The servants stood in awe, their hearts jolting as they gazed upon their king’s face, surprise and bewilderment etched on their features, before quickly lowering their heads.
Jeffrey, rarely displaying shock, wore a look of astonishment this time. “Will my lady become the queen of this country?”
“Yes,” Igor replied, then turned his gaze to Rihannan and spoke to her directly. “As I mentioned before, we are on a tight schedule. I cannot give you much time. Do you believe you will finish within an hour?”
Rihannan nodded. “Yes, that should be enough time. I appreciate your consideration.”
“I see. So…” Igor lifted his foot and moved in a certain direction.
The servants let out a sigh of relief and straightened their backs as he moved away from their presence.
Rihannan smiled bitterly. “That’s how things have unfolded. Let’s go inside for now.”
She relayed the dismal and discouraging events that had taken place in Crichton to Jeffrey. Soon enough, they would discover that Crichton’s king and nobles had treated her as a mere pawn, exchanging her to avoid war.
Guided by Jeffrey, Rihannan took her first look around the mansion. It remained clean and well-maintained, as if she had left only yesterday. Appointing Jeffrey as the caretaker had been the wisest choice after all.
“Thank you for everything, Jeffrey.”
“Naturally. It is my duty, miss.”
Rihannan smiled. He was still the same as always. Just like the unchanging mansion, Jeffrey had not changed either.
Together, Rihannan and Jeffrey ascended the stairway. Every corner of the mansion was filled with memories of her and her mother. The Count’s traces had been erased—his portraits and statues were nowhere to be found. At the top of the stairway, Rihannan turned around, recalling the moment she had driven her father and half-sister away… remembering the time she had ascended in confusion, only to realize she had returned to the past.
I had no idea I would come back like this.
Bitter thoughts invaded her mind like a plague.
“My lady, you once declared that you would never marry or bear a child. Now, you are to marry soon,” Jeffrey said, interrupting Rihannan’s thoughts with a soft laughter. “If you bear a beautiful child in the future, please bring her back here. I’m certain the late countess would love to see her grandchild.”
“Jeffrey, have you heard from Leticia since then?” Rihannan changed the subject, briefly looking at the old butler.
Jeffrey shook his head. “No, not at all. The last time she came to this place was during the count’s funeral.”
“I see…” Rihannan nodded.
Leticia would be fine. Wherever she went, Rihannan was sure she would employ her cunning mind. There was no need to worry about her.
“Jeffrey, I would like to visit my mother’s grave one last time.”
***
Rihannan’s mother, Anastasia Alessin, slept peacefully in the family resting place. Beside her lay the man she had loved. A sense of exhilarating deprivation overwhelmed Rihannan’s trembling heart. The Alessin family had pleaded for him to rest by her side, but she knew her father would have refused to lie next to her.
Forever, till death do them part, had never existed.
Her mother had loved him so much that she would have stolen all the stars in the galaxies if necessary, but it was never enough.
She had welcomed him into her life, absorbing his poison and mistaking it for love.
Rihannan gently caressed the tombstone engraved with her mother’s name.
“Mother… Please tell me I have done well…”
To bury her mother’s love beside her and leave Arundell days after her death, only to return to the soil of her birth… had she made a mistake in her choices?
Rihannan feared the unknown future, afraid that she would undo all her efforts through a mere mistake. If only her mother were here to comfort her, maybe she would find the courage she lacked. But such answers could not come from a dead man.
“Mother…”
As Rihannan’s expression gradually darkened, a small bouquet of flowers was placed in front of the tombstone.
“They love flowers,” Basil said.
Rihannan looked up in astonishment. Basil had appeared so suddenly, without making a sound. And beside him stood Igor. He glanced down at her, his eyes meeting her surprised face for a moment, before he turned his gaze back to the countess’ tomb and spoke, “Of course, I don’t believe it at all, but I think the countess will appreciate those flowers…”
The flowers he had brought were unrefined, as if plucked from the grass. Their length was irregular, with jagged stems tied together haphazardly.
