Honey, Don’t Love Me

31: The Moment of Waking from a Sweet Dream

After finishing his prayer, Kael turned his gaze to the side. Aella, earnestly praying with her hands clasped together, filled his eyes completely.

‘Ella… What wish are you making right now?’

Kael was deeply curious. Was she wishing, like him, to live a lifetime of love and happiness together? With that thought, Kael couldn’t take his eyes off Aella until she finished her prayer.

“Ah, sorry, Kael. Was I too long?”

“It’s fine, Ella. I’m just a little curious.”

“About what?”

“About what you prayed for.”

Aella, feeling Kael’s soft hand gently caressing her cheek, almost blurted out her wish without realizing it.

‘If I say my wish out loud, it won’t come true. But my wish…’

Aella knew better than anyone that her wish would become meaningless if Kael’s lost memories were restored. A bitter smile spread across her lips.

“Aella?”

“It’s nothing, Kael. How did you find this river?”

“From a merchant. He was quite close to my father and told me about this legendary river. It doesn’t have a name, but apparently, a man once saw a dazzling being descend into this river to bathe and then ascend back to the sky. That man, as if entranced, made a desperate wish by the river. Not long after, his sickly wife recovered, and they even had a child. Since then, people have occasionally visited this river to make wishes.”

Listening quietly to the story, Aella smiled and opened her lips to speak.

“So, many people came here because it worked?”

“Probably.”

“Haha, I see.”

Aella’s gaze at the river was filled with such earnestness that it was palpable just by looking at her.

“Ella.”

Aella smiled at Kael, who called her name, and gently placed her hand on top of his large one.

The couple, back in the carriage, held each other’s hands tightly as they rode. After half a day of travel, they arrived at a harbor city called Ahvel, known for its striking ocean views. It was the second most populated city after the capital, thriving in both fishing and commerce, with a well-developed tourism industry.

“Ella, aren’t you hungry?”

“A little?”

“Let’s see.”

Guided by Kael’s hand as he looked around, they arrived not at a fancy restaurant but at an old, crowded eatery.

“This place is said to serve amazing fish dishes.”

“Ah, so when you were asking that passerby earlier, you were looking for a restaurant?”

“I wanted to create a special memory for you, Ella. But of course, if you’re uncomfortable…”

Aella shook her head and held Kael’s hand tightly.

“Ella?”

“As long as I’m with you, Kael, I’ll be happy, and everything will taste good.”

“Ella…”

“Mmm~ It smells great. I can’t wait to try it.”

“Haha, alright.”

The two took their seats and ordered the menu recommended by the owner.
“They said it’s freshly caught and grilled fish. Maybe that’s why it tastes even better. Don’t you think, Ella?”

Aella couldn’t hide her amazement either. The fish, perfectly grilled without any fishy smell, was so delicious that they cleaned the plate with just one fish.

“This might be the most enjoyable meal I’ve ever had. Is it because I’m eating with you, Ella?”

“Haha, I feel the same, Kael. I really enjoyed it.”

“Then, shall we go get some dessert?”

Holding Kael’s outstretched hand, Aella left the restaurant and stopped by a nearby bakery.

“Ka-Kael, stop buying so much! I can’t eat that much!”

“Ella, who said you have to eat it all at once? You can snack on it later or eat it on the way to Chervel.”

“But… isn’t this too much? We don’t even have a proper place to store food.”

“Don’t worry about that, Ella.”

After paying, Kael stopped in front of a building labeled as a magic shop.

“A magic… shop?”

“Yes, it’s the only one of its kind here. You can buy magical tools, books, and sometimes even magical items. Though they’re single-use and have expiration dates.”

“Ah…”

For Aella, who had never left the capital in her life, this was a fascinating first-time experience.

“If we store the food in here, it won’t spoil, and we can take it out anytime to eat.”

“Is it like a food storage container?”

“Exactly. Ella, is there anything you want to buy?”

“Hmm…”

As Aella looked around, her eyes landed on a rectangular stone labeled as a “Vision Stone.”

“Kael, what is this Vision Stone?”

“Oh, it’s a stone that captures images. If you hold it up like this, it reflects our image, see?”

“Oh my!”

“And if you do this again, it works like a camera, taking pictures or recording our movements. You can view the recordings anytime.”

“That’s… amazing.”

“Ahem! Sir, since you’ve touched it, I assume you’re buying it?”

“Of course. I’ll take two Vision Stones.”

“Two Vision Stones?!”

Seeing the surprised reactions of the shopkeeper and the surrounding people, Aella looked at the price tag and froze. The price of one Vision Stone was enough to buy an entire building and still have money left over.

“Ka-Kael! It’s too expensive! Just buy one!”

“Haha, Ella, do you know who I am? I’m Kael Hormons.”

“Did he just call himself Hormons?”

“The Duke of the wealthy Hormons family?!”

“Oh my goodness! I didn’t recognize the Duke and Duchess!”

