Chapter 253. Epilogue, Part II
Translator: Khan
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
‘So wouldn’t it be all right if I come back from Croa after just clearing up my identity?’
‘It won’t take long and Asher would understand it.’ Aria thought so.
‘I’d better use what’s available.’
Since Carin’s remarriage had already been decided, she needed to visit Croa to attend it. Aria, who reached the conclusion of a quick resolution in the meantime, soon rose from her seat at the sound of a carriage heard through the window.
“Uh? Miss? Are you going out like that?”
Annie asked Aria, wondering because she had not called back the maids and finished dressing up. Jessie also looked a little disappointed when she realized Aria’s intentions. The same was true of other maids.
“I don’t have much time, and I think Mr. Asher will arrive soon.”
Aria replied vaguely. Since she had been busy from the morning anyway, all she had left was combing her hair a little more or looking for accessories to match. This was not the time to waste her time doing such a useless thing. It was because she had to share an important story with Asher.
“But…”
“It’s OK.”
“… I get it, Miss.”
The carriage hadn’t even arrived yet, but Aria hurried downstairs.
The sight of Asher’s carriage reflected the sun and quickly approached the mansion. As it was so colorful that it seemed to hurt her eyes, and the maids who followed Aria quickly erased their regretful faces and burst into laughter.
“You’ve come to meet me.”
Soon Asher’s carriage arrived, and because of Aria, who had been waiting for him in advance, he smiled as if he was happy. It was a pleasant smile as if there were no more worries.
“… what’s the matter with your bad expression?
“Yes? Nothing.”
Soon, however, Asher, who noticed a strange look in Aria’s expression, frowned. She said no, but he found out that it was not.
“… I see.”
Asher reached out to the denying Aria. He said he was convinced, but he looked as if he were going to ask why later. She then took his hand and climbed into the carriage with his escort.
Then, unlike when he had come to the mansion, the carriage began to move very smoothly and carefully. The slow movement seemed to be the driver’s effort so that they could have a friendly chat because they met after a long time.
“It’s a good day.”
“That’s right.”
“I have all the new nobles on the empty land. Some of them are the first to manage the land, so I’m going to send professionals to help them.”
“I see. I’m glad things got sorted out sooner than I had thought.”
“Yes, there were those who I had thought ahead with your help. I’m so glad it’s over before the fall.”
“That’s right.”
“Yes.”
But unlike such driver’s efforts, there was a great deal of awkwardness in the carriage. It was because Asher waited for Aria to bring up the story she was hiding, and Aria thought about how to speak.
“…”
“…”
Eventually, the conversation stopped and the carriage became silent, so Aria, who was measuring timing, opened her mouth carefully. “I think I have to go to Croa.”
“…” At her words, Asher swallowed his breath.
He wished it wasn’t just that. But he couldn’t say that, so he nodded with his mouth shut. As she had met her biological father, she had to visit his family eventually anyway. It was a natural step. But contrary to what he was convinced, it was true that he was disappointed, so his expression was quite gloomy.
“I think my mother is going to remarry. I’ll be right back after the wedding. I have a lot of work to do, so I can’t stay in Croa for long.”
Aria then tried to make excuses. It was also true. If she added up the past before turning the hourglass, she had no reason to stay long because she had not seen one another for more than thirty years. All she needed to do was to say a few words, and she was going to do it.
“I hope so.” But as if he didn’t think so, he gave a very significant answer. He seemed to imagine a situation in which Aria could not do so.
“So please don’t worry about it, and I want you to prepare a gift for me who will be an adult. My eighteenth birthday will come soon.”
As a result, Aria smiled softly and changed the subject. Her eighteenth birthday was the day that Aria would be free from all the oppression. It was also the day Aria and Asher waited so long.
“I hope you’ll have something great ready. It’s such a great gift that I’ll forget everything you’re worried about.”
To relieve Asher’s anxiety, Aria whispered her much-anticipated gift she had hoped for so much, and he stared at Aria, stunned and speechless as if he hadn’t made a gloomy look. He made a stunning look as she did not expect Aria to bring up the story first.
Then Aria swallowed a smile and continued, as Asher showed the desired response. “As I’ve told you before, I’m looking forward to seeing a very fancy and grand gift, more than this wagon.”
Eventually, there was strength put firmly in the hands of Asher, who was holding her hand, even before Aria had finished speaking. The pupils of his eyes turned dark blue, and she could see the tips of his ears turning red.
‘You were worried that the world was falling apart until now.’
When Aria, who was satisfied with his frank response, smiled in a low voice, Asher regained his consciousness and answered, kissing the hands of Aria which he was holding.
“… I will prepare a wonderful and colorful gift that you can’t compare to the carriage.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
It was true. She meant it. Rather than meeting relatives who she had not seen one another for thirty years, she expected the gift he would give. It was because she was leaving for Croa to be a little happier with Asher in the first place.
And since Aria had never felt any affection for her family or kin in her lifetime, she believed she could come back after a really simple procedure.
* * *
The day off to Croa was scheduled faster than she thought. It was as fast as it had already been set, as if her mother had decided everything in the first place and had it all scheduled within that day, and then notified Aria.
She had no other complaints because it was predictable. It was because Carin always did so. However, she had to sooth Asher a few times as he was disappointed that it was too early.
“I should come with you… I’m sorry I can’t. I hope you have a safe trip.”
“Thank, thank you, Your Highness.” And on the day of departure, as she dared to receive the Crown Prince’s polite farewell, Carin stammered and answered.
At the same time, the knights Asher had arranged to Carin and Aria bowed their heads to pay their respects as if they were the delegation team of a country. The same was true of the servants he had arranged for them.
The knights and servants from the Marquis of Piast were a considerable number of people. The people Asher had arranged for them as he had been worried joined together, and it became such a huge group that could be considered a delegation team of a country.
“I’ll be back soon. Don’t worry.”
Just before getting into the carriage, Aria, who approached the dark-faced Asher, took his hand. Nevertheless, his concern still lingered, so she raised her heels and kissed Asher’s cheek gently.
“…!”
“It was not Aria who acted like this in the presence of all, so the startled Asher took a look at her, wrapping his cheek.
“Mr. Asher, please don’t worry about me, and I hope you’ll prepare what I’ve been asking for.”
‘How can I keep my face gloomy when Aria does this far?’ Nevertheless, as he was sorry for her departure, he had a short sigh and promised that he would do it, hugging Aria in his arms as much as he could.
* * *
“How romantic…! I hope Baron Burboom can see and learn.”
Annie recalled Asher who had hugged Aria in his arms, in the carriage that began to run as hard as it could, and expressed her admiration a lot of times.
‘I deliberately took another carriage from Carin because I had to travel a long way. However, why is it that a maid who should seek her owner’s peace is bothering me?’ Aria, who covered the book she was reading, replied as if she was annoyed, “You didn’t have to follow me, Annie, because I had Jessie.”
“How can I stay when you’re going a long way?!”