At first, Rihannan thought Basil had prepared them, but then she noticed dirt staining Igor’s hand…
Igor flinched, hastily concealing his hands behind his back when he noticed Rihannan’s lingering gaze fixed on his finger.
Rihannan averted her eyes, choosing not to mention what she had seen.
“I… never thought to bring a bouquet of flowers,” she said, breaking the heavy silence that enveloped them.
The steady rhythm of their hearts filled the air. The series of incidents on the ship had left both Rihannan and Igor in a sour mood. They could barely face each other, let alone engage in conversation. Though truthfully, it was Rihannan who intentionally avoided him.
Unable to bear the persistent sullenness, Rihannan finally spoke, shattering the quietude. “But my mother always loved flowers, especially those found along the road rather than the grand, exotic flowers in the garden. Thank you. I’m sure she’s content.”
Igor’s eyes flickered, and he looked away.
Rihannan cast her gaze downward, her fingers fidgeting. She had nothing more to say.
Then Igor glanced at the grave next to the countess, his tone turning cold. “The Count was buried here as well…”
Rihannan nodded. “My paternal relatives were eager to lay him to rest beside her.”
“You are too forgiving. I heard the Count brought a child from another woman on the day of her funeral.”
“Ah, yes…” Rihannan’s lips tightened.
On the day she had departed for Crichton, she had written a letter to the Queen, informing her of the sudden decision to live with her maternal relatives and the arrival of a new half-blood sister. The Queen herself had likely revealed Rihannan’s abrupt departure to Igor. Rihannan was aware of the undeserved criticisms that were hurled at her, condemning her for severing the sacred bond of family ties. Yet, at least Igor did not blame her or point fingers.
But it was peculiar. She was conversing with Igor. This was the most they had ever spoken to each other.
The Igor she once knew, the man filled with bitterness and disgust, was no more. He had always clashed with his mother, but in this life, he appeared more stable, more at ease. Perhaps it was because he ascended the throne much earlier. The Igor Rihannan had known would never have picked flowers for her mother.
“…You’re not the only one who has changed,” she thought to herself.
She had changed too. No longer was she the impoverished, foolish, and naive girl who lacked resilience.
This was also acceptable. There was no need for her to bury herself in the past. It was time to let it go. As long as she could maintain a proper and amicable relationship with Igor, that would be sufficient. And then, they would part ways peacefully.
Igor noticed an anomaly on the countess’ tombstone. “Rihannan, what is this inscription? I have never seen it before.”
“Ah…” Rihannan stepped forward, gently caressing the tombstone. A short phrase was carved into it. “‘My beloved mother, Anastasia Alessin. (Rihannan)'”
Igor pointed to the last letter and inquired about its meaning.
“I wrote my name. It’s an ancient text from Crichton…”
Currently, both Crichton and Arundell used the same language and phonetics. However, hundreds of years ago, their languages were vastly different. They each had their own distinct culture and language. Despite the barriers, they could communicate using the language of Lisaa, the kingdom under which they both served. But one day, the Great Lisaa Empire crumbled, falling into ruin. Foreign invaders pillaged the kingdom of Lisaa until only Crichton and Arundell remained. The other lands of Lisaa came under the rule of the Toulouse Empire.
With only Crichton and Arundell remaining, the two kingdoms became unified allies, integrating the ancient language and script of the former kingdom. Their shared history and ancient connections allowed them to maintain a military alliance despite their animosity.
The inscription on the tombstone was written in Crichton’s ancient language, predating the invasion.
“In fact, my name itself was a common phrase in ancient Crichton.”
“What does ‘Rihannan’ mean in Crichton’s ancient language?”
“‘Rihannan’ means ‘my love,'” Rihannan shyly smiled. “My mother truly loved me.”
A moment of contemplation passed through Igor’s mind, and he soon opened his mouth.
“Rihannan.”
He repeated her name, savoring its taste on his tongue.
“Rihannan, Rihannan, Rihannan…”
Then, he smiled widely as he looked at Rihannan.
“What a beautiful name, Rihannan.”
