PBPGD

CHAPTER 113

The sand-colored tent faded into the distance, becoming a tiny dot. Lia didn't let her eyes stray from the tent, both hands clasped in her lap.

Ian, sitting next to her, rolled down the window a bit and let the refreshing forest breeze fill the car.

She watched as the Valencian fields changed into the forests of Rixie, Ian's duchy, thinking about this morning. As Ian had hurried to return to his duchy after breakfast, Lia had also moved quickly.

She ran to Caruso to entrust Claude in his care. She knew that Claude would disregard his injuries and not treat them diligently until they'd completely healed.

Lia, don't worry about me. Go enjoy the rest of the month and make beautiful memories, then come back to me. You know I need you for our ceremony.'

For a split second, the words 'I want to go back to Del Casa' almost made it past her lips. If it wasn't for Ian, who was standing outside waiting for her, she might have gone back home with Claude.

Lia rubbed her lips, the sensation of Claude's kiss still lingering on them.

"Thank you so much, Ian. You've done me a great favor. I'll never forget it."

Ian grinned. "No, please forget it as quickly as possible. It'd be better for me that you do. Otherwise, I might keep wishing for a favor in return."

Ian's requests were more or less always the same a kiss or a hug. Lia didn't understand him.

Who was she to him that he would give his life so easily?

She reached up to brush his hair back, revealing gaunt eyes that looked like they hadn't gotten a wink of sleep.

"Thank you for being my friend," she said, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Friend?"

"Yes, you said so yourself. To be honest, you were the first friend I ever made."

He gazed at the top of her head, unable to speak. After a moment, he let out a deep sigh. "I really need to get married."

"Gaiorian women are all quite beautiful."

"Don't patronize me."

"I'm not, I'm being serious. I want you to be happy."

lan moved his gaze out the window, deep in thought. Lia let her eyes roam over the streets of Rixie, attempting to move her thoughts as far away from Claude as possible. Surely he would've started off for Del Casa by now.

Jasmine would've welcomed him with open arms, relief evident on her face. The Ihar family doctor would treat his wounds with care. Her mind wandered until it landed on Pollan.

He's probably waiting for Claude in the empty room with a note tied prettily on his leg.

Lia stifled a laugh, remembering the message she wrote. The car came to a stop in front of the manor. Ian hopped out, running around the car to open the door for Lia. He held out a hand, which she took gratefully.

She stepped out and smiled at her mother, who was standing by the door with worry etched all over her face.

"Hi, Mom. I'm back."

****

Time flew by like the wind.

Gaiorian workers were soon dispatched to rebuild the collapsed mines. Pollan flew over the border five times to deliver messages between the two grand dukes.

The bird had a frighteningly strong grudge against lan, growing hysterical every time he approached him.

Lia unfolded the note from Del Casa, which would be the last one she'd receive.