The Bride He Hates-Chapter 93: Valdris

The journey to Valdris took two days. They stopped only briefly at inns along the way, just just enough time to rest the horses and take quick naps. Clara watched Lyanna with worry but said nothing, understanding that she needed to keep moving, or she might turn back.

On the second day, in the afternoon, they reached Valdris. It was a sprawling estate located in the hills, surrounded by farms and orchards. It was completely different from Thornfield. Where Thornfield was dark and gothic, Valdris was warm and sunny.

The gates opened immediately, and a steward rushed out to greet them.

"Your Majesty, welcome to Valdris. Ambassador Roland has been expecting you. He has prepared the guest house and asks that you make yourself comfortable."

Lyanna dismounted, her legs aching from two days of riding and her heart from everything she had left behind.

"Thank you. Is Ambassador Roland available?"

"He is in the main house, Your Majesty. He thought you might want to rest first, but if you want to see him..."

"I want to see him."

The steward bowed and led them to the main house. Roland was in a sitting room overlooking a garden.

"Lyanna." He said warmly, using her name instead of her title. "I’m so glad you made it safely. Please, sit. You must be exhausted."

She sat down, looked around awkwardly for few seconds and then suddenly started crying, unable to control her emotions anymore.

"I’m sorry." She said between the sobs. "I didn’t mean to..."

"Don’t apologize." Roland handed her a handkerchief and sat opposite her. "You’ve surely been through something terrible. Take your time."

Clara stood nearby, looking distressed.

"Please, see to your comfort. Have the staff show you to your quarters. Her Majesty is safe with me." He told Clara.

Once they were alone, Lyanna gradually stopped crying.

"I left him." She said. "I left Azrael and Thornfield."

"Do you want to talk about what happened or would you rather not discuss it yet?"

"I don’t even know where to start." Lyanna replied. "It’s been building for weeks. But last night was too much. I realized I couldn’t stay there anymore or I’d lose myself."

"Then you did the right thing." Roland said.

They talked for an hour, during which Lyanna gave him a brief version of what had happened. Roland then walked her to the guest house on his estate.

It was a beautiful cottage, separated from the main house by a small grove of trees.

"I had it prepared as soon as I received your letter." Roland explained, opening the door. "There’s a bedroom, a sitting room, a small study if you want to work, and a kitchen, though the staff can bring meals if you wish. You’ll have complete privacy here."

"It’s beautiful." Lyanna said. "Thank you, Roland. For everything and for not asking too many questions."

"You don’t need to thank me. It was I who offered you refuge. It’s the least I can do for you." Roland replied. "Consider me your friend."

After he left, Lyanna explored her new home. It was simple yet beautiful. There were chairs for reading and a writing desk. The bedroom had a huge bed and windows that had garden view.

She sat in one of the chairs and realized she felt lighter. She wasn’t worried about vampire politics or her role as queen anymore.

Soon, Clara appeared with her luggage.

"Your Majesty, where would you like..." She stopped, looking at Lyanna. "You look different."

"Different? How?"

"Lighter." Clara replied. "Like you can breathe again."

"I finally can." Lyanna replied. "Clara, I know this is difficult for you; leaving Thornfield and coming here with me when you don’t know if I’ll ever go back."

"Your Majesty, I’ve been your maid for over a year now. I’ve watched you fight every day just to be noticed. Things have been difficult for you since you arrived at Thornfield. So if leaving Thornfield means you can be yourself again, then I’m glad we left."

Lyanna smiled, grateful for her words.

That night, Lyanna lay in bed, listening to the normal sounds of the Valdris countryside. There were no muffled sounds of strategy discussions, and no Sienna and Azrael talking about their past.

She sat up, pulled out a paper and began to write. She wrote a letter to herself.

I forgot who I was. I became so focused on being the perfect queen that I lost Lyanna completely. I don’t know how to get her back. But maybe here, away from constant comparison and criticism, I can remember.

She fell asleep with the paper on her chest, and for the first time in weeks, she slept through the entire night without waking.

The next morning, she dressed in simple clothes and stepped outside. The morning air carried the scent of flowers. It was so different from Thornfield’s cold atmosphere.

"Your Majesty, breakfast is ready. Ambassador Roland is in the main house if you’d like company, or we can bring it to your cottage if you want to eat alone." A maid said.

"I’ll eat in the cottage." Lyanna replied. "But please thank Ambassador Roland and tell him I’d like to have a walk in the grounds after breakfast. Would that be okay?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. You can explore the estate however you like."

Breakfast was simple but delicious. They had even provided her blood wine, despite Valdris being a human kingdom.

After eating, she walked through the grounds. The orchards were full of fruit. The gardens were beautiful. Human farmers were working on the fields, waving cheerfully at her instead of bowing in fear.

It felt surreal, as if she had stepped into a completely different world. She spotted Roland in the garden, tending to roses himself. He looked up when she approached and smiled warmly.

"Good morning, Lyanna. How did you sleep?"

"Better than I have in months." She replied. "Roland, I can’t thank you enough for this; for giving me space to breathe."

"I’m glad I could be of any help." He replied and returned to his roses. "By the way, have you read the new translation of Aurelius that came out last year? I heard you loved poetry. I have a copy in my library."

They spent the morning discussing poetry and walking through the gardens. During this time, doing the things she had always loved made her happy and relaxed after a long time.

After three days of her stay at Valdris, a courier arrived from Thornfield. Lyanna started trembling when she saw the Thornfield seal, but the letter wasn’t from Azrael, it was from Adrian.

Your Majesty,

I hope this letter finds you well and that Valdris is giving you the peace you needed.

I’m writing to update you on the situation at Thornfield, as I believe you need to know what is happening in your absence.

His Majesty is struggling. He has thrown himself into work. He is in council meetings from dawn until long past midnight, barely sleeping or eating.

The council is divided. Some believe you were right to leave and that His Majesty needs to face consequences of how he treated you while others see your departure as abandonment.

Lady Sienna is still at court. But their working relationship has changed. He is distant with her and keeps her at arm’s length. She is frustrated, though she hides it well.

Emma asks about you constantly. She needs you. The cooperation initiative without your leadership, isn’t progressing the way it should.

I’m telling you this not to pressure you into coming back, but because you need to know the truth. Whatever you decide about your future, it should be based on complete information.

If you need anything, please send word.

Respectfully,

Adrian