Chapter 107.1
The forest and the plain, the plateau and the wasteland, stretched out, with unpaved and paved roads alternating. Canilia tightly held Claude’s hand, never letting go. As they left Del Casa and relentlessly drove into the Valencia region, their hands never once separated.
Both of them stared out the window in silence.
Their mood was peculiar, almost strangely unsettling. It felt as if it could all end this way, with a sense of unease and the anticipation of seeing their mother. And the sadness of having to endure longing coexisted within them.
As they traveled along the bumpy, unpaved road, her body shook from side to side. Claude, startled by the bouncy situation, gripped the car door handle tightly and wrapped his arms around Lia, embracing her.
“When that happens, you have to hold on to me.”
“But, Claude, you’re tired.”
“Not at all.”
He retorted gruffly and then smiled mischievously, pressing his lips against her cheek. With a bashful smile, Lia buried her face in his chest.
Finally, they looked in the same direction.
They were now approaching the border area with Geore, just a little further ahead. There were temporary checkpoints set up there, and once they crossed that point, they couldn’t turn back for a while.
As the border drew closer, Lia nestled deeper into his arms. Claude’s large hand caressed her back like a gentle breeze.
She couldn’t imagine being apart like this. At some point, being together had become a natural occurrence, and despite not being married, a strong bond had formed between them.
“Why did Luan send the invitation to only one person?”
Her gloved hand, for some reason, trembled lightly. In response, he kissed the back of her hand, which was holding a kerchief, and pointed to a distant building.
“That’s the border checkpoint. Once you cross the border, the delegation from Geore will take you. You’ll have to move without any attendants or guards. Are you really… okay?”
She wasn’t okay. But Canilia nodded bravely.
“I’m not scared or afraid. I’m worried because it’s obvious that I’ll miss you.”
“You’re telling me to be fine, right?”
“No, I’m not. I mean it. I might not be back in less than a month.”
He sighed, comforting her in a playful manner, pressing his forehead against the back of her hand. Aware of their hearts not wanting to be separated even for a moment, the driver slowed down.
There was no way to overcome this anxiety except to trust each other.
In a fleeting moment, he intertwined their lips as if breathing life into her. Despite being together every moment for the past few days, they eagerly devoured each other’s lips as if tasting them after a long time. The fierce gaze of a famished beast became deeply immersed in her eyes.
Before they knew it, they had reached the checkpoint. The officials waited in tension, ready to receive the order to open the gate, and the baggage handlers swiftly unloaded Canilia’s bags.
“I have to go…”
“I know.”
He kissed her neck one last time, opened the door, and extended his hand. Lia, accompanied by Claude, stepped out of the car. She wore a cloak brought for the different weather than Del Casa.
The checkpoint building resembled a long tunnel. The people inside, standing behind a red line, wore different clothes, appearances, and even different skin tones, clearly foreigners.
Claude’s hand rested on Lia’s shoulder as they crossed the threshold of the Kayan Empire. His eyes narrowed when he spotted a man in a red uniform appear at the end of the checkpoint.
It was Luan Sergio.
Luan also seemed to have noticed Claude and Canilia, as his smooth lips curled upward before he stopped in his tracks. Ian Sergio, who hadn’t changed much since they last saw him,
From now on, she had to cross the border alone. She had to cross the red line without anyone’s help.
Lia took a deep breath and turned to look at Claude, giving a polite bow as a final farewell.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“You have to keep that promise. If you don’t want me to come and pick you up myself.”
Canilia, with a bright smile, confidently took long strides, her shoulders relaxed. As she moved away from Claude, the realization of truly crossing the border sank in.
She exerted all her strength to hide her trembling, fearing that she might collapse from exhaustion already.
Soon, it was coming. And beyond that, her mother awaited.
Lia cautiously crossed the border line. She didn’t look back. If she did, tears would surely well up, so she walked straight through the crowd of people applauding her arrival.
“Lady Canilia.”
Luan, who had been waiting for her, knelt down on one knee and lifted his head. Lia naturally extended her hand. Ian kissed the back of her hand and stood up with a relieved expression, spreading his arms wide.
He tried to pull her into an embrace, but Canilia firmly shook her head and took a step back.
“It’s been a while, Duke Sergio. Thank you for the warm welcome.”
Luan, with a bitter expression, glanced at Claude, who was standing in the distance, and bowed his head.
“You’ve become even more beautiful, Canilia.”
“You flatter me. I’m glad to see Your Grace looking better as well.”
“No embrace or kiss of reunion?” he asked with a hint of disappointment.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to see my mother.”
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