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T/N: This marks the final ending of this series. Thank you for reading until here. Laila and Ardion experienced many ups and downs to finally have a serene vacation, but they were always there for each other. With this, I hope that we can always be with our loved ones whatever happens.
If time permits, see you again in another series. I, Lioness, will meet you again~ ❣️
Chapter 121: Side Story 7
“Your Majesty, is there anything else you need?”
Ardion shook his head.
“Most of all, since you’ve pleased Laila, I’ll grant you a reward.”
At that, Arpe’s face lit up with joy. Ardion gazed at him calmly, as if he had already predicted Arpe’s reaction. Arpe swallowed hard before speaking.
“Your Majesty, if I may speak freely, our village once had several roads leading to the capital. But lately, the road to the mine has blocked off the others. What’s worse, the mine operator has deliberately obstructed the path, which has stopped the nobles who used to visit us for leisure. Now, we barely get by growing potatoes.”
Come to think of it, Ardion and I had made it here quite easily. It seemed those otherwise blocked routes had been opened for us as a privilege.
Then Ardion asked, “The mine operator. Is this related to Duke Tentri?”
The aide beside him nodded.
“Yes, Duke Tentri has been developing mines near the capital and profiting considerably.”
Ardion nodded thoughtfully. Duke Tentri was a noble once known for his close ties with Rowell. After assisting Ardion for three months, I had become quite familiar with the aristocratic circles.
“I let it be, wondering how far he’d go… but I suppose it’s time to draw the line.”
Ardion paused for a moment, then spoke to Arpe.
“We’ll reopen the old roads to the capital. And as I said, a reward shall be granted to this village.”
Arpe bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. We will never forget your graciousness.”
Ardion nodded slightly. Judging by his expression, it didn’t seem he planned to visit here again. I looked at Ardion, then glanced around.
The village was beautifully adorned with flowers. Clearly, the villagers had put in a lot of effort but if no one came to see it, how disheartening must that be?
Especially now that even the old roads had been cut off.
With Ardion’s words, the festive mood in the village lifted even more. People came forward, offering him their cherished possessions. Though Ardion declined, he accepted a few items out of courtesy. Above all, I was grateful for how warmly we were being welcomed.
It made me feel that this vacation had truly been worth it. Soon enough, not only the villagers but also the people from the palace who had accompanied us were thoroughly tipsy. Only Ardion and the aide remained sober, inspecting the carriages one by one.
Meanwhile, I was happily drinking, but every so often, Ardion would stop me.
“Laila, that’s enough. You’re drunk.”
I hiccupped and shook my head.
“No, I’m not. I’m still totally fine.”
But as I said that, Ardion seemed to blur into two. I blinked and reached for the glass he had taken from me. He placed it just out of my reach, on the other side of the table.
“Ardion!”
I protested, but he instead removed his jacket and draped it over me.
“You didn’t even notice you were cold, did you?”
Now that he mentioned it, goosebumps were rising on my arms. The sun was setting, and the surroundings were growing dim. Ardion signaled the aide, seemingly ready to leave. Just then, laughter rang out nearby.
I turned my head and caught a snippet of conversation beside me.
“Come to think of it, didn’t your wife say she saw an old ghost at that inn? Did she dream about it?”
The words ‘old ghost’ sobered me in an instant. I listened closely.
“Don’t even ask. She was so disappointed she couldn’t get her palm read, even though she saw him.”
At the mention of palm reading, I found myself asking, “Isn’t it common for that old man to read palms?”
At my question, a hush fell over the group.
“…”
The silence stretched on until Ardion glanced at the crowd. His sharp gaze made everyone quickly bow their heads in respect and cautiously speak again.
“It’s not common. No, only truly lucky people get their palms read.”
“Exactly. And your wife isn’t a newlywed, so maybe that’s why.”
“What do you mean?”
Just then, an elderly woman coughed and spoke up.
“From what I know, that old man once lost his daughter and her husband, who were newlyweds. That’s why he sometimes appears to newlywed couples passing through.”
