The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 105

After a mild, warm winter, as spring returned, Shuria could stand if someone held her hand.

Completely defeating the demons and excavating and developing the land of demons—this was the first time such a peaceful winter had been spent. It was not only a first for Santia and Yulania but also an event that would be recorded in the history of the Tinley Kingdom.

Staying in the capital for almost half a year, Santia periodically received reports on the land of demons, but no particular anomalies arose. Rather, as development progressed, endless amounts of sacred stones were mined, and only good news of very successful research progress was continuously reported.

As the sprouts began to emerge, the three members of the Makari family boarded a carriage heading north again. It was still early spring, so the snow might not have completely stopped in Makari, but the harsh season was over. Shuria had also grown to a level where she could handle it.

This year, spring came unusually early. The air in the capital was still cool, but spring vegetables were already out in the market stalls, and a faint scent of flowers lingered in the streets. Cutting through them, the carriage headed north.

Yulania sat quietly in the carriage, looking out the window. She held a piece of cloth that Shuria had been playing with in her hand, and the child was dozing on Santia’s lap. Shuria, who had already begun to babble a little, seemed to be quickly exhausted by the demanding schedule.

It was still early spring, so the snow might not have completely stopped in Makari, but the harsh winter season was over. It was the perfect time to move with Shuria.

And now, this family was solid, no longer suffering from unstable situations or external threats.

It was when the carriage shook as it crossed a large bump. Yulania suddenly covered her mouth with the back of her hand and let out a small groan.

“Ugh!”

The sound was small, but Vanessa and Santia, who were beside her, reacted immediately. Vanessa’s eyes widened first.

“Your Highness? Are you alright?”

Instead of answering, Yulania closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. A chilling sensation ran down her neck, and an unknown nausea surged from within. It was an unforgettable feeling. It was definitely a familiar, strangely eerie energy that she had experienced long ago.

Santia stared at her as if frozen, then reached out and touched her forehead. She had no fever. But Yulania’s pale face was saying much more than the temperature of her forehead.

“Could it be.”

Yulania carefully opened her eyes. And then, as if feeling wronged, she shuddered and muttered.

“I told you I needed to rest! Because you pushed me so hard, it’s already happening again!”

Even though her voice lacked energy, it was definitely filled with anger. Santia looked back and forth between Yulania and Vanessa with a bewildered expression. Vanessa already had a knowing look on her face, and fortunately, Shuria was still asleep.

Santia hurriedly pressed his lips tightly together, then said cautiously.

“I’m sorry. No, it’s something to celebrate but I’m also sorry.”

Yulania couldn’t say anything more to that. She didn’t know whether to laugh or be angry, and above all, she still couldn’t quite believe that this was real.

But her body didn’t lie.

That road up to Makari in the fall of the year before last. The same shaking, the same retching, the same bewilderment were being replayed in this carriage now.

The only difference was that back then, everything was scary and unfamiliar because it was the first time, but now, having experience was causing even greater confusion.

“Surely I won’t have to ride a horse again.”

Her muttered words soon became reality.

Eventually, Yulania, who had given up on the carriage, was held in Santia’s arms and climbed onto the horse.

This time, instead of wrapping herself in a cloak and blanket, a thick coat was enough. The weather had become quite warm, the wind wasn’t strong, and above all, Yulania herself was much stronger than before.

Santia carefully continued his pace on the horse, embracing her back as if checking her temperature. It was a slow pace, but it was a cautious and stable journey.

Vanessa, Shuria, and the rest of the entourage were scheduled to depart a few days later as a follow-up group. This was because Yulania had hardly been able to eat, and there were concerns that her condition might deteriorate rapidly again.

Santia whispered softly over her head.

“Is your stomach okay?”

Yulania nodded silently. It had been a long time since the two of them had been so close on horseback. In the past, they had only sat together on horseback in emergencies, in urgent situations, but now, a calm mountain path, the quiet smell of the forest where snow was melting into water.

Everything was calm.

Yulania slowly closed her eyes.

Santia’s hand on her shoulder, the intense heartbeat transmitted to her chest, and the warm warmth transmitted through her back. Everything calmed her heart.

She never imagined that such a day would come, but now nothing felt strange.

“Can I do it?”

She asked quietly. Santia’s arm tightened slightly. He silently leaned his forehead against her head.

“This time, it’s different.”

Santia’s voice was low and serious.

“You’re not alone. This isn’t the first time, and you’re not alone.”

Yulania bit her lip and then let out a small breath.

That sigh contained a complex mixture of anxiety, anticipation, a bit of resignation, and subtle joy.

“You’ll take care of everything, and I’ll just lie down again.”

“Of course. You just have to lie down.”

Santia raised the corners of his lips.

“That’s a very easy role.”

“An easy role? You try it. Lying down all day.”

“If I could, I would every day.”

“Really?”

She shook her head with a smile, and Santia also chuckled softly.

The quiet jokes exchanged on horseback and the signs of another beginning change warmed her chest.

Yulania gently stroked her belly.

It was still too small and uncertain, barely beginning to show its presence, but the fact that there was new life inside her made her stronger once again.

After arriving at the lodging and having a simple meal, Santia silently lay down on the bed and prepared Yulania’s side. She was quite tired from supporting her tense body in the carriage and on the horse. Watching Yulania, Santia carefully approached and lay down slightly beside her.

However, the moment his arm stealthily reached for her waist, a sharp voice cut through the space.

“Santia! Are you really out of your mind?”

Santia paused with a bewildered expression. His hand was suspended in the air, and his eyes were full of injustice.

“I didn’t do anything. I was just going to hug you and sleep.”

At those words, Yulania narrowed her eyebrows further and coughed loudly.

“I don’t believe you. Move away.”

Her voice was clearly firm, and her eyes were resolute. Santia looked at her silently, then turned his body to the other side of the pillow with a slightly gloomy face.

“Just hold your hand.”

“No.”

Yulania cut him off firmly and turned her head away. Then she turned her back completely and pushed her body to the opposite end of the bed. She pulled the blanket up to her neck and tried to fall asleep with a small sigh.

Santia looked at her like that, then slowly closed his eyes. Without a word, without a gesture, his hand eventually folded quietly on the pillow and fell asleep.

And only the sound of quiet breathing remained in the bedroom.

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