The servants stood in awe, their hearts jolting as they gazed upon their king’s face, surprise and bewilderment etched on their features, before quickly lowering their heads.
Jeffrey, rarely displaying shock, wore a look of astonishment this time. “Will my lady become the queen of this country?”
“Yes,” Igor replied, then turned his gaze to Rihannan and spoke to her directly. “As I mentioned before, we are on a tight schedule. I cannot give you much time. Do you believe you will finish within an hour?”
Rihannan nodded. “Yes, that should be enough time. I appreciate your consideration.”
“I see. So…” Igor lifted his foot and moved in a certain direction.
The servants let out a sigh of relief and straightened their backs as he moved away from their presence.
Rihannan smiled bitterly. “That’s how things have unfolded. Let’s go inside for now.”
She relayed the dismal and discouraging events that had taken place in Crichton to Jeffrey. Soon enough, they would discover that Crichton’s king and nobles had treated her as a mere pawn, exchanging her to avoid war.
Guided by Jeffrey, Rihannan took her first look around the mansion. It remained clean and well-maintained, as if she had left only yesterday. Appointing Jeffrey as the caretaker had been the wisest choice after all.
“Thank you for everything, Jeffrey.”
“Naturally. It is my duty, miss.”
Rihannan smiled. He was still the same as always. Just like the unchanging mansion, Jeffrey had not changed either.
Together, Rihannan and Jeffrey ascended the stairway. Every corner of the mansion was filled with memories of her and her mother. The Count’s traces had been erased—his portraits and statues were nowhere to be found. At the top of the stairway, Rihannan turned around, recalling the moment she had driven her father and half-sister away… remembering the time she had ascended in confusion, only to realize she had returned to the past.
I had no idea I would come back like this.
Bitter thoughts invaded her mind like a plague.
“My lady, you once declared that you would never marry or bear a child. Now, you are to marry soon,” Jeffrey said, interrupting Rihannan’s thoughts with a soft laughter. “If you bear a beautiful child in the future, please bring her back here. I’m certain the late countess would love to see her grandchild.”
“Jeffrey, have you heard from Leticia since then?” Rihannan changed the subject, briefly looking at the old butler.
Jeffrey shook his head. “No, not at all. The last time she came to this place was during the count’s funeral.”
“I see…” Rihannan nodded.
Leticia would be fine. Wherever she went, Rihannan was sure she would employ her cunning mind. There was no need to worry about her.
“Jeffrey, I would like to visit my mother’s grave one last time.”
***
Rihannan’s mother, Anastasia Alessin, slept peacefully in the family resting place. Beside her lay the man she had loved. A sense of exhilarating deprivation overwhelmed Rihannan’s trembling heart. The Alessin family had pleaded for him to rest by her side, but she knew her father would have refused to lie next to her.
Forever, till death do them part, had never existed.
Her mother had loved him so much that she would have stolen all the stars in the galaxies if necessary, but it was never enough.
She had welcomed him into her life, absorbing his poison and mistaking it for love.
Rihannan gently caressed the tombstone engraved with her mother’s name.
“Mother… Please tell me I have done well…”
To bury her mother’s love beside her and leave Arundell days after her death, only to return to the soil of her birth… had she made a mistake in her choices?
Rihannan feared the unknown future, afraid that she would undo all her efforts through a mere mistake. If only her mother were here to comfort her, maybe she would find the courage she lacked. But such answers could not come from a dead man.
“Mother…”
As Rihannan’s expression gradually darkened, a small bouquet of flowers was placed in front of the tombstone.
“They love flowers,” Basil said.
Rihannan looked up in astonishment. Basil had appeared so suddenly, without making a sound. And beside him stood Igor. He glanced down at her, his eyes meeting her surprised face for a moment, before he turned his gaze back to the countess’ tomb and spoke, “Of course, I don’t believe it at all, but I think the countess will appreciate those flowers…”
The flowers he had brought were unrefined, as if plucked from the grass. Their length was irregular, with jagged stems tied together haphazardly.
