Chapter 7: Welcome to Heart's Estate

I'll cook for you guys if you're okay with that.

A peculiar expression morphed onto Dorothy's face. This was a sudden turn of events because Lea was a reserved and slightly uninviting person. Even after knowing her for a while, Dorothy could barely write a five-line paragraph about Oleander as a person. That girl was this closed off.

So to see her inviting them both over for the first time, and personally cooking for them—it was a huge leap all at once.

Azel was leaning beside her, so he had caught a glimpse of the text. His shaggy hair draped over half his face, making it hard to see exactly what kind of expression he was making. His thick round glasses slid down slightly as he nodded before returning his focus to the rapid gossip session between Dorothy’s mother and his own.

Dorothy texted back, agreeing, then nudged her childhood friend to pack up. This nosy person would really fit right in with any gossip mongers. She clutched Azel’s thin hoodie and pulled him toward the lounge.

“We really need to get going.”

Dorothy rolled her eyes as she watched his droopy shoulders drag his feet while gathering his belongings.

“Mom! We’re going to the park for the assignment.”

“Do you need me to drop you off?”

“No, Azel has his car, remember? We’ll be back in two to three hours max.”

Dorothy made her way to the door, checking to see if she had her rake tools—her forgetfulness was centered around always leaving them behind.

“Take care.”

---

The chef watched as the young mistress skillfully sliced the meat and sautéed the vegetables.

What kind of sheltered young lady was this good at making three complex dishes—ones that even an ordinary chef might struggle with?

He had been the head chef of this mansion since Master Benjamin’s marriage. A great master, yet there was always a line drawn between them due to status. So to see Miss Lea cooking with such ease… it shook him. Perhaps Master Benjamin didn't even know. However, he would keep this secret. The young miss had grown up before his eyes. In a way, she was like a daughter to him.

Earlier, she had requested to use the kitchen since her friends were coming over. Jane, being the loudest of the servants, had spread the news inside the compound. Lea could only massage her forehead. Now every servant of hers knew she had a social life outside her family… And in the midst of it all, Isla was crying tears of joy.

Her eyes twinkled with approval. She hoped this rare instance of normalcy would continue for their little miss.

Her expression held a mix of melancholy and hope as she ushered the other servants away.

Everyone quietly left Oleander alone—even the chef exited to make her more comfortable.

Oleander whipped the cream, preparing to fill the golden brown choux puffs. The smell of freshly baked dough mingled with the sweet scent of burnt caramel, which she carefully folded into the whipped cream. The cream puffs had turned a perfectly crisp golden brown, just the way she liked them. Carefully pouring the light caramel, her focus remained unbreakable. Sweat trickled down her back, dampening her clothes.

Thankfully, she was wearing an apron.

The feeling of fresh air mixed with the scent of the dishes around her. Placing down the last piped cream puff, she arranged them into a towering pyramid.

A small chuckle escaped her lips, startling her.

"Hehe, Lea, did you tell the chef to make this wedding cake so you can get married to Harry?"

"No! No! It's not li-like tha-that!" Stuttering, little Lea, dressed in a puffed semi-dress with mid-pants and boots, shyly looked down, hiding her face behind her short hair. It wasn't helping.

She had told the chef to make croquembouche because it was her favorite, and she wanted to share it with her best friend.

Was Harry looking? Peeking up, she saw Harry quickly averting his eyes. His small stature became blurry through her forming tears…

She could feel the teasing gazes of her other friends.

Hurt.

Lynn mediating while Brianna mocked her.

Oleander staggered. What was that?!

Harry, in all this, turned awkward and red-faced before suddenly running away. And the teasing escalated.

"I’m marrying Lea! It’s for me!"

A bold little toddler stepped forward, shielding her. There he was… her little best friend.

More teasing.

Bits and pieces of memory were coming back to her—after ten years. But even then, one of the faces remained unclear.

She was struck by another surge of unbearable pain. She crouched down.

"I’m okay—"

Little Lea patted the child. His black hair tickled her face. The boy was always by her side. He was braver than her, even though…

"Oh my God! Lady, are you okay?"

Jane, seeing her mistress about to collapse, rushed to her side, holding her up. Oleander shook her head and let herself be led to the lounge. The other servants, seeing their miss pale and sweaty, fussed over her. Isla handed her water.

Thankfully, everything had already been prepared, and the chef finished up the rest.

"Miss Lea, I suggest you cancel your plans—"

Oleander rubbed her temples. It was just a temporary migraine. She used to have them often when she was younger. It was nothing new. But seeing the concern in her staff’s eyes, she relented.

It was impossible to tell them that she had plans due to her assignment. If word got out, her life would suddenly become more dangerous and unpredictable. Right now, the balance between her and her grandfather remains a respectable distance. She couldn't imagine what would happen if he found out she was pursuing something outside of what he had schemed for her.

Yeah… Well, she couldn’t fathom it.

Then again, risking exposure might force him to invite her into the main villa—allowing her more access to the world inside those tightly sealed doors. Who knows? His curiosity might even outweigh his stubbornness. And an opening might give her the chance she had longed for since childhood.

A relief of ‘the truth’ and the dark secrets he hides.

Her eyes squinted in delight, her lips curling into a full-faced smile.

However, first…

Taking out her phone, she texted her friends about the situation. It was better to do the work here. The estate was built on an unused extension of the huge park, making the scenic environment perfect. Her teacher wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference.

But the real problem wasn’t the location—it was that she would have to disclose her identity.

But knowing Dorothy… she could trust her. Call it a sixth sense. No danger. Just a tight-sealed vault of confessed secrets - that girl was.

Oleander typed quickly, thankful that she wasn’t too late in informing them of the change of plans. Now, they could head straight here. The golden glow of the sun filtered through the open window. She squinted her eyes, yet the light made them even more mesmerizing.

Both maids flinched abruptly at the swirling display of gold specks.

"What’s wrong?" Seeing her closest servants staring at her in a daze, she tilted her head in confusion.

"W-we—" Jane snapped out of it, realizing the color had returned to normal. Just brown. What was that?

"Nothing."

Jane was left scratching her head.

Isla, on the other hand, quietly picked up the tray and left with the unfinished water.

Smiling, Oleander looked out the window again.

---

"I think we’re lost…" Azel murmured, glancing at the enormous estate before him. The GPS lady kept urging them to go inside those huge, royal-looking gates… Had they seriously taken a wrong turn and ended toward one of Queen Mary’s relatives’ houses?

Dorothy spat out in awe.

"And I think we’re in the right place…"

She had always suspected Oleander was rich, just from her past outfits and mannerisms. But she had definitely underestimated how rich.

Richie-rich kind of rich...

Suddenly, the gates retracted, and the intercom buzzed once:

Come in. You’ll see a guard stationed a little further inside. Give him the keys, and he’ll park your car after dropping you off at my compound.

Dorothy and Azel just stared—frozen.

“Must be nice -ouch!” Dorothy elbowed Azel for that sarcastic remark. His snide comments should be kept to himself. At least until they were inside.