Her Marriage: The Night is Still Young-Chapter 223: It Might Not Be Here After All

Nathaniel Gallagher paused his hand on the wheelchair.

The sunset’s afterglow streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window, casting its light on him, but it couldn’t warm the complexity in his eyes.

He remained silent for a few seconds, didn’t look back, and his voice was deeper than before: "Saying these things now is meaningless. Let’s go back to the room and rest."

"How can it be meaningless?" Eleanor Churchill’s voice carried a slight tremor, her skeletal hand tightly clutching the armrest of the wheelchair.

"I know you haven’t forgotten her... In your eyes, there’s no longer the light from before, but when you mention her, even your tone changes."

Nathaniel halted his steps and slowly turned around.

He crouched in front of her, his gaze level with hers.

He looked at the unease and jealousy in Eleanor’s eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and in the end, he didn’t deny it: "Eleanor, I won’t lie to you, there was regret between her and me."

"But now that I’m with you, I will accompany you properly. We’ll talk about other things later."

"Talk about it later?" Eleanor laughed bitterly, tears slipping down the corner of her eye.

"I don’t have a ’later’, Nathaniel. I’m just afraid that after I’m gone, you’ll focus all your thoughts on her. You will forget about me, that Henny even had a mother..."

Her voice grew increasingly faint, carrying a strong sense of grievance and unwillingness.

Nathaniel looked at her in this state, his heart aching as if it were being crumpled.

He reached out gently to wipe away her tears, his fingertips touching her cold skin, his voice softening immensely: "I won’t. You will always be Henny’s mother, always my wife, Nathaniel Gallagher’s wife, no one can replace you."

"But you love her..." Eleanor stubbornly pursued, as if she needed a clear answer to be at ease.

Nathaniel closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, there was a hint of honesty in his eyes: "I admit it, I once loved her. But now, I only want to walk with you through the final stretch of your journey. It’s what I owe you, and it’s what I should do."

"Owe me?" Eleanor repeated those three words, a fleeting look of desolation in her eyes.

"It’s guilt, it’s responsibility, and it’s also... care." Nathaniel’s voice was somewhat hoarse, "All these years, while you’ve been lying in that hospital bed, I’ve never given up on you. If it were only guilt, I wouldn’t have gone this far."

Eleanor didn’t speak again.

She just turned her head slightly, looking out at the setting sun through the window.

The orange-red light slowly faded away, just like her dwindling life.

After quite some time.

She finally spoke softly: "Nathaniel, I’m not trying to pressure you into anything. I just want to tell you, if you truly still love her, once I’m gone, you should go find her."

Nathaniel abruptly raised his head, looking at her profile, his eyes filled with surprise.

"Don’t look at me like that." Eleanor smiled gently, a thread of relief in her smile, "I don’t want you to live in regret because of me for the rest of your life. You deserve someone to love you genuinely, and Henny deserves a complete family. But..."

She paused for a moment, turned to look at Nathaniel, her eyes filled with a plea: "But don’t forget me, don’t let Henny forget his mother, okay?"

Nathaniel’s eyes instantly reddened, he clutched Eleanor’s hand tightly and nodded: "Don’t say such ominous things ever again, we still have a lifetime to walk together."

Eleanor looked at his reddened eyes and chuckled melancholically.

Once she was dead.

How can the living be managed by the dead?

"Take me back to the room, I’m a bit tired."

"Alright." Nathaniel stood up, carefully lifted her from the wheelchair, walking with the lightest of steps, afraid of disturbing her.

Back in the bedroom.

He gently placed her on the bed, covered her with a thin blanket, and adjusted her pillow to be comfortable.

Eleanor closed her eyes, her breathing gradually stabilizing, as though she was falling asleep.

Nathaniel sat by the bed, quietly watching her, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Eleanor lay there, eyes closed, yet her heart felt like it was being seared on a grill.

"Why should those who come later enjoy the shaded trees planted by others?"

"Josephine Thompson... The life I can’t enjoy, you shouldn’t either."

She discreetly clenched the edge of the blanket, tears fueled by jealousy retreating to her eyes.

It was she who taught Nathaniel how to truly love someone.

It was she who spared no effort to clear his obstacles, catapulting him to the pinnacle of the gambling industry.

She wouldn’t allow another woman to enjoy the fruits of her labor.

Before she died!

She would drag Josephine Thompson down with her.

...

Next day.

Opengate.

Josephine Thompson and Julian Grant, after seven to eight hours of travel, drove from Kensington to Opengate.

This was once the capital city during the Northern Dawnveil Dynasty.

The car slowly drove into the old city area of Opengate.

Along the bluestone roads, the Dawnveil-style buildings with flying eaves and upturned eaves, vines climbing up the walls, adorned with morning dew, filled the air with the scent of soybean milk from the breakfast shops at the end of the lane.

