Maylily - Chapter 99

Hugh prayed dozens, hundreds of times a day.

In some moments, he prayed that Maylily would simply be alive somewhere in this world. In other moments, he prayed that even if she appeared as a cold corpse, she would show up before him as soon as possible.

Even as he chewed over the hope that he could get Maylily back, the next moment he walked through despair, unable to reach her.

Beautiful, pitiful, insignificant Maylily Aile.

Because she was harmless, fragile, and tempting like a single flower, he snapped her and took her as desire led him. When he imagined someone else, like himself, getting lost and wandering and then violating her at will, it felt like the blood in all his veins surged backward and then dried up.

Only then did Hugh realize how utterly rotten, doglike shit the things he’d done to Maylily were. He’d craved her body so many times to have her wholly, yet he never once properly looked into her heart.

“I… like you so much, Hugh.”

Even while he always thirsted for the heart contained in that trembling voice, he treated it like a joke, as if it were something he could grab any time with ease.

If he’d treasured it. If he’d faced the way his own heart responded to it….

At the very least, he wouldn’t have to feel the pain of his chest burning away every minute, every second, not knowing whether you were alive or dead.

All at once, longing pierced his burning chest.

The gaze that showed emotions transparently. The sweet voice that always kept an even volume. Sweet skin. A shy, rosy smile. Inner flesh hot enough to melt. Hands that wrapped around his neck as if clinging. Body heat transmitted through his whole body. Hair like spring sunlight. Soft, sleepy breathing….

Everything that made up Maylily, each trivial thing, he missed.

With eyes blurred and dimmed by tears, Hugh slowly looked around the bedroom as if chasing Maylily’s memories. In the place that, not so long ago, had been filled with pure passion and heated moans and fresh floral scent, only bleak loneliness and chilly night air drifted.

In that quiet storm, cracks were forming in Hugh’s vast, solid world.

***

Unlike Roden, where there had been a snowstorm a few days ago, winter in Bredova was bright. Michele jumped down from the stagecoach, briefly squinting at the blazing sunlight, then opened his eyes. After thanking the driver who climbed onto the coach roof and tossed down his luggage bag, he slung the bag up and started walking.

In the village square, the morning market was in full swing. On one side, vegetables brought in from a neighboring village were spread out, and on the other, fish the villagers had gone out to sea before dawn to catch were laid out on stalls.

Voices colored by the region, the fishy smell, wind carrying salt, low, old buildings.

Walking through the familiar scenery that hadn’t changed even after several years, it finally felt real that he’d returned to Bredova.

Originally, he planned to come back in the spring. By then, Maylily’s belly would have swollen quite a bit, and he thought he should be by her side to take care of her. He had lived freely as if leaving his body to time, but he wasn’t so irresponsible that he could dump an extra mouth on his uncle and aunt and then act like it had nothing to do with him.

The timing of his return was moved up a whole season from the original plan because of that uncle and aunt he’d just mentioned. After learning Michele’s address through Maylily, they sent letters at the slightest excuse and pressed him.

[How can a guy who’s getting on a ship and leaving the day after tomorrow shamelessly ask a woman out on a date? I did give him a sharp warning behind Maylily’s back and managed to make him back off, but…. If we told him Maylily’s carrying your child, it’d naturally solve everything, so just how long are we supposed to keep pretending we don’t know, Michele.]

[I don’t know how big a deal you’re doing in Roden, but whatever it is, it can’t be more important than protecting your woman.]

[Even yesterday, Stefano came by for no reason and tried to make silly jokes at Maylily. Maylily laughed three whole times…. He’s a dangerous one.]

They went so far as to be wary even of Stefano, who was flimsy as overgrown wheat. If Michele’s memory was right, the kid would have only just come of age by now.

Like some snot-nosed brat like that would steal someone’s woman.

No matter how many times he chewed it over, Michele let out a snort at their absurd overprotectiveness, and it was just as he was nearly back at the inn after passing through an alley lined with restaurants.

In the morning sunlight falling on the road, he caught sight of the crown of a head glittering gold. Below it, a face smiling purely, clear of any stain. It was Maylily.

In front of her, some guy was standing there blocking the way. Starting his moves this early in the morning. Michele lifted one eyebrow slightly, cleared his throat, and opened his mouth.

[Honey.]

At the deep voice that heavily shook the air, both of their gazes turned to Michele. Maylily, recognizing him first, widened her eyes so much they looked like they might pop out.

“Michele!”

[Michele?]

The guy shouted in a startled voice right after. What’s he doing shouting my name….

Wait, that bastard….

Michele’s eyes narrowed slightly.

[Stefano?]

His facial lines were a little thicker now and his muscles had filled out, so he was hard to recognize at first, but it was definitely him.

In a few years, the boy had become a man. He’d forgotten for a moment that time didn’t pass for only him. He finally understood a little why Carlo and Giovanna had been making such a fuss.

Still, Stefano isn’t my match.

[You really came back from Riverton for good? Your uncle and aunt are going to be thrilled.]

[It’s been a while, Stefano.]

Walking up to them with steady steps, Michele grinned as he ruffled Stefano’s brown curly hair out of old habit.

[But what business do you have with my woman this early in the morning?]

[Your woman?]

Didn’t you hear me call her honey? Stefano frowned hard and asked. Beside him, Maylily stared with wide rabbit eyes.

[Michele, what are you…!]

“Shh.”

Michele lightly pressed his index finger to Maylily’s lips, then wrapped his other arm around her shoulders affectionately.

“Just smile quietly. I’ll chase this guy off.”

[What, what are you talking about, speaking Rivertonian? Is it not rude to do that with someone standing right here? Maylily, you answer. Are you really that kind of relationship with Michele?]

Maylily made an awkward smile, unable to do this or that. Michele quickly stepped between her and Stefano.

[I’d like you to leave now so we can have some private reunion time. We can say hello again later.]

Like an idiot, not even realizing…. Stefano murmured in a dazed voice, barely audible, then turned around without another word. The way he slumped his shoulders and trudged away looked exactly like someone who’d been dumped.

Tsk. Clicking his tongue briefly, Michele turned back to Maylily.

“He must’ve been pretty annoying.”

“No. Actually, Stefano often tells me village news, so it’s been a big help in getting to know this place. Thanks to him, I’ve made quite a few new acquaintances too.”

So that kid Stefano has built up trust fairly well. Michele cast a displeased glance down the road where the boy had disappeared, then turned his head.

“Why were you out here at this hour?”

“For cleaning the yard.”

Maylily smiled and lightly waved the broom she was holding.

“And you, of all people, how did you get here without even contacting me?”

“Well….”

The big eyes looking up at Michele shone clearly. He had no intention of burdening her with words like he came to take care of her.

“My uncle kept making a fuss, saying the inn work was busy.”

At Michele’s excuse as he scratched his cheek, Maylily nodded seriously. “That’s true. I’m amazed every time that people of their age can get through all that work.”

Maylily explained how much Carlo and Giovanna did from the moment they opened their eyes in the morning until they closed them at night. Then she added how she helped them, looking shy but unable to hide her pride.

The woman’s face, chattering without restraint as if they’d parted yesterday and met again today, was filled with bright, lively vitality, with not a trace of her former gloom and dryness. Exactly like the sparkling appearance from the days they took Cartian lessons together.

In the end, you overcame it.

Even the woman’s gaze, which he’d only ever seen as endlessly fragile, looked like it had become fairly steady in the meantime. Michele, quietly nodding and listening, turned a smile full of affection on Maylily as she finished speaking.

“You’ve been through a lot. Thank you for holding on.”