CH 140

“Please stop saying you’re sorry. Tell me that you love me instead.”

Gareth did so, repeatedly whispering that he loved her very much while crying.

* * *

Gareth silently watched his men prepare the trip to the capital. Ethan had been successful in taking control of Logan’s military that had been scattered throughout the country as well as infiltrating into the capital. He was ready to retake the throne. It seemed as if the heavens had chosen him to be the monarch as his reputation amongst the people had somewhat improved as well. It was now time for Gareth to meet Ethan, but he deemed that it was necessary to send his family to a safe place first.

“Giggs, Hansen,” he called, to which the two men stood in front of him and waited for his orders. “Please take good care of them,” Gareth ordered, his onyx eyes clearer than ever.

Giggs held his mouth agape, thinking, ‘Please? Did he just say please?!’

Despite Giggs and Hansen’s shocked reactions, Gareth simply walked away from the two men and went upstairs to see Elena.

* * *

Elena observed Gareth’s broad shoulders as he meticulously checked for any stains or tears on his clothes. She then asked, “You’ll be back in two months, right?”

“Yes, I will be. I’ll make sure the war ends before then,” Gareth replied, determined to bring down Halbert before spring bloomed.

Elena gently stroked Gareth’s hair and reminded him, “Don’t forget that I’ll be waiting for you. Please be careful… and return home safely.” Elena thought back to what Gareth had said about being unable to leave her in such a horrible place like this. Elena had agreed with his remark and decided to go back to Gareth’s estate. Gareth had also promised to take Lenoa back to Viscount Nar’s estate, to which Lenoa had responded with delight that she was finally able to return to her hometown.

Gareth slowly lifted Elena from the chair she was sitting in, then he opened his arms to hug her tightly. ‘My precious, my wife, my Elena,’ he thought as he lowered his head to cover her lips and kiss them gently but firmly as if to imprint a part of him onto her. His lips drew in her scent, which traveled further into him and filled his lungs. He didn’t want to drift apart from her for even one second, but it was time to let her go.

“Giggs and Hansen will escort you and your sisters.”

Elena, who was in the middle of putting her coat on, raised her eyebrows in surprise. She didn’t understand why Gareth was sending his two most important men away just for her. Feeling unsettled, Elena retorted, “You don’t need to do that. William will be with us. We’ll be fine.”

“He’s not enough. I’ll only be relieved if I send both Hansen and Giggs,” Gareth explained, his voice stern as if to fend off any further objections.

Elena gazed at Gareth for a moment, then she ended up nodding meekly. ‘He’s going back to a deadly war… If I can do something to help him be relieved, then I will do it.’ Wrapping up her thoughts, Elena agreed, “Okay, I understand.” She then took Gareth’s big hand to bring it to her chest and whispered, “This heart belongs to you now. I just wanted to remind you before we part. There’s only one thing that will make me happy, and that’s you not getting hurt in the war. I remember every part of you, and I’ll compare your body to what I remember once you get back, okay?”

“I’ll return safely so that you’ll be happy,” Gareth whispered, then he bowed his head to kiss her white forehead. “My heart belongs to you as well. I’ll do everything to make you happy. You will forever be the bright flames that fuel my heart, Elena.”

Elena slowly raised the corners of her lips into a smile. She couldn’t believe that a man who did not have even the slightest talent for figurative speech was expressing himself like this, holding such romantic words in his mouth. She wrapped his face with one hand and stood on her toes to kiss him before he could kiss her first.

* * *

Although she had already visited her father’s grave with Gareth a few days ago, Elena made William stop by the Townsend estate. Unlike the first time they visited and burst into tears of grief, she and her sisters remained calm.

“Wait here,” Elena ordered her escorts, then she took her sisters to find Count Townsend’s grave. Once she reached her destination, Elena knelt in front of the mound of dirt and touched the soil with her hands. “Father… We’ll be leaving this place for a while. I’m sorry to be leaving you alone like this.”

Rowena and Marina stood behind Elena, swallowing their tears. Since Elena insisted on taking them to Gareth’s estate, this would be their last time saying goodbye to their father.

“We’ll be back soon, Father,” Elena whispered as she carefully stroked the grave. A snowflake suddenly fell onto her face at that moment, prompting Elena to look up at the wintry sky. Elena slowly lifted herself and stood upright, then she looked back at Rowena. “You’ll take over the Townsend estate as the countess, Rowena. This place will be yours to take care of from now on,” she said.

Rowena shook her hands in surprise. “How could I? I don’t deserve this place. You’re the one who should take the title!”

Elena smiled gently and murmured, “I will live only as Gareth’s wife from now on. I’ll leave this place up to you.” She then looked back at Marina this time and hugged her little sister, who had been wearing a gloomy expression ever since she was almost raped a few days ago. It seemed that she had hardly been able to escape the traumatic experience. “I’m so sorry, Marina…” Elena apologized.

Marina opened her arms and hugged Elena back. Elena reached out her arms and hugged Rowena as well. The soft, sugar-like snowflakes continued to fall from the sky and covered the three sisters.