ILTDAMH |CHAPTER 63

Come Back Home With Me

Posted by Marinette, Released on September 17, 2025

Chapter 63

Come Back Home With Me

At Ruan’s words, Marican set down the first-aid kit.

“Go on.”

“As I said earlier, Prince Diamond has returned to the capital. And from the knights I captured, I’ve learned something troubling—they’re preparing for a rebellion.”

A… rebellion?

Marican’s eyes widened in shock.

“A r-rebellion?”

“Yes. It seems Kymon Craft is plotting a revolt, using Prince Diamond as his figurehead.”

A rebellion…? Does that mean war will break out in the Empire?

Marican’s face grew tense with worry.

“If a rebellion truly begins, then you’ll have to return to the capital immediately.”

“I fear so. Unlike Diamond, Kymon is dangerous. His Highness the Crown Prince won’t be able to withstand him alone.”

“Then you must go without delay.”

“I agree. It can’t be helped.”

From the moment she heard Diamond might come seeking her, Marican had suspected this would be the end.

Yes, it’s time.

He has to return to where he belongs.

For three months, Ruan had stayed in Phenomenon Village, working tirelessly to earn her forgiveness.

She had always known he would one day leave for the capital again—but hearing the words from his own lips brought a pang to her chest.

Once he leaves… I may never see him again, right?

Marican looked at his face for a long time, as if imprinting him in her eyes.

“When will you go?”

“Since Diamond has already set out, I must leave as soon as possible.”

“You don’t mean… today?”

Ruan nodded.

“Sir Cassel is waiting outside, in fact.”

“I see. Yes, in such urgent times, you must hurry. I’ll… I’ll pack your things then. Give me a moment.”

Marican shot to her feet, fighting the sting of tears.

But Ruan’s voice rang out sharply.

“Rosaline—no, my wife. There’s no need. I brought nothing with me when I came here, so there’s nothing to pack.”

“Oh, right… Then this really is the end, isn’t it? Farewell, Ruan. I didn’t get to say it before, but thank you… for coming back to find me. For seeking my forgiveness. And… I… I…”

She had so much to say, but no words would come.

Only tears blurred her eyes.

I promised myself I’d let him go calmly when the time came.

And now look at me—how pathetic.

Determined to leave the house before she embarrassed herself further, Marican turned toward the door.

But Ruan moved swiftly, blocking her path.

“Rosaline—my wife. Where are you going? I’m not finished.”

“I thought, since Sir Cassel is waiting, you’d have to leave at once. So I should return home… Ru—Ruan, where are you?”

She called out to the little dog, blinking rapidly to stop her tears.

Ruan pulled her into his arms, holding her as if he’d never let go.

“Ruan!”

“Please, my wife. Hear me out. I’m not leaving you behind. I want to take you with me to the capital. But with unrest brewing, I can’t risk it yet. That’s the only reason I’m asking you to stay here for now.”

“Ruan, I have no intention of leaving this place. And I already told you—I’ve completely forgiven you. You don’t need to worry about me anymore. When I thought you were dead, I ached for you every day. But now… my heart is at peace. So go without worry.”

Lowering her head, she spoke softly.

But Ruan lifted her hand and pressed it to his chest.

“My wife, look at me. Have you forgotten what I said? This heart would have stopped beating nine months ago, had it not been for you. The only reason it still beats is because of you. To be frank, I don’t care if the Empire crumbles, or who sits on the throne. If not for you, I’d have died long ago. So what does any of that matter to me?”

He… doesn’t care if the Empire falls?

Marican raised her head, startled.

“There’s only one reason I go to the capital now. To protect the ducal family you must one day return to. If the Empire falls, if your aunt suffers, you will grieve—and that, I cannot allow.”

“Ruan…”

His desperate gaze made her heart feel as though it would burst.

“So please, wait here safely. I will defeat them, and when I return, I’ll take you back to the ducal house. And when that time comes—come back home with me.”

Our home?

Marican thought of the family she had reunited with after six months apart, who had welcomed her as if not a day had passed.

Can I really… go back?

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Beneath her palm, pressed to his chest, she felt the strong rhythm of his heart—echoing her own.

Can I truly trust this man?

What if I’m hurt again…?

When she tried to pull her hand away, Ruan caught it firmly.

“My wife, until the day this heart stops, I will live only for you. So please—don’t abandon me.”

Every word rang with sincerity.

Yes… as Zelda said, trying to sever him from my heart is impossible.

