Chapter 113

The sand-colored tent faded into the distance, becoming a tiny dot. Lia didn't let her eyes stray from the tent, both hands clasped in her lap. Ian, sitting next to her, rolled down the window a bit and let the refreshing forest breeze fill the car.

She watched as the Valencian fields changed into the forests of Rixie, Ian's duchy, thinking about this morning. As Ian had hurried to return to his duchy after breakfast, Lia had also moved quickly. She ran to Caruso to entrust Claude in his care. She knew that Claude would disregard his injuries and not treat them diligently until they'd completely healed.

'Lia, don't worry about me. Go enjoy the rest of the month and make beautiful memories, then come back to me. You know I need you for our ceremony.'

For a split second, the words 'I want to go back to Del Casa' almost made it past her lips. If it wasn't for Ian, who was standing outside waiting for her, she might have gone back home with Claude.