The Tale of the Redeeming Villain

After spending the last two months like a nomad, Catherine and Blake finally got themselves a house to live in after they migrated to a different continent.

It took some effort and connections but it was all worth it. After all, it was far better to have a permanent house rather than living in hotels and eating third-class food at places.

The population of the village where they chose to live was not more than five hundred and these people had no contact with the royalties at all. The cultivation of crops they do mostly within the town, and people are very helpful toward each other.

Situated in a valley, the village named Frostvale was a very beautiful place to live for the time being.

Around the places, there were tall mountains, and the temperature mostly remained below twenty degrees celsius. Blake liked it here, and about Catherine…then she fell for this place at first sight.

“Okay then, boss. I am leaving.” He hung his apron on the hook and picked up his basket to leave.

“Ah, leaving so soon Cain? Spend some time with the old pals as well.” The shop owner called out to ‘Cain’ who was pretending to be an immigrant from a smaller town who came here in search of work.

Since Blake had years of experience in blacksmithing, he easily impressed the store owner and got himself a job in the only smithy in the town.

“Gahaha! How can he spend time with us when he has a young wife waiting for him back at home?” The shop owner’s friend and Blake’s helper teased.

Blake awkwardly smiled at that, and the owner understood his mistake as he said, “Well, in that case, hurry up Cain, or you might anger her.”

Blake nodded, and after bidding his farewell, he exited the shop.

The house he bought in the town was about fifteen 15-minute walk from the shop, and en route, there were various shops.

Blake paused at the fruit stall to buy some fruits with which Catherine would be making something tonight.

“Hey, take this with you,” The shop owner suddenly handed Blake a big watermelon, just as he was about to leave.

Blake raised his brows in questioning, as the owner said, “Your wife loves watermelon. Take it with you and eat it together. Now go, don’t make her wait.”

Blake couldn’t help but smile at the kind aunt who had become very close to Catherine in these two weeks because of her regular visits.

Not only that, many other shopkeepers and passersby greeted Blake kindly and offered him things, knowing he was newly married and lived alone.

‘I hope I can repay their kindness one day….’ Thinking about it, Blake reached the small house where he lives with his ‘wife’.

Smoke was coming out of the chimney, which meant she was cooking food.

Blake entered the house and greeted her, “I am back…and brought many things along.”

The house wasn’t big, and just upon opening the front door, he saw Catherine standing in the kitchen with her back facing him.

Blake took a moment to enjoy the sight of the woman he loves, waiting for him while cooking food in the kitchen and him returning from work…

‘Isn’t this the ultimate goal of every man?’ He was feeling quite lucky to have this chance to live this perfect life.

“What happened? You look quite happy?” Catherine asked as she approached him while wiping her hand in the apron.

Blake inched closer before saying, “Just thanking God for granting me this life. And,” Tucking her hair strand behind her ear, he added, “… thank you for making it perfect.”

Catherine leaned to his touch, and sheepishly closed her eyes before whispering, “Why so romantic all of a sudden?”

Blake chuckled, “Why? Can’t I flirt a little with my ‘wife’?”

Catherine followed behind him, as she replied, “Why do you say it like I am not your wife? Does an official stamp matter to you that much?”

Blake shrugged, “I mean, it’s a necessary step in everyone’s life.”

Catherine suddenly grabbed his hand, urging Blake to look at her, and pouted, “Do you mean we aren’t husband and wife?”

The adorable Saintess could easily establish a truce to an ongoing war.

Heaving a sigh, he lightly pinched her cheek—it felt extremely soft and created mild cute aggression—before telling her,

“We don’t need to give our relationship a name…but if you really want, then we can get a marriage registration next week.”

“Really? We are getting married?” Her eyes brimmed in excitement hearing that.

Blake was aware that Catherine always wanted to have a wedding at the church while she wore a white wedding dress, and took all the oaths before the priest. However, the circumstances didn’t allow Blake to take that step…well, until now.

*****

After dinner, they were walking around the town leisurely with their arms hooked. The pretty lady kept her head leaning on her lover’s shoulder.

Most of the shops were closed now and very few people could be seen currently. However, the atmosphere of the town wasn’t like that of the capital, where after a certain hour, a maiden couldn’t walk on the road.

“It’s peaceful…” While looking at the town streets and mountains beyond all houses, partially hidden behind the clouds, Blake softly whispered.

“Indeed….I feel like living here for the rest of my life.” Catherine assented, feeling a sense of peace which she was lacking for the past few weeks. Even in the academy, she never once felt as serene and calm-minded as she was feeling right now.

No stress of battles. No judgement of people. No gossip or rumours…just pure stillness.

“You know Catherine, I always thought I would remain alone for the rest of my life, given how I used to behave.”

She smiled and didn’t speak. Turning to look at him, she found a sense of nostalgia reflecting in his eyes, as Blake added,

“But you know…after I spend those days with you in that mansion…that flame of hope once again ignited within me.”

Looking down at her, he said, “And thanks to you, that flickering hope never extinguished.”

Catherine smiled smugly as she replied, “Well, you can always depend on the Saintess to heal you.”

Blake grinned, “Yup, that’s something I can never disagree with.”

Because not one, you have healed two souls, Catherine.

*******

A/N:- I am leaving the chapter on a sweet note…before the bitter drama begins.