Episode 40: Lu (3)
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Tarkan’s hand was on the bed, which was now split in half.
Who knew what happened, but the once new bed now looked ready to be discarded.
As if that wasn’t enough, a golden aura formed around Tarkan’s hand again.
Baang!
“Oh wow, it broke again. This bed is weak.”
How was it supposed to stand when it is destroyed by aura?
Nevertheless, Tarkan shook his head with not a shred of shame on his face.
“It looks unfixable like this. And even if you can fix it, it’s a problem. I can’t have my wife sleeping on such a weak bed.”
Tarkan turned to Launelian, and his lips widened in a grin.
“As it happens, we brought a bed from Irugo. Isn’t that great?”
I’m not using separate rooms with my wife!
His intention was clearly pronounced in his golden eyes.
Aristine stared speechlessly at the bed which was now turned into powder.
‘Why am I surrounded by people like this…’
She should be the one lacking common sense after living in captivity for so long.
Somehow, she was starting to feel like she had the most common sense around here.
After that, they started going back and forth, something about how one isn’t enough, they should bring another bed, another said no need for another bed, we’re going back to Irugo in a few days so pack up the nursery and such and such.
Unable to bear it anymore, the common-sense holder, Aristine, quietly left the room, abandoning the three men.
The court ladies and handmaids followed her silently like a shadow.
Aristine managed to send most of them away, leaving only one handmaiden who could be called Launelian’s confidant.
From the corner of her eye, she could see the betrayed look on the court ladies’ faces but it couldn’t be helped.
She was going to meet ‘him’.
Now that they were in the quiet hallway, Aristine asked in a soft voice.
“Where is he? Is he somewhere safe?”
Although she didn’t say exactly who she was referring to, the maid already understood.
“He is in the Imperial Palace. Tarentas Palace.”
“And his condition?”
“It is much better.”
The maid, who had been answering politely with her head, raised her eyes and looked at Aristine.
“Would you like to see him?”
Aristine fell silent for a moment.
“Is it right for me to see him? Although I know the sorrow in people’s hearts due to losing him, I have not said the truth.”
Aristine’s gaze was fixed in Nephther’s direction.
King Nephther acted as though he felt no more sorrow, but she knew that was not the case.
“It was his own decision, not Your Highness’s.”
The maid comforted Aristine.
Aristine chuckled.
She felt like she knew why Launelian had her as his confidant.
“…He must be feeling down in a place without a single familiar face. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you, Princess. Plus, I heard a lot of things happened in that person’s family too.”
The handmaid carefully suggested after studying Aristine’s expression.
Aristine nodded, “Yes, the things in his family…it might have been his own decision but that doesn’t stop the heart from aching.”
Aristine turned around.
“Lead the way.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
* * *
After moving for a while, the carriage came to a stop.
Compared to the Emperor’s Imperial bedchamber, Tarentas Palace was located in a quite remote corner.
‘Then again, I’m sure it’s better that way.’
Due to the restricted access, there were few people around Tarentas Palace.
There were only two soldiers guarding the front of the palace.
As Aristine got out of the carriage, she clenched his fists tightly. Her heart felt unsettled.
Even though she heard he was much better, the last time she saw him, he was dying. Even if he had improved, how much improvement could it really be?
Aristine pursed her lips and slowly walked forward.
Soon, the maid stopped in front of a large door.
Once this door opened, she would see him.
Before Aristine could even prepare herself, the maid opened the door.
A warm breeze was blowing through the wide-open window.
The light chiffon curtains fluttered in the breeze, bathed in the golden hue of the afternoon sun.
And between those curtains, stood a man with his eyes closed.
‘Ah…’
His vivid platinum hair rippled in the wind. However, his once-long hair was noticeably shorter.
An elegant nose bridge, paired with a prominent jaw line. Long eyelashes lay beneath his closed eyes and his rose-pink lips looked vibrant.
Aristine released the breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
He was alive.
And in very good condition too.
Despite Tarkan telling her that the treatment was successful and that he was alive, she couldn’t picture him in one piece.
All she could picture was the seemingly endless crimson blood that dyed the floor.
The image of his breath fading, his eyes trembling, his body utterly drained of strength.
Yet here he was, alive and well, basking in the early summer sun.
Perhaps he sensed a presence in the room.
His eyelids fluttered open, revealing his turquoise-colored eyes.
Slowly, he turned his head. His clear gaze focused on Aristine.
“…Lu.”
Aristine called his name, the name he wanted to be called for the rest of his life after abandoning everything.
Lu’s eyes carved an arc as he gave a gentle smile.
“It’s nice to hear that name from your lips.”
Aristine felt choked up and tears began to well in her eyes.
“How can you joke at a time like this? I really thought you were going to die.”
“Hmm, I’m not joking though, I’m serious.”
Hamill smiled mischievously and his face turned serious, and he nodded.
“You’re right. If nothing happened, I would have died then.”
The bright blue eyes stared straight at Aristine.
“If it weren’t for you.”
Aristine clenched his fists.
Hamill walked closer to her, an awkward look on his face.
“Don’t cry. I can’t even wipe away your tears and I keep wanting to.”
Aristine roughly rubbed away her tears.
“As much as I want to hug you and cheer you up, you won’t like it if I do that, no?”
Lu smiled.
“After all, ‘Lu’ is only your friend.”
“…”
“I will not cross the line. Don’t worry.”
Aristine gazed at him and sighed.
“I just wanted to tell you how glad I am that you’re alive.”
Hearing that, Lu’s expression changed.
*.*.*
- Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 21 - December 14, 2024
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 66 - December 14, 2024
- Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 20.2 - December 8, 2024
I knew he’s still alive.
It’s the only explanation for the disfigured corpse
Muchas gracias por esta actualización, estoy super feliz de luz volviera a sonreír y que se encuentre con vida, aunque siento algo de nostalgia por el.
Thank you for these chapters, Miss Ruby.
Lo and behold, Hamill is indeed alive. I’m glad he also is respecting the line that Aristine has and isn’t as handsy as he was before. When they first became friends, he would casually touch her way too much. I’m glad he’s isn’t so quick to touch her anymore, even if he wants to.
Despite the things he did before, the fact that he made the decision to condemn his mother and grandfather and leave everything behind redeems him in my eyes. They had done awful things that made them deserve the punishment they got, but that was still his family. He had left them behind, despite knowing what fate awaited them. That couldn’t have been an easy decision to make, but he had made it. He even decided to live as if he was dead, never to see his father or sister again. I have to say that I respect him for that.
I’m glad Tarkan know about this so it won’t be a source of drama later