🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 19
Our journey was nearing its end.
In the meantime, we had gone strawberry picking two more times, and we made all sorts of strawberry desserts—tarts, puddings, milk, and more. At the beach, we built sandcastles and even buried ourselves in the sand with only our heads sticking out. Honestly, I should’ve said this sooner, but Killian and Adele looked so adorable in their sand baths that I wanted to turn them into a calendar photo.
It truly was a scorching… summer….
Today, we were all taking a carriage ride to visit a nearby town. I had come up with a little plan to make a special memory. We were going to make a time capsule.
“A time capsule? What’s that, Tia?”
“It’s where we each put a memento and a letter in a box, bury it underground, and then dig it up together later. Doesn’t that sound like a nice memory?”
“Wow! That’s such a cool idea!”
Oh, and by the way—Adele no longer stutters in front of me. After spending more than ten days together every single day, any lingering awkwardness seems to have completely disappeared. I was so proud of her. Hehe.
“And… until the day we open that time capsule, it means we have to stay friends. So, will you keep being my friend?”
“Of course, Tia. We’ll be friends forever.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to say, Tia.”
Adele and Killian turned their heads at the same time and exchanged a look. I was so thankful they weren’t fighting anymore and were getting along well. Anyway, that’s how it started….
“It’s been forever since I last rode in a carriage.”
We were on our way to a nearby town near Dearc. Worried about drawing attention, we wore outfits Liz had prepared for us and hid our brightly colored hair under hats. Under Sir Briven’s lead, we transferred to another carriage at the outskirts of the town.
The place we arrived at by public carriage was the town square, where a tall clock tower stood.
“Your Highness—oops, I mean, miss. Where would you like to go first?”
Liz asked, grinning so wide it looked like her mouth might reach her ears. Sir Briven was sticking close to her side for safety, and the other knights were spread out in hiding, secretly guarding us.
“Hmm. Killian, Adele, is there anywhere you want to go?”
“What about you, Tia?”
“I’m good with anything.”
“Then how about we go to a general store first? We should buy souvenirs.”
When I said that, Liz exchanged a glance with Sir Briven. He nodded and started moving ahead to look for a shop.
“Liz.”
“Yes?”
“Are you happy?”
“Oh my gosh, I don’t knooow, Your Highness.”
“You look happy. That’s enough.”
She twisted her body like a pretzel.
I let out a little laugh and turned to Killian and Adele. The two of them were staring in the same direction, as if they had agreed on it.
Ah… right.
Even in the original novel, their gazes always aligned. They shared the same ideals, dreamed of the same future, and walked the same path. If their face-to-face moments were heart-fluttering and sweet, their side-by-side moments were admirable and beautiful.
Seeing them now, they felt like a miniature version of the Killian and Adele from the story. It warmed my heart.
Please grow up well.
Please be even happier.
Please… even if I’m not around.
I closed my eyes for a moment in silent prayer. Then, without showing any emotion, I walked over and slung an arm around their shoulders.
“What are you two staring at? Huh? Wow! What’s that?”
Killian and Adele had been looking at a small street stall. It was a place where you could pick beads and make your own bracelets or necklaces.
“Ooh! Should we make one too?”
“Yeah!”
Adele answered loudly, and Killian nodded.
“Liz, let’s go there first.”
“Yes, miss.”
Liz followed us as we headed toward the stall.
“Welcome, little friends. Are you here to make some accessories?”
“Yes. It’s not too hard, right?”
I replied politely to the kind vendor. Liz pouted at my sudden change in tone, and Killian and Adele looked surprised.
“If it’s just bracelets, it’ll be easy. Go ahead and choose. These gems here are particularly special.”
“Wow, they’re so pretty.”
As Adele showed interest, the vendor leaned in and whispered,
“These gems over here are said to help you find love. These promise eternal friendship. And these grant wishes.”
Adele stared at the vendor, mesmerized. Her mouth hung open—yep, she was totally sold.
“Really? Just by wearing the bracelet?”
“They say it works even better if you share matching ones.”
“Wow! That’s amazing! Wow!”
Our sweet, innocent Adele. Please don’t go anywhere alone. People are going to take advantage of you. Then again, in the original story, she did get exploited by the temple’s divine powers too. Oh, Adele….
Still, watching her blush and sparkle with excitement made it impossible to ruin the moment.
It’s just a bracelet anyway—no need to burst her bubble.
I took a gold coin from my pouch and handed it to the vendor. His eyes went wide.
“This should cover everything, right?”
“O-of course! Please, take your time! Oh! Come over this way.”
The vendor led us to a more comfortable spot where we could work freely. Adele took the first seat, I sat next to her, and Killian timidly took the spot beside me. He might find this a bit boring. Since Adele was already fully focused, tongue sticking out in concentration, I figured I should keep Killian engaged.
“Not a fan of bracelets, Killian? How about we make them for each other instead?”
“…Okay!”
“Me too, Tia! Me too!”
“Alright, let’s each make one for ourselves, and then make one to gift to someone else. Sound good?”
“Great idea.”
“Yeah! I love it!”
So we started making our bracelets. Our little hands and the tiny beads made it a slow process. I quickly threw together a simple bracelet for myself and then put real effort into making ones for Killian and Adele.
For Killian’s, I used silver and blue beads that matched his hair and eyes. For Adele’s, I picked gold and purple ones to suit her coloring. And just for fun, I added one of those “love” stones into each of their bracelets.
Hehehe. I’m rooting for your love, you two.
Once I finished, I tucked my bracelet into the little pouch on my chest. Then I looked over at Adele, still deeply focused, and Killian, frowning in concentration.
Seriously, whose kids are these? So cute and good-looking it’s unfair.
As the trip neared its end, everything started to feel surreal.
Moonflower had always been my one escape from a suffocating life. I read it over and over again—laughing, crying, writing down my favorite lines, and sending countless fan letters to the author.
Killian, who had suffered from abuse and a curse since childhood, reminded me of my younger self—trying to survive without anyone to lean on. Seeing him freed from his curse and finding happiness with Adele felt like the story was telling me, “Hang in there, and you’ll be happy too.” Just like him.
Maybe that’s why I ended up falling in love with Killian without even realizing it.
Even just seeing my ultimate favorite Killian and his future partner Adele with my own eyes was satisfying enough. But now we were friends and traveling together—how could I not be emotional?
I didn’t know how Killian and Adele would remember me in the future, but I hoped that, at the very least, they wouldn’t flinch or recoil when they thought of me. I quietly pinned my hopes to the wish gem in my bracelet pouch.
After we finished our bracelets, we went into the general store. As if determined to spend every coin, Killian and Adele clutched their money pouches with a serious look.
“Tia! We can buy souvenirs, and stuff to bury in the time capsule, and gifts too, right?”
“Of course. You don’t need my permission, Adele. Buy whatever you want.”
Adele nodded eagerly. So cute. Her golden hair shimmered every time she nodded.
That volume and shine is impossible with a blow dryer or a curler… and yet Adele looked effortlessly gorgeous. Before I knew it, Killian was also browsing the shop thoroughly. I could finally shop with peace of mind.
After picking out things for the time capsule, gifts for Killian and Adele, and souvenirs for Liz, Sir Briven, the knights, and the villa staff, I was now choosing a gift for my dad.
I wasn’t usually into the whole “hug-hug, love-you” thing, but… he was a pretty good dad.
They say one of the Five Confucian Virtues is “affection between father and child.” So I figured showing this much affection should be fine—at least for now, while I’m still his daughter.
While I was still debating what to get, Killian walked over to me.
“Tia.”
