Nightmare Came to The Place I Escaped - Chapter 114

The brilliant morning sunlight passed through the linen curtains, and entered the bedroom.

 

“Rachel.”

 

Rachel whimpered at the low voice that was softly calling her name.

 

“Are you still tired?”

 

Ian laughed at Rachel as she buried herself deeper into his arms as if she wanted to sleep some more.

 

“Ugh, just a little bit.”

“Hmm?”

“I want to sleep a little longer.”

 

At Rachel’s request, Ian happily nodded.

 

Ian carefully swept Rachel’s hair back.

 

Watching Rachel wake up in his arms was Ian’s favorite time of the day.

 

Rachel frowned as if her eyes were dazzled. It was almost the only time Rachel frowned.

 

That Rachel had a hard time waking up, it was one of the things he’d found out recently.

 

He clicked his tongue quietly, as if he was annoyed that the curtains couldn’t block out the sunlight properly. Ian raised his upper body up to block the light, only then did the wrinkles between Rachel’s forehead smooth out slightly.

 

It was Rachel who broke the silence in the room that had been quiet for a while.

 

“Your Majesty, please stroke my hair.”

 

Another thing Ian had recently discovered was that Rachel liked his touch of her hair.

 

“Rachel, shall I ask them to bring our meal?”

“Mmm.”

 

Rachel thought for a moment, then nodded.

 

“Ah, but this morning they said they were roasting lobster.”

 

Rachel remembered what she had heard yesterday, and chattered.

 

“Have you tried it, Your Majesty? I heard it’s really big. It’s fresh because they caught it recently.”

 

It was the first day after they arrived at the southern resort.

 

Rachel opened her eyes when she remembered her appointment with Ian to go walk by the sea together. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Ian looking down at her.

 

Rachel smiled softly at the still and quiet gaze.

 

Then Ian followed Rachel and folded his eyes finely. Ian’s warm lips fell all over Rachel’s face.

 

Once again, laughter flowed through Rachel’s lips at Ian’s kisses, which were as soft and gentle as a falling spring flowers.

 

“Oh, by the way, Your Majesty.”

 

Rachel, who had been holding Ian’s hand for a long time, opened her mouth as if she had suddenly remembered.

 

“What?”

“How many kids do you want?”

“Huh?”

 

However, Ian only blinked slowly as if he had never thought about it.

 

“Haven’t you thought about it?”

“Well.”

 

Rachel sat up in bed as if she was surprised by Ian’s reaction.

 

Ian, the Emperor, needed a child to succeed the throne. She didn’t understand why he gave such a sluggish response.

 

“Your Majesty?”

“I’m fine as it is. Aren’t you happy enough with just the two of us?”

“Really?”

 

Rachel lowered her gaze for a moment as if she were contemplating.

 

Ian, did he hate children?

 

She didn’t really get that feeling. Was he just not interested?

 

“I want to have a son who resembles Your Majesty. You also need someone who can inherit the throne.”

 

Rachel had a long-cherished the idea of a family. Having three children and living together in a small house with a front yard.

 

It was something she’d dreamed of from the moment she entered the Imperial palace and saw the older maids. So, she’d felt that way for quite a long time.

 

She didn’t think she would be lonely anymore if she could form the family she’d dreamed of.

 

Of course, she’d given up a few things when she became Ian’s wife.

 

However, she never thought Ian would hate children.

 

“Wouldn’t you like to have a precious child?”

“Well, I’d be glad to have a daughter who looks like Rachel.”

 

Ian blinked slowly as if thinking of a cute girl with Rachel’s eyes, but he soon shook his head.

 

“But I don’t want Rachel to have a baby.”

“…Why?”

 

Ian pondered for a moment, then he pulled Rachel closer by the waist.

 

“My mother died giving birth to me.”

 

Ian leaned his head against Rachel’s shoulder, hesitated for a moment and opened his mouth.

 

“So, I don’t like it. I don’t think I want a child if I have to take that risk.”

 

Rachel stroked his head carefully, consoling him from within his tight embrace.

 

“All I need is you.”

 

Ian didn’t want a child from Rachel.

 

Of course, the idea of a child whose eyes resembled Rachel’s was lovely just to think of.

 

As far as Ian knew, it wasn’t easy to be pregnant with a child for ten months, or to give birth after that long period of patience.

 

If Rachel had a baby, no matter how much Ian helped her, he couldn’t ease Rachel’s pain.

 

Therefore, he didn’t like it.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

Rachel called to Ian quietly. Now she finally understood why Ian didn’t want a child.

 

As he said, it was nice that it was just the two of them.

 

“But would people leave the Empress alone if she doesn’t bear a prince?”

“I promise you.”

 

Rachel tried to smile as he rubbed his face on her shoulder. Rachel kissed him on the cheek in his first-ever act of being silly.

 

Rachel knew that he would love their child more than anyone else if he became a father, even though Ian said he’d never thought about having a child.

 

He’d probably look at their child with those warm eyes that were full of love. Though it wasn’t that she didn’t understand Ian’s anxiety.

 

Rachel stroked Ian’s soft hair lightly.

 

It wasn’t like she didn’t want to hold a child who looked like him in her arms one day, but as Ian said, it was nice to have a little more time on their own.

 

Somehow, their time alone seemed to last quite a long time.

 

***

 

The day she came back from the resort after a fairly long trip.

