SECRET ELOPEMENT

THE LONG COLD

In the serene embrace of the mountain, Kariyah found herself embraced by the gentle caress of winter's first snowfall. As the sun dipped below the horizon, delicate flakes descended from the heavens like whispers of a secret shared among the clouds.

In the hush of morning's light, Kariyah stood by the window, gazing out at the pristine landscape blanketed in ivory. Each flake seemed to carry a message, a promise of renewal and possibility.

As she watched the world transform under winter's tender touch, a thought blossomed in Kariyah's mind, delicate yet profound like the snowflakes dancing in the breeze.

"I won't be able to plant the seeds i bought."

With a graceful flow, Kariyah allowed her thoughts to spill forth from the depths of her mind. Despite her efforts to cultivate resilient roots for planting during this season, the sudden onset of snow rendered her plans futile. As she pondered a solution, her steps led her to the comforting warmth of the kitchen.

A pot of milk bubbled on the stove, its fragrant steam rising in a silent invitation. Intent on creating a soothing brew, Kariyah prepared her ingredients with practiced ease. The milk, now frothy with foam, awaited its transformation into a rich concoction.

Carefully, she poured the milk into a waiting cup, its contents harmonizing with the breakfast she had meticulously laid out. A symphony of scents filled the air, blending seamlessly with the morning's quietude as she expertly crafted her caramel-hued milk tea.

Her gaze lingered on the swirling patterns of foam atop the tea's surface, each movement a dance of tranquility in the stillness of the kitchen. Suddenly, a spark of recollection ignited within her.

Ah!

With a knowing smile, Kariyah opened a drawer, revealing an array of spices nestled within. Amidst the collection, a jar of colored sugar lay concealed. With a delicate touch, she retrieved a spoonful, allowing the sweet crystals to dissolve into her milk tea, adding a touch of magic to the brew.

With meticulous care, Kariyah completed her preparations, adding a final touch by retrieving a delicate teacup. In the noble circles of Tharia, tea flowed as freely as water, a custom observed even by the common folk who emulated their aristocratic counterparts. Yet, for Kariyah, the act of brewing tea was unfamiliar territory, raising doubts about its necessity amidst the feast she had laid out.

However, she pressed on, driven not by indulgence but by duty—the duty she owed to the Duke who had unknowingly altered the course of her solitary existence.

Pushing open the weathered door to the left of the entrance, Kariyah braced herself for the creaking protest of the aged hinges. As the sound echoed through the quietude of the room, she stepped inside, her eyes falling upon Darius, who lay upon the makeshift bed, bathed in the soft glow of morning light.

Restless breaths escaped his lips, a testament to his weakened state, yet his gaze, clouded with illness, met hers with a silent understanding. Gathering her courage, Kariyah approached him, her voice a gentle whisper in the stillness of the room.

"Darius," she began, her tone laden with concern, "how are you feeling?"

"How's your fever?"

"I think .. i feel a bit better"

Kariyah placed the tea she had brought on the table and gently rested her hand on Darius's forehead. It felt burning hot.

"What do you mean you feel a bit better? Are you bluffing, or is this some peculiar characteristic of the Duke?"

Despite his throbbing headache, Darius managed a small smile. Of course a noble would give such an answer. It was in their nature to maintain a facade of grace and composure, regardless of their worries. This was, after all, the first time they had met. Kariyah hadn't realized it initially, but now she dismissed his words as a futile lie. How could someone so ill, gasping for breath, adhere to such decorum?

"I brought you some milk tea. I happened to stumble upon some leaves in the marketplace. I thought it'd be good for you to drink the tea with milk as well. I don't think you're in a good condition to just drink tea on it's own".

The milk Kariyah had bought was originally intended for a sauce to dip bread into, but she had used it all for tea. If she wanted to make her fondue, she would need to walk several hours to the village to get more.

Darius struggled to sit up and drink the milk tea. Thanks to the sugar, it went down easily, making him feel much better. It wasn't until later that he realized he had already drunk half of it.