Everyone looked surprised. I was no exception. But the old woman continued calmly.
“And apparently, on the day of the accident, the couple had a big argument. The coachman couldn’t properly see the signal on the cliff because of the noise, and that’s what caused the accident.”
Hearing that sent a chill down my spine and instantly sobered me up.
I looked at Ardion. He had a grim expression. Clearly, he had heard it too.
I gathered myself and asked, “So the old man reads the palms of newlywed couples?”
“Yes, but I’ve also heard of young couples, not necessarily newlyweds, seeing him too. But those who get their palms read are truly fortunate. When he was alive, he was said to be incredibly skilled.”
I fell silent, lost in thought. Then Ardion spoke.
“So, does he appear to young couples in troubled relationships?”
“Hmm, come to think of it, yes. The couple I heard about were fighting when they saw him, but afterwards, they made up.”
“And I believe the old man’s daughter had brown hair, just like Her Majesty.”
As soon as I heard that, I got goosebumps again. Even with Ardion’s jacket, a chill ran through me.
‘Then that gentle touch on my hair…’
It made sense now. Perhaps he thought I resembled his daughter because of my brown hair. In a way, the situations were similar. His daughter’s marriage ended in a tragic accident after a fight.
Ardion and I, thankfully, had avoided disaster. We had seen that old inn just in time, even through the storm.
Thinking back on it now, I felt calmer, and the fear gradually faded.
‘Maybe it was a good thing we stayed at that inn after all.’
Then Ardion gently placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Laila, the sun’s almost down. Shouldn’t we head back?”
I nodded. I had sobered up, and staying any longer might just make the villagers uncomfortable. It was time for us to go.
When we stood up, Arpe and the villagers sent us off with bright smiles. They even gave us some potatoes from their harvest.
“Your Majesty, if you ever pass through again, please stop by.”
Ardion nodded politely. I smiled and waved as we left the village.
When we returned to the inn, the carriage mechanic ran over.
“Your Majesty, the carriage repairs are complete!”
It was refreshing news. Finally, we could leave this place and head to the villa we had planned to visit.
The attendants quickly loaded our things. Ardion and I took one last look at the inn. Now, it seemed a little less shabby, almost endearing.
As I stared at the inn, Ardion whispered in my ear.
“Laila, if you ever want to come back, we can.”
“No, that’s not necessary. Once is enough for this place.”
I didn’t want to fight with Ardion again. That ghost had appeared to young couples who argued. Perhaps the old man had helped us see what we’d been missing in each other to help us understand one another again.
Feeling grateful to him, I leaned on Ardion.
Just then, the aide spoke.
“Your Majesty, we’re ready to depart.”
Ardion and I walked to the carriage. As we did, I felt a hand stroke my hair. I turned, thinking Ardion was teasing me, but he was facing forward.
‘What was that?’
Puzzled, I looked around. That’s when I noticed a rocking chair in front of the inn. I was sure it hadn’t been there earlier.
“Laila.”
Ardion’s voice brought me back, and I turned to him.
“Ardion, do you see that? That rocking chair wasn’t there before, right?”
He glanced where I pointed and said,
“It wasn’t, but maybe the attendants moved it while shifting the luggage. It might’ve been in the way.”
I nodded and climbed into the carriage with him. Soon, it began to move. I watched the old inn disappear in the distance and asked him.
“Ardion, did you touch my hair earlier?”
“No. Why?”
“No reason.”
It was strange, but unlike before, it didn’t feel unpleasant. Maybe it was just the wind.
Silently, I thanked the old man and leaned against the cushion.
Outside the window, the sky was just as clear as when we left the palace. The sunset made the scenery even more serene and beautiful. As the carriage sped up, the landscape flew past.
We were finally nearing the villa prepared for royal retreats. There, Ardion and I enjoyed a proper rest for the first time in a long while.
My heart was calmer than ever. Thanks to the palm reading, we no longer argued and we understood each other better than before.
And maybe that’s why, in that place of rest, Ardion and I spent the happiest days we’d ever known.
—The End—