Chapter 31
***
The Marquis was in an uproar for some time over the couple's unexpected trip to the South; Chaint had taken a hasty leave of absence, intent on focusing solely on his wife.
For some reason, Euris couldn't shake the feeling that this might be their last trip together. She resigned herself to the passing time, desperately hoping that her premonition was wrong.
The couple arrived south of Alton by train, with their streamlined luggage and servants. It was a small resort town named Pyreneza.
Stepping out of the station after a half-day train ride, they were greeted by the sweltering southern heat-a perfect place to be in the middle of summer.
Not far away was the blue ocean. Waves rolled in and out in regular cycles. Where they hit the white sand, they created soft foam. Many people were walking on the white sand.
Families, friends, couples, lovers⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯. And puppies running around. The sound of waves mingled with the chatter of people.
Euris took in the scene with a dazed expression. She hadn't seen the ocean since she was a small child. The wind carried the sound of the waves she had only heard in her imagination. Her hair whipped around. She closed her eyes and smelled the salty air.
"Isn't it beautiful?"
Chaint asked, holding a hand to block the sun from Euris's face, and she nodded toward her husband, a clear smile on her lips.
The Pyreneza sloped heavily around the coast, with pretty houses of all colors, large and small, dotted along the ridges.
The white roads in between looked picturesque. The dazzling sunlight from the sky reflected off the whiteness, making the whole city seem to sparkle. It was an exotic sight, one not often seen in her homeland or the capital.
She approached the horses that had been prepared for the two of them. Pyrenees, who loved the sloping terrain, often traveled on horseback because carriages were not easy to navigate.
A gentle-eyed horse with a white mane whinnied to greet them. The horse's mane glistened in the bright midday sun. The horse rubbed its nose against Euris's face as she approached. A warm snort tickled her forehead.
Chaint looked at her lovingly, then grabbed her by the waist. He helped her into the saddle, then climbed in behind her.
"Leave this trip to me."
His cheerful voice rang in her ears, and she loved the feel of his big arms around her. Gentle and caring. Euris gently stroked the mane of the first horse she had ridden since she was a child.
She could see what Chaint wanted to show her, and why he'd insisted on traveling.
He wanted to drag her out of her room, where she'd been confined since her last life, and show her the world.
They spent several days exploring the Pyreneza. The walls of the rows of buildings were saturated with color.
Bright yellows, pinks, and light blues blended with white floors to create a cheerful atmosphere. She felt like she was wandering through a fairy tale.
Chaint took his wife to every shop that sold sorbet. The southern lemon sorbet definitely tasted good, and she never got tired of it.
He watched with pride as she scraped the sorbet to the bottom each time.
They sat at an outdoor table in the cafe. His wife looked as beautiful as ever in her bright green dress. The word beautiful, however, sometimes got stuck in his throat and didn't come out.
If he said it too often, he wondered if she'd think he didn't mean it. His jaw clenched and his blue eyes widened as he stared at her.
Euris's mood had been somewhat heavy since the Count of Hebron's funeral, but perhaps that was because she was feeling sensitive.
But Chaint prided himself on being able to recognize every subtle change in the woman, having spent so much time observing her.
Euris didn't notice his gaze at all, concentrating on her sorbet. It was cute, and Chaint couldn't help but smile.
As soon as he did, a sad thought crossed his mind, and his mouth dropped, making him look awkward.
‘You must have some guilt about Kylan in your heart.’
It was understandable, given what his tender-hearted wife had been through.
‘And me, too.’
He let out a small sigh. Recognizing it, Euris paused in her diligent spooning.
"Chaint, I've been too focused on the sorbet................"
"It looks good, do you want some more?"
He said softly, willingly holding his share of sorbet in front of her.
"I'm getting an upset stomach......."
Euris’ cheeks flushed slightly. It was so adorable that Chaint couldn't help but smile. He caught a glimpse of the view behind his wife's seat.
Outside the shaded awning, a stone path led from the café to the beach. Suddenly, he stood up and walked over to his wife, who was looking up at him.
"Honey?"
He purposely didn't answer because he liked the sound of her calling him honey, and wordlessly grabbed Euris’s hand and pulled her to her feet. She struggled to her feet against his strength.
He held her hand and walked quickly along the stone path. She had to run to keep up. The green hem of her dress blew fluttering.
When they reached the front of the beach, where the white foam was breaking, they stopped. Their shoes briefly touched the crystal-clear water in the wake of the waves, but she didn't mind.
The brief exertion made Euris exhale sharply. She was smiling happily, and he didn't want to stop her.
Chaint grabbed her by the thin waist and lifted her up with a jerk. With a whoosh, Euris was lifted into the air. He whirled her around. Surprised, bewildered, but still happy, Euris's face broke out into a summer sunburst.
"Put me down!"
Euris playfully bumped her husband's shoulder as he looked up at her, still holding her aloft. The sight of the woman who seemed to cover his world was so beautiful that he didn't feel like putting her down.
"I love you."
The words stopped Euris in her tracks, and her expression hardened. It must be a reminder of their conversation before they traveled here, Chaint thought. But she quickly hid it, and then leaned her head down to whisper in his ear.
"I love you more, forever."
***
Their time in the Pyreneza was uneventful. The two of them just wandered around. The opera house, the vast white sandy beaches, the restaurants with delicious food, the southern botanical gardens.
Euris held Chaint's hand as they wandered, forgetting all about her aversion to the outdoors and the anxiety of not knowing what was in store for them.
She completely ignored the box she was about to open.
Time passed quickly, and before she knew it, it was their last night together. They had a late dinner on the outdoor terrace off their bedroom. Their plates were nearly empty.
As if by appointment, they hadn't talked about anything serious since arriving here, but now it was time to talk.
"Thanks for bringing me here, honey."
Instead of answering, Chaint gave her a nice smile. It wasn't a happy one, though, as if he knew he had to bring up a heavy subject.
They sat side by side at the table and stared up at the night sky. The pitch-black sky was unobstructed, and the stars seemed to literally spill out of the black construction paper.
The evening passed and it was time to head out into the night.
Shhhhh, the sound of waves crashing in the distance seemed to swallow them whole.
There was music and bustle from everywhere. The people were jovial, eating and talking late into the night. It was a pleasant city. It was the Pyreneza.
Chaint suddenly rustled, pulling something out and placing it on the table. It seemed to be something heavy, judging by the dull noise it made.
Euris shifted her gaze to it. There it was, a leather box no bigger than the palm of her hand, a luxurious box with golden embroidery over dark wine-colored leather.
"What is this?"
***
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Write a comment
Eve (Tuesday, 16 January 2024 18:55)
The calm before the storm I guess ☹️☹️☹️ oh dear!!! The cliffhanger is ilegal �