The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 19

Yulania’s prediction was correct.

Santiago left the castle before dawn the next day.

‘Does this mean our contract is over?’

Yulania was troubled by Santiago’s attitude, who, after arriving at the Makari Territory, hardly even bothered with formal greetings. Santiago used Yulania’s physical condition as an excuse to avoid doing anything with her. She didn’t even hear it directly but from the servants after he left the castle.

He had been so meticulous just a while ago, but now it seemed like he had abandoned everything. The solid wall between them had grown even thicker.

Did Alban notice her mood? A little while ago, Alban, who came to inform Yulania of Santiago’s departure around the time she woke up, spoke in a brighter voice than usual.

“Instead, I’ll show you some nice places! You haven’t really had a proper tour of the castle yet, have you?”

“Well, no, but…”

Alban hadn’t done anything wrong, but Yulania’s words came out stiffly. She appreciated the butler’s concern, but her gloomy mood didn’t lift. She didn’t feel like sightseeing and chatting.

“Since the morning sky is clear today, how about going up to the castle tower? You can see the forest beyond the wall.”

But Alban, determined to help her in any way he could, didn’t give up easily and smiled brightly. It was his job to look after their comfort during the lord and lady’s stay at Makari Castle. When Yulania still looked sullen, Alban clasped his hands together and added,

“Ah! Since the Duke is away, if you hurry up, you might see the expedition beyond the wall.”

“…Really?”

“Of course, Princess. The scenery of the snowy mountains is also really beautiful.”

Finally, Yulania showed a reaction, and Alban grinned and continued to persuade her. Maya, who had been watching and noticed her interest, also chimed in with sparkling eyes.

“Princess, the cookies baked this morning are really delicious. You should have them with some warm flower tea.”

“…”

It had come to this. Yulania felt foolish for showing her displeasure in front of the servants. Maya, who quickly noticed her softened mood, coaxed her affectionately.

“Oh, come on, hurry!”

Eventually, Yulania nodded, and a tea table was soon prepared on top of the castle tower.

“Look over there! Over there, can you see the Duke?”

Alban waved his large arms near the window. He kept looking back and forth between the window and Yulania, making sure she was looking in the right direction.

“I can see him.”

The top of the stone castle tower was colder than the inside of the castle. They lit a lot of stoves and candles to keep Yulania from getting cold. She sat wrapped in a thick blanket, looking out at what Alban was pointing at.

The climb to the top was quite difficult, but she didn’t regret it once she got up there. In the open scenery, the mountains covered in white snow could be seen beyond the castle walls. And in the midst of all the white, a black group was moving in the distance.

‘That tiny dot must be him.’

It was too far away to tell what he was doing, but seeing the slight movement made her feel relieved for some reason. At that moment, she felt like Santiago had turned this way.

‘…Huh?’

But soon, Yulania shook her head and looked away. Since when had she been like this? She felt really foolish for reacting to every little thing her husband did.

Regardless, the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. Yulania gave Alban a faint smile and said,

“Thank you for the guidance. I’d like to read here today.”

“Here? Hmm…”

The eagerness he had shown when urging her to come and see the view was gone. Now that Yulania suggested staying here, Alban hesitated and looked around. Of course, compared to the rooms on the lower floors, this space was too desolate. But to Yulania, Makari Castle all felt pretty much the same anyway.

The castle tower was surrounded by gray stone walls, and there was an old table by the window overlooking the mountains. There wasn’t any particularly luxurious furniture, but the scenery was incredibly beautiful, and it was the perfect place to enjoy some reading.

Yulania watched Alban, who was still hesitating, for a moment before adding,

“Could you call Larkin for me?”

“Ah, yes. Is there a particular book you’re looking for?”

“He’ll know what book I was reading.”

“I understand. Please wait a moment!”

“Oh, and tell Larkin to bring the child with him.”

Alban’s face twisted strangely at the added request, but he nodded and went down the castle tower.

Alban, who returned, began to fill the castle tower as if he were going to decorate it into a new bedroom.

