Chapter 443: The Tree of Memories
In the past, the little Lariette had always seen the new boy sitting perched on this particular tree. Then, she begged him to teach her how to climb it.
Even though she was raised in a rural village where children often rolled in the mud while playing, she was still very young. Her grandmother had also reminded the other children not to teach her such a skill.
The new boy, although often alone and gloomy, agreed easily. After a few failed attempts, the little girl succeeded. Since then, they often sat on the sturdy branch while looking at the scenery.
Even though Lariette’s memories of the past twenty years had become faint, she still remembered how fond she was of the boy.
"Eddy," Lariette shifted her gaze from the tree to Ruediger, her eyes soft, "Have I ever asked why you always climbed it? I’ve forgotten."
"You had," he curled his lips, and then gently led her toward the tree, "I said because I wanted to see beyond the forest line. Nothing else."
At that time, the young Ruediger was in so much despair. After witnessing his mother’s death at the hands of the kidnappers, his world was shattered. He tried to escape a few times, but failed.
With each defeat, more abuse was waiting.
He was kicked, punched and even pushed to half-drown into the water. After losing count of the torment, he gave up altogether.
At the same time, the kidnappers kept taunting him. They emphasized that his mother’s death was his fault.
Because he was afraid to face his father, younger brother and the others, he no longer attempted any escape. He also never questioned why the kidnappers only kept him here, not asking for any ransom.
As Ruediger was reluctant to distress Lariette with his story, he diverted her attention by pointing in a direction, "I remember you fell at this spot. You scraped your knee."
"Oh... You remember that?" she deflated like a balloon, quite embarrassed by the event, "I think I didn’t cry, right?"
He chuckled, "Your eyes swelled like tomatoes. I bet you’re too ashamed to cry."
"Eddy!"
"Hahaha!"
Snow crunched underfoot as they halted before the tree. Without a word, their eyes roamed, looking at the grooves and scars etched into the old bark. The branches were bare, weighed down with snow.
After decades, the tree had grown older, and so had the years that had passed between them.
"Eddy, when you came here before," Lariette tilted her chin to look at Ruediger, referring to his visit a few years ago, "Have you ever thought you’d return here with me?"
He looked at her quietly, eyes softening with tender emotion. He took a moment to recall what he felt upon visiting this village a few years ago. Unlike before, he was already an adult with full control of his life.
"To be honest, that’s my wish," he smiled, "But I knew there’s only a slight chance of it happening."
She comforted, "Turns out, you only need that little chance."
"Indeed."
This tree was the old witness to their shared childhood, their pain and now their reunion.
Lariette swept her gaze across the line of trees at the edge of the forest. She chuckled, "This forest used to scare me, even when it looked empty in winter. Their branches looked scary, like monsters’ claws."
Ruediger’s voice was gentle, "How about now?"
She glanced at him, "Not anymore. I was just being a child."
His soft laughter drifted to her ears. Smiling, she stepped forward and looped her arms around his waist, burying her face into his chest. He responded by embracing her in return.
"Back then... You pushed me to run alone, to protect me," her voice was muffled as she spoke, and then she looked up, "But don’t do that anymore. You’re not allowed to push me away with the excuse of defending me."
Her gaze was clear, carrying the determination in each word she had spoken. She saw his jaw tighten. He replied nothing until a few minutes had passed.
"Lettie, I can’t let anything harm you."
The meaning behind his words was unmistakable. He couldn’t promise not to sacrifice himself for her life.
Lariette lightly shook her head. She gripped the back of Ruediger’s coat while enunciating, "Then, you can’t stop me from doing the same either. Like how you want me to be safe and happy, I also want the same for you."
Her resolution made it hard for him to refute. As he knew it would be unfair if he insisted on his view, he said nothing while pulling her closer into his arms.
Since they felt the same, shouldn’t they do the best of their ability to stay safe and happy? They also should cherish more of their life together.
Lariette didn’t push Ruediger to answer. She gently patted his back as he held her tight. The snow suddenly fell, softening the world around them as the snowflakes drifted in the air.
Ruediger pulled away slightly. He brushed a strand of hair from Lariette’s face. Then, an idea came to his mind.
"You know, we could climb other trees too."
She blinked at him, surprised by the sudden remark, "Other trees?"
"In other places," he said with a half-smile, "There are forests in the east, mountains by the western coast, and even southern islands full of treasure. We could see them all."
Lariette’s lips curved and her eyes shimmered with delight. She still remembered Ruediger had talked about traveling together, either within the country or abroad. But she was only free during summer and winter breaks.
"Maybe this summer?" she grinned, "That sounds like an adventure."
"It’s settled, then," he murmured, obviously happy, "I’ll tell you more about it later."
Ruediger had been waiting for this moment, especially because something awaited them next summer. It would mark the first year of their fake marriage, and... the day the contract would be dissolved.
A gust of wind blew past, scattering snowflakes between them and dispersing his thoughts.
Ruediger silently watched Lariette as she looked around, the white flakes landing on her eyelashes. Then, he leaned in, gently grasping the back of her neck while pulling her closer.
"Eddy..." she whispered, her breath fogging the air between them.
He answered with a soft kiss. It was gentle, yet warm against the freezing cold. Snow fell steadily around them, cloaking the area in white silence.