On the Way Home (1)

Rheannon's difficult conditions not allowed her to stay outside. The air outside at night is too cold, besides that the bed is also uncomfortable. But on the one hand, Hadrian's group couldn't possibly stay at the inn every night, they might arrive in Paiton in a month. Therefore, on this trip, even if it was only a few times, they would camp.

So far so good, Hadrian thought as he checked Rheannon. After the second camp, her temperature stabilized and there was no more coughing.

"Please be patient a little longer. This afternoon we will arrive at the inn," Hadrian said to Rheannon. "Do you feel anything in your body?"

Rheannon shook her head in response.

Hadrian once again checked Rheannon's temperature. Normal: his warm palm felt the warm human body on Rheannon's forehead. No cold sweat either.

"I'm fine," Rheannon assured.

The problem is that Rheannon rarely complains. No. Rheannon hadn't even complained at all. Hadrian feared that Rheannon was holding back.

"Calm down, Your Grace," Rheannon said. She removed Hadrian's hand from her forehead and grasped it. "I'm not… going to die… that easy."

"Yes," Hadrian muttered. "Tell me right away if you need anything."

"Of course."

With a heavy heart, Hadrian left Rheannon in her carriage. There were other things he had to check to make this trip comfortable and safe for his wife.

***

"Unexpectedly, Young Master's father is also dedicated as a new husband," said Ichabod watching Hadrian get out of Rheannon's carriage.

"Father?" Desmond repeated uncertainly.

"Yes, Young Master's father, right? Marquess Hadrian," explained Ichabod. "Legally Marquess Hadrian is already the Young Master's father and the Young Master is Marquess Hadrian's son." Seeing Desmond's unsure expression, Ichabod added, "Don't tell me Young Master still calls His Gracre 'uncle'."

"Yes… it is true that His Grace is my uncle."

Ichabod showed an expression of disbelief. Desmond got flustered.

"Did I make a mistake?" Desmond asked doubtfully.

"Yes, big mistake, Young Master," answered Ichabod without hesitation, leaving Desmond in shock to hear that. "But what's even more wrong is Young Master's father. Hah, looks like His Grace didn't take my advice."

"What does Sir Ichabod mean?"

"Well, Young Master." Ichabod lowered himself to the height of Desmond. "His Grace is now married, already has a wife. Young Master is His Grace's son. So now you have…?"

"Eh? Parent?" Desmond answered doubtfully. Ichabod looked at him seriously, asking for another answer. "Err–father and… mother?"

Ichabod smiled broadly. "Exactly," he said. "What I'm surprised about is that Young Master still calls His Grace 'uncle'. Then His Grace confessed to me that he calls Her Ladyship by his full name or 'you'. I do sound too meddlesome, it's just that you guys have a whole family by now, and it's really weird to hear that name."

"Family…" Desmond repeated quietly. His face flushed.

"Yes, family," said Ichabod warmly. "By using a familiar nickname, you can become closer in many ways even though you are not related by blood. Sounds like something good, right?"

Desmond nodded. "So… that means I should start calling them 'dad' and 'mom'?"

"That's how it should be, but Young Master there's no need to force yourself," said Ichabod. "It's good that His Grace initiated this small change. Calling Her Ladyship 'my wife' or 'dear' or a familiar name, for example."

Desmond couldn't seem to imagine Hadrian using such a familiar and sweet nickname for someone else.

Not that Hadrian is a blunt and cold person. Hadrian is a nice and friendly person, just a little quiet. Besides that, Hadrian always seemed to keep his distance from other people. He didn't seem to want to get into an emotional connection with anything.

"It doesn't matter. Let me start it, "Desmond determined.

"Fight, Young Master!"

Meanwhile, from a distance, Hadrian smells a conspiracy behind Ichabod's pretentious relationship with Desmond.

"He must be up to something," Hadrian muttered.

***

Hadrian's prediction did not go wrong, he arrived at the inn before sunset. Immediately he had his men carry their personal necessities to the inn. Then take a shower and rest if necessary. Treat whatever's hurting and fix whatever's broken and bothering you. They will be called when dinner is ready.

"Your room is upstairs," Hadrian said to Rheannon.

Rheannon exits the carriage with the help of a knight and Hadrian. "My room?"

"Because the rooms are limited, you sleep with Yana," Hadrian explained, nodding at the maid assigned to Rheannon. "Then me with Desmond."

"But Sir Ichabod said the three of us would share a room," said Desmond.

"No, Desmond. I've seen the bed and it's too small for–uhm–Lady Rheannon who is sick." Hadrian tidied Rheannon's robe and hair, then turned to help Desmond down. "It's not a good idea for Lady Rheannon to sleep crammed with us."

"But, Father–"

Everyone who heard the call just now directed at Hadrian turned to Desmond. Desmond himself immediately covered his mouth, not continuing his sentence. His face turned red with embarrassment.

Not only Desmond, but for some reason Hadrian also felt his face heat up. The impact of the call turned out to be so great, it almost made his heartbreak. Who taught Desmond?

"It's okay," Rheannon said wisely, patting Desmond on the shoulder. "We'll… meet again."

"Y-yes," Desmond muttered nervously. "Then ... I'll go first," he said goodbye. He ran into the inn just like that.

"Desmond, your stuff!" call Hadrian. But Desmond paid no heed to the call.

Rheannon and Yana chuckled.

"Where did Young Master Desmond learn such an attitude just now?" asked a knight who was listening in his own astonished tone.

It must be Ichabod, Hadrian thought.

"My husband." This time it was Rheannon who called Hadrian with an unexpected call. Everyone paid attention to it. "Let's go in."

"Not you too, Rheannon," breathed Hadrian in disbelief.

The two of them entered the inn while being watched by many pairs of eyes.

***

Because of what happened this afternoon, Desmond kept avoiding Hadrian. Hadrian didn't even try to approach Desmond, deliberately giving him space to think.

Besides that, Hadrian also needs time alone to read the report about Axelle.

[Prince Axelle arrived at the Holy City of Zion safely. His two personal knights participated, Elias did not. No one from Duke Colton nor the Palace followed His Highness anymore. Lady Marioline Colton has not yet made contact with His Highness.]

Hadrian breathed a sigh of relief. Now he can focus on his own journey.

Do I need to tell Rheannon about Prince Axelle? thought Hadrian. Rheannon seems to have a special feeling for Axelle, just like Hadrian himself. Rheannon must have been curious about the state of her guardian angel.

"Guardian angel," snorted Hadrian as he untied his red ribbon.

There was a knock on Hadrian's bedroom door. Hadrian let him in. Desmond stood in the doorway timidly.

"The doctor's here," said Desmond.

"Doctor?"

"The doctor Fa-father called to check… Mother."

Hadrian had asked for a doctor to be called to check on Rheannon's condition. But that's not the case now. "Desmond, you don't have to push yourself," he said softly.

"I'm not," replied Desmond stubbornly.

Finally came the time when his (adopted) child whined while wanting something. "Okay. Then let's go see the Doctor and your mother."

Desmond looked at Hadrian in shock. After a moment, his eyes lit up with joy. "Come on!" cheer him up.

Well, that doesn't sound bad either.

After nearly ten years, Hadrian finally had people he could truly call family.