Please be Patient, Grand Duke - Chapter 113.1

The sandy-hued farmhouse receded into the distance. Canillia watched the diminishing farmhouse, her hands resting on her thighs. As Luan sat down beside her and cracked open the window, a refreshing breeze, imbued with the crispness of the forest, wafted in.

Before she knew it, they had left the chilled Valencia plain behind and were nearing Luci, Luan’s domain.

Early in the morning, right after finishing their meal, Luan Sergio prepared to return. Canillia, who had become occupied, left Carso seated and entrusted Claude with him. It was evident that she wouldn’t take care of her own injuries, insisting that they would heal on their own.

“Don’t worry about me. Cherish the remaining time and come back. I need you for the inauguration ceremony.”

She was on the verge of saying that she wanted to go back to Del Casa with him. Perhaps she would have said it if their eyes hadn’t met.

Touching her lips, still tingling from their final kiss, Lia spoke softly.

“Thank you, Luan, for granting my request. I won’t forget this favor.”

A smile appeared at the corners of Luan’s mouth.

“No, forget it. The sooner you forget the favor, the better it is for me too. I keep wanting something from you.”

Luan’s desires were always similar. A kiss or an embrace.

What a foolish man he was. What part of me is so captivating that he dedicates himself so selflessly?

Feeling apologetic, Lia gently brushed aside Luan’s hair, which seemed restless as if he couldn’t sleep, and lightly leaned her head against his shoulder.

“Thank you for being my friend.”

“Friend?”

“Yes, as a friend. The first friend I made was actually you, Luan.”

He gazed down at the small head leaning on his shoulder, momentarily lost for words. Then he let out a deep sigh and spoke.

“Ha… I guess I should get married soon, even if it’s because of you.”

“The women of Geore are all beauties.”

“Don’t tease me.”

“I truly mean it. I hope Luan finds happiness.”

Luan turned his head again, his expression becoming more cautious. Lia tried to dismiss thoughts of Claude as she explored the familiar city center of Luci over the past few days. By now, he would have set off for Del Casa. He would receive the hospitality of Jasmine, whom he had worried about, and receive proper treatment from the physicist.

As her thoughts reached that point, the belated memory of the note she had left behind fluttered in her mind.

“He’s probably wearing the note I beautifully tied in the abandoned mansion.”

Lia chuckled, recalling the words she had written on the note.

Before she knew it, Luan, who had gotten out of the car,, turned around and opened the door, extending his hand. She couldn’t contain her excitement as she smiled brightly at her waiting mother.

“I’m back, Mother.”

***

Time flowed like a river.

Laborers were dispatched from Geore to rebuild the collapsed mine, and Pauline, crossed the border multiple times to deliver the notes. Each time, the timid dove caused near-hysteria in Luan whenever he saw him. It was evident that he recognized the person who had tried to shoot him.

And today, she received the final note from Del Casa.

-Lavender has bloomed.

Behind her, Laura approached with a faint smile on her lips, her handwriting calm and composed.

“Today, you’re going back.”

Lia folded the note and placed it in her pocket before sitting down.

A month had already passed. As the time of their separation drew near, Lia didn’t want to leave her mother’s side. They shared a bed at night, and Lia nestled into her mother’s arms like a child.

Every time, her mother tenderly stroked her hair and sang the lullaby she remembered.

“I’ll come to get you soon.His Highness promised, he will definitely bring Mother closer.”

At those words, Laura, who gently caressed Lia’s cheek, teary-eyed, lowered her head.

“Really? Will it be alright? We’re not nobles, Lia. But we’re living a noble’s life. Can we handle it without getting hurt?”

“Mother, do you regret it?”

Laura, who had been quietly observing their intertwined hands, slowly lifted her head.

“Even if we go back, even if it’s considered a bad choice, I will do the same thing. Lia, you are my only blessing.”

Lia, with tears welling up, rested her forehead on her mother’s shoulder. It would be a brief separation, but overcoming and enduring each moment would undoubtedly be difficult.

Lia glanced past Pauline, who sat on the pedestal, and quietly gazed at the blue sky beyond the window. Along with the reflections on the window frame, the faint scent of lavender seemed to waft in with a gentle iridescence.

She was grateful to Luan.

To Claude, who allowed her to experience this dreamlike month.

“Lady, the preparations are complete.”

The coachman came to announce their departure.

Lia tightly held her mother’s hand as they descended to the first floor. Those who had taken care of her, including Luan, stood in line with regretful expressions.

Lia exchanged greetings with each of them one by one. And finally, as she prepared to bid farewell to Luan, he pulled her into a firm embrace.

Startled, Canellia raised her hand towards Luan’s chest, but the voice calling her name so affectionately gently stroked her back, eventually comforting her.

“See you again.”

“Yes. See you again, my love.”

A fresh yet warm parting.

After embracing her mother tightly for a final time, Lia boarded the car. Then, with a bright smile, the butler who would accompany her to the border checkpoint started the car.

Lia didn’t look back. She knew the reason Luan didn’t see her off, and she knew her mother was trying not to show her tears. With a radiant expression, she opened the window and savored the tender scent that she might not encounter again for a while.

After a while of driving, the checkpoint appeared beyond the vast meadow. And the moment she spotted the man standing on the other side, she finally let the held-back tears cascade down. Longing burst forth, and she clutched the front of her dress.

As soon as the car stopped, Lia leaped out. She clutched the hem of her dress and ran towards Claude, who was waiting for her. She could hear the urgent shouts of the driver, but she had no time to look back. Her steps felt slow, as if she were dreaming. The high heels felt clumsy. She wanted to touch him, even if only for a second, as quickly as possible. The moment her feet touched the ground beyond the red line, he embraced her tightly. Seeing the scar revealed by her hair, he gently cupped her cheek and kissed her cautiously. For a very long time, until the tears ceased.