30: The River that Grants Wishes

“Ugh…”

Waking up to the sound of groaning, Kael saw Aella suffering in his view. Feeling guilty for having unconsciously ravaged Aella like a beast, Kael reached out and gently touched her cheek, which was drenched in cold sweat.

“I’m sorry, Ella. I didn’t mean to hurt you…”

“It’s okay, Kael.”

“!”

“It hurt, but it felt good.”

“Ah… Ella!”

Nestled against his broad chest, Aella closed her eyes, feeling his heart race again and inhaling the scent of Kael mixed with sweat.

“Ella, are you okay? Are you hurting a lot?”

“Hehe, I’m fine.”

“Uh… Ella.”

“Yes.”

“When it’s just the two of us, I want to speak informally.”

“Do as you like.”

Aella buried her face in Kael’s broad chest as he suddenly grabbed her wrist, wrapping her arms around his back.

“Ella.”

“Yes.”

“There’s a place I want to go with you.”

“Huh?”

“Do you remember the village of Chervel?”

“Ah… that’s where. It’s Kael’s mother’s hometown.”

“That’s right.”

“But that place is…”

It was a village that would take four more days by carriage.

Aella looked up at Kael, who had sat up.

“Let’s go on a honeymoon.”

“A h-honeymoon?!”

“Yes, even though it’s been quite a while since we got married, we should still go on a honeymoon because we’re married. Don’t you think?”

“Hehe, sure. But what about the palace?”

“Ahem. I’ll take care of that.”

Sitting on the bed, Kael stroked Aella’s still-red cheek and gave her a long kiss before pulling away.

“Kael…”

“Have a hearty breakfast. I’ll tell Matteo to be ready so we can leave as soon as I get back.”

“Okay, Kael.”

“?”

Kael stiffened as Aella suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him first.

“E-Ella…”

“I love you, Kael. Be careful on your way.”

“Ha. Hahaha! Y-yes.”

“Kael.”

“Y-yes?”

“That’s the window.”

“Oh! Hahaha!”

Kael, who was about to turn toward the door, ended up trying to leave without opening it and bumped his forehead against it.

“Ugh!”

“Kael!”

“Haha. I’m fine, Ella. Today, don’t eat in the dining room; stay in this room. I’ll tell them to bring the food here.”

“Okay.”

Holding his reddened forehead, Kael opened the door, and Aella met his worried gaze as she covered herself with the blanket.

“I love you, Ella.”

“I love you too, Kael.”

Waving at Kael, who left with a bashful smile like an innocent child, Aella finally succumbed to the pain in her waist, unable to use healing magic.

Knock, knock!

“My lady, may I come in?”

“Y-yes…”

“Oh my! My lady!”

Aella, who had risen holding her waist, placed a hand on Kina’s shoulder as she rushed over, asking what was wrong.

“There’s no need to fuss. It’s just… my back hurts a bit. It’ll get better.”

“…”

“Kina? What’s wrong?”

“…”

“Kina, why are you about to cry?”

Facing Aella’s smiling face, Kina wiped her tears with her sleeve and took a deep breath.

“If you have a baby, will you feel a bit better, my lady?”

“…”

“Even if the Duke regains his memory, he won’t treat you like before, will he?”

“Hehe, well, I don’t know about that.”

Aella answered Kina honestly this time. She could only know when that time came, but she felt both anxious and hopeful. If she were to have Kael’s child, she hoped he wouldn’t treat her coldly as before, at least for the child’s sake.

‘It would be great if I could have a child before Kael’s memories return… No, if his memories could remain lost forever…!’

Aella hugged herself tightly.

“My lady, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, Kina. I’m hungry. Could you bring me something to eat?”

“I was just about to! Please wait a moment!”

“Thank you, Kina.”

Forcing a smile, Aella covered her face with trembling hands as Kina left, her expression filled with fear.

“What am I thinking…?”

Aella was horrified by her own thoughts, thoughts she hadn’t even realized she had.

“Am I really the daughter of that man, sharing his blood? No, no. I hate it. I’m… different from that demon. I’m different, I am.”

Aella, who had been denying it endlessly, took a long breath and sat up straight.

Her waist still hurt, and she tapped it with her hand, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

“Let’s get a grip. Just being in Kael’s arms last night made me truly happy. And… going on a honeymoon with Kael… this trip might be…”

The thought that this might be her last trip with Kael made Aella’s heart ache, but the idea of creating precious memories brought a smile to her lips.

***

Arriving at the palace with his beloved horse, Kael patted its head.

“Kasan, I’ll be out soon, so wait patiently.”

Neigh!

Kael quickly passed through the gate, ignoring the whispers of those who saw him, and reached the palace.

“Duke Horumos, are you here?”

Kael greeted the chancellor who welcomed him and followed him to the emperor’s office.

“Your Majesty, Duke Horumos requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

Kael entered, greeted the emperor, and stood with his hands behind his back as the emperor asked why he had come so early in the morning.

“You say you’re going on a ten-day honeymoon with the Duchess? To Chervel, right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’ll allow it. Have a good time, Duke.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Duke.”

“Yes.”

Kael met the emperor’s gaze, sensing he had more to say.

“I wish you and the Duchess happiness.”

