Chapter 193 - Hundred And Ninety Three
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead, and a soft warmth kissed Ryan’s face, slowly pulling him from the depths of unconsciousness. He stirred, his eyelids fluttering open, and he sat up on the soft grass, his gaze taking in the breathtaking landscape before him. The field stretched out before him, a vibrant mixture of towering trees and colorful wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. The air was filled with the cheerful melodies of birdsong and the scurrying sounds of small animals darting through the tall grass.
"Where am I?" he murmured to himself, his voice raspy, his mind still hazy and disoriented. Before he could piece together any explanation, a familiar, comforting tune drifted through the air, a gentle humming that resonated deep within his memory.
He followed the sound, his steps slow and uncertain, until he saw her. A woman stood in a sun-drenched meadow, her back to him, humming the very tune that echoed in his heart. She was picking flowers, their delicate petals mirroring the ones his mother had always cherished.
A wave of emotion washed over him, a mixture of disbelief and overwhelming longing. "Mother?" he called out, his voice barely a whisper.
The woman stopped humming, her movements still and graceful. She slowly turned towards the sound of his voice, and when her eyes met his, a warm, radiant smile bloomed on her face.
Ryan’s breath hitched in his throat. There was no mistaking that smile, the gentle curve of her lips, the familiar sparkle in her eyes. This time, his voice was filled with certainty. "Mother!"
"Yes, my boy," Duchess Leah replied, her voice soft and filled with an immeasurable love. "I’m here." She opened her arms wide, offering him an embrace that he had longed for for so long.
Without hesitation, Ryan rushed towards her, his feet barely touching the ground. He threw himself into her arms, burying his face in her familiar embrace, the scent of wildflowers and something uniquely hers filling his senses. "Mother!" he repeated, his voice cracking with emotion, tears welling in his eyes.
Duchess Leah held him tightly, her hand stroking his hair, her touch as comforting as he remembered. "I’m here, my love," she murmured, her voice soothing. She finally broke the hug, cupping his cheeks in her hands, her eyes tenderly assessing his face. She kissed his forehead, her lips lingering for a moment. "Look how big you’ve grown, my Ryan, my little boy," she said, her own eyes glistening with tears.