Translator: Nox

Chapter 147

#<Episode 147>

Laura nestled deeper into Ian's embrace, a languid happiness washing over her.

Suddenly, Ian presented something before Laura's eyes: a small bunch of marigolds.

Laura blinked, looking up at her husband.

"A gift?"

He nodded.

"I stopped by Covent Garden for a moment while passing through."

Laura smiled softly, accepting the bouquet. She was very pleased, but not surprised. It wasn't the first time she had received flowers from him.

During the two months between their engagement and the wedding ceremony, Laura had received a bouquet from Ian every day. He had visited Dunville Park, where Laura was staying, every day to present her with a bouquet he had made himself.

The carefully arranged bouquets, tied with silk ribbons, possessed a harmonious and vibrant beauty, like his love for Laura.

Even after their marriage, Ian did not stop giving her flowers. Every morning, he would go to the glasshouse, gather an armful of fresh flowers, and head to Laura's study. There, he would carefully arrange each bloom in a large vase adorned with gold and rubies.

Decorating his wife's space with flowers was an important part of his routine, and he had not missed a single day since their marriage.

Laura inhaled the fragrance of the marigolds in her hand. Her heart fluttered every time she received flowers from him.

"Marigolds are such lovely flowers. Oh, and the ribbon is tied so neatly. Did you buy them from a flower girl?"

"Yes."

"That's good. Those children barely make a living selling flowers."

"The child who sold me these marigolds was quite clever. She knew the meaning of every flower she sold. She recommended flowers symbolizing courtship to young gentlemen, and flowers signifying wealth and glory to middle-aged gentlemen."

"Oh, how clever! So, what does the marigold mean?"

Ian wore a gentle smile.

"Sorrow."

"Such a sad meaning for such a golden flower."

"Perhaps it's to offer golden love to the departed, rather than dark blue sorrow."

Laura looked down at the small bouquet in her hand, savoring her husband's words.

As time passed, a golden sunset, like the marigolds, began to stream in through the raised carriage windows.

Leaning against her husband, Laura began to wonder if it wasn't time to return to the hotel. The hotel restaurant had specific operating hours. However, she didn't voice her thoughts.

He was always worried about Laura being too thin, and he wouldn't allow her to skip meals. The fact that he was driving around until evening suggested he had other plans in mind.

'Perhaps he's booked another restaurant.'

Laura vaguely speculated.

The carriage continued onward without stopping. Soon, it entered a cemetery lined with neatly trimmed garden trees.

Laura looked out the window in surprise. Various large tombstones flashed past the window.

"Where are we...?"

Ian took Laura's hand, which held the marigold bouquet, as if to embrace it.

"We've come to London, so we must visit Lady Abigail."

Laura sighed softly.

In truth, Laura had intended to visit her grandmother's grave since she began preparing for her visit to London. Now that her uncle's warning to stay away from the grave held no power, she could finally say her last goodbyes to her grandmother.

Laura had not told her husband about this plan. If she told him, he would surely want to come with her. Laura didn't want her husband to see her break down in front of her grandmother's tombstone. It would only sadden him.

Ian saw right through Laura's thoughts.

"You were planning to go secretly around dawn, weren't you?"

"How... did you know?"

"I have a knack for reading your mind."

He lifted Laura's chin, making eye contact. Then, he spoke sternly, as if warning her.

"I won't stand for it if you plan to cry alone again."

Laura nodded. He gently kissed her forehead.

The carriage came to a stop. He got out first and offered her his hand. Laura took his hand and slowly stepped down onto the footstool.

Safely out of the carriage, Laura looked ahead. A rectangular sandstone monument, as tall as Laura, came into view.

「Lady Abigail Pendleton.

February 1, 1823 – August 16, 1895

God sent this woman to bestow love upon the world.」

As soon as Laura saw the tombstone, her eyes welled up with tears. But she forced a smile.

"Grandmother. I'm sorry. I'm here now."

She fidgeted with the handle of the marigold bouquet as she continued.

"I got married. To Mr. Dalton, whom you liked. I'm very happy now. I feel joy every day. Every day, I'm glad I was born."

Laura's smile grew fainter. Soon, tears began to fall from her eyes.

"...But... I'll never forget your love... To me, you were another mother, left behind by my own mother..."

She placed the marigold bouquet in front of her grandmother's tombstone.

Laura could no longer hold back. She rushed into Ian's arms and began to sob aloud. The tears she had not shed at the funeral two years ago poured out like a flood.

Ian held Laura tightly in his arms. And he whispered in a tender, choked voice.

"Lady Abigail knows. She knows how wonderfully her granddaughter has navigated life. She's watching over you from heaven, even now, Laura."

Laura could feel it. Ian understood her heart. He felt her sadness and sorrow as if they were his own. He was willing to embrace them and share them with her.

His love for his wife was so great that he accepted even her sorrow as his own.

Laura's sorrow quickly dissipated, like a lump of salt dissolving in a bucket of water. The sorrow of not being able to be with her grandmother at the end was forgotten like a past life.

Ian's love was a complete and perfect love that healed everything in Laura.

In his arms, Laura's sobs slowly subsided. When she calmed down, he took a handkerchief from his pocket. And, lifting her face, he gently wiped away her tears, like a mother cleaning up her child's messy face after playing with paint.

He always took care of Laura with such tenderness. He did things for Laura every day that her mother would have done if she had been alive.

Each time, a void in her heart that she hadn't even known existed was filled. The sense of loss from her childhood, which she thought would remain empty forever, was completely replaced by a satisfying sense of happiness.

"Ian."

He replied, "Yes?" with the most wonderful and tender smile in the world.

Laura confessed to him with sincerity, and with gratitude, respect, and a lifelong commitment.

"I love you."

Ian's hand, which had been gently wiping away her tears, stopped. He seemed quite surprised. And for good reason. It was the first time she had so clearly declared her love.

He held Laura's waist tightly, pressing her against his body. He demanded quietly, but in an undeniably serious tone.

"Say it again."

Laura's eyes sparkled with affection and respect.

"I love you. I love you with all my heart."

He slowly lowered his face to Laura. Their noses touched, and their breaths mingled on each other's skin.

"It means our love has become equal in weight."

He smiled languidly. Happiness shone in his eyes.

"Close your eyes, Laura."

Laura slowly lowered her eyelids. He gently rubbed the tip of his nose against the tip of Laura's nose.

"My Laura. I will love only you. Even after crossing the gates of heaven and gaining eternal life."

His lips slowly approached Laura.

"This is a kiss of promise."

His lips met Laura's.

Laura wrapped her arms around his neck and accepted her husband's passionate kiss.

Laura did not doubt her husband's promise in the slightest. Even if he were called by God to the world of souls, his love would not end.

Because she, too, would love him even after death.

If there were scales to measure the weight of love in the world, Laura and Ian would be able to confirm that their two hearts were facing each other on a level plane.

But they didn't need scales. Because, as they lived together, they could feel every moment that they were dedicating themselves to each other at the same height and with the same weight.

• THE END