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    267/269: The Time They Had Lost


    The Time They Had Lost


    “I am sorry, dear,” the Queen Mother said softly. “Please forgive me for how I treated you before.”


    Althea felt the warmth of her embrace and gently returned it, her hand moving in a soothing motion along the older woman’s back as she felt her trembling.


    “I’m really sorry… I truly am,” the Queen Mother continued, her voice breaking.


    Althea softly hushed her. “It’s alright, Your Grace,” she reassured gently. “It’s all in the past now. What matters is today… and the future. I hope we can get along well from now on.”


    The older woman slowly pulled back, her eyes glistening as she looked at Althea with newfound warmth.


    “Please… call me Mother from now on,” she said. “I may have my shorings, but I want you to feel that you are truly wee in this family. You are my daughter now, and I will treat you better.”


    Althea’s lips curved into a soft, bashful smile. “Mother,” she called gently.


    Before the moment could settle, another woman rushed forward and wrapped her in a tight embrace.


    “Wee home, sister!” she said warmly. “I’m Ri. I’ve been wanting to meet you for so long. Thank you… for saving me.”


    Althea smiled and returned the hug, feeling the sincerity in her words.


    “I’m so d to finally have a sister!” Ri beamed as she tightened her hug


    around her.


    “Alright, that’s enough,” Gavriel cut in lightly. “Let my wife rest for a moment before the coronation begins.”


    Althea couldn’t help but chuckle as Gavriel pulled her gently back to his side once Ri finally released her.


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    “But I’ll help prepare her,” Ri protested, already reaching for Althea’s hand.


    “Come on,” she added yfully, tugging her along. “My younger sister and I will take care of you. I don’t trust you with my brother right now-his eyes haven’t left you since you arrived. Trust me, you won’t get any rest if you stay with him.”


    Her teasing made Altheaugh softly as Gavriel could do nothing but watch them <ol><li></li></ol>


    Melva followed behind, but Althea paused and turned to her.


    “Melva, you’re dismissed for now,” she said gently. “I’ll be in good hands with… my sister,” she added with a small smile toward Ri. “And her attendants.”


    Then her expression softened as she looked back at Melva. “Go find Simon. I’m sure you both missed each other.”


    After receiving Althea’s signal, Melva didn’t hesitate. The moment she stepped down from the carriage, her eyes immediately found Simon’s, as if drawn to him. Every part of her wanted to run straight into his arms, but she held herself back. She couldn’t abandon her post beside her Queen without being formally dismissed.


    With effort, she turned away and hurried down the hallway. She had barely taken a few steps when a hand suddenly caught hers, pulling her into a secluded corner.


    Her body stilled the moment Simon wrapped his arms around her.


    His warmth, his scent… it surrounded herpletely. It was achingly familiar, and she hadn’t realized just how much she missed it until now.


    “I missed you so much, Melva,” Simon whispered against her ear.


    She felt his lips brush her neck, then her temple, then her hair, as he buried his face against her. His hold tightened, as if he never wanted to let go.


    “I missed you so badly,” he murmured, his voice low, restrained, yet full of sincerity.


    That was all it took. Tears welled up in her eyes, and before she knew it, she was sobbing softly against his chest.


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    Simon gently pulled back, his hands moving to her face. With careful tenderness, he wiped away her tears, brushing aside the strands of hair clinging to her cheeks.


    Melva said nothing. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and rose on her toes, pressing a soft kiss against his lips. It was meant to be brief, just a simple touch, but Simon didn’t let it end there.


    He pulled her closer, one arm tightening around her waist while his other hand cradled the back of her neck. Then he leaned in again, deepening the kiss.


    It was intense, full of longing, and in that moment, Melva could feel just how much he had missed her. Both of them were left breathless when Simon finally pulled away. He wrapped his arms around her again, though more gently this time, giving her space to steady her breathing.


    “Should we head back to our quarters first?” she asked timidly after a stretch of quiet. “My Lady dismissed me for the day.”


    The silence between them wasn’t empty. It was warm,forting. Melva rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.


    Somehow, it felt as if it had fallen into sync with her own.


    For a moment, neither of them spoke. They simply stayed there, holding on to each other, as if making up for all the time they had been apart.


    Melva let out a small gasp when Simon suddenly swept her into his arms.


    “Wait, what are you doing? Put me down, I can walk!” she protested, her face instantly turning red as he strode down the hallway without a hint of concern for the people they passed.


    Unable to bear the attention, she hid her face against his neck instead.


    “I’m sure you’re exhausted from your journey,” Simon said casually. “Besides… let me carry you like this. I want to take care of you today.”


    His words made her heart flutter.


    Melva bit her lower lip, her cheeks growing even warmer as her thoughts began to wander. She didn’t protest anymore, instead rxing in his arms, quietly savoring


    the moment.


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    “Simon… I really missed you. I love you so much,” she whispered softly.


    Simon’s expression softened, his gaze filled with warmth as he looked at her. “I love you too, Melva. If only you knew how much I longed for you.” His voice dropped into a gentle hum.


    “Today, we’ll celebrate your return… youing back into my arms.”


    He carefully set her down before opening the door to their quarters.


    Melva’s eyes widened the moment she stepped inside.


    Flower petals covered the floor… and even the bed.


    Her breath caught as she took it all in, her heart swelling at the sight.


    Simon took her hand, his touch gentle, and slipped a ring onto her finger. “I realized I hadn’t given you anything yet,” he said softly. “So while you were away, I searched for a wedding ring for us.”


    He then reached for a jewelry box and opened it. Inside were several pieces, each one elegant and carefully chosen.


    “I wasn’t sure what you’d like,” he admitted, a faint smile on his lips. “So I picked everything that reminded me of you… everything I thought would look beautiful on you.”


    Melva’s vision blurred with emotion.


    Unable to hold herself back any longer, she threw her arms around him and kissed


    him.


    This time, she didn’t hesitate.


    She didn’t give him a chance to speak, pouring all the longing she had kept inside into that single kiss. Her hands clutched at his clothes as she drew closer. She started undressing him, desperate to feel him, to make up for all the time they had


    lost.


    Simon responded just as deeply, pulling her into his arms as if he never wanted to


    Tow Toto her Had lon


    let her go again.


    In that moment, nothing else mattered.


    Only the two of them… finally together again.


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