Forbidden Desires: Conquering Kingdoms And Women In a Fantasy World! Chapter 57: Departure From Millbrook! [2]

She didn’t slow as she approached, launching herself at with complete trust that I would catch her. I opened my arms just in ti, staggering slightly under the impact as she collided with and imdiately wrapped her arms around my neck in a desperate embrace.

"I thought... I thought you were going to leave without saying goodbye," she sobbed into my shoulder, her tears soaking through my coat. "I thought...you were angry..."

"You are the one who ignored and ran away," I said laughing as I held her steady in my arms.

"I... I was scared," she said, her voice small and broken. "I didn’t know what to do with all these feelings, with the thought of you leaving. I thought maybe if I didn’t say goodbye, it wouldn’t be real..."

"I will never be angry with you, Zoey. Not for being scared, not for running away, not for anything."

I was acutely aware of the pointed stares I was receiving—Rosaluna’s gaze had turned decidedly frosty, while Lisa and Riley watched with hard expressions. But in this mont, none of that mattered as much as the girl crying in my arms.

"I... I don’t want you to go," Zoey whispered looking up at with teary eyes.

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I will try to co back whenever I can, but anwhile, you need to stay strong. Help Lisa and your brother. And one day, if you truly wish to be by my side..." I paused, eting her hopeful gaze. "I will accept you and co for you."

"I want to be with you," she said imdiately, the words tumbling out with desperate sincerity.

I appreciated her feelings more than she could know, but the reality of our situation was more complex than her young heart could fully grasp. "I’m going to a dangerous city, Zoey. You’ll need to beco strong to reach there—stronger than you are now. Do you understand?"

Her eyes shone with sudden determination, tears still clinging to her lashes but her spine straightening with newfound purpose. "Okay... I will. I’ll beco strong enough."

I smiled and gently released her before Rosaluna’s patience could reach its breaking point.

The rhythmic thunder of hoofbeats suddenly filled the air, growing louder as they approached our small gathering. We all turned toward the sound.

"Looks like she’s here," I said.

The carriage that rolled into view was impressive—dium-sized but clearly well-crafted, with polished wood panels and brass fittings that spoke of quality and expense. The horses pulling it were magnificent creatures, their coats gleaming with health and their movents precise and controlled. This was transportation fit for nobility, not the humble village life I was accustod to.

When the wheels finally ca to a stop, Isadora stepped out with the fluid grace of soone born to elegance, her traveling clothes sohow managing to look both practical and refined. She was wearing her mask unfortunately.

"Master Isadora," Rosaluna muttered under her breath.

"I see that you are ready, Harold," Isadora said. There was approval in her expression as she took in my travel attire and packed belongings. "We should leave imdiately. The road to the capital is long, and we have much to discuss along the way.Have you said your farewells?"

"I have," I replied.

Isadora gestured toward the open carriage door with elegant efficiency. "Then we should not delay any longer."

I nodded, understanding that the mont had truly arrived. But before I could take a step toward the carriage, Lisa moved forward with sudden determination.

She wrapped her arms around in a fierce embrace, holding close enough that I could feel her trembling slightly with suppressed emotion. "I love you," she whispered into my ear.

I wanted to return the sentint—she deserved to hear it, deserved to know how much she ant to . But I was painfully aware of Rosaluna watching us with eyes that had turned to chips of ice, especially after catching Lisa’s whispered words. Starting a confrontation now, monts before my departure, would only make everything harder for everyone involved.

Instead, I held Lisa a mont longer and spoke quietly into her hair. "I will wait for you," I told her, reminding her of our exchanges and our ti.

She pulled back with a smile nodding understanding exactly what I couldn’t say aloud.

Then Rosaluna stepped forward, and I could see the effort it took for her to control her emotions—the jealousy, the possessiveness, the fear of losing that she couldn’t quite hide despite her best efforts.

"Big sister," I said, spreading my arms wide in invitation.

She fell into my embrace, holding tight enough that I could feel her heartbeat against my chest.

"I will speak to mother," she said.

