He stopped mid-step, then suddenly dashed forward and grabbed Leonard''s hand. Looking up, his eyes sparkled with hope. "Leonard, you''ll stay with me forever too, right?"


    Just like you''re always with Mom and Dad.


    Leonard froze, caught off guard.


    For a moment, seeing the child''s trusting, adoring gaze, that face-usually as cold and unmoving as winter ice-softened. The corners of his lips lifted in a fleeting smile so subtle that when Adrian blinked, it was already gone, like he''d imagined it. But he did hear Leonard''s voice, surprisingly gentle.


    "I''ll always be here."


    "But even if I''m not, young master, you don''t need to worry. There''s someone out there waiting for you in the future, someone who''ll stay by your side forever- longer than your parents, longer than me."


    That was the Montgomery family''s way.


    Leonard, though, belonged to the master and madam.


    "Your mother''s here. Go on now."


    At the end of the hallway, M appeared, turning the corner with easy grace. Her dark hair was pinned up with a simpleb, and her pale, flowing dress seemed to catch the moonlight, wrapping her in a gentle, silvery glow. Seeing her approach, Leonard stopped beneath the eaves.


    "Mom!"


    Adrian''s question vanished in an instant. He raced over, flinging himself into M''s arms. She caught him easily, taking the rumpled school jacket from his hand without a word, then gave Leonard a polite nod before leading Adrian away.


    A warm spring breeze drifted through the corridor, carrying M''s soft voice to Leonard. "What did your grandfather say? Did he scold you?"


    "He just told me not to get into fights..."


    "Well, you should listen to him."


    "I know. Mom, you smell so nice. Did you make something good for me?" Adrian''s voice was full of excitement.


    "I did. I made some soup."


    M smiled gently. "Later, remember to bring your great-grandpa a bowl, all right? He''s getting old. Don''t do things that upset him anymore."


    "Got it."


    Adrian piped up, "Oh, and Leonard hasn''t eaten either. I''ll bring him a bowl too!" "...All right."


    As the voices of mother and son faded down the hall, Leonard stood quietly under the eaves. He tipped his head back to gaze at the bright curve of the moon, feeling, for once, that spring was truly warm and beautiful. His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he fished it out, answering after it rang several times.


    "Sir."


    "Yes, Madam and young master were just here. Sorry for the dy..."


    "I understand."


    Inside the old manor, in Adrian''s bedroom, the evening passed quietly. After dinner, M coaxed Adrian to take his medicine, then sat beside him at the desk as he worked on his homework.


    Not that he needed any real help.


    Adrian''s studies had never been a cause for worry.


    She sat with herptop open, working on her own projects-just keeping himpany as he worked.


    Despite the recent fight (the injuries weren''t serious), M had arranged for Adrian to stay home and rest for a week, giving him a break from schoolwork, too. She was surprised when he refused-he didn''t skipping sses, but insisted on doing his homework anyway.


    So diligent and well-behaved it was almost unbelievable.


    M could hardly believe how much Adrian had changed. Once upon a time, even though his grades were good, he''d hated homework-always wanting to y games or watch cartoons instead. Any attempt to get him to study used to turn the house upside down.


    He''d even told her to stop nagging so much, and eventually, she''d given up. She never imagined there''de a day when he''d manage his own time so sensibly.


    All in just one year.


    She had to admit, it was Adrian''s great-grandfather who worked the real magic. M knew she could never have managed it herself—Adrian had never been this obedient for her.


    Shaking her head in amazement, M refocused. She set up her drawing tablet and pulled up the wedding dress design she was. working on amission from a high-profile British client who had sought out her boutique, Splendid, and requested M''s personal touch for a custom gown.


    She hadn''t met the client yet, but rumor had it the wedding was for a British prince, and Splendid had been chosen to design the bride''s dress.


    ??%


    This year had been a whirlwind, bouncing between managing Montgomery Holdings and Splendid''s executive meetings home and abroad-not that she enjoyed it, but she couldn''t avoid it


    either. Even so, M never gave up her design work. Thanks to


    Splendid''s tform, some of her creations had even made it onto the


    international stage, and her


    reputation in the design world was quietly growing.


    Her skills, at least, were up to the task.


    But her name, Lillian, still carried less weight than her great-aunt''s.


    She''d assumed such a prestigious job would go to Jade-the designer who had dressed thete Queen herself. But to her surprise, the client had requested M by name, drawn to her unique style. Since there was no rush, M had agreed.


    It was the perfect chance to make her mark in the art and fashion world. After all, what M wanted wasn''t just to inherit Splendid or Montgomery Holdings —she dreamed of building her own brand. And she was confident she could do it, if only given enough time.


    Her stylus traced smooth lines over the dense sketch, adding a drifting cloud in the corner-her signature, the mark of Lillian. She wanted her name to be renowned, not just recognized.


    That was her ambition.


    A royal wedding called for something extraordinary.


    So did the dress.


    It couldn''t be ordinary.


    As M pondered the design, Adrian, halfway through his homework, leaned over


    to peek at her screen. "Mom, what are you drawing this time?"


    "A wedding dress," M answered absently.


    Adrian''s hand froze, his eyes wide in surprise.