Chapter 199: The Place We Forgot Time
Rosalind glanced at the jar holding the seashells and saw that it was already filled to the brim, the soft colours and varied shapes catching the morning light in a way that made her lips curl into a gentle smile.
Each shell carried a memory of the time they had spent together at the beach house, and for a moment she simply stared at it before turning her gaze to Rowan, "Don’t you think this week passed by in a blink, and now we have to go back home?" she asked softly.
Rowan exhaled quietly as he followed her gaze toward the jar as well, and though he said nothing at first, he couldn’t help but agree with her.
The week felt like it had slipped through their fingers quickly, and after today they would be returning to the palace tomorrow, which meant everything familiar and expected would be waiting for them again.
"Time did fly," he admitted calmly, though there was a subtle heaviness in his voice that betrayed how much he too had enjoyed the quiet escape.
Rosalind shifted slightly beside him before asking again with curiosity, "What do you think is waiting for us back at home?"
Rowan’s gaze flickered briefly toward her before he answered without hesitation, "Work, definitely," he replied.
The official duties had already piled up during his absence, and as king there was no avoiding them, though even as he said it he didn’t seem eager to return to that reality just yet.
Seeing the change in his expression, Rosalind tilted her head slightly as though trying to read him more clearly.
Rowan immediately adjusted the moment by leaning in closer and pulling her gently by the waist so she was drawn back against him where they both sat on the open balcony, "Can you just enjoy this sunset with me?" he asked quietly, his tone almost pleading in a way that softened Rosalind instantly.
Rosalind’s lips pressed together as she relaxed against him, her resistance melting away as she nodded, "I’ll stop talking," she promised lightly.
Rowan let out a faint scoff as if he didn’t entirely believe her but chose not to argue.
Instead she leaned against his shoulder as they both turned their attention to the horizon where the sky was beginning to glow in warm shades of orange and gold while birds crossed the sky in slow flight and the wind brushed gently over their skin, wrapping the moment in a quiet peace that neither of them interrupted again.
That night when silence had fully settled and the world outside their room had grown still, they lay tangled together on the bed.
Rosalind faced him as her breathing gradually steadied while Rowan looked down at her with a softened expression that lingered even in the dim light,
"I know we’ll get occupied from tomorrow, but whatever happens, let’s not stop doing this, okay?" she said softly, her cheeks warming at her own words even as she tried to maintain her composure.
Rosalind pressed her lips together briefly as she continued, "I don’t really know how to explain it... but being close to you like that makes me feel safe..." she admitted honestly, her gaze shifting away for a moment as though searching for the right words while Rowan listened without interrupting her.
"I understand what you mean," Rowan said after a short pause, his voice faint but certain.
Then a small smile tugged at his lips as he added, "As far as I know, we haven’t missed a night yet," he reminded her gently while lifting her hand and pressing a slow kiss against it, his thumb brushing over her skin in a reassuring motion before he continued, "And there’ll be no reason to miss it later on," he said in a tone that carried quiet confidence.
Rosalind nodded softly at that, and Rowan leaned in then to kiss her lips before pulling her closer against him, allowing her to settle comfortably against his chest as she closed her eyes and felt his arms wrap securely around her, holding her as though grounding her in place while sleep gradually began to take her.
****
By the time morning arrived, the birds were already calling outside and a light breeze moved gently through the curtains.
It was in that early stillness that Rosalind slowly woke, her gaze drifting lazily across the room for a few seconds as she processed everything around her before she exhaled softly.
Then a strange bitterness rose in her throat and her expression tightened as she suddenly felt something uneasy stir in her stomach, and before she could fully comprehend it she sprang out of bed and hurried toward the bath.
Rowan, immediately alert at the sudden movement, sat up and followed her quickly, reaching the bathroom just in time to see her bending over the basin as she puked, and his expression shifted instantly from sleepiness to concern as he moved closer, "Are you alright?" he asked, stepping beside her without hesitation.
Rosalind tried to turn her face away from him so he wouldn’t see her in that vulnerable state.
But another wave rose before she could stop it and she leaned forward again, her hands trembling weakly as she held herself over the basin.
Meanwhile, Rowan quietly gathered her hair in his hands to keep it from falling forward, steadying her without a word of complaint or disgust, only concern in his eyes as he stayed close.
Without wasting time, he quickly moved to fetch a cup of water and returned just as she steadied herself, offering it to her so she could rinse her mouth.
After a few moments Rosalind finally shook her head slightly, signaling that the nausea had passed, "I’m fine now," she said softly, trying to reassure him.
Rowan didn’t look convinced immediately.
He raised both hands to gently hold her cheeks so she was forced to meet his gaze, his eyes searching hers carefully as though checking every detail, "Are you sure you’re fine?" he asked again, his voice low but filled with concern.
Rosalind nodded again, this time more firmly, and Rowan’s gaze softened as he studied her for a moment longer before speaking again, "If you don’t want to go back, we can stay here a little longer," he offered quietly, as though willing to change everything just to make sure she was alright.
"No," Rosalind said immediately, surprising him, and she reached up to hold his hand, "We should go back," she repeated, her voice steadier this time.
"Rowan, eventually we’ll have to face reality, and I was just a little sad that this was already coming to an end, but I’m truly fine," she said calmly while rubbing her thumb over his hand as if to comfort him, even though deep down she didn’t want him to think of her as fragile or unable to handle things.
Rowan seemed to understand her words, and after a brief pause, "You’re so strong," he said softly before leaning in to kiss her forehead and then her lips in quick succession, his touch gentle and reassuring rather than rushed.
Rosalind’s eyes widened slightly at the kiss, not because it was unfamiliar but because she found herself surprised by how easily he showed affection without hesitation or restraint.
She simply looked at him as if trying to understand how he could be calm even after seeing her like that.
