"Valerie, you are a creep. Go away." This wasn't the first time she heard that word.
Creep.
She has heard it many times from different people.
Her father is a Duke, that's why she has to join several gatherings regularly. And according to the lessons she had learned by her tutors, she needs to maintain good relationships with people around her.
Being the only daughter of the Duke, she has to maintain a good reputation and create connections with the children of other noble households.
However…she couldn't maintain a facade for long and ends up saying things which others don't like much.
And that's why she always gets left out.
*Step* *Step*
Walking alone in the garden she kept her face towards the flowers, and wiped her eyes.
Although she doesn't know anyone here, being called a creep and told to go away hurts her.
'Am I really bad…will I never make any friends?'
Trying to change herself she has practiced smiling in front of the mirror for hours. Those fake smiles which her Instructor taught her. However, even after practicing for hours, the girl couldn't muster up a smile when it's needed the most.
'They even threw away the cookies I baked…' She recently learned to bake cookies and brought them so she could make a good impression.
…However, forget about looking at it, they threw it on the floor.
Now carrying the pouch of broken cookies, Valerie was wondering if she should eat it or feed the ducks…when suddenly,
"Can I have them? I am kind of craving for some sweets."
Valerie turned to her left and found a blond guy standing there with his eyes affixed on her cookies.
She lifted the bag, and asked, "You want them. They are all crumbled tho…"
The boy shrugged, "Who cares about the shape? It's all the taste."
He stepped forward and took the bag from her.
Taking out the cookie crumbs, he ate them and instantly, his eyes widened.
Valerie held her breath, "Is it bad?" Although she has tried seven times before she couldn't be sure if it would have been the same the eighth time.
However, against her fears, "It's incredible. The choco chips and the sweetness is on point. I love them." He seemed genuinely delighted.
The boy smiled as he said, "You sure have a pretty smile, lady. Will you tell me your name? By the way, I am…"
….
"Ah..!" Valerie suddenly jolted out of her sleep as she felt her arm turning numb.
She noticed that her arm was pressed under her weight, that's why it was ice cold now.
"Haah…what a lovely dream…" She smiled in daze as she hugged her special pillow close to her.
On the pillow the figure of a certain blond was etched. And not only that her bedsheet, the paintings around the room, and even on her pajamas…there was only Austin and Austin.
With a smile full of happiness, she fell back on the bed and enjoyed a few moments of bliss, before finally leaving her bed.
Taking a shower, that erased her drowsiness, she brushed her teeth. Checking her nails, she took her time braiding her hair.
After that, she took out her clothes and changed into her training attire.
"Hmm…" Her eyes fell on the packet of flour on the kitchen counter. Since she had some time, she decided to bake some cookies.
She had already had all the ingredients since she was planning to bake something for her Lord, for some time now.
She tied her apron quickly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
She grabbed a large mixing bowl, tossing in butter and sugar, her hands moving fast as she whipped them together with a wooden spoon.
The soft sound of butter creaming filled the air. Next came the eggs—she cracked them one-handed, tossing the shells into the sink without breaking stride.
Flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt went into another bowl. She didn't bother measuring too precisely; she trusted her instincts. With a quick motion, she combined the dry ingredients with the wet, stirring until the dough came together.
Chunks of chocolate followed, and Valerie grabbed a spoon, dropping rough scoops of dough onto a baking tray.
The makeshift baking pot was already pre-heated so she just placed the tray inside and undid her apron.
Letting it bake inside until she find it appropriate, she finally took it out and let it rest for a few minutes.
With a smile, she took a similar bag, in which she used to bring cookies for Austin back then.
'Does he still remember…' Valerie seldom came to meet him and only gave him cookies like four times, even that, when she was not awakened. After awakening her Shard she rarely met him.
With slight hope and extreme nervousness she packed the cookies and walked out of her room.
Heading toward the training ground, she found her beloved already present there; stretching his arms.
"G-Good morning." Unusually nervous, she greeted him.
Austin turned towards her with a smile, "Morning…hmm?" His eyes landed on the small packet she held in both of her hands.
"This…is for me?" Austin asked, as he took the cookies from her hand.
Valerie said, "I thought you may like it…"
Austin smiled, as he took out one of the cookies, and said, "Although you have shaped them quite perfectly," He crumbled them in his hand before pouring the crumbs in his mouth, "I like it more this way." While chewing, he told her.
Valerie's eyes slightly widened as she covered her mouth and asked, "Y-You still remember…"
Austin grinned, "How can I forget that day, when I met you for the first time?"
Valerie's face was full of smiles. She assumed that since so much time had passed, he might not have remembered it. But…
'You treasure everything related to me as much as I do…'
—-----**-------
A/N:- If you are wondering, then yes, Austin and Luke's soul merged. Austin never died, he just unlocked Luke's memories. Well, I might mention it at some point.