The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 32

How long had they been like that? Unable to bear it any longer, Santia grabbed Yulania’s face with both hands and pulled it away.

Her small face fit perfectly in his hands. As she looked up at him with still anxious eyes, he pressed his palms into her cheeks. Her pink lips parted slightly.

Perhaps it was because her face was contorted in an odd way, but the anxiety disappeared from Yulania’s eyes. As those pure golden eyes looked only at him, Santia couldn’t resist the impulse.

He lowered his head in an instant, kissing and holding her protruding lips. It was an impulsive kiss, but it was soft, and Yulania quietly closed her eyes.

However, the kiss didn’t last long. Startled by his own actions, Santia flinched and stepped back. As Yulania looked at him questioningly, he frowned deeply and turned his head away.

“…Sorry. That was sudden.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

On the contrary, Yulania’s heart was fluttering with the desire to continue. It wasn’t the first time, and they were husband and wife, after all. She felt even more twisted as she received his apology.

And her heart ached after a long time at her husband’s unchanging behavior. Still approaching her first, then retreating as if displeased.

Santia, who was covering his mouth with the back of his hand and looking away, finally spoke without looking at her.

“…Rest. I’ll be going.”

And at his cold-hearted departure, Yulania blurted out the impulsive words that had risen to her throat.

“Can’t we sleep together?”

Santia frowned deeply and turned around.

“…What?”

“…”

Yulania didn’t bother to repeat it. She knew he had heard her clearly. Then he refused firmly.

“Absolutely not.”

Yulania dejectedly lowered her gaze. A sudden wave of disappointment made her grumble involuntarily.

“…You said you didn’t dislike it.”

“That’s—”

“You hold my hand, hug me, and kiss me, but why? It’s contradictory.”

Once the first wall was broken, breaking the next one wasn’t difficult. The questions that had been piling up poured out from Yulania’s small mouth.

Santia, who had turned his body completely towards her again, looked at her with an incredulous expression. Then he squeezed his eyes shut and conveyed his refusal once more.

“What good would come of sleeping together?”

“I get cold when I sleep alone. You’re warm.”

It wasn’t a lie. Yulania had been feeling the chill every morning for the past few days, curling up as she slept. She pouted her lips at the rising sadness and lowered her head. However, she had no idea how her unconscious display of affection was being received by Santia.

“…You’re driving me crazy.”

“Pardon?”

“No, let’s sleep together.”

“Really?”

Yulania’s eyes sparkled at the crooked but definite words of consent.

“You said you were cold. Just sleep.”

And he recklessly pushed his way next to her. The bed bounced greatly, and Yulania widened her eyes in surprise.

Santia didn’t make eye contact with her, just flopped down and pulled her head into his chest.

“Is that okay? Are you warm like this?”

“…Yes, I’m warm.”

Yulania, who had inadvertently ended up nestled in his arms, smiled as she felt the warmth that was almost like heat.

‘I should have done this sooner.’

Yulania, unaware of her husband’s inner thoughts, snuggled into his arms and tried to sleep.

Santia focused on not putting too much force on his hand as he continuously stroked her hair.

Yulania opened her eyes in comfortable warmth. And seeing Santia’s body in front of her, she recalled what had happened last night.

‘How did we end up sleeping together?’

Covering herself with Santia, who ran hot, made her forget it was winter. Glancing upwards, she saw him sleeping soundly, breathing deeply.

‘He looks so innocent when he sleeps.’

This was the first time she had seen Santia sleeping like this. Santia was always the one waking her up. She moved carefully, trying not to wake him, and moved closer. The heavy scent and the warm energy that enveloped her felt so good.

She watched his face, which moved slowly with his breath. Opportunities to see such a peaceful expression were rare. It was a comfortable expression, but it was not weak in any way. Yulania looked at Santia’s sharp jawline and firm chin, and was reminded that he was a very masculine person.

Perhaps because she had fallen asleep early yesterday, it was still early morning, just beginning to dawn. Yulania fidgeted in her spot, watching Santia’s appearance to her heart’s content, something she couldn’t usually do.

How long had it been? As the sun rose and the surroundings gradually brightened, Santia’s eyelids fluttered slightly, and his dark eyes were revealed.

“…How long have you been watching me?”

He immediately met Yulania’s gaze and asked in a voice thick with sleep.

“For quite a while.”

Yulania chuckled softly at his languid appearance, so different from his usual fierce self.

“…You woke up early.”

He squinted his eyes and stretched out his arms, embracing Yulania. It was an instinctive movement that he didn’t put much thought into. As his large body moved, his unique scent washed over Yulania.

Had he fallen asleep again? He embraced her and remained still for a long time without moving. Yulania enjoyed the moment, feeling as if affection was emanating from the arms that held her so tightly. It was one of the first times she had felt happy in a moment of everyday life.

Was it because of the side effects of the medicine Joel had mentioned? Lately, she had definitely been experiencing many emotions for the first time. And most of them were thanks to this man who was holding her in his arms.

“Santia.”

“Hmm?”

“You’re really warm.”

Yulania snuggled into Santia’s arms as she said that. She couldn’t find any words to express it more appropriately than that. And she buried her face in his chest and mumbled.

“I like it so much because you’re warm.”

“…Ah.”

Santia felt something snap in his head.

Vanessa, who opened Yulania’s door after hearing the bell, was startled by the large, raised bed.

“L-Lord Duke?”

As she reacted as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have, Santia only turned his head while holding Yulania in his arms and replied.

“Is there a problem?”

“Ah, no! Um… Shall I assist the Duke as well?”

Vanessa, who had brought the trolley for Yulania’s morning preparations, quickly regained her composure and asked. Having served Yulania for three years since her marriage, it was the first time she had seen the two of them coming out of the same bed.

In fact, Vanessa, who was Yulania’s exclusive maid and had never attended to Santia, was flustered and darted her eyes around.

“No, I’m fine. Just take care of Yulania.”

“Yes, Lord Duke.”

So, when he refused, she was secretly relieved and hurried to the bedside.

Santia, who had woken up first, helped Yulania up, and Vanessa took out the silver tray and towels with practiced movements.

“Oh my, what sweat are you… er… sweating from in the morning…?”

Vanessa, who was wiping Yulania’s face as usual without any intention, belatedly realized what she was saying and trailed off. She flinched in surprise and glanced at Santia, who raised his eyebrows.

Yulania, who was obediently receiving her service with her eyes closed, didn’t see his expression and said, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“The heater was too much.”

“I see. Still, I’m glad you weren’t cold, Princess.”

Vanessa focused only on Yulania and moved her hands faster than usual. She had an impure desire to get out of this space as soon as possible. Thanks to her efforts, the preparations were quickly completed, and Yulania’s face glowed brightly.

Santia, who had been staring intently at her appearance, suddenly threw out a word.

“You’ve become whiter.”

“…You haven’t even washed your face until now…”

Only then did Yulania, realizing that there was a difference in her appearance, lower her eyes in embarrassment.

“…? It’s the same.”

“You said I’ve become whiter.”

“The features are the same.”

“…I don’t think so.”

“?”

A trivial argument ensued, and the two ultimately failed to understand each other. And Santia ordered Vanessa, who was standing there helplessly.

“We’ll have breakfast here.”

“Yes, Lord Duke. I’ll prepare it.”

She quickly left the room, as if someone would stop her, at the indirect dismissal that had finally been given.

Support