Josephine Thompson rolled down the car window, her fingers touched the cool breeze, and finally, her eyes showed a glimmer of light that was absent before.

"I didn’t expect Opengate to preserve so many old buildings."

"These are all modern constructions, the old sites no longer exist."

"Then shall we have breakfast first?"

"Alright."

The two found a breakfast shop.

Parked the car properly.

Went inside to have breakfast.

"What’s the most famous here?"

"Apparently, it’s the soup dumplings and duck blood vermicelli soup."

"Uh~ then let’s order something casually!" Julian Grant flipped through the menu.

The breakfast was very affordable.

The prices here, compared to Caldwen, were worlds apart.

Moreover, being a pure southerner, he wasn’t accustomed to northern cuisine.

However, following Josephine Thompson around every day, he had long shed his aristocratic demeanor.

"After breakfast, we’ll visit the museum here. The curator knows us, let’s see if he knows anything about the old sites of Astral Temple and Eagle’s Beak Peak."

"Alright."

A little while later.

Two baskets of soup dumplings were served on the table, along with a bowl of hot and spicy soup and a few side dishes.

Josephine Thompson bit into a thin-skinned, plump dumpling, savoring the delicious broth spreading in her mouth.

Her eyes curved into a smile: "A bit better than I imagined."

Julian Grant watched her unusually relaxed demeanor, picked up a napkin, wiped the corner of her mouth, and laughed: "Is it?"

"Mm~ it’s alright, can get by with it."

His own bowl of duck blood vermicelli soup, he only took a few bites.

Although he wasn’t used to the salty and fresh taste of the north, he didn’t show any sign of it.

Anyway, as long as he filled his stomach.

After breakfast.

The two drove to the Opengate Museum.

The curator had a few past interactions with Josephine Thompson.

After all, the world of antiques is not big.

As the head of the Thornton Family, there wasn’t anyone in the antique world who didn’t recognize Josephine Thompson.

Upon hearing their purpose, the curator immediately brought over a thick pile of local chronicles and archaeological materials.

"The Astral Temple and Eagle’s Beak Peak?" The curator flipped through the materials, his finger pointing on a yellowed map.

"Both are in the mountains north of the old city. The Astral Temple was destroyed in the early years of war, leaving only a few stele inscriptions in the mountains. Eagle’s Beak Peak still stands, named for its resemblance to an eagle’s beak. But the mountain roads are treacherous, and few people visit."

"Is there a specific route?" Josephine Thompson leaned in to look at the map, a glint of anticipation in her eyes.

The curator squinted and examined the map she handed over once more.

Of course.

In order to prevent the map from being leaked, she only showed him a small part of the map.

"Uh..."

"There was a major earthquake before the Opengate."

"The old ruins have all been buried underground. Moreover, Opengate has always been a plain with no mountains."

"The Astral Temple might exist, but Eagle’s Beak Peak... is probably not the landmark of Opengate."

Josephine Thompson’s face quickly dimmed a little.

She pointed to the spot labeled "Eagle’s Beak Peak" on the map, softly asking, "But the mountain shape is clearly drawn here. Could it be that the place name was later changed? Or... was there an error in the record?"

She had researched a lot before coming to Opengate.

She thought she would be able to find clues, but upon hearing "no mountains," she couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

Curator Sterling adjusted his reading glasses, flipped through the local gazetteer in his hand, and shook his head, saying, "Miss Thompson, I’ve studied Opengate’s geological changes for thirty years and have never come across the name ’Eagle’s Beak Peak.’

If your map is old, maybe the cartographer at that time got the location wrong, or mixed up some other place’s mountain."

He paused and added, "However, there is an ’Eagle’s Beak Cliff’ to the north, which is shaped like an eagle’s beak. It’s just a small earthen cliff, not a real mountain. Could that be what you’re looking for?"

Josephine Thompson took the modern map that Curator Sterling handed her.

Looking at the label of "Eagle’s Beak Cliff," she lightly rubbed the paper with her fingertips, pondering, "Maybe, let’s note it down first, and we’ll go see for ourselves."

Julian Grant noticed her disappointment and gently patted her shoulder, whispering, "It’s okay if we can’t find it. Let’s just consider it a chance to explore another place."

"Okay, thank you, Curator Sterling."

"You’re welcome. Contact me anytime if you need anything."

"Okay, goodbye."

Bidding farewell to Curator Sterling.

The two of them drove back to the hotel.

"No mountains."

"Was there an error recorded on the map?"

Julian Grant took off his coat, "It might not necessarily be Opengate either."

Josephine sat on the hotel sofa.

With fingers pinching the fragment of the old map, she continuously flipped it over, her brow never relaxing: "But the notes on the map clearly state, ’Astral Temple to the north of Vesperia.’

Vesperia is what Opengate is now called. Surely they couldn’t have gotten the general location wrong?"

