed cheeks.

“And you’re still insufferable,” she countered, but there was no venom in her words—just something softer, something almost... nostalgic.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Gabriel reached out, his fingers grazing hers as if drawn by muscle memory. Lilian stilled. The warmth of his touch, so unexpected, sent a shock through her. She wasn’t a girl anymore, and neither was he the reckless boy who had once dared her to climb trees.

“You’ve changed,” he murmured, his thumb lightly brushing against the back of her hand.

Lilian withdrew her fingers abruptly, shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts. “So have you.”

A charged silence settled between them before Gabriel let out a short laugh, glancing at the oak tree. “So… were you actually challenging me?”

Lilian smirked, tilting her head playfully. “Maybe,” she said, her voice light with provocation. “Or are you afraid of losing?”

He laughed again, already opening the cuffs of his shirt and rolling up the sleeves. “Afraid? I don’t know that word.”

“Then get ready,” she said, positioning herself for the race. “After all, I don’t want to be accused of giving you an advantage.”

“As if I needed it,” he muttered, aligning himself next to her. “I bet I can still win... even without trying.”

Lilian studied him for a few seconds before shouting, “Go!”

She darted toward the oak tree before he could fully react, the sound of her laughter echoing through the forest. Gabriel took a second before running after her, laughing at the little trick.

When they reached the tree, both were breathless, but Lilian reached it first, her hands gripping the trunk as a victorious smile spread across her face. She opened her mouth to tease him, but what she was about to say got caught in her throat when Gabriel pressed his hand to the tree, closing the space between them. The warmth of his body contrasted with the coolness of the wood against her back. His scent, a mix of sea, leather, and something more indefinable, enveloped her, making it hard to breathe normally. Finally, she managed to say, “Looks like your days of glory are over…”