Copyright © [Surabhi Parashar] [2026]. All Rights Reserved.¹

Madison had broken up with Todd; her vision of the perfect romance was merely a chimera, a vain hope. They spoke of soulmates and forever love, but it all felt like a mirage. She hastily booked an Airbnb to get away from everyone and everything. Her mom and dad blamed it on her Gen Z culture. Maybe they were right. Who knows?

All she wanted was to get over this heartbreak by the weekend. She just wanted to be alone.

But even in her weakest moment, she knew one thing for sure: she wanted the kind of love her grandparents shared. The kind of love she had seen in movies.

Madison was in love with the idea of love.

A Scottish castle seemed like a perfect escape. Tricky was the only constant in her life. He knew something was off and was trying his best to divert her mind by tugging on the leash and being naughtier than usual.

“Tricky, stop. Don’t dig there.”

I don’t even know if any guards are around. Madison thought. This castle looks like private property.

Then something bright caught her eye on the rain-washed hillside. Tricky got covered in mud. He loved the rainy mornings, and Madison hated them.

“Get away, Tricky, bad boy. Stop!”

Tricky didn’t.

He was enjoying it even more. Madison gave up and joined him. She dug a little more, out of curiosity.

Under all that muck was a tiny, warped box with just a note wrapped in red lace with flowers. The flowers matched the ones growing in the nearby bush. The box had an engraving that looked as if it belonged to the Victorian era.

Feeling delighted that her love of castles and antiques was finally paying off, she opened and read the note.

Dear John,

Under the crescent moon, I will wait for you at the turret.

Love,

Mabel.

With the box in her hand, she turned and continued walking.

Before she could make sense of the note or process her thoughts, she spotted the castle gardener; he looked almost as old as the castle itself. Perched up on the ladder, he was tending to the ivy climbers on the stone walls.

Madison grew curious.

“Do you work here?”

“This is my castle. It has been in my family for over a century.”

Madison was astonished.

“Wow, are you a baron or a viscount? I have never met one in my life!”

The wrinkles on the man’s face softened into a smile. He liked this vivacious girl; she must be about his grandson’s age.

“I am sorry, I didn’t mean to pry”. Madison continued, suddenly feeling embarrassed.

She was feeling unusually chatty. But Tricky interrupted her and started barking.

Charles kept looking at the garden entrance.

“Are you waiting for someone?” Madison asked.

Just then, a car pulled into the driveway and a handsome Scottish lad stepped out.

Madison hadn’t even noticed that he was driving a Rolls-Royce.

Meet my grandson, Lewis. He was supposed to pick me up an hour ago.

Lewis gave a sheepish smile and greeted Madison, completely unaware of how glad she was about his tardiness. Otherwise, what were the odds?

Looks like Todd’s going to be history after all.

Madison was lost in her thoughts when Charles broke the silence.

“Tea, everyone?” …😊

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