Chapter 36: Reunited by the Lake

“We’ve got a sighting of someone resembling the lady.

Around eleven this morning, she was seen waiting alone at the long-distance coach station.”

“Check the routes that left around noon.”

“Yes, immediately.”

The subordinate hurried off to investigate.

Watching him go, Hawk clenched his fist tightly.

The fountain plaza served as the hub for long-distance coaches connecting Rosaider to other regions.

If Fine had boarded one, she might already be outside Rosaider.

‘Fine, where are you?’

Hawk looked to the sky, thinking of her.

*

[Villa Year 423, May]

Touching the water gushing from the ground, Fine found it slightly warm.

“Mm, good hot water today.”

She smiled.

“Val, can you increase the flow a bit?”

“No problem!”

Val thumped his chest proudly, raising a hand toward the spring.

The trickle surged stronger.

“Thank you.

That’s a big help.”

“Right?

I’m pretty useful, huh?”

Val rubbed under his nose, grinning happily.

Fine chuckled.

A month after leaving the mansion, Fine was working and living at a small inn in Laketown, on Rosaider’s outskirts.

She’d considered leaving the territory but couldn’t resist staying in a place tied to Hawk’s memories.

Watching the flowing water, a voice called, “Fine-chan!”

“How’s the water?”

“Plenty coming through.”

“Great!

It’s been flowing better lately, hasn’t it?”

The inn’s kind-hearted owner, Luida, smiled.

On Fine’s first day in Laketown, unsure of her next steps, Luida had approached her.

Seeing Fine alone with a large bag, she’d sensed her situation immediately.

“We’ve got unexpected guests today.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, the lord’s party, no less.

We must host them well.”

“…The lord?”

Fine’s heart skipped as she echoed the words.

“Yes.

Apparently, they decided on this trip suddenly.”

“I… see…”

Fine fought to keep her voice steady, suppressing her trembling.

‘Hawk-sama is coming here?

Why?’

When she was at the mansion, no Laketown trip was planned.

It must have been a last-minute decision.

That evening, Fine slipped out of the inn to the lakeside.

Seeing Hawk in person might shake her resolve to move on, and that scared her.

‘Have Hawk-sama and his party arrived at the inn?’

She removed her shoes, dipping her ankles in the water.

Though the weather was warmer, the lake was still cold.

The sky turned red with the sunset, mirroring on the lake’s surface.

“Beautiful.”

Fine murmured.

Footsteps crunched behind her.

“It is.

Like the sky matches your beautiful hair.”

Startled, Fine turned.

“My lord…”

There stood Hawk in his military uniform.

“Why are you here…?”

“I came to find you.”

“Me?”

Fine blinked in confusion.

Hawk pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Don’t leave me.

You’re my wife, aren’t you?”

“Why?

I prepared to divorce you.

What about the one you love?”

“I don’t know what you’ve misunderstood, but I love only you, Fine.

Don’t you love me too?”

His whisper in her ear unleashed her emotions.

‘But what about Sherry?’

She’d loved him but buried those feelings, believing he had another.

Yet he claimed to love only her.

“I’ve always loved you.

So much.”

Tears streamed down her face.

Hawk cupped her cheeks, smiling.

“Good girl.

Come back to me.”

His face drew near, and their lips met.