Chapter 596
The next day, Viola dressed with care. She pinned a peony blossom in her hair before heading out with Poppy.
She had a specific destination in mind. If she found him there, it would confirm that Thomas still held her in his heart.
At the base of Richspire Peak, there was a stream. About halfway up, the stream flowed down a steep slope, forming a small waterfall. Whenever Thomas felt upset, couldn’t figure something out, or struggled to make a decision, he would come here to practice his swordsmanship. He had brought her to this spot once before.
As they climbed, Poppy supported her. However, Poppy grew increasingly uneasy as they ventured further from civilization. “Madam Viola, where are we going? It’s still so hot. Do you think you can handle it?”
“We’re almost there.”
Viola felt exhausted, but it wasn’t like she could ride a carriage up this mountain. It had been years since she had walked such a rugged path. She paused to catch her breath, casting a cold glance at Poppy.
“No matter whom we see today, you mustn’t breathe a word to anyone, understand?”
Poppy nodded nervously. Though she hadn’t learned proper manners, she sensed that their trip to the mountains was not entirely appropriate, especially with so few people around.
What would they do if they encountered danger? Who Was Viola even going to meet? The secrecy weighed on Poppy’s mind, and she recalled Jane’s words from the night before.
By the time they reached the halfway point, the sound of the waterfall reached Viola’s ears, making her heart race.
Would he really be here?
Suddenly, the ground felt impossibly heavy beneath her feet.
What if he wasn’t? She had spent all night thinking about him. If he were absent, wouldn’t her actions have been ridiculous?
After taking a few deep breaths, Viola made her way along the narrow mountain path. It had been years since she had last visited; now, there were even small trails, indicating that others had discovered this scenic spot. Back then, when they came, he would hold her hand as they leaped–over waist–high grass. That exhilarating sensation of being airborne was thrilling and refreshing.
As she rounded a bend, the view opened up before her
There he was, practicing his sword dance by the waterfall. The sight ignited her blood with fervor–he was
here.
Thomas was really here.
Viola brushed the peony blossom in her hair. Then, she took a deep breath and instructed Poppy, “Stay here and don’t come any closer.”
Seeing Viola approach a man alone, Poppy turned pale with fear. “Madam Viola, y–you can’t do this! If the
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Chapter 596
general finds out…”
“He’s no longer a general.” Viola shot her a cold glance “If you don’t say anything, no one will know. Just stay here and keep watch.”
As the sound of voices reached him, Thomas sheathed his sword. Even amidst the roar of the waterfall, he could still hear clearly–a skill honed during his time as a spy.
Turning to the source of the sound, he saw Viola approaching.
He blinked in surprise. Was it really her?
As they locked eyes, Viola moved closer, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She didn’t wipe them away. Instead, she let them flow freely down her cheeks.
Thomas was drenched, revealing his lean and tall figure. He retreated a few steps and asked, “Why are you here?”
Viola took another step forward, her voice breaking as she cried, “I wanted to see you! I was so happy when I found out you were back. Thomas, you’re alive! You have no idea how happy I am.”
Seeing her tears twisted his heart. Since the day they married, he had sworn to protect her. But even amid his pain, he knew the boundaries they had to respect.
“Thank you for your concern, but we’re no longer husband and wife. You’ve married someone else. We need to keep our distance.”
“Keep our distance?” Viola let out a bittersweet laugh through her tears. “Have you really become this cold -hearted?”
“I…” Thomas stood in the water, watching her approach despite her shoes and socks getting wet. “Don’t come down. I’ll come up.”
He climbed onto the bank but instinctively stepped a few paces to the left, maintaining the distance between them.
“You shouldn’t have come. We shouldn’t meet like this. If word gets out, it could harm your reputation.”
