The Knight's Mysterious Maid-Chapter 493: Time away (1)

Two days went by faster than everyone liked and it was now time for the group to split into two with Annalise, Siena, and Lydia going to the border while River, Beatrice, and Rafael were to head back to the manor.

Logan was still indecisive about where to go since he didn’t think two women and a child should be travelling alone even if one of the women was Annalise. He was yet to ask Rafael to let him go with them, but it seemed Rafael had no plans for him to go back to the manor.

"I’ve marked out the stops you should make on your way back. Do not go off-road from what I marked and sleep in the carriage when there aren’t any towns nearby. One-"

"Rafael, I know what I am going to do. I’ve travelled around before you came into my life and I was fine. Stop worrying because it will make others worry about us. Siena and I know what to do on our way back and my father will send warriors to guide us back. You must be safe," Annalise said, tiptoeing to kiss him goodbye.

She had given him many kisses during the night to last the time they would be away from each other. Lydia had even joined in to kiss him on the cheek.

They said their goodbyes in private during the night and the morning when they woke up to start putting their things on the two carriages. It was mostly because it was a conversation only needed for their ears, but a little to avoid Beatrice crying.

"We must get going now so we reach the next town on time. Have a safe trip back," Annalise said to River and Beatrice.

Annalise helped Lydia into the open carriage door for her to go inside and be seated.

"Uhmm,’ Logan cleared his throat.

"Hurry up and get seated at the front of the carriage. You will be their driver," Rafael said, keeping his gaze on Annalise and Lydia as he spoke to Logan.

The guards coming with Siena were always meant to escort Annalise back to the border. Rafael disliked that it was Logan since he got to be around Siena while he had to be away from Annalise.

"Right away. I will keep our- your woman," Logan quickly corrected himself. "I will keep your family safe. Where are my bags?"

"Goodbye," Siena joined in giving her farewells. "I look forward to seeing you soon, Lady Beatrice. And River," she added as River had been quite helpful during the trip here. He had offered her advice on her troubles.

"Have a safe trip to the border. Excuse us," River said, taking Beatrice toward their carriage before she could think about going to the border. They too had to leave to get close to Ashbourne by the time they planned.

Siena enjoyed seeing River and Beatrice together. She found herself in the same position as Beatrice as her father said, but she didn’t see that as something so terrible.

"Do you need help getting up into the carriage?" Logan asked, ready to offer his hand should she need it. After the confession from Siena about being ready to start a relationship, he was going to start doing all that he could to properly court her so she could see how serious he was.

Siena didn’t need help going into the carriage, but she still accepted Logan’s hand to get inside.

"I will get you to the border safely," Logan said as he closed the door after Siena sat down. He then went around to the front to be in control of the horses to lead the carriage toward the border.

Rafael stood off to the side to watch the carriage as it would leave. He had been wounded a few times during battles but nothing had ever hurt as much as having to send Annalise and Lydia off. It was just as hard as he knew it would be.

He tried to remain still so that he would not stop the now moving carriage from leaving with his family. He was glad Annalise had started their goodbyes last night as saying them now would have made it hard for him to let them go.

He watched as the carriage went out of the gates and Annalise poked her head out of the window to see him once more. Lydia followed Annalise in looking out the window to wave goodbye to him.

Rafael smiled, waving goodbye to them as his mood slowly started to change. He should put up with this now and work hard so they would all be together soon.

Rafael waited for the carriage to be out of sight and then joined his parents in getting into their carriage so they could take the trip back together.

Beatrice touched Rafael’s leg after he sat down. "I know that it is hard but you are doing well. Believe me, I once tried to sneak my way onto a carriage to after your father because I missed him. You are doing much better than me by sitting here while they leave."

The carriage started to move off now that Rafael was inside. Beatrice and River’s driver was here to take them back to their home.

"Next time, we will all go together," River said as he looked forward to seeing how much the border had changed since the time he was there for war. He especially looked forward to seeing Annalise’s father again.

Everyone else might be against it, but River didn’t mind if they were to have a playful match against each other. Their families were becoming one so there wasn’t a need to kill each other like in the past. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

"I will do as I promised Annalise and start putting together a few ideas for the wedding to share with her mother when we meet. Celine and I are in charge of doing the wedding," Beatrice said, happy to not only be asked to aid in putting together a wedding but for now knowing so much more about Annalise’s parents.

Beatrice took her job as a wedding planner seriously so by the time Annalise would visit the manor, most of her ideas would be put together for Annalise to see. She loved Annalise even more for wanting the mothers involved instead of leaving it in the hands of a stranger.

"So, I must tend to our garden alone?" River asked. He was already prepared to be ignored while Beatrice planned a wedding and leave on her shopping trips to have gifts for when Lydia would visit.

"No, Rafael will also need something to pass the time so he can join you," Beatrice suggested.

River and Rafael looked at each other. It appeared the time had come for them to bond over gardening.