"I know you will, but be gentle with her, alright?" I replied. "She’s hurting in ways we might not fully understand."

Rosaluna nodded against my chest. "And you had better not do anything strange in the capital," she said, pulling back enough to look at with an expression that was part warning, part plea.

"I won’t," I laughed.

With our farewell complete, I turned to give Riley and Zoey final nods of acknowledgnt. Riley tried to look stoic, but I could see the way his hands clenched at his sides. Zoey managed a watery smile and a small wave, her earlier breakdown having left her looking emotionally drained but sohow more at peace.

I was turning toward the carriage, steeling myself for the final step of this departure, when a voice called out behind .

"Harold!"

I spun around, my eyes widening a bit. There, standing at the edge of our gathering, was Isabella. She was breathing hard as if she’d run the entire way from the house, her usually immaculate appearance disheveled in a way that spoke of haste and emotional turmoil.

She wore a simple tunic gown that looked hastily thrown on, her white hair escaping from its usual neat arrangent to fra her face in gentle waves. But it was her expression that caught —raw, vulnerable, and filled with a pain that seed to encompass far more than just my departure.

She approached slowly, as if each step required trendous effort, and when she finally stood before , I could see that she’d been crying.

"Mom," I said softly.

I really thought she wouldn’t co.

Without warning, Isabella pulled into her arms with fierce intensity, holding as if she could sohow keep safe through the strength of her embrace alone. "I am so sorry, my boy," she whispered, her voice thick with tears and regret.

"No, I’m the one who should apologize," I replied, wrapping my arms around her.

"No," Isabella shook her head emphatically against my shoulder. "It’s my fault. Everything that’s happened, everything that’s gone wrong—it’s all my fault."

"Nothing is your fault," I said firmly, pulling back enough to look her in the eyes. "You raised Rosaluna and with overwhelming love and devotion. You gave us everything you had to give, and you should never, ever bla yourself for that."

My words seed to break sothing inside her, and she began crying in earnest—not the quiet tears of earlier, but deep, wrenching sobs that seed to carry years of suppressed pain and guilt.

"I am so proud of you, Harold," she managed between her tears. "So incredibly proud of the man you’ve beco."

And you will be even more proud soon enough...

"Thank you, mom," I said, putting emotions in my words. "I was terrified that you would hate for... for what I’d done. For the choices I’d made."

Isabella shook her head vigorously, reaching up to cup my face in her hands. "I could never hate you. Never. You are my precious boy, and nothing you could ever do would change that."

"I just wanted to help," I said, the words spilling out in a rush. "I love you both so much, and when I saw you suffering, when I saw how the nightmares were tearing you apart... I had to do sothing. I love you, and that’s why I—"

"I know," she interrupted gently. "I know, my darling boy. I’m not angry at you—I never was, not really. And I love you too, more than you could possibly understand."

She pulled back slightly to look at properly, stroking my hair with the sa gentle touch I rembered from childhood. Her eyes were still bright with tears, but now there was a smile on her lips—sad but genuine, filled with a love so profound it took my breath away.

She was truly breathtaking.

If I had t her on Earth...I might have been maybe different...

The others watching us looked confused, unable to fully understand the subtext of our conversation. But Rosaluna knew, and I could see the relief flooding her features as she realized that whatever rift had opened between Isabella and was finally beginning to heal. It didn’t solve everything—Isabella would likely still struggle with our nightti arrangent—but it was a beginning.

Isabella turned then to address Isadora, and I watched as she straightened her shoulders and composed herself with visible effort. "Please take care of my son."

"Do not worry," Isadora replied. "Your son is destined for greatness."

Instead of the pride I might have expected, Isabella’s expression grew troubled, almost fearful. "I...I see...."

"Harold," Isadora called .

The mont had arrived. There would be no more delays, no more postponents.

I looked around one final ti at their faces.

Can’t believe I grew close to so many people in my new life.

I smiled a bit and went inside the carriage.

My new life was calling.

And along the beginning of my ascension in this fantasy world.