Marican resolved, one last time, to believe in him.

“Very well, Ruan. I’ll trust you.”

Ruan stared, hardly daring to believe, his hands tightening on her shoulders.

“Truly? Then… you’ll return with me to the ducal house?”

She nodded slowly.

“Yes. If you come back safely, I’ll go with you.”

“You’ve promised!”

He pulled her into a fierce embrace, then gazed into her eyes as he pressed his lips to hers.

Smooch.

“R-Ruan!”

“That’s my seal upon your words. You mustn’t take them back now.”

It had been nothing more than a brief touch of lips, yet her heart pounded as if it would explode.

“You really… are impossible.”

She flushed crimson, bowing her head, while he only held her tighter, vowing never to let her slip away again.

After sealing their hearts, Ruan left reluctantly, riding for the capital with Cassel.

The next day, Marican wandered the festival with Zelda, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

“Rosaline, aren’t you enjoying yourself? You’ve seemed distracted all day.”

“Oh? No, it’s fun. Really. I guess I’m just tired.”

Zelda’s face darkened as she remembered Diamond’s intrusion the night before.

“Right, I nearly forgot! That prince—or whatever he is—came here for you, didn’t he? And the Duke went to the capital. When will he return?”

“I… don’t know.”

“Hmm. But Rosaline, are you sure nothing else happened yesterday?”

“Something else?”

At once, Marican’s cheeks burned as she remembered the kiss.

“N-no. Nothing.”

“Still, the Duke was unfair! Even if it was urgent, he should’ve stayed to enjoy the whole festival.”

Marican could not tell her about the rebellion, and guilt pricked her heart.

“No, Zelda. Don’t blame him. It wasn’t his fault.”

“Who’s blaming him? I’m just saying it’s a shame he missed the fun.”

“…Yes. It is a shame.”

Marican also regretted that Ruan had not been able to enjoy it all.

“Anyway, the festival ends the day after tomorrow. There’ll be a masquerade dance by the lake that night, followed by fireworks. But with the Duke gone… What will you do? Actually, why not take the chance to dance with someone else?”

“A masquerade dance?”

“Yes! It’s tradition. Partners dance without knowing each other’s identity. If they connect, they reveal their masks. And… well, you know what comes after.”

Marican flushed scarlet.

“Zelda! What nonsense. Are you going too?”

“Of course! When else would I get to dance with young men from all the nearby villages? And you’re coming with me.”

“Me? I don’t know…”

The thought of dancing with anyone but Ruan unsettled her.

“No excuses. You’re coming. Don’t worry—no one will force you to dance.”

A masquerade… fireworks…

She realized she had never once danced with Ruan.

Their marriage had lasted only five months, and so much had happened in that time.

Truthfully, she had never danced with anyone at all.

Her smile turned faintly bitter.

Memories rose: Lucianne bringing in a dance instructor, while she stood at the doorway, secretly mimicking the steps—until Lucianne caught her and mocked her cruelly, joined by Penelope.

She had wept in her room for days. And after that, she never tried again.

“Rosaline?”

Pulled from her thoughts by Zelda’s voice, Marican gave a strained smile.

“The truth is… I can’t dance. So I don’t think I can go.”

“What? That’s impossible! A noble lady who can’t dance? Don’t tell me—was it because of those people?”

Since hearing the story of Penelope and Lucianne, Zelda had taken to calling them those humans.

“After Father’s accident, our family’s finances were dire. Teaching me dance was the last thing on their minds.”

Marican tried to brush it off, but Zelda only grew angrier.

“Ridiculous! Just wait—when I get to the capital, I’ll rip their hair out myself. Anyway, forget them. Dancing isn’t as hard as you think. I’ll teach you.”

“You will?”

Zelda seized her hand and pulled her to the center of the shop.

She placed one hand at Marican’s waist, lifted her other, and in a deep, mock-masculine voice said,

“Now, milady, follow my lead. Arm here, hand there, left foot forward, and—one, two, one, two.”

Marican stumbled at first, then laughed aloud at Zelda’s exaggerated voice.

“Pfft—Zelda, your voice!”

“Of course! Your partner will be a man, so I must count like one. Again—one, two, one, two. Oh, heavens! You’re more flexible than I thought.”

“Like this?”

When Marican tried the steps more smoothly, Zelda clapped in delight.

“Incredible! You’re the best student I’ve ever had. If you were younger, I might propose to you myself.”

“Zelda!”

Marican burst into laughter, the sound bubbling out of her.