Chapter 8. A Nightmare in a Light Slumber
On the day Aizen and Kylon were to return to the castle together, Roa ended up staying awake the entire previous night. She had barely managed to doze a little, but the closer the hour drew, the sharper her senses became.
Her maids, caught up in her excitement, also had to begin preparations earlier than planned. After finishing her shower, Roa returned to her room, where Judy was already waiting with a carefully prepared selection of dresses, jewelry, and shoes. Roa examined what she was to wear that day with great care.
The pure white dresses Judy had chosen were dazzlingly beautiful, so much so that Roa had no idea which to pick. She tried one on, glancing into the mirror over and over again, even as Judy helped her change.
“Do you think I can get through the day without spilling anything on this white dress?”
Judy gathered a handful of Roa’s hair and brought it forward over her shoulder. As she was about to pull up the zipper on the back, Roa fidgeted, about to turn around.
“No, this won’t do. I think I should change.”
Even though she looked stunning now, she worried that during a meal or while walking in the garden, she would inevitably stain it. A white dress would show even the smallest blemish.
“That won’t happen, my lady. You look absolutely beautiful right now. Just look in the mirror.”
Judy gestured toward the full-length mirror. Roa pouted when she saw her reflection. She had to admit—she didn’t look bad at all.
By the time the zipper was pulled all the way up, Judy had taken out Roa’s most treasured ruby necklace. Fastening it gently around her neck, she spoke softly:
“The ruby necklace you treasure so much shines brightly against this dress. It really stands out.”
The deep red jewel sat elegantly atop her pure white dress. It was the very first gift Aizen had ever given her. She wanted to show him that necklace, to prove that even while they were apart, she had never once forgotten him. The red against the white caught the eye immediately. Slowly, the corners of her lips curled upward.
“Do I really look pretty?”
“If you’re still worried, I’ll lay a white napkin over your lap at dinner, one that matches your dress perfectly.”
Judy, who had been at her side for so long, already knew that Roa had made up her mind.
“Well… if you say so, Judy.”
Roa replied playfully, pretending to be reluctant, and Judy turned her head with a quiet smile.
Once she was fully dressed, she was ready to welcome their guests. Her family was still busy with their own preparations. Having risen too early, Roa decided to check the garden one last time before he arrived.
“The air feels especially fresh today.”
Closing her eyes, she breathed in the crisp, forest-like air. A soft breeze tousled her neatly brushed golden hair, but the sensation was so pleasant that she found herself closing her eyes again and again.
“I want to sit here for a while. Could you bring me something to sit on, Judy?”
“Yes, my lady.”
After bowing her head, Judy went back into the manor. But wrapped in the gentle breeze, Roa couldn’t wait for her to return. She sank into the soft grass, leaning against a tree trunk. Comfort seeped into her body.
The soft grass, her relaxed posture, the refreshing air, and the quiet sounds of nature.
Having slept so poorly the night before, Roa drifted off after only intending to close her eyes for a moment.
Even in that short nap, she dreamed faintly. Aizen appeared before her in the dream, gazing at her with his deep red eyes. She wanted to run into his arms immediately, to hold him tight. But her body refused to move. When she willed herself to reach out, finally her arm stretched toward him.
She thought she was about to touch him—but her arm did something entirely unexpected. She shoved him hard, pushing him away.
Why? She had wanted nothing more than to embrace him—so why did she do that? In the dream, Roa was bewildered.
Dong, dong—
“Huh…?”
The bell rang, announcing that someone had entered the castle grounds. Roa quickly jumped up from the grass and glanced around. She had no idea how long she had been asleep. There was no time to wonder why Judy hadn’t returned with the blanket.
By the time she reached the entrance, her family was already gathered and waiting. Roa, who thought she would be the first one there, ended up standing last among them.
“I’m so nervous…”
She muttered without realizing it, resting her hand lightly over her chest. Her heart pounded wildly, reflecting her excitement and anticipation. She took a deep breath, trying her best to stay composed.
And then—she saw them entering the castle. The sound of hooves grew louder, and her heartbeat seemed to grow louder with them.
