The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 101

The capital’s winter was much milder and gentler than Makari’s. The wind wasn’t harsh, the sky was often clear, and the year-end atmosphere began to permeate the city. In that seasonal landscape, Yulania, Santia, and Shuria were enjoying quiet days together as a family for the first time.

Yulania personally changed Shuria’s bib every morning, and Santia, since when, had developed a habit of picking up picture books instead of his usual books and reading them aloud to his daughter. Shuria had already moved beyond babbling and began to imitate a few words, sometimes calling them “Papa” or “Mama” in distorted pronunciation, which moved them to tears.

But that peaceful and seemingly perfect daily life was quietly fractured by an unexpected guest.

That afternoon, a servant rushed into the mansion’s drawing room. Unable to hide his nervous gaze, he carefully bowed his head and reported.

“Your Grace Duke, Your Highness Duchess. Duke Jensen has arrived. He wishes to see you.”

Duke Jensen. At that name, the two exchanged glances simultaneously. Santia frowned slightly, and Yulania wore a thoughtful expression for a moment. Duke Jensen was, in a word, like the king’s shadow. He was a chancellor who had served the king all his life and was a key pillar of the monarchy. Not only commoners but even nobles did not take him lightly.

Such a person had come to visit the Makari couple in person.

“Why is he here?”

At Yulania’s murmur, Santia nodded lightly.

“Let’s go.”

The drawing room door quietly opened, and an elderly man wearing a coat with sophisticated silver decorations appeared. Duke Jensen still stood ramrod straight, and the traces of time were deeply etched on his face. But his eyes were as sharp and penetrating as ever.

“I apologize for disturbing you both. I am sorry for visiting you so suddenly.”

He bowed neatly. But his tone and actions conveyed a quiet weight and a clear sense of purpose, rather than the awkwardness of an uninvited guest.

When Yulania and Santia offered him a seat, Duke Jensen thanked them and slowly sat down in a chair. The fragrant scent of tea filled the room, and Yulania silently lifted her teacup and quietly moistened her lips. Her gaze was lowered, but she was watching Duke Jensen’s eyes without missing a beat.

He opened his mouth.

“As you both know well, I have devoted my life to serving His Majesty the King.”

From the first word, there was weight. Yulania remained silent, and Santia responded first.

“We know it well.”

Jensen nodded and continued.

“I can confidently say that I love this kingdom more than anyone else.”

At those words, Santia gave him a strange look and replied briefly.

“Is that so.”

Jensen soon launched into the main topic. His gaze slowly shifted between the two.

“What about Duke and Duchess Makari? How sincere are you about the Tinley Kingdom?”

The words were like a riddle thrown with a hidden intention, as if to create ripples by throwing a stone. In particular, Yulania felt a small shock that he called her Duchess instead of Princess. She didn’t know what he was thinking, but he was clearly a person who gave meaning to every single word.

Santia’s eyes sharpened for a moment, and he demanded honestly as if he didn’t want him to beat around the bush any longer.

“Please get to the point, Chancellor.”

Duke Jensen nodded and finally spoke.

“I have heard in detail about what happened in the Makari territory. You two have achieved great things. You stopped the demon invasion and protected many lives with the light of the Holy Stone. Thanks to that, the kingdom was able to breathe a sigh of relief, and the people’s trust was focused on Makari.”

Come to think of it, there was one of Duke Jensen’s collateral relatives among the royal knights who participated in the previous large-scale expedition. He must have been the chancellor’s informant.

Even when he said those words, he did not show any nuance of admiration or praise. He simply spoke expressionlessly, as if listing only the facts. But that came with even greater weight.

Yulania quietly took another sip of tea. Countless hypotheses went through her head. What calculations is this old man making now? Where do she and Santia exist in that calculation?

“At the same time, I have become concerned about the future.”

Jensen slowly clasped his hands together and sat up straight.

“I don’t have much time left but my children and descendants will be loyal to the current Prince.”

At that moment, the grain of the conversation was gradually revealed. Yulania sensed that this old man, who was reading the subtle gap between the king and the Makari couple, was trying to make some gesture to fill that gap.

Duke Jensen carefully continued, as if offering a strand of thread.

“The kingdom needs more balance and cooperation. And above all, it needs stability for the future.”

He looked at Yulania and said.

Yulania quietly put down her teacup. It was finally the main point.

Jensen was now beginning to say what he truly wanted.

Perhaps Duke Jensen was willing to fix the twisted relationship between the king and the Makari couple, even if only a little.

“As far as I understand, Your Highness is not very interested in the throne.”

At Duke Jensen’s words, Yulania’s hand, which was lifting the teacup, stopped. She slowly raised her head and quietly asked.

“What do you mean by that?”

Her tone was gentle, but sharp suspicion was spreading in her eyes. Santia also turned his gaze to Duke Jensen at that moment. The air in the room began to be strangely tinged with tension.

Jensen continued without the slightest hesitation.

“The royal family has few heirs. Although Prince Yurvan is the heir, Your Highness also has the right of succession. And…”

He paused, turned his gaze to the wall where Shuria’s portrait was placed, and then quietly said to the two of them.

“Your Highness’s child, Miss Shuria, will also inherit that right of succession.”

Yulania closed her mouth, about to say something. The reality contained in that sentence was so clear that she could not react emotionally. The Tinley royal family, which did not have many people who inherited the king’s blood. She also knew how exquisitely the fact that Prince Yurvan was not yet married and had no children created a rift.

Duke Jensen did not stop there, but continued in an even more cautious tone.

“The laws of this country are simpler than you think. If something happens to one of the few royals, the right of succession passes to the noble line. It may seem like a distant story, but theoretically, it is not impossible for Duke Makari to ascend to the throne.”

At those words, Santia, who had been silent, slowly leaned forward and looked at Jensen. And he raised his eyebrows noticeably.

“I will take those words as a joke.”

His voice was low, but there was a clear edge to it. Santia had never shown any interest in the throne. His origins, personality, and devotion to Yulania had always kept him outside the qualifications of a king. Nevertheless, now, in this place, someone had appeared who formally mentioned that possibility.

Duke Jensen nodded silently.

“Yes, that is why I came to this place today.”

He said, carefully putting down his teacup.

“I have come to formally ask you both to renounce your rights to the throne.”

Finally, his true intentions were revealed.

Jensen’s eyes were not sharp. Rather, they were filled with a quiet and almost resigned light, as if pleading. He finished his words in a weighty voice, as if he were finally bringing up a conversation he had been preparing for a long time.

” I had no choice but to make this request for the stability of the Tinley Kingdom and to prevent confusion in the succession order.”

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