Free Web NovelChapter 196: After twenty years... Finally
Ever since the Hero Rufie got Aluella a job as a bodyguard for a noble house, she was inducted into the circle of nobles in the Athina Kingdom and for the last twenty years has never left. However, the only person who knew that Aluella was a hero was Lady Wanderkol, the same woman she had been hired by twenty years ago and had taken in during her pregnancy and allowed Aluella to raise Trawerr safely.
Lady Wanderkol had been a widowed duchess for thirty years, had few demands and commitments, and never got involved in the political entanglements between the nobles. However, she was practically a water magician and was well known for her advances when she was very young, so many believed that her mansion was full of scrolls and grimoires on the subject and attempted assaults were not uncommon, at least until Aluella became her employee.
Aluella was an archer, in fact, the best archer in the world. Her divine abilities were granted by the Goddess Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt, so no one could compare to her.
Aluella was the one who turned the territory of Castle Wanderkol into an impenetrable fortress. She therefore became highly valued by the Wanderkol Family. This appreciation was such that the fact that she left the castle even for just a few hours became a risk for the Wanderkol family, so Aluella went out only a few times a year, mostly accompanying Lady Wanderkol to events.
However, one day that had to change.
When Aluella read the newspaper in the morning, there was a news item that made her eyes widen in surprise.
"Victor Shieldman defeated the Devourer of Ships in Klento."
Aluella’s heart pounded hard, very hard, and all the air went out of her lungs. She hadn’t heard or seen a mention of Victor Shieldman for many years, but that headline in the newspaper wasn’t a deception, a mirage or a dream. It was real news, telling of a ’mysterious’ hunter called Victor Shieldman, a hunter who had bravely defeated the greatest danger in the shallow northern seas, the monster Ship Eater.
Adrenaline began pulsing through Aluella’s veins as her eyes quickly scanned the text, absorbing every detail of the heroic deed.
She knew immediately that she had to go to Klento. This was the first sign of Victor, the great love of her life for the last two decades. A part of her believed that he might actually be long dead, which was why knowing he was alive made her so happy, but just knowing wasn’t enough, she needed to see.
Immediately, she made her way to the Duchess’s living room, where she found her sitting in a blue velvet armchair, surrounded by romance books.
"Forgive me for intruding, Lady Wanderkol." Aluella began, her voice calm but firm. "I need to talk to you about a trip I have to make to Klento."
The Duchess looked up from her book, her blue eyes sparkling between her white hair.
"What makes you want to leave the castle, Aluella? And why precisely to Klento?" asked the Duchess, closing the book and putting it aside.
"I just read about Victor Shieldman in the newspaper. He defeated the Devourer of Ships in Klento. I feel like I should find him."
"That’s the name of the father of..."
"Yes, he’s father Trawerr."
"The man who never knew he had a son with you."
"Madam, I know that my departure may cause strangeness among the other nobles of the house, so..."
"Aluella, don’t worry. We can find a legitimate reason for your trip." The Duchess stood up, walked over to a nearby table and picked up a scroll. "Coincidentally, three of my sons have to attend a charity event in Klento to represent House Wonderkul. You will accompany them as their bodyguard. That should justify your presence there. Go and get ready, they leave tomorrow morning."
Aluella nodded, relieved that the Duchess understood
The Duchess’s children - Edmund, Lucian and Cordelia - were excited about the trip. They were between 30 and 40 years old, and were the classic white-collar nobles who wore make-up and sometimes even wigs.
By dawn, the castle was in a controlled frenzy as the Duchess’s sons prepared for the trip. Edmund, Lucian and Cordelia, each with their own distinct personality, were excited about the opportunity to represent House Wonderkul at the charity event in Klento, but not because of the event, but because it was Klento, a coastal town. As they lived far inland in the Kingdom, it was difficult to see the sea and the hustle and bustle of a big city.
Edmund, the eldest, was serious and responsible; Lucian, the youngest, was witty and carefree; and Cordelia, the only daughter, was elegant and shrewd.
Aluella, dressed in light armor, accompanied the three, her presence imposing and professional. They set off from the castle in a luxurious carriage, accompanied by a small escort of guards.
The days-long journey was uneventful, but Aluella’s heart was restless. She couldn’t wait to get to Klento and look for Victor.
Arriving in the port city of Klento, they were greeted with the pomp and circumstance expected of nobles of their stature. The streets were decorated for the holidays and the city was buzzing with energy.
Aluella, however, was focused on her personal mission.
While the Duchess’s children busied themselves with the festivities, she began to discreetly ask questions about Victor, disguising her interest.
Everywhere she went, Victor Shieldman’s name was known. He was the hunter who defeated the Devourer of Ships, a feat that brought him great notoriety. However, despite the fame of his name, no one seemed to know exactly where to find him.
"Victor is always on the move," some said.
"He’s a Hunter. He might show up at the Association."
"He has dealings with the Selvarum Family." others said. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
The mention of the Selvarum Family sent a shiver down Aluella’s spine. Luisa Selvarum, with her cunning and ambition, was not someone Aluella wanted to meet. The thought of having to deal with Luisa to get to Victor deeply discouraged her. After days of fruitless searching, Aluella found herself alone on the balcony of the charity ball, watching the skyline of the bustling city. She had to go in three, at the end of the festivities in Klento, and she still hadn’t found Victor.
For Aluella, this charity event was a mere formality. The possibility of meeting Victor in a place like this was almost nil. She knew him. But who knows, she thought, maybe Victor was there, hiding behind a mask like everyone else. For this reason, even though she was a coast guard, she dressed in an elegant gown.
"Imagine my surprise when those men burst into the party and you, without any hesitation, were the first to act." Aluella said as they sat on a bench bathed in moonlight.
"Wait a minute. Don’t make it sound like I just went all out on their leader. I thought of a plan before I acted." Victor explained.
"Of course, of course. Let’s ignore how you’ve always acted like a barbarian." Aluella said and laughed.
Victor didn’t even have a chance to retort. In fact, his first options were always to go all out on anything without fear.
Just then, Aluella rested her head on Victor’s right shoulder.
"I’ve missed you, Aluella. All my life in this world, I’ve felt a huge void and you’ve filled it. It just took me too long to realize it."
She turned to him again, her face illuminated by the moon, revealing a vulnerability she rarely showed to other people.
"I missed you too, Victor. More than I can express. And seeing you again... it’s like part of me has come back to life."
Victor reached out and gently touched Aluella’s face, feeling the softness of her skin. "Aluella, I... I always hoped we’d have a second chance. A chance to make things right this time."
Aluella closed her eyes for a moment, feeling Victor’s touch. "Then let’s make it right, Victor. Let’s take this second chance."
Slowly, almost hesitantly, Victor brought his face closer to hers. Aluella didn’t pull back.
The distant sound of the city and the whisper of the wind were their only witnesses at that moment.
When their lips finally met, it was as if time stood still. A kiss that had been awaited for two decades, full of longing, love and unspoken promises. Aluella felt Victor’s warmth spread through her, a sense of completeness she hadn’t felt for years. He pulled her closer, his strong hands holding her with a strength that only he could have.
This moment should be eternal, and every second should stretch as long as possible. emotions.
When they finally parted, their eyes were still closed, as if they wanted to prolong that moment for longer.
Aluella opened her eyes slowly, finding Victor’s gaze fixed on her, charged with an intensity that made her heart beat faster.
"Victor..." she whispered, her voice full of emotion. "I... don’t want to lose you again."
He smiled, a smile that spoke of hope and renewal. "And you won’t, Aluella. I promise. This time, we’ll make it right."
