The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 281: [Bonus - ] My Past

Chapter 281: [Bonus Chapter] My Past

With their wedding over, Taro and Krisha went ahead and left Ebodia to make their way back to Valcrez. They would’ve liked to stay for Dani’s wedding too, but it would seem that they had too little time for them already. That, and they at least had their permission to leave and supposedly enjoy their honeymoon early before Taro had to disappear on Krisha for his mission.

In all honesty, Krisha thought that they didn’t have to leave early anyway. They had more than enough time to see Dani’s wedding along with Queen Mineah and King Nikolai. In fact, they really should’ve done that in the first place.

"Are you sure this can’t wait?" she couldn’t help but ask Taro as they rode on their horse together. They first travelled in his mist form and then they had a stopover and Taro got them a horse. "I know this is important, but couldn’t we have at least waited a day more?"

"Unfortunately, my schedule cannot be amended now," Taro sighed as he held onto her hand. "I asked King Nikolai before we left if I could spare another day to stay and see our friends’ wedding, but it would seem that my lack of presence cannot be postponed any longer."

"I just wished we could see them being happy like they did for us," she mumbled. "I feel bad for leaving."

Krisha sighed along with her new husband. Despite everyone’s well wishes, she still felt guilty for leaving. Well, there was nothing for her to do anything about it since they were already on the road. Whatever it was that Taro wanted to show her, she was sure that it would be worth it.

"Where are we going anyway?" she asked.

"To my hometown," Taro replied. "It was a place that was once a thriving tribe before Devon went and destroyed it during one of his many conquests. I’ve already told you about it, but I want to share this with you now. To perhaps help me put this place behind me."

Krisha blinked as her chest tightened. This complete show of trust almost made her want to smile if not for the fact that where they were going was most likely going to be a more solemn place. She didn’t know what it looked like now, but she could only assume that it wasn’t going to be pretty.

"We’re here."

At Taro’s announcement, Krisha looked up from where he was hugging Taro from behind. Sure enough, she saw what was obviously the ruins of what was once a thriving settlement. Ruined structures lined what was once clearly a dirt road, now covered with plants as they slowly made their way inside.

"Welcome, Krisha, to what was once my home," Taro somberly introduced as he led their horse deeper into the settlement. "I still remember a time when this place was lively. It was a small settlement, but there was still a lot of life to be had here with children running all over the place."

Krisha remained silent as Taro showed her around. The horse’s footsteps hitting the ground were the only sounds echoing around them as they went further into the abandoned settlement. Everywhere she looked, remnants of obvious battle remained scattered throughout all of the roads and dirt. Shields and swords were swamped with vegetation, and suits of armor rusted over as nature reclaimed what was rightfully hers.

"I can only imagine," Krisha mumbled as she took the sights in, her emotions flaring for Taro as she felt what was probably only a tiny fraction of the grief he held for this place. "I’m... I’m honored that you wanted to show me this."

"You deserve to know where I came from," Taro replied. "This is my past, one of the main reasons why I am who I am today."

With a somber mood, Krisha remained silent as they navigated the ruins around them. Somewhere along the way, they ended up in a graveyard of some sort, and she could only assume that this was their destination based on how he had stopped and dismounted their horse.

Silently, she let him assist her in getting down from their horse. Taking his hand, she gave him a soft smile before letting him lead her into what looked to be a family grave.

Already, Krisha knew whose graves were currently in front of them. And sure enough, Taro led her to a gravestone that looked significantly cleaner than the ones beside it.

"Krisha, this is my mother," Taro introduced her as he gestured to the gravestone. "Mother, this is Krisha, my wife."

She blinked at that. She knew that this would happen, but this was... surreal.

Taking a deep breath, Krisha simply did what she had to do and bowed her head to Taro’s mother. Taro also introduced her to his father and his older brother.

"Thank you for having me," she curtly bowed.

"Yes, I have a wife now," Taro chuckled as he stood in front of the gravestone. "I just wanted you to meet her. To at least know that I’ll be alright now."

Krisha smiled at that even as she backed away. Feeling what was about to happen, she let out a short breath as she let Taro have some privacy with his mother. It was what she would’ve wanted if it ever happened to her, so she would do the same for him.

As such, she waited. And as day turned to dusk, she simply let out a smile as Taro finally turned around to greet her.

"Have you-"

"There’s no need," Taro smiled back at her. "I’ve made my peace. I know my family would approve of you, and I’m sure that they are just as happy as we are wherever they might be now."

Krisha smiled at that. "Very well. So, are we done here?" she asked. "I don’t think we can stay anywhere here."

"Think again," Taro smirked. "There’s this one treehouse here that I kept in good condition whenever I went back here. I’m sure you’ll like it."

"Lead the way then," she smiled.

Letting her new husband take the lead once again, they returned to their horse and made their way to this treehouse Taro spoke of. Still, even as they traversed the ruins again, she couldn’t help but wonder...

"Are you planning on taking revenge?"

"What? Not really," Taro chuckled. "What’s past is in the past. I don’t have to dwell on it anymore, especially since the present has you in it. Whatever ill will I may want to happen to those responsible, I’m sure that fate will be the ones in charge of giving it to them."

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