“I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty. I also wish for Your Majesties’ health and well-being, and upon my return, I will serve as Your Majesty’s sword and shield.”

“Hahaha, thank you. You may go.”

After finishing his visit, Kael quickened his pace as he exited.

“!”

Kael couldn’t avoid Princess Roden, who suddenly appeared beside him, and they collided. As she stumbled back, Kael caught her waist and helped her stand.

“Are you alright, Your Highness?”

“Th-thank you, Duke.”

Kael noticed the princess trembling, unable to lift her head, and saw a maid rushing over, calling for her.

“Princess! Huff! Huff!”

“I told you I wanted to be alone.”

“How could I leave you alone, Princess! Sob. Really… Why did the Crown Prince propose marriage if he was going to be like this!”

“Azet! Duke, I’m sorry you had to see this.”

“No problem.”

The princess’s hurried departure looked precarious.

‘Why… Why does this princess…’

From the back, Kael saw a familiar figure in the way Princess Roden walked unsteadily.

‘Ella?!’

His heart ached at the sight of her looking as if she might collapse at any moment, as if someone was digging into his chest.

As something seemed to emerge in his mind, Kael even heard a ringing in his ears.

“Ugh!”

“D-Duke!”

“Are you alright?”

With people gathering and voices echoing from all around, Kael felt nauseous and hurried outside, claiming he was fine.

“Whew…”

As the cool breeze blew, cooling his heated head, Kael heard a sorrowful cry from somewhere.

The plaintive sound seemed to stir something in his mind, but Kael didn’t want to think about it any further.

For reasons unknown, he felt strongly compelled to leave, running until he was out of breath, and mounted his horse outside the castle.

“Let’s go back, Kasan. To the house where Ella is.”

Neigh~!

Lowering himself as much as possible on the rapidly galloping horse, Kael tightly gripped the reins with both hands.

‘Ella, I miss you desperately.’

***

Having finished dressing up, Aella stood in front of the mirror.

‘How long has it been since I dressed up like this?’

Looking at her reflection, Aella smiled awkwardly and turned her body this way and that.

‘If I go out with Kael, I should…’

In the midst of reminiscing, Aella turned as Kina entered, holding Charlotte in her arms.

“Oh my! My lady! You look so beautiful!”

“Hehe, do I?”

“Yes! Charlotte, what do you think? Isn’t the lady so pretty?”

Aella patted Charlotte’s head as she craned her neck and cried in Kina’s arms, kissing her forehead.

“Kina, please take care of Charlotte for the next ten days.”

“Of course! My lady, please return safely.”

“Yes.”

Smiling brightly, Aella whispered as quietly as possible into Kina’s ear, glancing at Ian’s arm.

“Make sure no letters from Laura fall into the hands of the Duke’s people. Understood?”

“Of course! Leave it to me. It’s a relief that the demon-like Rensi woman isn’t here. The others are so kind.”

“Indeed.”

Aella chuckled softly, knowing that the supposedly kind people now would turn back into the same as those before once Kael’s memories returned, and she closed her eyes to the thought.

“My lady, are you feeling unwell?”

“No, it’s just that it’s noisy outside, so the Duke must have returned. Kina, I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me!”

Aella patted Kina’s shoulder and stepped outside, meeting Ian, who greeted her silently.

“Sir.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Please take care of the estate while the Duke and I are away.”

“Rest assured.”

“And please look after Kina and Charlotte.”

Barely suppressing a smile at the blushing nineteen-year-old boy before her, Aella moved toward the source of the noise.

“My dear.”

Kael approached with a bright smile, and Aella returned his greeting with a warm smile.

“Shall we go?”

“You seem to be sweating.”

“Ah, I just missed my wife so much. I’ll just change my clothes quickly.”

“Hehe, yes.”

As Kael left, Aella was left alone with Matteo.

“My lady.”

“Speak.”

“I pray to the heavenly deity every day. I know it’s shameless, but I wish for you both to be happy. Every day.”

“Thank you, Matteo. And to Natasha as well. And to your sons.”

“Oh, my lady.”

Patting Matteo’s back as he hung his head, Aella was reminded of their wedding day when she saw Kael return, dressed in a suit that matched her white dress.

“It really feels like we’re newlyweds.”

“Hehe, doesn’t it?”

“Let’s go, my dear.”

“Yes, dear.”

Standing beside Kael, Aella gave him a smile and linked arms with him, then boarded the carriage waiting for them.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes! Giddy up!”

With a crack of the whip, the two white horses neighed loudly.

The carriage carrying the Duke and Duchess began to pick up speed as it left the estate.

After traveling for some time, Aella, who had dozed off, was startled awake by a voice.

“Would you like to step out for a moment?”

“?”

“Just a moment.”

Confused, Aella took Kael’s hand and stepped outside, speechless at the sight of the flowing river before her.

“My goodness… it’s so… beautiful.”

“Isn’t it? I wanted to show you this river.”

Aella stared in awe at the river flowing with a silvery glow, like sprinkled silver dust, as Kael told her of the legend that if one makes a sincere wish at this river, it will be granted.

‘A wish that will come true…’

Aella clasped her hands tightly.

‘If I can live happily with Kael like this, I won’t wish for anything more.’