[CHAPTER 111]
Lincia lost again to the man’s plea, asking her not to speak of parting.
She could not understand her own heart, neither fully loving Harvich nor being able to leave him.
For the next two days, Harvich did not appear.
Staying at the villa, Lincia began to worry as the man, who had tried to see her at least once, did not show up.
Lincia left her bedroom and went to Harvich’s door. She did not have the courage to knock on the firmly closed door and turned away.
“Your Highness!”
Startled by the voice behind her, Lincia turned.
“What is it?”
Anna seemed to be tidying the bed sheets, holding a bundle of white cloth.
“…Ah.”
Seeing Lincia, Anna handed all the sheets to Tereo and quickly approached.
“I was thinking of going to see the child.”
Unable to say she had come to look for Harvich, Lincia unconsciously lied.
Lincia nodded.
Honestly, she still could not feel maternal attachment to the child. She visited once a day, but it felt more like a duty than love.
As she approached the child’s room, her stomach churned.
Each time she realized she could not feel affection for the child she had wanted to protect, a cold emptiness filled her.
The child was already in the room with a familiar visitor. The man, absent for nearly two days, was there holding the child with warm, affectionate eyes.
Lincia took steady steps toward them. The child, growing quickly, looked different today. The sharp features were unmistakably like Harvich’s.
“Lincia.”
Harvich’s expression brightened upon seeing her.
“I was about to come find you; you’re lucky.”
“You come often, it seems.”
Harvich hesitated briefly before speaking.
“I have been absent for some time. If I do not show my face often, I hear that the child easily forgets.”
Lincia looked at the child. The child smiled brightly, as if recognizing her. After gazing at the child in Harvich’s arms, Lincia turned to leave.
Satisfied the child was well, she thought to return.
Harvich held her back, one hand holding the child and the other holding her.
“Shall we go see the sea?”
“The sea?”
Lincia asked hesitantly.
“Did I not promise to show you the unfrozen sea before?”
“…Do you still love me?”
On the day they first confirmed their feelings, he had promised her many things: outings with the child, returning to the two-story house she loved, flower viewing in the capital, and traveling abroad.
Among those, he had mentioned going to the sea.
Recalling that day, Lincia’s expression stiffened.
She wanted to ask why he brought up the promise now, but she bit her lips.
She wanted to see the sea.
“The weather is warming up, and we haven’t gone on an outing for a while.”
Harvich released her hand, placing the child with the nanny and taking her hand again.
“The villa is close to the sea; it won’t take long.”
Harvich added, almost defensively.
“Could you give me two days?”
“And the child?”
Even asking felt shameless to Lincia. When had she ever cared so much for the child? All she did was check if the child was alive and unharmed.
“…The nanny is here. Two days away should be fine.”
“….”
“I won’t insist further.”
Lincia saw Harvich’s hand trembling.
“No, let’s go.”
“…! I will prepare everything properly.”
Harvich’s expression brightened.
Whether he had planned this trip in advance or worried her mind might change, the preparations for the sea trip proceeded quickly.
“Depending on the travel pace, it may take an extra day. Is that okay?”
Lincia silently nodded.
The carriage carrying them rolled forward.
During the ride, Harvich neither forced conversation nor maintained silence. He merely pointed out locations and travel time as they passed through the territory.
“We’ve arrived.”
Lincia stepped down with Harvich’s escort.
From the moment they arrived, a new scent filled the air.
The salty, foreign scent made it feel as if they were standing in another world.
“We have a bit of a walk. Is that alright?”
“Yes.”
Lincia and Harvich walked along a path lined with stalls. Low-heeled shoes made the walk bearable.
A cold wind blew, and the sea appeared before them.
It was more vast and beautiful than Lincia had imagined. The endless horizon reflected sunlight on the water. Waves collided with the sand, creating transparent foamy patterns.
The first view of the sea was indescribably beautiful.
“Do you like it?”
Lincia nodded in a trance.
Seeing the sea alone was enough, and the salty scent was not unpleasant. Exploring nearby stalls was also enjoyable.
She laughed often, enjoying the day with Harvich after a long time.
Returning to their lodging for the night, Lincia went out onto the terrace, staring at the sea. The stars reflected on the dark water, creating a stunning view.
“The sea breeze is cold.”
Harvich draped a thick coat over Lincia’s shoulders, standing beside her and following her gaze.
* * *
The day was truly perfect.
Lincia smiled often at Harvich and seemed happy.
She did not refuse the small gifts: paintings of the sea, bottles filled with pretty pebbles.
There was room for their relationship to improve, Harvich thought.
He realized he had many wrongs to amend, and significant effort would be needed.
Going to see the sea was one of those efforts.
If they could leave with just good memories, it would have been perfect, but from early morning, Lincia began to fall ill.
Probably from the cold wind she had been exposed to for so long.
“Lincia.”
Harvich hovered beside her, unable to leave.
Though he thought the weather had warmed considerably, it was apparently too much for her. Seeing Lincia’s body burn with high fever, he swallowed hard.
“Ah…huh…”
Harvich poured medicine and water into Lincia’s lips as she exhaled.
If only it could relieve her pain, he would have done anything.
“Huh… it’s so… cold.”
Harvich tightly embraced Lincia, who shivered. With eyes clouded by pain, she spoke.
“I’m… fed up.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You too.”
“……”
“This land as well.”
