Chapter 95: Reunion (1)

Two horses carrying Clive and Ulik stopped on the hill.

Standing at a spot where the village spread out clearly below, Clive looked down with a hardened expression.

Just like when he had heard news of Eirene from Ulik. He had wanted to go meet her immediately, but couldn’t depart right away. While coming here with determination, he had only thought about wanting to see Eirene quickly, but now he felt scared.

Was it okay to chase after someone who had left like this? What if she met him and then left again for a place where she could never be found? Wouldn’t it be fine to just live hearing news that she was doing well?

His mind was complicated.

He took out a cigar from his inner pocket, put it to his lips, then lowered it.

“Ulik.”

“Yes.”

“I’m a bit scared.”

“Are you worried Miss Eirene will be angry?”

“No. I just… don’t know what kind of expression she’ll make.”

Actually, it was the opposite.

He was afraid he might lose control of his emotions and run to embrace Eirene, or rashly beg her to come with him.

He couldn’t trust himself.

“I don’t think the miss will welcome us.”

“I should prepare myself.”

“If you’re prepared to accept whatever situation unfolds, that should be enough.”

“Let’s go.”

With a galloping sound, the horses charged down powerfully.

* * *

Little Wilton knocked on the door with an excited face.

When Gemma opened the door from inside, his expression became sullen.

“Are you disappointed it’s me instead of the teacher?”

Gemma bent down and patted Wilton’s head.

In the village, Eirene was called “teacher.”

She was like a doctor who treated sick people, but she was also a teacher who taught children how to read and write.

Even though Gemma treated him much more kindly than Eirene, Wilton liked the pretty Eirene.

Sometimes when he got scolded for doing something wrong, he would shout “I hate you, teacher!” and act like he would never see her again, but he would inevitably come looking for her again after a few hours.

Since Eirene had given birth and couldn’t be seen daily like before, they had set specific days to meet.

Today was that day, so he had knocked excitedly, but when Gemma came out instead of Eirene, Wilton clearly showed his disappointment.

“Wilton. Could you come back after lunch? The teacher just fell asleep at dawn.”

Shh. Gemma put her index finger to her lips as she spoke.

“Yes. I understand.”

Wilton went back. Since he came early in the morning on promised days, this happened often.

Gemma, who had sent the child away, went back inside.

She went to Eirene’s bedroom to check on her and was about to close the door when Eirene tossed and turned and opened her eyes.

“Sleep more.”

“No. I was just closing my eyes, but I’ve been awake for a while.”

“Then at least stay lying down. You might fall asleep again.”

“I want to get up early today. I want to breathe the morning air too.”

Since she usually fell asleep after struggling with the baby until dawn, it had been a long time since she woke up at this hour.

After washing and changing clothes, Eirene went outside and sat on a chair in the garden.

It was just a small patch of grass, hardly worthy of being called a garden, but it was a precious space for Eirene.

She put on the shawl Gemma had brought her and leaned back in the chair with her eyes closed.

“Miss. I’ll prepare breakfast, so please come in slowly.”

“Just one cup of tea is fine.”

“There you go again. I told you that you need to eat well.”

Before Eirene could say anything, Gemma went inside.

Her nagging had increased since they started living together.

After leaving Dervel Palace, when she was at a loss about where to go with Zeus, she met Gemma. It would be more accurate to say Gemma had come looking for her.

She didn’t ask how Gemma had known to come, and Gemma didn’t explain either.

When Gemma said she wanted to stay together, Eirene allowed it, and they had been together from then until now.

Without Gemma, Eirene, who knew nothing about the world, would obviously have lived a difficult life.

Gemma had some savings, so there was no hunger or shivering from cold.

“What a relief.”

When Eirene suddenly realized she was pregnant one day, she couldn’t accept it calmly.

It was Gemma who comforted her complicated feelings, and Gemma’s contribution was significant in ensuring the baby was born healthy.

Now Gemma had become a mother, sister, and friend to Eirene. She had become family.

“Family…”

Clive’s words came to mind.

I’ll be a good husband and good family to you.

The person she couldn’t forget even after leaving.

She had been so happy to see the newborn baby, but tears came when she saw how much the baby resembled him.

The time she had spent trying to forget him and denying him crumbled in an instant when she saw the baby.

His gray eyes were in the baby too. Still, she had to forget. She had to think of the baby as hers alone, not his and hers.

She tilted her head back. A warm breeze blew. It’s completely spring now. The wind was full of flower scents and grass smells. It was the season when she had promised to marry him.

Eirene suddenly felt tears coming and got up from the chair. Maybe it’s because she hasn’t been sleeping well lately. She had been crying more.

“Miss! Come eat!”

Just then, at Gemma’s call, she wiped her tears with the back of her hand and went inside.

* * *

He watched from a distance where he could meet her with just a few steps.

Clive, who couldn’t bring himself to reveal himself before Eirene, silently sent his regards to her with only his eyes.

You’re doing well. I’m glad you look healthy.

Even after a whole year had passed, she was still beautiful without change. She looked comfortable and good. The way she swept up her hair blowing in the wind. Her appearance lost in deep thought was exactly the same as before.

To Clive, this situation seemed like a dream. No, it was a dream. Since he couldn’t meet her even though she was right in front of him, it was a dream. He couldn’t turn away after seeing the door Eirene had disappeared through.

If he turned around now, it felt like he would really wake up from the dream.

“Will you stay here for a few days?”

At Ulik’s question, Clive returned to reality.

