Chapter 153

CAMILLA’S PO.V

There were a total of fen letters in that envelope and Ryker sat with me as I read each of them. It was like hearing my father speak directly to me. It was like having him directly beside me and I could have sworn that I felt his arms around me, comforting me and offering me unwavering support. I couldn’t go through them without the tears running down my cheeks and by the time I was done, it felt like I had been scrubbed clean from the inside out, like someone had taken sandpaper to my heart and left me out to dry.

Ryker said no words, he just held me as I cried and clutched the letters to my chest. He muttered sweet nothings in my ears while kissing my temple. I must have fallen asleep in his arms because the next thing I knew, I was waking up to the blankets wrapped around me and to Ryker seated by the edge of the bed as he stroked my hair softly. He smiled down at me and I managed to give him an identical one despite the pounding in my head and the soreness around my eyes.

“We have to leave soon,” he whispered and I felt a pang in my heart. “We can always come back another day. It might make for a good yearly vacation spot.”

“I think I’d like that,” I agreed.

He helped me to my feet and we made our way down the stairs to prepare one last breakfast for Audrey. I doubted she still remembered we were leaving today and I feared the tantrum that was already coming. Thankfully, Ryker offered to get her up and break the news to her. I didn’t combat him because I was willing to do anything to avoid it.

I heard the exact moment he told her because her scream was loud enough to shake the walls. Aurora started crying almost immediately after and I cursed. It took us half an hour to calm both of them and by that time, my pounding headache was much worse.

Breakfast was such a tense affair. Audrey refused to speak once, she just sulked into her plate. I wanted to comfort her but I knew there was nothing I could do. I understood where she was coming from and to an extent, I felt the same.

I didn’t realize I would enjoy it here as much as I did. It was a completely different experience, one that I didn’t realize I needed until I had it. There was something about this place, it was in the air and under the ground, it was a safe haven, it was peace and it was love. It had seeped into the air and the walls. It was in the trees and the chairs, it was obvious that this was a place well loved and I knew there was only one person responsible for that.

After breakfast, we packed up what was left of our things and were in the carriage long before noon. Aurora was fast asleep in my arms while Ryker and Briggs loaded our things into the carriage. Audrey was standing next to me and clutching onto the sides of my dress. I smoothed a hand through her hair and she nestled closer into me.

“Are you alright?” I asked and she nodded but I could tell from her eyes that she was anything but. “Do you want a hug?”

“Yes please,” she mumbled and I pulled her close into me.

She sniffled as she buried her face into my skirts. I ran my hands through her hair as I tried not to

Chapter 153

to pretend or put up a persona, she was a child and it was alright for her to cry. I caught Ryker staring

had her eyes cast down on her

promise, we will come back very soon. I’ll make sure we come here at least once

be enough for her because she got into the carriage with no hesitation. I felt hands on my waist and

genuinely worried and confused as if

fine, don’t worry about

kiss on my temple before taking Aurora from me so I could get into the carriage. I was just about to when a throat was cleared behind me. I turned to see Briggs looking

to

off and he gave me a small smile. “It was an honor to be here. You have done so much for this

is the only life

you have a family? Don’t you ever miss

smile. “I never got married, your- Camilla, and it never appealed to me. There is a town behind this house, just a few miles off. It is a short distance. If we ever miss human company, we know where to

know that they were not completely isolated for the entirety of the year. I couldn’t imagine having to do

incident that took place and sna tched his hand back. “I hope to see you

and walked towards the door. I watched him disappear into the house and stood there for far longer than I should have,before getting

Audrey slept off halfway through the ride leaving just Ryker and I but neither of us knew what to say. My attention was

even realized it and I blinked out

in front of the palace already. I glanced out of the window only to see the sun already setting. Time had gone by so fast that I hadn’t even realized it. I barely had time to gather myself before the door was pulled open and Christine stood there

down in their natural waves, her eyes were bright with happiness and her cheeks were flushed. She looked relaxed for the first time in a long time and I could see the

I raised my

around me. I relaxed into her hold and inhaled her familiar scent. I had come to associate it with the scent of home and it felt amazing to just feel her once more. She released me slowly but her eyes caught on someone behind me and she all but shoved me away to pull Audrey in her arms. I watched her spin my daughter and I saw the first smile grace Audrey’s lips since we left

the

your vacation?” Christine asked finally and

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