The Knight's Mysterious Maid-Chapter 461: Last days (2)

After a day of Celine showing Rafael items from Annalise’s past and Phillip enjoying a day of spending time with his daughter, Annalise and Rafael returned to each other’s side to start putting together their house.

They walked to the market and picked out what they wanted. When it came time to move the furniture in, they received help from the knights and people on the street who saw that they were moving. It was more than just Celine eager to see Rafael and Annalise living together.

Others in town were excited about the coming wedding, but many were still against Rafael marrying the leader. They wanted him to do something to show his loyalty to their home as they were yet to believe that Rafael would turn on them at the order of the king.

Annalise instructed Rafael to pay no attention to them as there was nothing he could do to prove he was not going to hurt them. Their relationship would show that as time went on and when the king would come to visit to finish the truce, this would all be settled.

As long as there were no attacks.

Now came the day for Annalise and Rafael to depart from the border to go toward the orphanage to visit Lydia.

Annalise felt great sadness over leaving her parents already, but she had to go to see Lydia. It could not be pushed back any longer. It wouldn’t be long before she was back at home, but then that meant she would be here without Rafael.

Annalise didn’t want to appear clingy and asked that he return with her for a few more days. She didn’t want Rafael to have to make the long trip back to his manor alone when she would be travelling back with Siena and Thomas who was already off with the knights who left early in the morning.

Heidi, Siena, and Giselle had all travelled with the knights back to the manor so they could go visit their families and be back home. Back to their normal daily life.

Annalise and Rafael were taking a different path to get to the orphanage as it would be quicker so they were able to leave a little later than the others.

"Kept the map near you at all times. I don’t think it’s correct, but it’s all you have to get where you need to be," Celine said whilst looking at the map Phillip gifted Annalise.

It was made by their scouts as they travelled around the Castro kingdom, getting the information they needed.

Rafael placed some doubt in her mind by stating that it wasn’t accurate. Rafael had travelled far across the land and must have better access to more detailed maps. Celine didn’t want them following the map Phillip prepared, but she couldn’t say it out loud.

She could only hope that Rafael and Annalise would not get lost. She didn’t want to go weeks without seeing her daughter again.

Celine thought of joining the two, but then she knew they would want to continue to enjoy their engagement.

"Where is Celeste? She is going to be late in seeing you off," Celine said, looking around for Celeste.

When it was time to say goodbye to the couple, Celeste was nowhere in sight, but then she would be coming later, trying not to act like she missed Annalise when she did.

"I already saw my grandmother this morning. She told me to come back safely. While I am away, please try to get her out of her home more often. Then I won’t think about her spying on us using nature. Please," Annalise pleaded with her mother.

"Your father will be the one tasked with getting his mother out of her home. Now that there isn’t much for him to do, they should sit to talk more," said Celine.

"What about you?" Phillip questioned.

Why did he need to sit with his mother alone and attempt to get her to come outside? His mother was no longer interested in talking to anyone. It was why she changed her home and lived away from others.

"Because she is your mother. Sometimes I need a break from your family just as you need one from mine. Have a safe trip, Annalise," Celine said, putting an end to the topic of Celeste as the matter was settled.

She’d prepare a lunch for the mother and son to enjoy tomorrow.

"You must be safe too, Rafael. I’ve heard there are all kinds of strange people waiting to hurt you to take your things. Try not to get into any fights while you are on the road and enjoy your trip."

Annalise frowned as it felt like her mother had looked at her when she spoke of fights. "Why does it feel like you singled me out about fights? He is not innocent like you think."

"I don’t see that," Celine said, smiling at Rafael. "No trouble, Annalise."

Annalise couldn’t believe her mother was pointing her out to be the troublemaker. She was losing her father to grandchildren who weren’t here and her mother to Rafael.

Annalise was lucky to have Beatrice who always believed her and was ready to help her.

Annalise glanced at Rafael who was not hiding how much he enjoyed her mother caring for him. She left his side to go to her horse as she didn’t want to be around the pretender anymore.

"We should get going now while there is still some light. I hope time moves fast for me to see you soon," Rafael said, bidding Celine goodbye.

Annalise and Phillip were both disgusted by the sight. One wanted to pull him to his horse and the other wanted to pull him from uttering stupid words to his wife.

Phillip went around Rafael to get to Annalise. "If you ever feel like changing your mind it is never too late. Be safe out there. I will be looking out to send help should you need it. I’ll have a group go out to meet you the day you are to return. Don’t talk to strangers. I don’t need you bringing home any more strays. One is enough."

Phillip was still getting used to the one now engaged to her. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but he had taken a liking to Rafael. Rafael had proved that he could protect Annalise if she needed help and watching them as they spoke, there was no denying that Rafael suited Annalise.

Phillip knew that his daughter stuck out amongst women so many men might have a hard time picking her as the first woman of their choice, but he had witnessed Rafael listening intently to Annalise and not laughing at what interested her.

He learned that Rafael wasn’t fond of Annalise’s pets, but he had cared for them. Phillip had witnessed him taking care of the kitten which for some reason was staying with him as Annalise travelled. It couldn’t be left all alone in the house waiting for its owners to return.

"I will be fine, father. I will be back before you know it. You and mother are the ones who need to be safe. You’ll be arguing about grandmother soon. Goodbye," Annalise said, waving to those who were waiting behind her parents.

Rafael got up onto his horse now that their goodbyes were over with and joined Annalise on the long road to start their trip.