Her fingertips brushed over the faint ink marks on the map, pondering.

Julian Grant poured her a glass of warm water and sat beside her, his gaze on the map: "Maybe the ’mountain’ isn’t a real mountain?"

"Perhaps there was once a hill called ’Eagle’s Beak Peak,’ leveled by an earthquake, and the name changed afterward?"

He said, picking up his phone to search Opengate’s geological history, fingers scrolling quickly, "Look, the county gazetteer during the period of the Republic mentions an ’Eagle’s Beak Slope’ up north. It was once submerged partly due to a reservoir being built, leaving what’s now Eagle’s Beak Cliff."

Josephine leaned in to look at the phone screen, her eyes lighting up instantly: "Eagle’s Beak Slope... maybe that’s ’Eagle’s Beak Peak,’ or a local term?"

She stood up immediately, "We’re going to Eagle’s Beak Cliff tomorrow to see if we can find anything."

"Did your parents visit Opengate before?"

Josephine nodded, "My dad mentioned that he came to Opengate when he was young, just to find the Astral Temple."

When Julian turned to her, his eyes were full of tenderness: "Since you’ve found it now, it’s like fulfilling his wish. If you ever want to come back, we can visit again."

"Let’s get some sleep early tonight, and deal with it tomorrow."

"Mm, okay." Josephine carefully packed the ancient texts and parchment map into her suitcase.

Julian watched her busy figure, went over, and handed her a cup of warm milk: "Take a break. We can visit Dawnveil Dynasty Street tonight; I heard there’s a lantern display—it should be lively."

Josephine accepted the milk, warmth spreading from her fingertips to her heart, nodding with a smile: "Sure, I’d love to see the night scenery here."

Julian affectionately smiled, looping his arm around her waist and kissed her, "Josephine."

Josephine blushed, tilting her head slightly to kiss him back.

Though they hadn’t crossed the final boundary yet.

Their feelings were growing day by day.

She no longer resisted like she used to.

He kissed her, held her.

At night, he held her as they slept.

She had become accepting of it.

Julian kissed her deeper, his hand moving along her back.

Five minutes later.

"Mm... enough." Josephine saw he was going too far, pushing him away with a flushed face.

Julian’s breathing was labored, eyes blazing with intensity.

"Josephine, do you love me?"

Josephine’s eyes flickered, bashfully avoiding meeting his gaze, "Stop it, weren’t we going to the night market?"

Julian watched her reddened ear tips, the intensity in his eyes gradually transforming into warmth. He reached out to pinch her cheek, smiling and conceding, "Alright, I won’t tease you. Let’s go to the night market."

The two of them prepared to head out.

The sky had already darkened. The lanterns of Dawnveil Dynasty Street were all lit, strings of red lanterns lined the cobblestone road, giving the entire street a warm glow.

The calls of vendors and the laughter of tourists mixed together, bustling yet not chaotic.

"Wow, is this The Dawnveil Imperial Canal?"

"Yes, this is the moat of the Dawnveil Dynasty."

"Hmm~, the scenery is quite nice."

"Yeah, we could stay for a few days and then leave."

After wandering for a while.

Josephine was attracted to a clay figurine stall, standing there watching for a long time.

The artisan’s fingers moved quickly.

In no time, he crafted a rabbit-shaped clay figurine.

Pink and white, with a small bow.

"Do you like it?" Julian leaned close to her ear, asking with a smile in his voice.

Before she could answer, he told the artisan, "Please make another rabbit, just like this one."

The artisan nodded with a smile, and soon enough, the dough had taken shape.

Josephine watched Julian seriously fixating on the clay figurine, oddly feeling that these kinds of days were very reassuring.

No entanglement with Nathaniel Gallagher, no shadows of the past, only the current excitement and the companionship of the person beside her.

"It’s done."

Upon receiving the figurine.

Josephine held it in her hands with a smile, as if she were holding a treasure.

Seeing her like that, Julian couldn’t help but take out his phone and secretly snap a photo.

In the photo.

She stood under the lantern, a faint smile on her lips, holding the rabbit clay figurine, her eyes brighter than the lanterns.

"Let’s go, let’s keep exploring."

"Mm."

The two of them admired the night scenery, energetically wandering through The Old Citadel.

Josephine held the rabbit in one hand, not paying attention to her surroundings.

Approaching from ahead.

A man wearing a mask, his eyes dark and gloomy, stared at her.

It happened to be a holiday today, and the night market was particularly crowded.

"Josephine, don’t walk too fast." Julian hurriedly quickened his pace to catch up with her.

"Julian, come and take a look at this..." Josephine was intrigued by an acrobatics stall, curiously going over to watch.

Meanwhile.

The man dressed in black following her, quietly pulled out a dagger from his coat and without warning, thrust it viciously toward her heart.