“Haha, it’s fine. Please proceed with the payment.”

“Of course!”

Seeing the shopkeeper’s attitude change after learning Kael’s identity, Aella once again felt the weight of the Hormons family’s reputation.

‘This is why people…’

Aella clenched her fists as the face of the man she despised, the one who betrayed the late Duke Hormons for money, flashed in her mind.

“Ella, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, it’s nothing, Kael.”

“Ella, I’d appreciate it if you could be honest with me. I’ll be honest with you too.”

“Alright, Kael. I will.”

“Thank you.”

Kael smiled warmly, though Aella felt a pang of guilt as they left the shop and boarded a carriage to head to their hotel.

Swoosh—

‘The sound of waves… I want to see it.’

Having only seen the ocean once as a child, Aella turned her gaze to the window, drawn by the faint smell of the sea mixed with the sound of crashing waves.

“Ella, you want to see the ocean, don’t you?”

“Ah…!”

“Stop the carriage.”

“Yes, My Lord!”

Kael stepped out first and offered his hand to Aella. Taking his hand, Aella stepped onto the sandy beach and gazed at the gently lapping waves. The horizon was painted with the setting sun, and the rippling water glowed as the sky turned crimson, gradually fading into darkness.

‘It’s… truly beautiful.’

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

At Kael’s question, Aella nodded.

“The sea in Chervel, my mother’s hometown, is even more beautiful than this.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I promise. Especially at sunrise, it looks as if emerald jewels are scattered across the water. That’s how clear and pristine it is.”

“Wow…”

“I really wanted to show it to you. But now I feel like I’m late.”

“You’re not late. We’re going to see it now, aren’t we? Thank you so much. This feels like it’s going to be the best honeymoon ever.”

“Of course. For my beloved Ella, I’d do anything.”

Hearing his heartfelt words, Aella felt her heart race. She now wanted to see the legendary “Mermaid’s Sea” of Chervel, rumored to be even more beautiful than this.

—

After finishing his meal, Derek informed the twins searching for Duke Hormons that he had left for a ten-day honeymoon in Chervel.

“Chervel? Isn’t that a place that takes four days to reach by carriage?”

“Yes, it’s also the Duke’s mother’s hometown.”

“I see.”

Nodding, Alenoa noticed Elena’s expression darken, despite her excitement about her upcoming marriage to the Crown Prince.

“Elena, are you feeling unwell?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, come now. Soon you’ll be part of our family. From now on, call us Mother and Father, and feel free to address Mai and Ren by their names.”

“Wow! Does that mean we can call her Sister-in-law?”

“Of course! Haha, our Mai is so clever.”

Elena forced a smile and excused herself.

“I think I have indigestion from lunch. May I leave the table?”

“Oh dear! Should we call a physician?”

“No, Father. I’ve already taken medicine. I’m truly sorry.”

“My dear, there’s no need to apologize. This is your home now, and we are your family. Please feel at ease.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Derek then turned to Julius, who had been silently observing.

“Julius, escort her to her room.”

“I was planning to.”

Elena stopped in her tracks as Julius followed her.

“There’s no need to escort me to my room.”

“Just come along.”

Dragged by his rough grip, Elena barely managed to keep up until they reached her room. She was out of breath.

“Are you trying to defy me?”

“….”

“How far do I have to go to accommodate you? I’ve agreed to make you my Empress and even promised to hold you in my arms once. What more do you want? My love?”

Meeting his mocking gaze, Elena lowered her head.

“Thank you for escorting me, Your Highness. Please leave now.”

As she turned to enter her room, his cold voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Don’t expect too much from me, Princess Roden. You’re nothing more than a tool for me to become Emperor.”

Inside her room, Elena refused to let Azet enter, saying she wanted to be alone.

“How foolish… To be unable to leave such a man… To live like this forever… Truly foolish. If only I had listened to Aella and returned to my homeland, I wouldn’t be living so miserably. Ah, ah!”

Beating her chest in frustration, Elena sobbed, while Azet, standing outside the door, glared at the spot where the Crown Prince had been moments ago and muttered under her breath.

“Regret it. Regret it for the rest of your life.”

—

They were now just one day away from reaching Chervel. Passing through a treacherous mountain range, they had encountered wild animals and magical creatures. Thanks to her husband, the wielder of a magical sword, Aella had survived the perilous journey and was crossing the last mountain.

“Ella, just one more day of hardship, and it’ll be over.”

“Yes.”

Rumble—!

“What’s happening?!”

“Your Grace! It’s a landslide!”

“D*mn it! Ella!”

“Ka—!”

Held tightly in Kael’s arms, Aella lost consciousness. When she opened her eyes again, two full days had passed.

“Your Grace! It’s such a relief you’ve woken up!”

“Ah… Kael! Where’s Kael?!”

“His Grace is still…”

“Ah, Kael! Where is he? Take me to him right now!”