TWO RICH MEN FOR A MAID

CHAPTER 7: STRANGER IN THE GARDEN

The sun was warm on Kassandra and Sister Pauline's faces as they led the children through the woods, their steps light with excitement as it's going to be an awesome experience for them.

"Where are we going, Sister?" one of the children asked, her eyes wide with wonder.

"We're going to a special place," Sister Pauline replied, her voice filled with joy. "A place where the flowers are bright and the birds sing sweetly. It's a place where we can all make good memories together. Awesome memories. The ones we're not going to forget, that will live and last forever in us. You'll all love it. Yes!"

The children gasped and whispered in delight, their voices filled with anticipation. The children chattered excitedly as they walked deeper into the woods, their eyes sparkling with anticipation. The path wound through the trees, the sunlight dappling through the leaves like a shower of gold.

At last, the path opened up into a clearing, and before them lay a beautiful garden. Flowers bloomed in every color, their sweet scent filling the air, and butterflies danced among the flowers, their wings shimmering in the sunlight. Kassandra and Sister Pauline exchanged smiles as the children rushed forward, laughing and chattering with glee. The children skipped through the garden, chasing after butterflies and gathering flowers. They laughed and sang, their joy filling the air like a song. Kassandra watched them, her heart overflowing with love and pride.

"Look at them," she said, turning to Sister Pauline. "They're so free, so full of life. They deserve this, they deserve to be happy."

Sister Pauline nodded, her eyes soft with affection. "They do, Kassandra. And you've given them so much joy, so much love.

As the afternoon stretched on, Kassandra and Sister Pauline watched the children play, their hearts swelling with love for these children who had captured their hearts. Suddenly, one of the children, a young girl with braids in her hair, ran over to Kassandra, her face glowing with happiness.

"Kassandra, Kassandra!" she cried, her voice full of excitement. "Come see the nest I found! It's in the bushes, and it's full of baby birds!"

Kassandra smiled and took the girl's hand. Together, they made their way through the garden, the girl chattering about the nest and the baby birds. At last, they reached the bushes, and Kassandra crouched down to take a closer look.

"Oh, they're beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "Look at the tiny feathers on their bodies, and the way they open their beaks for food."

The girl watched in awe as Kassandra gently lifted one of the baby birds in her hand. The baby bird chirped softly, its tiny wings fluttering in the sunlight. Kassandra smiled and stroked its soft feathers, her heart full of love.

"They need to be fed," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "But don't worry, I know what they eat."

Kassandra stood up and scanned the garden, searching for the right kind of food. Suddenly, her eyes lit up.

"Ah, there they are," she said, pointing to a cluster of bushes. "Blackberries, perfect."

Kassandra and the girl carefully picked the blackberries, the warm sun on their shoulders and the scent of flowers all around them. When they had collected a handful of berries, they returned to the nest and gently fed the baby birds, one berry at a time. The baby birds ate greedily, their little beaks opening and closing as they swallowed the sweet, juicy fruit.

Kassandra and the girl watched them, their hearts full of joy and wonder. As the afternoon wore on, the children's laughter and excitement filled the air, like a symphony of happiness. They played hide and seek, they sang songs, they created stories. It was a day of pure, unadulterated joy. Kassandra and Sister Pauline watched the children with smiles on their faces, a sense of contentment settling over them.

"This is what life should be," Sister Pauline said, her voice low and thoughtful. "Full of love and laughter, and days like this one."

As the sun began to sink low in the sky, Kassandra called the children together for their final moments in the garden.

"Now, children," she said, her voice warm and soothing. "It is time to gather our things and begin our journey home. But before we go, let us make a wish together, a wish for a day as beautiful as this one."

The children gathered around Kassandra, their faces alight with curiosity and anticipation. "Now, everyone close your eyes," Kassandra instructed, her voice gentle and hypnotic. "And picture in your mind, the most beautiful day you can imagine. A day filled with love and laughter, a day full of magic and wonder."

The children closed their eyes, their faces softened by the light of their imagination. They pictured the sun shining, the birds singing, the flowers blooming.

"Now," Kassandra continued, "make a wish for a day just like this one."

The children opened their eyes, their faces shining with hope and optimism. "And when we open our eyes," Kassandra whispered, "we will remember this day forever. A day of sunshine and smiles, of magic and love."

As the children's eyes opened, they saw the sun setting over the garden, casting a golden glow over the flowers and the trees.

As Kassandra opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat. For there, standing before her and the children, was a man she had never seen before. The children, sensing the stranger's presence, gathered around Kassandra, their faces filled with curiosity and a touch of wariness. Sister Pauline moved closer to Kassandra and the children for protection against whatever may seem to happen. He was dressed in a polished boots and silk tunic for simple leather boots and a worn shirt. He slung a worn backpack over his shoulders and completing his transformation into a rugged traveler. Lo and behold, it was Edmond. Edmond donned his disguise, transforming from royal figure into common traveler.