Chapter 93
Dante unfolded the telegram that had arrived with his simple dinner.
Although several telegrams came each day, the ones from Florian were always the first he read.
Sipping a light lemon drink, Dante carefully scanned the densely printed words.
The telegram from Florian detailed Riena’s daily activities.
At one point, his gaze lingered on a specific line:
“…She purchased a gift at the marketplace: a men’s silver pocket watch. We don’t know who the gift is for, but it seems she pondered over it for a very long time.”
A gift? Dante raised an eyebrow at the unexpected note, then let out a small chuckle when he read the next line. Could it be for him? Already, the earlier details faded from his attention as he lightly tapped the table with his fingers.
Having recently done things she would like, and even given her several gifts, he guessed this must be her way of returning the favor.
Dante lingered especially on the part about her having “pondered over it for a very long time.” He let a small smile tug at the corners of his lips.
He remembered what Margaret had once told him about her:
“His Highness personally selected the tea leaves.”
“I’ll skip the tea. Coffee will do.”
“…She tried every new tea and carefully considered which to choose. She selected a sweet tea especially for His Highness, who always seems tired, so please drink it at least once.”
Those old memories made Dante smile again. The sweetness had been for him, not herself. Since she had chosen for her own taste back then, he wondered if her preferences were reflected in this small gift too.
Even if it was just a cheap silver pocket watch, knowing she had put thought into it made Dante happy to accept it. A warm smile spread across his face.
***
“Henry, this is a gift.”
Though the train station might not have been the perfect place for gifting, Riena handed over the ribbon-wrapped package with a hint of nervousness.
“…For me?”
Henry took it awkwardly, feigning surprise.
“Yes. I’m not sure if you’ll like it. It’s not expensive…”
“No.”
Henry smiled brightly, holding the gift as if it were priceless.
“It’s truly the best gift I could receive.”
“You haven’t even opened it yet,” Riena teased with a playful frown, matching his exaggerated joy with her own smile.
“Shall we open it here?”
“Here? Well… there’s no reason not to.”
Riena glanced around.
The station was noisy and crowded.
But since she had initiated the gift, she nodded her consent.
Henry quickly unwrapped the package and opened the small box inside.
His eyes widened as he looked at her.
“Riena, it’s a pocket watch.”
“Yes. And it’s real silver!”
“You shouldn’t have. It’s far too extravagant.”
Riena couldn’t deny it. Even by her standards, it had cost a decent amount. Yet, considering he had saved her life and helped her settle here comfortably, it felt like nothing.
Smiling softly, she shook her head.
“I really wanted you to have it. You’ll accept it, right?”
Her cheeks flushed pink, and her sparkling eyes met his. Henry felt a sudden surge of emotion. His fingertips trembled slightly.
If he could, he would have pulled her into his arms right then.
Just looking up at her, she was breathtaking.
Even as he tried to suppress his desire, it only grew stronger.
Holding the box tightly in place of her, Henry spoke.
“Could you attach it yourself?”
“Me?”
Riena tilted her head slightly at his unexpected request.
“Yes. It’s a gift. And since you’re in uniform… it will suit the pocket watch perfectly.”
Ah. Riena lowered her gaze slowly.
Indeed, Henry had been dressed in uniform since early morning to attend the military farewell ceremony at the Arbern Palace.
The crisp white uniform suited him perfectly.
His arm injury, previously bandaged up to the neck, had mostly healed, with only a thin wrap around the wound.
After a brief hesitation, Riena reached for the pocket watch chain.
Henry flinched slightly.
Clink.
The slightly thick chain made a cheerful sound as it moved.
The soft noise accompanied her careful movements.
Riena hesitated before fastening the chain to his uniform button.
Slightly embarrassed, she murmured:
“This is my first time doing this. I might be clumsy.”
“That’s fine.”
Who would mind if she did it herself?
Glancing at her gentle smile, Henry allowed her to adjust the pocket watch to his uniform.
Henry flinched once more as she touched the buttons of his coat.
He hardly noticed the subtle floral scent drifting around her.
He drew in a small breath and bit his lip to keep composure.
Carefully, Riena fastened the chain to the appropriate button and then tucked the watch into his pocket.
“All done. How does it look?”
“It suits the uniform perfectly. Beautiful.”
“Yes, I chose it, but it really matches you, Henry.”
Riena laughed lightly, shrugging.
“Will you only attend the farewell ceremony on the first day?”
“I’d like to, but… I was just promoted to captain, and with our division commander and the admiral attending, it’ll be difficult to sneak out early.”
Henry let out a faint sigh of fatigue, and Riena smiled softly.
“But your colleagues will be there too! You’ll have fun. It’s a celebration for your promotion.”
“The married soldiers were told to bring their families. I think the enlisted men are given extra attention because they’re veterans.”
“Really? Will they let you attend the party too?”
Henry nodded. His eyes flickered slightly at the thought of her accompanying him.
Someday, even if not now, he hoped they could attend such events together.
“Henry?”
Riena’s gentle voice broke his reverie.
“Yes… but I should be back in three days.”
Three days—Dante was scheduled to return.
He had left saying he would return within ten days, and a week had already passed.
There was no word of where he had gone, so Riena had no idea of his exact schedule.
The Duke of Venachert was always like this.
Busy as ever, but Riena never knew his schedule.
There was nothing new in that.
Even now, it didn’t bother her—after all, they were no longer connected.
Yet, for some reason, Riena felt an odd twinge of emotion.
Not even during her time as Duchess had she felt this way.
“Oh, is there anything you’d like me to get? I’ll stop by Arbern and buy it if you want anything.”
Riena looked up, startled from her thoughts.l Henry was gazing intently at her.
She paused for a moment, then shook her head.
“No, it’s fine.”
There was no need for unnecessary desires. She was not a materialistic person.
“Still…”
“Attention passengers! The train is departing soon! Please board immediately!”
A sharp voice cut through the air. The station attendant loudly announced the train’s departure.
“Henry, the train’s leaving. Let’s go.”
“Yes. I’ll be back.”
Henry climbed the train stairs, while Riena waved gently, seeing him off.
A servant, pretending to read a newspaper on the platform, had been quietly observing them.
The soldier in a pristine white uniform smiled softly.
Across from him, the young woman he had been watching for days waved her hands repeatedly.
It was as if she were sending off a beloved returning to the army.
