Chapter Sixty Four: People Who Live In The Past (4)

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"Dream? Are you talking about the dream you told me about last time?"

Catherine's husband, Gaon, comforted her in his arms.

"It's going to be alright. It's just a dream, Rin."

"No, Gaon. It's not a mere dream. At this point... something big will happen to my sister!"

Catherine, who was rambling, suddenly realized she had to do something.

"Maybe I should go to Hernia!"

"Hernia?"

Gaon spoke with a stiff expression at his wife's unexpected words.

"...Rin. There are limited herbs available there, and above all, the food there is too fatty for you."

He was concerned about his weak wife's health. However, Catherine's stubbornness didn't break despite noticing her husband's worried gaze.

"...I miss my family, Gaon. Please..."

Catherine suddenly thought that perhaps her dreams were excuses. Perhaps she just needed a reason to go visit her family.

"...Huff."

Gaon, who was staring into Catherine's eyes, let out a slow sigh. He couldn't stop her from going.

He knew how much Catherine missed her family. He saw how many pictures she had of her sisters in her bedroom, and on the days she had dreams about her family, his wife wouldn't eat anything.

'I have to tell the members to send Yugeunpi and Baekchul very regularly.'

[t/n: Yugeunpi (유근피) refers to a root of the elm bark tree, and Baekchul (백출) refers to the medicine that is made from dried roots of Atractylis japonica.]

The guild, 'Baek' was well-known in the Ryeo Empire. Gaon, the owner of the guild, became weak in front of the foreign painter. For 8 years, even until now.

"All right, Rin."

He was afraid that his wife would go to Hernia and say she didn't want to come back. He decided to obey her will. Gaon hugged his wife more tightly than ever.

"Let's go together."

"Thank you, Gaon."

Only then did Catherine lean on Gaon's shoulder. The scent of cypress coming from her husband relieved her.

Therefore, Catherine and Gaon eventually arrived at the land of Hernia after crossing the sea between the west and east this morning.

***

Helena decided to leave the mansion several days later. Gerard's determination was so firm that she couldn't spend more time there. She decided to return to her estate.

Helena said her farewell to Blanchett's mother and son while servants loaded her luggage on the carriage.

"Grandma, can't you stay here longer?"

Abel held onto her skirt and refused to let go, probably because he was sad at the fact that he had to say goodbye to his grandmother.

"Grandma... can't do that because I have things to do. Instead, you can come and see Grandma at another time, Abel."

Helena, who dropped to her knees to stay at eye level with the child and spoke affectionately.

"If you come to the estate, we can go to the sea and ride horses together."

She made an appointment without regarding it as a promise. It was her last attachment to her son's family.

"Really?"

"Yes, Abel. Until then, you have to listen to your mother and father, got it?"

"Yes, Grandma."

Abel hugged Helena's neck and kissed her cheek. Helena also held her grandson tightly. The warm affection of his small arms almost brought her to tears.

After saying goodbye to Abel, Helena rose up and took Chloe's hand.

"Mother..."

Chloe's mind was so complicated that she didn't know what to say.

"What on earth did I say to you that night?"

Helena couldn't look Chloe in the eye because she felt awkward about it. It was still embarrassing to think that her drunk and ugly side had been exposed to her daughter-in-law. The tips of her ears turned red.

"I'm sorry that you had to see me like that."

"Never mind."

Chloe shook her head quietly.

"And I haven't been able to say it to you..."

Helena continued with a gulp.

"Thank you, darling."

Helena knew that her son had changed a lot after meeting Chloe. It was good to see the gentle face he showed to his family and not the pretentious smile he had held in society.

It was due to her daughter-in-law.

She didn't know why it was so difficult for her to say thank you and sorry. She wished she could have told her before.

However, she couldn't push herself to do it. Helena was someone who could only speak her true feelings at the end. That's why she always had deep regrets.

"I'm all set."

The servant, who finished loading her luggage, came to her.

"Yes, I must go now."

Helena gave a slight nod and let go of Chloe's hand.

"Take care, then."

Helena spoke her last remark before climbing into the carriage. She looked out of the window at her daughter-in-law and grandson, then moved her gaze to the window behind them.

Helena was overwhelmed by surging grief. It was her son's office, who never showed his face until the end. The window, with its tightly closed curtains, seemed to represent Gerard's mind.

However, that was the result of the past she had to bear with. She couldn't expect her son to treat her like a parent when she was weak and wasn't a proper parent when he was young.

Of course, just like everyone else, Helena had a past as well. She was just too weak to endure her love and sorrow. However, her weakness couldn't be forgiven.

It was her young son who suffered the most from Helena's weakness.

***

The social season of fall had begun.

Chloe was invited to the Empress' tea party and able to visit the Imperial City after a long time. Even though she was tired of having long conversations with noblewomen, she couldn't return home yet even after the tea party was over.

Karina had stopped Chloe.

"It's hard to see your face, Marchioness of Blanchett."

When the women had gone and only Chloe and Karina were left, her sister spoke sarcastically.

"How come you seem to be busier than me?"

Karina was upset at Chloe. She made excuses about her mother-in-law and wanted to be alone when her sister called her in.

"And so."

Tak.

Karina put down her teacup loudly.

"So, why did you go up to the North?"
***

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