Chapter 3.9

There were more people than she had anticipated. Finding his red hair among the bustling crowd was not easy. 

Could he have already boarded? Or had the ship left early? 

Her mind momentarily froze.

As she turned, she spotted familiar faces in the distance—Arhadan men she had seen a few times at the royal palace.

“Oh…”

They seemed to recognize her as well, looking at her with somewhat surprised expressions. They were holding heavy luggage bags. Tightening her grip on the children’s hands, she approached them. She directed her question to the most familiar face among them.

“Where is Karl?”

“Oh… Oh, hello, Lady Leticia.”

Ronan greeted her in a somewhat dazed voice.

“I’m not here for greetings. Where is Karl? Has he already left?”

“No. He hasn’t left yet. We’re boarding a different ship from our lord, so we’re gathered here. Our lord is boarding that ship over there.”

Ronan pointed to a ship farther away. She nodded briefly at him and hurriedly walked in the direction he had indicated.

There were fewer people gathered there than around Ronan’s group, but Karl was still nowhere to be seen. In the end, she shouted his name.

“Karl!”

Could he have already boarded?

Just as she was about to head toward the deck to check inside the ship, someone approached her.

“Lady Leticia Evris…?”

It was Hans. As soon as she saw him, she urgently asked.

“Where is Karl? Has he already departed?”

“No, not yet. So, you’ve come after all. Thank you, my lady.”

“Where is Karl?”

“Our lord said he wanted to look at the sea alone for a while…”

Alone?

A chilling thought crossed her mind. She entrusted the children to Hans.

“Please take care of Selina and Killian.”

Selina and Killian seemed to remember Hans and clung to his legs, babbling something. He, flustered but attentive, took care of the children and said,

“But the ship departs in an hour. You must board before then.”

“Take the next ship or wait until I return! Oh, and the luggage too!”

Hans looked bewilderedly between the luggage on the ground, the children clinging to him, and her. Without waiting for his response, she dashed toward the secluded beach she had seen earlier while riding the carriage. If it were Karl, he would be there.

As expected, she spotted a red figure in the distance. He was standing barefoot, facing the sea. The more she ran, the heavier her body felt and the more her feet ached, but she ignored it and continued toward him.

“Karl!”

He turned his head toward her at the sound of her voice. Even from afar, she could see his wide-open eyes. As soon as she reached him, she grabbed his hand and pulled him back.

“Huff, huff…”

She was out of breath. Gasping for air, she raised her head to look at him. He stared down at her with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Is this a dream?”

He muttered as if speaking to himself.

“Leti, there’s no way you’d come here…”

She shook the hand she was holding firmly. He flinched and blinked.

“…Is this real?”

“Yes.”

A faint haze spread across Karl Lavresion’s eyes. As she caught her breath, she stared intently at him. He furrowed his brow.

“Why did you come? To see me one last time?”

His voice, sharp as if honed, yet trembling like grass on the edge of a cliff, flowed from him.

“If that’s the case, just leave. It’s fine.”

Seeing the distant look in his eyes as he gazed at the sea, how could she leave? She shook her head.

“No. I won’t go.”

“…Please go, Leti. If you care for me even a little, just turn back.”

“No. I won’t leave.”

“Why are you doing this all of a sudden? Are you trying to make me misunderstand? The way I once did? Is this revenge?”

His eyes twisted in pain. Just like yesterday, he buried his face in one hand.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Leti. Please, just go back…”

She could vividly imagine what he might do once she left. That was why she could never leave him. Shaking her head firmly, she gripped his arm tightly.

“No. I’ll watch with my own eyes as you board the ship.”

“…So this is how it feels.”

He murmured with hollow eyes.

“I’ve been so cruel, haven’t I?”

Then, he fell silent. The breeze tousled both their hair. Unlike that day, he let his hair blow freely, showing neither life nor expression. She reached out to smooth his hair in his stead. His dry, brittle hair felt like a broom.

“Did I ever say I’d let you go alone?”

“…What?”

His half-closed eyes widened. His pupils trembled aimlessly.

“I said going back to Arhadan was the right thing to do. I never said I wouldn’t go with you.”