A pile of fur blankets and fluffy cushions were brought in, transforming the hard chair into a couch. At the same time, steam rose from the refreshments that Maya had prepared, and the cold tower room quickly turned into a cozy reading room.

Larkin also came up to the room with Momin, and as the warmth of several people was added, the cold air could no longer be found.

Yulania took a bite of a warm apricot cookie and called out to the child, who was standing blankly.

“Momin.”

“Yes, Princess.”

Perhaps he had been scolded by Larkin after their last meeting, but the child looked noticeably more subdued. Yulania gestured to the child, who had his hands together and was bowing his head.

“Come and sit here. Let’s eat together.”

Momin immediately looked at his father, and when Larkin nodded, he scurried closer.

However, the child only looked at the cookie he received for a long time. He held it more preciously in both hands than when he had given her the magic stone last time. Hesitating and fidgeting with his small hands, the child finally seemed to make a big decision and tried to put the cookie in his pocket.

Yulania smiled softly at the child’s innocent appearance, his thoughts clearly visible on his face.

“I’ll give you more, so eat it quickly.”

And she moved the plate of cookies towards the child. He couldn’t resist that sweet temptation. Momin’s eyes sparkled as he began to munch on the cookie in his hand.

‘It’s just a cookie.’

Just seeing the child happy made her feel full. Yulania took a sip of tea and then opened her mouth to Larkin.

“I called you because I wanted to ask something. I heard that you are the most knowledgeable in this castle.”

Meanwhile, the expedition that had left beyond the wall was all preoccupied with watching Santiago’s mood.

He was taciturn, but there were no major difficulties in serving him. He was being unusually emotional and impulsive.

“Damn it.”

As always, the knights simply held their breath and quietly followed him, as curses flowed from their superior’s mouth. They also knew the situation, so there was nothing they could do but watch him carefully.

And as they expected, Santiago’s mood had plummeted to the bottom, and he was completely out of control. He was checking the atmosphere of the land of demons because it felt strange, but he couldn’t leave Yulania alone, so he had to return in a short time, and there wasn’t much progress.

A maddening mix of anxiety about demons, worry about Yulania, and anger.

“Haa…”

He took a deep breath filled with complicated emotions, and a pure white breath rose high into the sky. His eyes followed it naturally, and he looked up at the sky, where a clear blue was indifferently looking down at him.

Santiago frowned and turned his gaze away, feeling resentful for some reason towards the clear sky that didn’t seem to understand his feelings.

A proper investigation required an expedition of at least a week. To do that, the manpower led by Vice-Captain Diego, who had not yet arrived, was essential. As he pondered the location of the rear party and turned back towards the castle, the unexpected castle tower came into view.

There was a light on in the top floor of the castle tower. It was a place used as an observatory for entertainment. Who would be there at this hour…?

‘Yulania?’

It was his senses that surpassed the limits of humans. With superhuman eyesight, he caught a glimpse of golden hair.

‘Her body is still not well, but she went all the way up there…’

As Santiago stopped and looked back, Haron, who was following behind, looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“What’s wrong? Oh? It looks like someone’s in the castle tower.”

“Who else would be there.”

Santiago, whose temper had soured at Haron’s light tone, kicked the side of the horse he was riding. He was annoyed by the way he casually mentioned Yulania.

Heeheeing-!

In an instant, the horse neighed and stomped its feet strongly.

“Ugh! Captain?!”

Haron, who suddenly lost his balance, grabbed the reins in shock. He looked at Santiago with a protesting look, but he only raised his eyebrows crookedly. The quick-witted knight immediately realized. His lord only became emotional when it was related to one person.

“Ah, ah, is the Princess there? I misspoke. No, but why would you go this far…”

Santiago’s eyebrows rose even higher at the sight of him muttering in the middle of his apology.

“Want to walk?”

“No! I’m sorry!”

He didn’t care whether he felt wronged or not.

And so, the knot between Yulania and Santiago remained tangled, and time passed. Time didn’t wait for them to untangle, and finally, the rear party led by Diego arrived at Makari Castle.

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