The Mistress Runs Away

“By the way, how are the people on the island?”

Rowena slyly changed the subject and gently buried her cheek in his chest. Killian, who was holding her shoulder, unconsciously tightened his hold on her.

“Would you like to know ……?”

These were people who had witnessed her misery five years ago. He had no idea why Rowena had chosen this island of all places, but he had already relocated all of the people’ residences on the island, including the regent, to the furthest possible distance from the villa and ordered a full renovation to the entire place, he didn’t want any trace of the past to bother Rowena in any shape or form.

“Of course,’ Rowena said. I am curious. They’ve been so kind to me.”

Unlike the nervous Killian, Rowena, who answered with a casual expression on her face, prompted him to reply.

“How are they doing? How’s Tommy? Is he healthy?”

For once, she wasn’t acting, she meant it. Even though the people here had shunned her and looked at her differently as soon as they learned the fact that she was a mere mistress, she still had warm memories of their kindness and hospitality during her stay alone on the island. Even more so for the young Tommy who had followed her around so closely.

“If you’re curious….”

His blue eyes stared at her, as if trying to read her thoughts.

“You should see for yourself.”

“Ah you don’t know after all, do you? No problem, I just hope everyone is doing well.”

Rowena nodded, her lips pouting. Killian continued to hold her waist, as they gazed out at the calm evening sea. The low waves made a splashing sound against the ship, and the moon appeared through the clouds in the pitch-black sky, faintly illuminating the surroundings.

“It’s getting cold out here. I’m going in.”

As the wind grew colder, Rowena pulled her shawl tighter and gently pushed his chest. A low voice caught Rowena as she turned to walk away.

“Why?”

“…….”

“Why this island?”

The question had a lot of deep meanings. It also evoked something from five years ago that had been implicitly avoided by the two of them so far.

“I think I already told you this last time. I want to bury a memory with another one.”

Rowena tried to answer in an enthusiastic, cheerful voice. She did not look back though as she was afraid her expression would reveal her true feelings.

“Then, I’ll go inside. Duke, it’s getting quite cold here, you should get inside soon as well, the night breeze is bad for you.”

Rowena, who quickly finished her words, left where she stood in quick steps as if she was running away.

****

Rowena rubbed both of her eyes in surprise as she took Killian’s hand and stepped out of the carriage.

“It’s changed a lot since I’ve been here.”

The villa looked all reconstructed, so much so that it was impossible to recognize what it had looked like five years ago. Even the flowers in full bloom in the garden had all changed.

“They have made changes to everything before we come here. Do you like it, Miss?”

“Yes, it’s beautiful. It feels a lot brighter now.”

Rowena smiled at Melissa’s comment, took Killian’s hand in hers, and walked into the entranceway. The regent’s family greeted them at the hall with all other servants.

“Welcome. Your Excellency, Lady Rowena.”

The regent, who bowed politely, greeted them carefully. Killian, removing his gloves, scanned the hall attentively. The regent waited for him to speak, secretly wiping away his cold sweat.

Two months ago, they received instructions that the villa needs to be reconstructed, not leaving a single trace of its previous status. It was still horrifying to think back to the day when the builders and workers who had applied for the job crowded in to read the official document. Somehow, they managed to mobilize not only the servants but even the islanders to be able to meet the deadline, and after the villa construction and major landscaping were completed, they were able to ease their minds.

“You did well.”

After examining everything from the entrance to the small decorations on the staircase railing with hawk eyes, a pass mark fell out of Killian’s mouth.

“Thank you, sir.”

The regent and servants, who had been nervously watching him and waiting for him to speak, breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts simultaneously.

With a much brighter face, the regent opened his mouth.

“You must be tired from your long journey, we have prepared hot water for your bath in advance.’

As he turned his head to instruct the servant to show him the way immediately, Rowena spoke to the hesitant boy with a happy face.

“Tommy!”

Looking at Tommy, who had grown up so much before she knew it, she felt how the years had passed in a flash. Rowena reached out her hand with a happy face.