The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 42

News of the Devil Slayer’s injury spread like wildfire throughout the North. More precisely, the existence of a powerful demon that had nearly defeated him shook people’s hearts. In the midst of the silent blizzard, the North was swept up in a new tension and unease, and the rumors finally reached the heart of the Tinley Kingdom.

Upon hearing the news, the nobles of the North each gathered support troops and headed to Makari Castle. Having always lived through harsh winters and the threat of demons, they instinctively knew when to join forces. If Makari’s walls were breached, they would be next.

And at the forefront was a family. The Heilong Duchy, boasting the best military power in the North. Located just east below the Makari territory, Heilong had ruled the North since the founding of the Tinley Kingdom. As a duchy, Makari was like a newborn, so Heilong had historically been the center of the northern territories. The Heilong Knights boasted just as much potential as Makari.

That day was strangely clear. Yulania shielded her eyes with her hand, dazzled by the sunlight that had risen in the sky for the first time in a while, and stood in front of the castle gate. Beside her was Santia, who had barely risen from his sickbed a few days ago. His face was still pale, but his firmly closed lips and determined eyes were unwavering.

The castle gate opened, and knights in silver armor entered in a row. As they passed through the gate, the knight leading the vanguard took off his helmet. And scattered long blue hair that shone like water.

Yulania opened her eyes slightly in surprise. The fact that a knight with such splendid armor and long hair was a woman brought an unexpected emotion. She was even the one leading the Heilong Knights. She would have been surprised to see even a female knight in the North, but a woman in charge of the captaincy. An awe-inspiring surprise settled in one corner of her heart.

The water-haired female knight approached with a confident stride, grinned with a cool smile, and opened her mouth.

“Mireya of Heilong greets the Princess.”

Mireya’s voice was clear and, above all, full of confidence. Yulania was momentarily speechless before quickly composing herself.

“Welcome. Thank you for coming all this way.”

Mireya smiled brightly, looked at her, and then shifted her gaze. Then Santia came into her view. Mireya couldn’t hide her delight as soon as she found him.

“Sir Santia! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Yulania felt a subtle emotion as she heard Mireya call his name so intimately, as if he were an old friend. The familiarity flowing between them bothered her.

Santia nodded indifferently, a smile playing on the corner of his lips.

“It’s been a long time since we went on an expedition together.”

“It’s not the time to say this in this situation, but I missed fighting alongside you.”

Yulania’s eyebrows twitched slightly. The two’s conversation was so natural, and the comfort seemed to exclude her. Santia’s relatively comfortable expression, which he only showed to her, was also slightly visible in front of Mireya.

Santia smiled briefly and said.

“Let’s catch up on the way. There’s an operational meeting right away.”

Mireya nodded and said casually.

“Okay. I’ve been waiting for it.”

When Yulania made a subtle expression, Santia finally turned to his wife and looked at her. She quickly composed her expression and pretended to be nonchalant.

The three slowly walked up the uphill road leading to the castle. Yulania walked beside the two, staring at her toes without saying a word. Her ears became sensitive to their ongoing conversation.

“I heard you went all the way to the cluster area on the last expedition. Even for you, wasn’t that reckless?”

Santia answered with a calm smile.

“I was just doing what I had to do. You wouldn’t have acted any differently.”

Yulania subtly scrutinized the two with an uncomfortable feeling. The way they seemed to know each other so well made her heart ache.

Then Santia naturally slowed down a little and glanced down near her feet. Yulania was conscious of the small gaze and moved her feet a little more carefully.

When she lost her balance and staggered ever so slightly, Santia immediately reached out and grabbed her. His touch was very light, so quick and natural that others wouldn’t even notice.

When Yulania looked up in surprise, Santia, with an indifferent face, focused on his conversation with Mireya as if nothing had happened.

“I didn’t expect you to come to support us so quickly.”

“Of course, I had to come. It’s a matter of the North’s honor, and if our family doesn’t help the Makari territory, who will?”

Mireya smiled softly and continued.

“And with even the Princess here, I can’t just stand by.”

Mireya’s tone was directed at Santia, but her gaze subtly scrutinized Yulania. Yulania tried not to avoid her gaze and smiled awkwardly.

Santia took a step closer to Yulania again. Even so, he did not interrupt the flow of the conversation.

“Thank you. The Heilong family’s reputation is well-deserved.”

Then, as if nonchalantly, he took off his cloak and lightly draped it over Yulania’s shoulders. The movement was so natural that even Yulania was momentarily taken aback.

When Yulania glanced up at Santia, he didn’t make eye contact and continued to focus only on his conversation with Mireya. But his hand was still lightly holding the cloak behind her back.

Mireya’s lips lifted slightly as if amused as she glanced at the sight.

“Oh my?”

Yulania’s face flushed at her small, intriguing exclamation. Mireya smiled meaningfully and turned forward again, and Santia, as if not at all interested in the subtle currents between the two, continued to move forward calmly.

When they reached the castle, Santia first asked Yulania what she wanted to do. It was a fork in the road where the main castle, which had the couple’s private space, and the Knights’ meeting room were separated.

“What will you do?”

She looked back and forth between Santia and Mireya, who were waiting for an answer, and forced a smile.

“I’ll go inside. Please lead the meeting well.”

Santia stared at Yulania for a moment longer before nodding briefly.

“Then see you later.”

Yulania stared for a long time at the backs of the two people entering the castle. Santia was the master of Makari, and Mireya was a knight who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him. Mireya’s back, wearing armor and striding confidently, was vivid in her mind.

‘I am…’

Yulania faced a strange emotion that she had never felt before. It was too pathetic to call it simple jealousy, and it hurt her pride to call it anxiety. The female knight Mireya of Heilong was already talking and laughing with the knights in the castle, and she naturally blended in among them, revealing her deep friendship with Santia.

There was nothing she could do. She was the owner of this castle, but the person who actually protected and led this place was not her but Santia, and the person who could stand shoulder to shoulder with such Santia was not her but Mireya.

Yulania returned to her room, closed the door, and slowly sat on the bed. The only thing that could be heard in the quiet room was her own breathing. When she placed her hands on her knees, the sacred stone she had been holding in her hands glowed faintly.

‘What was I expecting…’

She took her eyes off the sacred stone and turned her gaze out the window. The clear weather felt cruel. The bright sunlight was too out of place with her current state.

‘In the end, am I nothing?’

She was ashamed that her heart had fluttered every time Santia protected her. She wanted to truly stand by his side, not just be someone who needed to be protected. But the seat next to Santia, who had returned from battle, was never hers.

A heavy silence fell in the room. Yulania took a deep breath. She tried to sort out her emotions, but the more she did, the more confused she became.

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