Chapter 6
Nathaniel didn't possess the regal authority of a monarch, nor the bold confidence of a young aristocrat.
He simply exuded a gentle scholarly aura and a steady composure that made those around him feel at ease.
Suddenly, I understood why my mother chose to leave Regalville and return to Celestiville back then.
Here, there was no plotting, no backstabbing, just the daily routines and the most heartfelt, down-to-earth warmth of ordinary life.
I turned off the light and lay down in bed.
Nathaniel's smile kept coming to mind.
It was a smile that had the sunny warmth of sunshine, so clean and pure.
I told myself that I was no longer the Queen.
Now, I was simply an ordinary woman.
I deserved to chase after my own happiness.
The next morning, I purposely put on a soft green dress.
I pinned my hair with nothing but that blossom hairpin.
I stepped out into the garden, pretending to water the flowers.
But honestly, my gaze kept wandering over to the house next door.
Nathaniel's gate creaked open.
He wore a jade-green robe, holding a scroll in his hand, just about to leave.
When he spotted me, he looked a bit surprised, then quickly offered a gentle smile.
"Good morning, Ms. Haley." His voice was refreshing and soothing.
"Morning, Mr. Madden," I said.
I felt a bit awkward, my face flushing again.
"It's a lovely day today. Are you heading out, Ms. Haley?" he asked.
He walked over to the courtyard wall and struck up a conversation with me.
"No, just getting some fresh air in the yard," I replied.
I twisted the handkerchief in my hands, my heart pounding.
"Thanks for your help yesterday, Mr. Madden." I finally worked up the nerve to thank him.
"It was just a small thing, Ms. Haley. No need to mention it," he replied, remaining as modest and gentle as always.
"Are you heading to the school, Mr. Madden?" I asked, just trying to make conversation.
"That's right. The kids in town wait for me every day," he replied with a warm smile, his eyes full of genuine passion for teaching.
"You're such a wonderful teacher, Mr. Madden," I said, genuinely from the bottom of my heart.
His smile grew even warmer at my words.
"It's my privilege to share knowledge with these genuine, pure-hearted kids," he replied.
"By the way, Mr. Madden, are you married?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.
As soon as I said it, I wished I could take it back.
How could I be so forward?
My cheeks burned all the way up to my ears.
Nathaniel froze for a second, clearly caught off guard.
He cleared his throat, a little awkward, and answered with a sheepish look.
"I'm not married yet," Nathaniel said.
He glanced at me, his eyes full of mixed emotions.
"Ms. Haley, what made you ask that all of a sudden?" Nathaniel asked.
"I... I just..." I was tongue-tied, utterly clueless about how to explain myself.
"Ms. Haley, breakfast is ready." Lola's voice came at just the right moment from indoors.
She was my savior.
"Mr. Madden, I'm heading inside," I said, making a hasty retreat.
Back inside, I pressed my burning cheeks, feeling utterly mortified.
Lola looked at me and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Ms. Haley, are you getting shy now?" she teased.
"Nonsense!" I retorted, trying to sound annoyed, but the smile on my lips gave me away.
From that day on, Nathaniel and I started seeing more of each other, our interactions growing more frequent.
Every morning, as he headed to the school, he'd pass by my gate.
We'd chat for a bit by the courtyard wall.
We'd talk about the weather, or share little stories from around town.
Eventually, we'd talk about our own interests.
Although Nathaniel was a teacher, he wasn't just someone who spent all his time buried in old books and reciting the classics.
He was knowledgeable and had a broad perspective.
Whether it was the local culture and everyday life in Celestiville or the conflicts up north, Nathaniel could talk about it all.
He spoke with confidence and always offered his own insightful perspective.
His words and demeanor had the cultured grace of a true scholar.
Yet there was a soft, subtle warmth to him that one would only find in the riverside towns of Celestiville.
He'd share charming little stories about the kids in his classroom.
He'd tell me about the new places to eat that had just opened up around town.
And whenever I needed help, he always seemed to be there right when I needed him most.
One time, my lily came down with something.
The leaves turned yellow and brittle, and the buds stubbornly refused to bloom.
I was beside myself with worry, fretting and not knowing what to do.
Nathaniel was passing by and noticed how worried I looked.
He carefully examined the lily, then told me it needed to be repoted with new soil and that I should cut away the withered leaves.
He even went up the mountain himself and brought back some nutrient-rich leaf mold for me.
With his careful attention, the lily quickly came back to life.
Soon, it bloomed with lush, dewy flowers that looked ready to burst with color.
I gave him the pot with the lily that was blooming the fullest.
He took the pot, a delighted smile spreading across his face.
"Thank you, Ms. Haley. This is the most beautiful lily I've ever seen," he said.
His gaze was so tender that it felt like it could overflow with warmth.