The mere presence of milk here was remarkable. Milk, an item prone to spoilage even in chilly weather, was precious. The villa, isolated in the middle of nowhere on a mountain and far from any farm, made its presence almost a luxury.

"Thank you.."

As he handed the empty teacup to Kariyah, she helped him lie down and covered him with a blanket. To others, Kariyah's face always appeared calm and unreadable.

Before moving to the mountains and settling in this villa, Kariyah had always lived according to her own desires, a lifestyle many found peculiar. People lacking insight might say, "Have you seen that person with no passion? They must have been hurt in the past," or something similar.

Reflecting on it, Darius realized how generous her care for him was. She likely knew the rumors about him but chose to ignore them with admirable sensibility. His heart swelled with gratitude toward her.

"I'll have to open the window for a bit, it may feel cold."

The body is inclined to become weak after a lack of air for a long period of time. Darius felt fresh air on his cheeks when Kariyah opened the window and ventilated the area. He bit his dry lips.

"Is it raining?"

"No, It;s snowing. Though it's still late fall the weather has been getting colder these days."

"Snow.."

"Do you not like snow?"

"No, i like it."

The snow surrounding the villa held a special significance for Darius. From a young age, he had often visited this place. Despite its distance from the capital, he came to play here every spring. The wildflowers were breathtaking, and it had been his mother's favorite spot.

When he was about half the height of an adult man, Darius spent a significant amount of time at the villa. This was where Selena, his mother and the former Duchess, stayed before she passed away. Catherine Bloodmoon had a rare disease.

In the weeks leading up to her death, Catherine had to lie down for most of the day. Even so, she and Darius would sit at the front entrance and watch the sky together. It was an unforgettable memory: lying in Catherine’s arms as she rested in the rocking chair, watching the snow. After her death, Darius stopped visiting the villa because every visit reminded him of her empty seat.

The villa stopped being cleaned regularly, they hoped that time would eventually take care of it and left it to rot. it was just a coincidence that he came here.

"You shouldn't have become an enemy of the imperial family"

His subordinate, Gerald, had said when he stabbed him. Darius removed the sword from his wound feeling both the pain of the wound and of betrayal.

"However, what can you do with a wound like that?"

"Ger...ald..!"

He was a swordmaster strong enough to defeat elite troops, but he couldn't fight back against his subordinate while bearing a painful stab wound that eventually would have killed him. Contrary to public belief, he wasn't murdered in battle. Instead, he found a chance to escape, fleeing by hopping onto a wagon and making his way to the next town.

After a long period of hiding and running, he finally arrived at a nearby village. Many of his wounds had healed over time, but he couldn't afford to stop now. According to Gerald, those orchestrating his assassination were from the imperial family. They were undoubtedly searching for him, so he needed to find a safe place to hide.

Recalling the existence of the villa, Darius climbed all the way up here.

"Those peasants said that the house was vacants and that the Duke wouldn't come her."

Even with the light of a lamp, the area was shrouded in darkness. The nearest village was at least half a day's walk away, ensuring that not even curious children would venture here—or so they thought. Climbing the mountain despite the pain of his stab wound had been worth the risk. In the end, he found someone at the villa, and that very person claimed to be his wife.

Darius's eyes landed on Kariyah. The largest room in the villa was his bedroom, followed by the room with the fireplace. Kariyah was cleaning the ashes from the fireplace and adding more wood to keep the cold at bay.

Originally, this was the maid's job. Darius mused that the Mason family must not have been too sad to send their only daughter here, leaving her alone. She must have gone down to the village to get supplies, but they had spent a large part of the day together. Maybe she had secretly reported him... Though he doubted he could question that possibility anyway.

"Look.."

His throat felt parched and his voice scratchy.

He thought he could tell her the fact that he was being framed. He wanted to tell her the truth too.

"Yes?"

The moment Kariyah turned her head, Darius attempted to lift his upper body, but his vision became blurry and foggy. Pressing his hand against his forehead, he struggled to stay conscious, but his body refused to comply and tilted to the side.

He closed his eyes, and the last thing he saw was Kariyah running toward him.