“Let’s do that. But is there a place to stay in this small village?”

“There is. It’s a mess though.”

He followed Ulik to the place he guided them to.

After tying the horses directly in the stable, the place they entered wasn’t professionally operating as lodging. It was an ordinary house that operated by taking in only three or four traveling guests.

Contrary to Ulik’s words that it was a mess, it was clean. It was old and worn, but it was a livable place.

“If you let us know in advance, we’ll prepare breakfast and dinner.”

The kind-looking owner said while glancing at Clive.

His luxurious clothing and the aura he gave off clearly showed he was nobility, so the owner wondered why he was staying here.

“Where did you come from?”

Ulik answered instead of Clive.

“From the capital.”

“Ah. The capital! I see. I’m not sure if this humble place will be suitable for your stay. This place is…”

“We’ve traveled a long distance and would like to go to our room now.”

When the owner kept trying to ask something, Ulik cut him off. The second-floor room they were guided to was set up for two people to stay together.

There were two single beds, a small round dining table, and two chairs. When he opened the window, sunlight came in along with a view of the path passing in front of the lodging.

Clive sat on the window seat.

The wind was gentle. Bird songs could be heard from the nearby forest, and the chatter of children playing in the yard could be heard.

There was a reason Eirene looked comfortable.

It was a village that made people feel at ease.

“Will you stay here all day?”

“I suppose. I can’t stay locked up all day either.”

But I can’t go out either. Clive muttered and added.

“What’s stopping you from going out? Are you afraid of running into Miss Eirene?”

Clive didn’t answer.

“Rumors will spread anyway. That two men who don’t fit with the village have appeared.”

“At least rumors won’t spread about you and me specifically. Let’s rest a bit and then think about it.”

At Clive’s words, Ulik flopped down on the bed. He must have been tired because he fell asleep. He had acted like he would go out right away, but he must have been very tired. Clive chuckled at seeing Ulik and unconsciously took out a cigar again.

He had started smoking again after Eirene left, but somehow he felt reluctant to smoke here where she was. He tapped the floor with the end of the cigar he held upright while looking out the window. Then his movement stopped.

He saw Gemma walking toward them.

The sound of her meeting and talking with the lodging owner could be heard all the way up to the second floor.

“How is the teacher? Is it still difficult for her to go out?”

He roughly guessed that they called Eirene “teacher.”

“She’s much better. Actually, she said she wanted to see you and your wife this evening. Do you have time?”

“Us? Hey. Tell her she can rest more and come later.”

“She says she feels stuffy.”

“Really? Then I should prepare something delicious and wait. My wife also saved some pickled peaches for the teacher.”

When the owner laughed happily, Gemma also smiled and went back the way she came.

Even though it was such a small village, who would have thought the owner of the house they decided to stay in would be close to Eirene?

Since Eirene was coming to this house in the evening, he would have to either go out or stay holed up in the room.

* * *

Gemma prepared a pie as a gift for the uncle and aunt. Eirene had no talent for cooking whatsoever, so she gave up early and left it to Gemma.

Though it was spring, it got cool at night, so she dressed the baby warmly before going out. It felt good to walk the night path after so long. The feeling of flower petals blown by the occasional breeze brushing her cheeks was also nice. The white moon that had risen brightly lit the path like a lamp.

“The aunt said she would give us pickled peaches.”

Gemma also liked pickled peaches.

“Let’s eat lots of peaches this summer.”

How much she had wanted to eat them when she was pregnant. Even then, their circumstances weren’t comfortable enough to eat many. After that, she came to love peaches like she had developed a craving for them.

The neighboring aunt, who heard this casual story, said it reminded her of her daughter who had married and moved far away, and whenever she had a chance, she would get pickled peaches from somewhere and give them to her.

Only good people lived in the village.

Even though they could have gossiped about seeing an unmarried woman’s belly growing, they instead took care of her.

They asked first about whether her physical condition was okay and helped with tasks that required strength.

Not just the aunt they were visiting now, but everyone was a benefactor. On the day she gave birth, everyone prayed for the mother and baby to be healthy.

She had wanted to express her gratitude long ago, but Eirene’s health hadn’t been good, so she kept postponing it and started today.

Starting with the house where she owed the most.

“Aunt! I’m here!”

Gemma went inside first. The aunt received the pie and welcomed the healthy-looking Eirene.

“Oh my, teacher, you’ve lost weight again in just the few days I haven’t seen you.”

The aunt said with a pitying expression, “it’s because I haven’t been sleeping well lately, but there’s no problem.”

The aunt who saw the baby Eirene was holding broke into a big smile.

“The cute young master must be giving his mother a hard time. But what can you do? He’s so cute you have to forgive him. How many days has it been since I’ve seen him?”

The aunt took the baby from Eirene. The aunt, who had restrained herself from wanting to see the baby because she was worried about disturbing them after hearing they couldn’t sleep, didn’t know what to do because the baby was so pretty.

“Have dinner before you go, teacher.”

“No. I just wanted to see your face and go.”

“Oh come on, eat with us. We have guests today anyway, so I had to prepare dinner. I just made a little more, so please eat.”

Having meals with guests staying at this house was common. Still, she felt like she was being a bother and tried to leave, but was held back.

While the uncle went upstairs to call the guests, she sat down first. The sound of footsteps coming down the stairs could be heard. Eirene, who had been smiling while looking at the baby in the aunt’s arms, raised her head.

Her eyes widened when she saw the man she faced.

“Ulik?”