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Chapter Thirty-Nine

Lilianna

I woke to the soft sound of birds outside my window, the pale morning light filtering through the curtains.

Today was my first real date with Julian—a thought that sent a flutter of nervous excitement through my stomach as I stretched beneath the covers.

It wasn’t until tonight, but the excitement was already there.

I slipped from bed, padding to the bathroom where I took extra time with my morning routine.

After a warm shower, I chose a soft dress in a shade of deep teal that brought out the grey in my eyes, paired with comfortable flats just as Miles had suggested.

The conservatory would require walking, and I wanted to be prepared.

As I brushed my hair, letting it fall in loose waves around my shoulders, I found myself smiling at my reflection.

There was a brightness in my eyes that hadn't been there before, a quiet confidence beginning to bloom.

I applied minimal makeup—just enough to feel polished but not artificial.

I wanted Julian to see me, not a carefully constructed facade.

The scent of coffee and something sweet drifted up from the kitchen, drawing me downstairs.

The soft murmur of voices and the clinking of mugs welcomed me as I descended the stairs, the light filtering in through the large windows making the room glow with morning warmth.

Julian sat near the window, his posture relaxed but attentive as he scrolled through his phone.

The familiar calm in his amber eyes was like a steady anchor in the chaos of my mind.

Miles stood by the coffee maker, filling my favorite mug with rich, dark coffee.

Christopher, ever the early riser, was setting down a plate of buttery croissants, their flaky layers steaming slightly.

Nicolaus sat beside Julian having a document open with his tablet next to him.

“Good morning, Lilianna,” Julian greeted me softly, his voice like a comforting melody.

I smiled shyly, smoothing the soft teal fabric of my dress, feeling a little more grounded in their presence. “Morning,” I answered, my voice lighter than I expected. The flutter of nerves in my stomach had settled into a steady excitement.

Miles glanced up and gave me a warm, approving smile. “That dress suits you. Deep teal really brings out the flecks of grey in your eyes.” His gaze was direct but gentle, and I felt a blush rise to my cheeks.

“Thanks,” I said, twirling a loose strand of hair around my finger. “I wanted something comfortable but nice… for today.”

Christopher grinned, pushing the plate a little closer. “You’re going to need energy. The conservatory has miles of paths—more walking than you might expect.”

I took a croissant, the buttery layers flaking between my fingers, and bit into it slowly, savoring the rich taste. The quiet easy rhythm of the kitchen was a balm to my nerves.

Julian’s phone buzzed sharply against the polished wood of the table, breaking the comfortable silence. He glanced at the screen, his brows knitting together briefly before a small, pleased smile appeared. “The post is really taking off,” he said quietly.

My heart skipped. “Already?” I whispered, voice barely above breath.

Miles was quicker than I was. Pulling his phone out, his face lit up as he scrolled through notifications. “You’ve gained five thousand followers overnight. Five thousand, Lil. That’s insane.”

I stared at the table, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the number. I knew most of them were following because of the guys, but it was still terrifying.

Christopher was already pulling up the account on his tablet, his eyes widening.

"And the comments are all positive. Look at this one: 'Your aesthetic is so calming, I've already saved this as inspiration.

' And this: ' The way you arranged that forget-me-not speaks volumes. Can't wait to see more of your world.'"

"I... I don't even know what to say," I murmured, taking a sip of the coffee Miles had placed in front of me. The warmth spread through my chest, steadying me. "I never expected people to care about a simple photo."

"It wasn't simple," Nicolaus said, looking up from his tablet. "It was authentic. People respond to that." His blue eyes held mine for a moment, and I found myself drawing strength from his quiet certainty.

I swallowed hard, fingers twitching nervously. “What if they judge me? Or worse... what if it makes my parents angrier?” The thought of the Waycliffes watching and judging every post felt like a shadow lurking just beyond the glow of the screen.

Julian reached over, his hand covering mine in a steadying grip. “This is your space now. You get to set the rules. You choose what to share and when. No one can take that from you.”

Miles nodded, voice low but fierce. “Your story is yours alone. And you’ve got us backing you up. They can try to tear it down, but we’ll build it right back up.”