Her eyes fixed on one man alone. His imposing frame, hardened from surviving so long on the battlefield, stood out even from a distance. His steed, black as night like his own dark hair, made him even more striking.
When he reached the gate, he dismounted lightly and approached Count Clarion first.
“To return from war and honor our land with your presence, it is Clarion’s greatest glory, Your Grace.”
Count Clarion greeted Aizen with proper courtesy. Aizen then greeted the Countess, the young Count Shaindric, and his wife in turn. Finally, he stood before the woman he had longed for all this time—Roa.
“I’m relieved you’ve returned safely, and grateful you’ve come to us, Duke Trone.”
It had been a year and a half since their painful parting. With a trembling voice, Roa welcomed him back.
In that brief moment, her eyes scanned his face and body. Two years ago, he still bore traces of boyhood—but now he was wholly a man. His body, hardened far beyond what knightly training could achieve, had been forged in the fires of war.
When Roa offered her hand, Aizen took it in his own. Scars she had never seen before, marks of battle, marred his once-smooth hand.
“I’ve missed you, Lady Clarion.”
He bowed and pressed a brief kiss to the back of her hand. When he released it, their eyes met.
Aizen smiled at her with such warmth that his eyes curved. No matter how much time had passed, no matter how merciless the battlefield had been, one thing hadn’t changed—
That gentle smile he gave only to her. Roa’s heart calmed, reassured that his feelings were the same as hers.
Then Aizen’s gaze shifted to the ruby necklace at her throat—the very one he had given her. The desire burning in his red eyes shone brighter than the jewel itself.
“Father, Mother!”
After Aizen greeted the family, Kylon, who had gotten down from the carriage a little later, approached. Roa greeted him warmly, grateful for all the news he had delivered about Aizen.
“We’ll spend some time with Kylon. Roa, why don’t you serve the Duke some tea?”
Count Clarion generously left the two of them alone. Naturally, Roa led Aizen to the central terrace.
“Shall we have some tea together?”
After a few steps, she suddenly stopped as though something had come to mind.
“Oh! Before that, why don’t we take a walk in the back garden?”
Whatever she wanted didn’t matter to him. The place was unimportant. What mattered was being with her. That alone filled him with joy almost too great to believe.
Roa guided him into the back garden.
“I’ve been counting the days for this moment. I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep at all last night.”
Even though it had been so long, once they were alone, Roa naturally dropped all formality. Aizen smiled brightly and played along.
“Aren’t you tired?”
“Not at all. Actually, I even took a short nap before you arrived—out in the garden. It was so peaceful, almost like being in the woods.”
It was the very spot where she had been resting before he came. Today, the garden had felt especially comforting, and she had wanted to share that with him.
“But… while I was dozing, I had a nightmare.”
Aizen looked down at her, his eyes full of tenderness as she rambled.
“You were in the dream, Aizen. But I pushed you away. Such a ridiculous dream…”
The memory of it made Roa shiver. Aizen found her utterly endearing.
“You mustn’t push me away—even in dreams.”
“I know. Even though it was just a dream, I felt so guilty. I’ve missed you so much.”
Her voice grew more plaintive. Aizen stepped closer, right in front of her.
“Then let me give you the chance to make up for that mistake now.”
With a sly smile, he stretched out his arms toward her.
“What… are you doing?”
Roa tilted her head, staring up at him blankly.
“I’m giving you the chance to hug me.”
“Oh…”
Her cheeks flushed bright red, the color even more vivid against her white dress.
After a moment of hesitation, she clumsily stepped into his arms. In the dream, she had pushed him away without mercy—but in reality, she would never do such a thing.
Timidly, she slipped her arms around his waist, pulling him into a tight embrace. She could feel every crease of his immaculate uniform against her.
Only then did it truly hit her. Aizen was back. The man she had waited for. The man she had worried about every day, crying over whether he was still alive. The man who had promised to cherish his pure heart and one day propose to her. The man she loved. Aizen Trone. His warmth was real.
“Hh… hhngh…”
When she had first seen him again, she thought she would never stop smiling, her lips stretched ear to ear. She believed she would spend the whole day grinning.
But now, tears spilled down her cheeks, unstoppable as emotions surged far beyond her control.
