Chapter 117: Nostalgia
"So I’ll find you at the border, and we’ll start off as planned," I tell Roman, who stands nearby, his expression serious. It’s early morning, the sun barely rising, and only three hours ago, Noelle expressed his desire to leave immediately. Now, here we are in the stables, preparing to embark on our journey. Noelle insists on riding horseback; he claims a carriage is too slow. I can’t help but smile at his determination. Anything for my beloved.
"Understood," Roman replies, nodding. His loyalty has always been unwavering, and I trust him to keep our plans intact.
I mount the horse behind Noelle, wrapping my arms around his waist. The warmth of his body against mine is comforting, even as the cool night air bites at our skin. I tighten my grip on the reins, feeling the powerful animal beneath us shift with impatience.
With a gentle nudge, I spur the horse forward, and it breaks into a gallop, galloping into the quiet darkness. The world around us blurs as we ride, the sounds of the stables fading away behind us. I feel exhilarated, a rush of adrenaline coursing through me.
*
After a long day of riding, we finally arrive at the town, which is bustling with activity. I can’t help but remark, "They are a little too lively for a town where the lord was killed." I suppress a smirk, knowing I’m the one responsible for that death—both the lord and his son, victims of their own cruelty toward Mona and Ben. Their end wasn’t merciful; I made sure of that.
As we trudge to the outskirts, we find our hill, overgrown with towering trees that loom above us like guardians. The house is nearly invisible beneath the dense foliage. "I didn’t want just anyone stumbling upon this place," Noelle says as we dismount.
I chuckle at his concern, the intimidating sight of the dense trees mirroring his apprehension. We begin our ascent, pushing through the underbrush, and eventually reach our destination. When I catch sight of the stone little house, warmth spreads through my chest.
"Doesn’t this take me back?" I say, nostalgia washing over me.
"It’s only been a few months, Thorne," my beloved star replies, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"That doesn’t make the longing any less," I insist, heading over to the small shed I built to tie up the horse. I can feel the familiar sense of belonging enveloping me as I settle him in, ensuring he has enough food and water, along with hay, grass, and some fruit.
Once I’m finished, I step inside to find Noelle by the small kitchen, cooking something that fills the air with an enticing aroma. I’m struck by the sight; it feels as if I’ve traveled back in time, to a simpler, happier era, aside from the expensive material of clothing Noelle wears now, a stark contrast to the cheap cotton we once had.