The morning sun spilled softly over the sprawling Vornett estate, painting the gardens in golden light. Althea Lyselle Vornett wandered between the flowerbeds, her gown brushing petals that shimmered faintly with magic. Tiny butterflies, glowing like floating stars, darted around her in playful loops, leaving trails of sparkling dust in their wake. She hummed softly, completely absorbed in the quiet enchantment.

Above her, perched casually on a thick branch of an ancient oak, a figure observed quietly. Zephyr Nightwell rested against the trunk, legs dangling, arms crossed over his chest. His dark coat and sharp eyes made him look almost like a shadow perched above the garden, blending in with the morning light.

Althea noticed the movement in the tree. “Who…?” she called, squinting upward.

Zephyr’s crimson eyes flicked down at her. “Gosh, you’re loud,” he muttered flatly.

Althea’s cheeks flushed. “I’m not loud! Who are you? What are you doing here? Are you a—” she continued, rapid-fire with questions.

“You talk like a flying mosquito,” Zephyr interrupted, tone even, unimpressed but slightly amused.

Althea’s face heated further. “Excuse me?! Tell me who you are this instant!”

With deliberate slowness, Zephyr pulled the cover from his face, revealing sharp, striking features. Crimson eyes met hers, skin pale and flawless, and a faint, mischievous smile tugged at his lips. “Secret,” he said smoothly.

Althea froze, mesmerized. His eyes… his skin… it was almost magical. Zephyr, in turn, found himself captivated by her beauty—graceful, radiant, and entirely enthralling.

Suddenly, a small, glowing butterfly landed on the tip of Althea’s nose. She flinched, squealing softly. Zephyr let out a short, low laugh. “See you, Butterfly,” he said, and with that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving only the rustle of leaves behind.

Later, Althea returned to her room. She slipped out of her morning silk nightgown and into her usual formal-casual attire—elegant enough to move freely, yet refined. As she adjusted the folds of her skirt, her maid bowed slightly.

“Miss Althea, your father has summoned you,” the maid said softly.

Althea straightened her posture, smoothing her hair, and walked down the polished hallways toward the study hall.

When she entered, she froze briefly. There, standing near the center of the room, was Zephyr Nightwell—crimson eyes, pale skin, dark coat, the same presence from the garden. She kept her posture impeccable, hiding her surprise behind regal composure.

“Althea, this is Zephyr Nightwell,” her father said formally. “He will be your bodyguard. He is to stay with you at all times. You are not to leave the house without him.”

Althea’s eyes widened slightly, but she maintained her poise, barely able to process the news. After her father dismissed them, she led Zephyr to the balcony.

The soft breeze carried the scent of flowers, sunlight sparkling on the estate grounds below. Althea pulled out her paintbrushes and canvas, settling near the railing where she often painted. Zephyr followed silently, his eyes scanning the surroundings but inevitably drifting to her.

She began sketching, painting a delicate butterfly hovering midair, its wings shimmering with magical light. Zephyr leaned slightly closer, resting a hand on the railing, observing the work quietly.

The silence stretched between them until Althea finally asked, “Who are you, really?”

Zephyr’s crimson eyes met hers. “Names Zephyr Nightwell,” he said evenly. “I’m a ninja from Kazemori Village. And you… Butterfly?”

Althea blinked, cheeks flushing. “W-what do you mean… Butterfly?”

Zephyr let out a soft chuckle. “You’ll get used to it.”

Flustered but regaining her composure, Althea lifted her chin. “Althea Lyselle Vornett,” she said proudly. “And I am capable of handling myself.”

Just then, a small, glowing butterfly landed gently on her nose. She froze, eyes widening, cheeks pinking, while Zephyr chuckled softly again, low and warm, though his expression remained calm. Althea tried to steady herself, but the magical moment, combined with Zephyr’s mysterious presence, made her heart race faster than she expected.

For a moment, the world narrowed down to just the two of them—and the tiny glowing butterfly that somehow seemed to mark the beginning of something… unusual, magical, and entirely captivating.