Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 210: Perhaps It Means Something

Chapter 210: Perhaps It Means Something

Aideen stepped quietly outside, closing the door behind her with a soft click. The cold, early morning wind nipped gently at her skin, sending tiny shivers coursing through her unprepared body.

She felt refreshed, despite the lingering weight of the secret meeting with Tillian and her uncle. Though long, her mind refused to settle, denying her the solace of rest. Thus, she left Taru nestled beside her husband, opting instead to wander the castle grounds, hoping to untangle the knots of her thoughts.

As she meandered along the snow-sprinkled pathways, her mind inevitably drifted toward the looming specter of war. Tillian would soon depart, venturing into the heart of conflict, risking his life daily on the battlefield.

She understood his longing for vengeance, his relentless pursuit to reclaim what was rightfully his. The desire to see Ruans brought to their knees burned within her as well. Yet, amidst the swirling tempest of emotions, a newfound realization dawned upon her—the pursuit of victory would exact a toll of sacrifice upon them both.

It might cost them lives.

’If Anathaen truly possesses such power, what fate awaits Tillian and Geraldion once he claims victory over King Euris and regains his throne? Will he be met with animosity? Will the House of Nobles seek to resist his rule? And what of Anathaen itself—will the Emperor seek further action?’

The princess, still navigating the intricate landscape of politics, found herself grappling with the potential repercussions of the impending conflict. Countless unsettling thoughts swirled within her mind, casting shadows of doubt and apprehension.

Her head swam with uncertainty as she struggled to make sense of the complex web of alliances and rivalries that governed their kingdom. Each possibility bore its own weight, each outcome a ripple in the delicate balance of power.

In need of respite, she paused to catch her breath, only to be startled by the echoing footsteps of another. Aideen turned, her gaze meeting that of King Yuraon, unexpected in the early morning solitude.

"Lady Aideen, what brings you here at such an hour? You, who advocated for my rest, now find yourself wandering the castle grounds," the king remarked with a hint of amusement, though concern lingered in his eyes.

The princess forced a smile, though tension still knotted her insides.

"Your Majesty... I find myself unable to shake the weight of our circumstances. So much has happened in such a short span of time, leaving little room for proper reflection. My mind is in turmoil," Aideen confessed, her voice heavy with the burden of her thoughts.

"I understand," Yuraon replied, matching his pace with hers as they continued their shared stroll. "The nights have been plagued with nightmares for me as well. I had to escape the suffocating confines of my chambers to clear my head. Encountering you here feels like a fortunate coincidence. It eases the solitude of my struggles, if only momentarily."

Aideen listened in silence, her gaze lingering on the king’s serene face. After a moment, she finally spoke softly, "I am sorry, Your Majesty... The pain of losing those we hold dear is a burden unlike any other."

The king offered a bitter, melancholic smile in response.

"When I lost my parents, I felt nothing for weeks. I had been conditioned from a young age to prepare for their eventual absence, perhaps that dulled the sting. But with Melania... there were moments when I entertained reckless thoughts, thoughts of abandoning everything to be with her. People warned me that longing for what is not rightfully ours leads only to tragedy. Regrettably, they were proven right."

Yuraon paused, gathering his composure before allowing his words to flow once more.

"If only she hadn’t sent me that letter... If the messenger hadn’t been intercepted... Perhaps, she would still be alive. These relentless ’ifs’ and ’maybes’ gnaw at my soul with no end."

Aideen felt her heart constrict with the weight of Yuraon’s grief. His pain echoed in her own chest, as if she could feel everything he did.

"I understand your anguish, Your Majesty. I was born into solitude, with nothing to lose. Or so I believed. Each passing day seemed to strip away a piece of myself, leaving me hollow. Then, in a twist of fate, Tillian entered my life, bestowing upon me everything I had ever lacked."

She paused, drawing in a steadying breath to quell the tumult of emotions within her, before continuing,

"And yet, just as I dared to believe in a future filled with joy, Prince Valon shattered those dreams. His actions robbed me of Bella, and Lord Giggles of his brother. Now, once again, it is the cursed hand of the Ruan family that forces me to part with Tillian, uncertain of what fate awaits him. If I were to lose him as well, my existence would be rendered devoid of purpose or meaning."

King Yuraon cast Aideen a knowing glance, his lips curling into a bittersweet smile. "The tragedy of those whose very essence feeds on love... Yet, in the same breath, love has been our salvation, hasn’t it?"

As they completed their circle around the sleeping castle, they came to a halt. The king gently rested a hand on Aideen’s shoulder, his voice a reassuring balm in the quiet morning air.

"Duke Tillian possesses a strength and wisdom unmatched by any I’ve known. And with a woman of such caliber at his side, I have no doubt that he is shielded from harm. His destiny is one of greatness."

His words, filled with solace, eased Aideen’s worries, if only temporarily. She harbored a fierce desire to protect her husband tirelessly, yet she knew she too bore responsibilities in the trials that lay ahead. She vowed not to fail him.

The snow beneath their feet glowed a delicate pink as it caught the distant rays of the rising sun. Yuraon turned to face the horizon, his piercing blue eyes fixed on the bright promise of the northern morning.

His heartbeat changed its melody to something entirely new.

"This is the first time I see the sunrise in these lands... Perhaps it means something. Something... promising."