I glanced at my phone, watching the likes and comments come in almost too fast to read. Some were simple— “Beautiful,” “So inspiring,” “More please!” Others were longer, heartfelt messages from followers who said my words helped them feel less alone.

A surge of warmth spread in my chest. Each notification wasn’t just a number—it was a person. Someone who saw a part of themselves in my story.

“But what if the attention gets too much?” I admitted, a flicker of vulnerability in my voice. “I don’t want to lose myself in all of this. To become just... an image or a brand.”

Julian squeezed my hand gently. “We’ll keep you grounded. This account isn’t about perfection or pressure—it’s about you, in all your messy, beautiful truth. We’ll help you set boundaries.”

Christopher smiled, a teasing sparkle in his eyes. “Besides, if it ever feels like too much, we’ve got a whole pack ready to shield you from it all.”

I glanced back down at my phone, where the comment notifications kept pouring in. I tapped on a few to read them more closely.

“Your words gave me courage today. Thank you for sharing.”

“Finally, someone who isn’t afraid to be real. Keep blossoming, Wildflower.”

“That forget-me-not is such a beautiful symbol. I’ll be following your journey for sure!”

Each message felt like a small gift, a thread connecting me to strangers who believed in what I was doing. It was strange—and wonderful—to realize how something as simple as a photo and a few honest words could ripple out into so many lives.

Christopher leaned back, grinning. “See? You’re already a light for people. That’s not something everyone gets to be.”

Miles nodded, but his eyes were serious. “The important thing is that you keep control. You decide what you want to say, and when.”

I bit my lip, still trying to quiet the nerves. “What if someone leaves a nasty comment? Or tries to get personal?”

Julian was quick to answer. “We filter. We protect. And we don’t let negativity take root.

You’re not doing this alone.” The words wrapped around me like a shield.

I realized then that this wasn’t just a new beginning for my social media—it was a new beginning for me. For my voice, my choices, my story.

I slid my phone into my pocket and looked up at the three of them. “Thank you. For believing in me.”

Miles smiled, a softness in his gaze that made my heart flutter. “We always will.”

Nicolaus nodded, eyes filled with quiet pride. “You’re growing Lilianna. And we’ll be here every step of the way.”

After breakfast, I helped Miles with the dishes, our hands occasionally brushing in the warm soapy water. Each touch sent tiny sparks through my fingers that I was slowly getting used to—not because they were less intense, but because I was learning to welcome them rather than fear them.

"What time are you and Julian leaving for the conservatory?" Miles asked, carefully drying a delicate teacup.

"Around four," I replied, glancing at the clock. "He said we'd have dinner there."

Miles nodded, his green eyes warm as they met mine. "The orchid section is breathtaking this time of year. Make sure you look for the lady slippers—they're rare, but worth finding."

"I will," I promised, handing him the last plate. Our fingers lingered for a moment longer than necessary, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks. "Any other recommendations?"

"The butterfly conservatory," Miles said softly, his thumb tracing over my knuckles where our hands still touched. "It's connected to the main building through a glass corridor. If you're lucky, they'll land on you—they're drawn to gentle souls."

I felt my breath catch at his words, at the way he was looking at me like I was something precious. "That sounds magical."

"You are magical," he murmured, so quietly I almost missed it. Then he cleared his throat, stepping back with a slight flush coloring his cheeks. "I should get going. I am supposed to be at soccer practice soon.”

I watched Miles gather his things, the way he moved with such quiet grace even when he was clearly flustered. There was something endearing about seeing him lose his composure, even briefly. It made him feel more real, more human.

"Have a good practice," I called softly as he headed toward the door.

He paused, turning back with a smile that made my heart skip. "Enjoy your date, Lilianna. You deserve every beautiful moment of it."

After he left, I found myself with several hours to fill before Julian and I would leave.

Christopher had disappeared to his own training session, and Nicolaus was sequestered in his office with what looked like important work.

The house felt peaceful in their absence, but not lonely—more like a comfortable exhale.

I settled into the sunroom with one of my new books, curling up in the cushioned window seat that overlooked Miles's garden as I distracted myself until it was time to leave.