 

“Rachel!”

“Rachel.”

“Father, Brother.”

 

The Duke of Oates and Mike visited the Imperial palace, and welcomed Rachel back from the resort.

 

“Did you have fun?”

“Yes, I’ve brought you a present.”

 

Rachel greeted the Duke of Oates with pleasure, and handed over the gift in her hand.

 

“It’s a cologne I bought from a famous place in the south. I thought it would suit Father well.”

“Thank you, Rachel. I didn’t expect you to take such care in choosing. So, was it nice in the south?”

“Yes, but I prefer the Oates territory better.”

 

In response to Rachel’s reply, the Duke of Oates nodded vigorously with a confident face.

 

“That’s right. Even though there’s no sea, there is no place like our territory. Rachel, you won’t be able to come often anymore now that you’re the Empress, but please stop by at least once a year.”

“Of course. Rather, I was going to ask you the same thing. There are so many things we haven’t done yet.”

 

Mike, who was watching Rachel and Duke Oates’ conversation, hurriedly opened his mouth.

 

“Father, don’t you have to go to the meeting? I think you’re going to be late.”

 

Mike grumbled as if he was jealous and feeling excluded by his father and younger sister.

 

“I’m already late. Wouldn’t it be fine if I’m a little later?”

 

The Duke of Oates glanced at his watch for a moment, and shrugged his shoulders lightly.

 

“Father, do you think the other nobles will sit still and wait? They’re going to point fingers at you, and say that you’ve changed after producing an Empress.”

 

Mike was a little sarcastic. From all appearances, it seemed that the Duke of Oates would cause the rumor himself if he spent any more time here.

 

“Ugh, Rachel. I’ve got to get going.”

“Yes, Father. I’ll wait until the meeting is over, so go ahead.”

 

Duke Oates didn’t seem happy with Mike kicking him out, but he moved towards the meeting room.

 

After the Duke of Oates left the drawing room, Mike was finally able to talk to Rachel. He glanced at Rachel’s hand, and asked.

 

“Rachel, is there one for me?”

“Of course there is, this one is for my brother.”

 

After receiving his gift from Rachel, Mike nodded in satisfaction.

 

“Thank you, Rachel.”

 

Mike’s gift was a well-crafted tie pin. However, Mike didn’t open the package since all he wanted was to divert Rachel’s attention to him rather than really wanting a gift.

 

“Oh, more than that, I’m completely done with my leg treatment today.”

“Really?”

“Yes, it’s the same as before. I’m perfectly healthy now.”

 

Mike laughed playfully, and jogged lightly in place. Rachel watched Mike’s antics and laughed.

 

“Are you all better?”

“Oh? Prophet?”

 

Rachel and Mike’s eyes widened as if surprised by the sudden appearance of Roosevelt.

 

“Congratulations, Mike.”

 

Roosevelt circled around Rachel and Mike, then sat down on a nearby couch.

 

“Rachel, do you have mine?”

“Ah…”

 

Rachel was now empty-handed. When Rachel expressed her consternation, she hadn’t expected to see Roosevelt Dante again. Roosevelt simply shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t care.

 

Roosevelt glanced at Mike, and opened his mouth.

 

“I am about to leave the Imperial palace.”

“What?”

“I’ve been waiting to say my final goodbyes.”

 

Both Rachel and Mike looked at him blankly, as if Roosevelt’s words were too sudden.

 

“…Why?”

“I just thought I’d take a trip here and there. The Imperial palace isn’t much fun for me anymore.”

 

Roosevelt went on leisurely, as if it wasn’t a big deal.

 

Rachel looked at Mike, then turned to Roosevelt again.

 

She didn’t hear from Ian that Roosevelt was leaving the palace. Was it a short trip?

 

“Well, Prophet, does His Majesty know?”

 

Mike carefully asked.

 

“No, you can mention it on your own.”

 

Roosevelt shook his head as if it hurt at just the mention of Ian.

 

“I don’t think I’ll hear good things even if I go tell him anyway. He’ll just push me on my back while he tells me to go. I wanted to give a proper farewell this time.”

“Oh…”

 

Rachel stared at him quietly. Somehow, Roosevelt seemed to have a lot on his mind.

 

“Then you’re leaving for good?”

“That’s not true. I’ll come back if I change my mind.”

 

Roosevelt laughed playfully.

 

“Why? You don’t want me to leave?”

 

Rachel shook her head without saying anything.

 

Whether Roosevelt left or stayed here longer, It would only be his choice.

 

There was nothing between herself and him. So, there was no reason to hold him.

 

However, she was slightly concerned about Roosevelt, which seemed different from usual. She was a little saddened that this could be the last time she saw him because he’d helped her whenever something big happened, but that was about it.

 

Roosevelt opened his mouth again as if he’d read Rachel’s mind during that long silence.

 

“Don’t be too sad. If you want to see me, this Roosevelt Dante will gladly come back.”

 

Roosevelt slowly rose from his seat, and reached his hand towards Mike.

 

Mike hesitated for a moment, but clasped his hand. After a quick handshake, Roosevelt reached out to Rachel in the same way.

 

Roosevelt briefly shook her hand up and down, then smiled.

 

“Freedom, peace, happiness.”

 

Roosevelt only left after such unexpected words, then he disappeared before the Oates’ eyes.

 

***