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The following morning, the castle was filled with the bustling sounds of servants preparing for the day. Roberick and Cynthia, however, were in no hurry to join the royal routines. They had decided that this day would be a day of leisure, dedicated entirely to each other.

After a late, leisurely breakfast, Roberick suggested a visit to the castle's gardens. The extensive gardens of Arodona Castle were a place of both beauty and solitude, a haven where the couple often sought solace and shared their most intimate moments.

They strolled hand in hand, passing through perfectly manicured hedges and fragrant flower beds. The castle's roses were in full bloom, and their vibrant colors added a sense of romance to the already picturesque surroundings.

Amidst the beauty of the gardens, Roberick surprised Cynthia with a thoughtful gift. He led her to a secluded area where an elegant stone bench sat beneath the shade of a blossoming magnolia tree. On the bench lay a small, velvet-covered box.

Cy