At first, Rihannan thought Basil had prepared them, but then she noticed dirt staining Igor’s hand…
Igor flinched, hastily concealing his hands behind his back when he noticed Rihannan’s lingering gaze fixed on his finger.
Rihannan averted her eyes, choosing not to mention what she had seen.
“I… never thought to bring a bouquet of flowers,” she said, breaking the heavy silence that enveloped them.
The steady rhythm of their hearts filled the air. The series of incidents on the ship had left both Rihannan and Igor in a sour mood. They could barely face each other, let alone engage in conversation. Though truthfully, it was Rihannan who intentionally avoided him.
Unable to bear the persistent sullenness, Rihannan finally spoke, shattering the quietude. “But my mother always loved flowers, especially those found along the road rather than the grand, exotic flowers in the garden. Thank you. I’m sure she’s content.”
Igor’s eyes flickered, and he looked away.
Rihannan cast her gaze downward, her fingers fidgeting. She had nothing more to say.
Then Igor glanced at the grave next to the countess, his tone turning cold. “The Count was buried here as well…”
Rihannan nodded. “My paternal relatives were eager to lay him to rest beside her.”
“You are too forgiving. I heard the Count brought a child from another woman on the day of her funeral.”
“Ah, yes…” Rihannan’s lips tightened.
On the day she had departed for Crichton, she had written a letter to the Queen, informing her of the sudden decision to live with her maternal relatives and the arrival of a new half-blood sister. The Queen herself had likely revealed Rihannan’s abrupt departure to Igor. Rihannan was aware of the undeserved criticisms that were hurled at her, condemning her for severing the sacred bond of family ties. Yet, at least Igor did not blame her or point fingers.
But it was peculiar. She was conversing with Igor. This was the most they had ever spoken to each other.
The Igor she once knew, the man filled with bitterness and disgust, was no more. He had always clashed with his mother, but in this life, he appeared more stable, more at ease. Perhaps it was because he ascended the throne much earlier. The Igor Rihannan had known would never have picked flowers for her mother.
“…You’re not the only one who has changed,” she thought to herself.
She had changed too. No longer was she the impoverished, foolish, and naive girl who lacked resilience.
This was also acceptable. There was no need for her to bury herself in the past. It was time to let it go. As long as she could maintain a proper and amicable relationship with Igor, that would be sufficient. And then, they would part ways peacefully.
Igor noticed an anomaly on the countess’ tombstone. “Rihannan, what is this inscription? I have never seen it before.”
“Ah…” Rihannan stepped forward, gently caressing the tombstone. A short phrase was carved into it. “‘My beloved mother, Anastasia Alessin. (Rihannan)'”
Igor pointed to the last letter and inquired about its meaning.
“I wrote my name. It’s an ancient text from Crichton…”
Currently, both Crichton and Arundell used the same language and phonetics. However, hundreds of years ago, their languages were vastly different. They each had their own distinct culture and language. Despite the barriers, they could communicate using the language of Lisaa, the kingdom under which they both served. But one day, the Great Lisaa Empire crumbled, falling into ruin. Foreign invaders pillaged the kingdom of Lisaa until only Crichton and Arundell remained. The other lands of Lisaa came under the rule of the Toulouse Empire.
With only Crichton and Arundell remaining, the two kingdoms became unified allies, integrating the ancient language and script of the former kingdom. Their shared history and ancient connections allowed them to maintain a military alliance despite their animosity.
The inscription on the tombstone was written in Crichton’s ancient language, predating the invasion.
“In fact, my name itself was a common phrase in ancient Crichton.”
“What does ‘Rihannan’ mean in Crichton’s ancient language?”
“‘Rihannan’ means ‘my love,'” Rihannan shyly smiled. “My mother truly loved me.”
A moment of contemplation passed through Igor’s mind, and he soon opened his mouth.
“Rihannan.”
He repeated her name, savoring its taste on his tongue.
“Rihannan, Rihannan, Rihannan…”
Then, he smiled widely as he looked at Rihannan.
“What a beautiful name, Rihannan.”
