Chapter 50 - Chapter 50

Chapter 50

The trial of the Castell family was held a month later.

The evidence against them was overwhelming. Testimonies from survivors, documents detailing their experiments, and the bone powder that I had helped analyze.

They were found guilty on all counts.

The late Marquis of Castell had been the mastermind, but even in death, he could not escape judgment. His body was exhumed and burned, his ashes scattered to the wind.

The rest of the family was stripped of their titles and lands, and sentenced to life in prison.

It was justice. But it didnundefinedt bring back the dead.

* * *

After the trial, Ruwellin and I went to visit Motherundefineds grave.

It was a small, simple headstone in the Hyll family cemetery. I had placed flowers there every year, hoping that somehow, she would know that I hadnundefinedt forgotten her.

"Mother," I said, kneeling in front of the grave. "Iundefinedm sorry I couldnundefinedt find you sooner. Iundefinedm sorry I couldnundefinedt save you."

Ruwellin knelt beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"She would be proud of you, Rosnia. For everything youundefinedve done."

"……Do you think so?"

"I know so."

I leaned against him and closed my eyes.

"Thank you, Ruwellin. For everything."

"Always."

* * *

The engagement ceremony was held a week later.

It was a small, private affair, with only family and close friends in attendance. Father and Adrian Hyll were there, of course, along with Sierra, Alex, and Enrique.

I wore the deep blue dress I had chosen, with sapphires and diamonds glittering in the light. Ruwellin wore a matching suit, his emerald eyes shining with happiness.

The ceremony was simple but beautiful. We exchanged vows and rings, promising to love and cherish each other for the rest of our lives.

And then, it was official.

We were engaged.

* * *

After the ceremony, we had a small reception. There was food and wine, music and dancing.

I danced with Ruwellin, with Father, with Adrian Hyll (who only stepped on my foot once), and with Alex (who managed not to step on my foot at all this time).

But the best part was when Ruwellin pulled me aside, away from the crowd.

"Are you happy?" he asked.

"Very happy. You?"

"Now that Iundefinedm alone with you, yes."

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close.

"I love you, Rosnia."

"I love you too, Ruwellin."

He kissed me, and for a moment, the world faded away. There was only him, only us.

When he pulled back, he was smiling.

"Ready to go?"

"Go where?"

"Our honeymoon. I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?"

"Youundefinedll see."

He took my hand and led me out of the hall. We sneaked away like thieves, laughing like children.

Outside, a carriage was waiting. We climbed in, and it set off into the night.

I leaned my head on Ruwellinundefineds shoulder and closed my eyes.

I didnundefinedt know where we were going, but I didnundefinedt care. As long as I was with him, I was home.

* * *

The carriage ride was long, but I didnundefinedt mind.

Ruwellin held my hand the entire time, his thumb tracing lazy circles on my skin. Occasionally, he would lean over and kiss my temple, and I would smile.

"Where are we going?" I asked again.

"Itundefineds a surprise," he said again.

I pouted, and he laughed.

"Patience, my love. Weundefinedre almost there."

True to his word, the carriage soon stopped. Ruwellin got out first and then helped me down.

We were in front of a small cottage, nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. It was simple but charming, with a thatched roof and a garden full of flowers.

"What is this place?"

"It was my motherundefineds."

Ruwellinundefineds voice was soft. He looked at the cottage with a mixture of sadness and fondness.

"She used to bring me here when I was a child. It was our secret place."

"……Itundefineds beautiful."

"I wanted to share it with you. Our first place as husband and wife."

I felt tears prick my eyes. He was giving me a piece of his past, his memories, his heart.

"Thank you, Ruwellin."

He smiled and took my hand.

"Shall we go inside?"

We walked up the path to the cottage. The garden was overgrown but still beautiful. Roses grew wild among the weeds.

"Your mother must have loved roses too."

"She did. She said they reminded her of love. Beautiful but with thorns."

Ruwellin opened the door, and we stepped inside.

The cottage was small but cozy. There was a living room with a fireplace, a kitchen, and a bedroom upstairs. Everything was covered in dust, but it had a warm, lived-in feel.

"Itundefineds perfect," I said.

"Iundefinedm glad you like it."

Ruwellin led me to the bedroom. There was a large bed with a wooden frame, and a window that looked out onto the mountains.

"We can stay here as long as you want. No duties, no guests, just us."

"……Just us."

I liked the sound of that.

Ruwellin pulled me into his arms and kissed me. It was different from his usual kisses, deeper, more passionate.

"Ruwellin……."

"Iundefinedve waited so long for this," he murmured against my lips.

"Me too."

He laid me down on the bed and hovered over me, his emerald eyes burning with desire.

"I love you, Rosnia."

"I love you too."

He kissed me again, and I lost myself in him.

* * *

The next few days were bliss.

We spent our time exploring the valley, cooking together, and making love under the stars.

Ruwellin was different here. He was more relaxed, more carefree. He laughed easily and often, and I found myself falling in love with him all over again.

One evening, we were sitting on the porch, watching the sunset.

"Rosnia."

"Hmm?"

"Are you happy?"

I looked at him. The setting sun painted his features in gold, making him look almost ethereal.

"……Yes. Iundefinedm very happy."

"Good. Because I am too."

He took my hand and kissed it.

"I promise to make you happy every day for the rest of your life."

"Iundefinedll hold you to that."

He smiled, and I leaned my head on his shoulder.

This was what I had wanted. A life with him. A future with him.

And now, I had it.

* * *

But even in the midst of happiness, there was a shadow.

A letter arrived one morning, delivered by a black bird with red eyes.

I recognized it immediately. It was from Killian.

[Congratulations on your engagement. But donundefinedt get too comfortable. Iundefinedm coming for you. And for Ruwellin. And for Sierra. You canundefinedt hide from me forever.]

I felt cold fear grip my heart.

Ruwellin took the letter from my hands and read it. His expression darkened.

"Heundefineds not going to give up, is he?" I said.

"No. He wonundefinedt."

Ruwellin crumpled the letter and threw it into the fire.

"But neither will I. I will protect you, Rosnia. No matter what."

I nodded, but the fear remained.

Killian was out there, somewhere, planning his next move. And I knew, deep in my heart, that this was far from over.

But I also knew that as long as I had Ruwellin by my side, I could face anything.

Together, we would win.

Because this was our story. And we would write it together.



* * *