As soon as she finished speaking, his eyes filled with tears. She couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“I may be a crybaby, but so are you, Karl.”

“…Is it true? You’re not lying, are you?”

Tears streamed down his distorted face.

“Is this some kind of revenge?”

“No. I don’t do things like revenge.”

If she were to seek revenge, wouldn’t she target the Baron and the Emperor before Karl Lavresion? Especially the Emperor—she truly loathed him. She often wished he would trip and die on the street.

“Really? Are you really coming with me?”

Still in disbelief, he repeatedly asked, gripping her shoulders. She could feel his hands trembling.

“I’m not lying. I even packed my things and brought the kids with me.”

She smiled brightly as she spoke. He froze for a few seconds, staring blankly at her, and then suddenly, with an urgent motion, he hugged her tightly and pressed his lips to hers.

“Mmph.”

The sudden kiss caught her off guard. Before she could say anything, his tongue slipped into her mouth. Despite it being a long time since they had any contact, her body instinctively responded. Overwhelmed by the sudden heat, she patted his shoulder firmly.

“Leti, Leti…”

He disregarded her protests, murmuring her name as he rubbed his lips against hers. Unlike her, who kept her eyes open, he closed his eyes, fully immersed in the kiss.

Eventually, she gave up resisting and relaxed her body. Like a traveler discovering an oasis in the desert, he desperately claimed her saliva, mixing it with his own. His trembling hands encircled her, and his heartbeat, so loud she could hear it, pounded against her.

This isn’t a misunderstanding. It’s real.

As she realized that his once gentle smile wasn’t a lie, a wave of relief washed over her. Memories of her past self, who had blamed and tormented herself, came to mind. She felt deeply sorry for the version of herself who had hurt and punished her own emotions. Not only Karl Lavresion but also she herself deserved an apology.

As she closed her eyes, she felt tears streaming down her face. In front of the sea he loved so much, she and Karl Lavresion kissed for a long time, both crying. The sunlight warmly embraced them.

* * *

Holding Karl Lavresion’s hand, she returned to the port. Hans, who was pacing anxiously in front of the ship, came into view. He was at a loss, burdened by the children in his arms.

She and Karl leisurely made their way toward the ship. The moment Hans spotted them, he jumped up in surprise.

“Hurry, hurry! We depart in five minutes!”

“Alright.”

Karl Lavresion responded with a bright smile. Hans, startled by the smile, froze in shock. Then, noticing their clasped hands, he gaped in disbelief.

“Have you… reconciled?”

Hans asked stiffly, his tone mechanical. Instead of answering, Karl shook their joined hands and nodded. That alone seemed to suffice as an answer, and Hans nodded in understanding.

“I see. I understand…”

Selina and Killian, nestled in Hans’s arms, tilted their heads as they looked at Karl. Smiling, he greeted the children.

“Hello, Selina. Killian. I’m your father.”

“…Father?”

Selina frowned at the word “father.” Her expression, identical to Karl’s, made her laugh.

Killian, full of wariness, glanced at Karl like a cautious hedgehog. Even so, he looked at her, silently asking if it was true.

“It’s true. He’s your father.”

Even after she said so, Killian remained skeptical. Hans, standing beside them, glanced at the ship and spoke in an impatient tone.

“Please board now. It’s time to depart.”

“Yes.”

Together with Karl and the children, she boarded the ship. As soon as they stepped on, the ship’s horn sounded. The ship began its journey.

Karl held Selina, while she held Killian in her arms. They turned to look back. They were leaving the sea of Chevrem behind. In the distance, people at the port waved goodbye. Smiling, she waved back at them.

They could return anytime, or perhaps they might never come back at all. She took in the sight of her homeland, unsure of when she might return.

Born in Chevrem, she had grown up there until adulthood, experiencing countless events. The memories of her journey to adulthood were terrible, sorrowful, and painful. She had longed for and craved love she could never receive. As an adult, she had abused and punished herself because of her childhood experiences.

But not everything in Chevrem had been terrible. She had Amy, met Karl, and got to know Mia. There were people who had positively influenced her life.

She resolved not to blame herself, even if her choices turned out to be wrong.

Smiling, she said goodbye to Chevrem as it receded into the distance. This time, she could bid farewell with a smile.