The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 53

Yulania staggered, trying to stand, but her legs wouldn’t hold her. Seeing her falter, Santia immediately approached and lowered himself.

“Stay still.”

It was a short sentence, but it was laced with worry and anger. Santia carefully examined Yulania’s leg with his fingertips. The hem of her pants was torn, and blood was seeping through. He gritted his teeth and spoke as if chewing the words.

“You’re hurt.”

Yulania lowered her face, filled with shame and self-reproach.

“…I’m sorry.”

The words slipped out before she knew it. She couldn’t do anything, she fell, got hurt, and put others in danger. Santia didn’t answer for a long time, then he took her in his arms.

“It’s alright.”

His breath on her ear was warm, but his tone was cold. Yulania buried herself in his arms and carefully closed her eyes. But the peace didn’t last long. The sound of rough footsteps approached from behind, and Alban raised his voice.

“Duke? Did you come chasing after us?”

Santia held Yulania tighter in his arms, as if protecting her, and turned to face him.

“…Damn it, Alban!”

“Wh-what? What did you just say?”

“Do I have to say you’re worse than a devil for you to understand?”

Santia threatened Alban in a harsh voice.

“Sister? Is this guy…!”

Alban avoided his eyes and shouted.

“You will pay a heavy price for this.”

“…Sister, if you had just used the Holy Stone properly, none of this would have happened!”

“You’re the one who dragged her here.”

Santia’s tone was expressionless, but anyone could feel the anger within.

“Wh-what did you say?!”

“What were you thinking, coming all the way here?”

“……!”

Only then did Albanlook around, and he bit his lip tightly. His confident expression crumbled for a moment.

Yulania quietly whispered in his arms.

“Santia… it’s okay. Stop it.”

Her voice was small, but it was enough to quell his anger, at least for a moment.

“You’re not going to tell me you’re protecting trash like him as family.”

Santia swallowed his anger and looked down at Yulania.

“…Let’s get out of here first.”

“The only family you need is me.”

And after muttering that, he gave a short order to the royal knights.

“Retreat.”

The royal knights scattered, trying to salvage the survivors. Bean propped up the injured or fallen knights. Yulania blinked in Santia’s arms. The sky wasn’t dark yet. But an air heavier and colder than any darkness pressed down on her whole body.

The steps back to the camp were endlessly heavy. Yulania’s body, held in Santia’s arms, trembled slightly with each jolting step. The chilling fear still lingered in her body.

Santia didn’t say a word until the end. He simply harbored open hostility towards Alban, who was walking ahead. The unpleasant grumbling emanating from the prince’s back as he walked away struck her ears like a blade.

“I will report everything to Father. That the Duke dared to threaten royalty and ignore orders!”

Sharp and cowardly accusations poured out incessantly. But Santia didn’t answer. He didn’t even turn his head.

Yulania breathed quietly in Santia’s arms. With each of Alban’s words, guilt pricked at her neck, but at the same time, Santia’s silent warmth held her back.

‘…Stop, let’s not think about anything.’

Soothing herself, Yulania closed her eyes.

When the camp’s flag began to appear in sight, Mireya was the first to spot them.

“Princess!”

Her surprised voice carried on the wind. The bewilderment and worry in her eyes were too clear to hide. Santia carefully set Yulania down.

“…Mireya.”

As Yulania barely opened her mouth, Mireya gently supported her.

“Sir Santia, I’ll take care of the Princess.”

“It’s not a big wound. Don’t worry too much.”

Santia looked at Yulania for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“…I understand.”

“Princess, let’s go this way.”

Mireya lightly supported Yulania’s waist and headed towards the tent. Even as she moved away, Yulania could faintly hear Alban’s shouts continuing from one side of the camp. His childish cries about how unfair he was being treated and how he would tell his father about this. But now, surprisingly, she felt nothing.

The tent was quiet and warm. Under the dim lamplight, Mireya quickly cut away the trouser leg.

“It’ll sting a little.”

Yulania didn’t move while she applied the medicine.

“You must have been very surprised.”

Mireya said in a low voice.

“Such delicate legs… it must have hurt.”

Yulania hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly.

“…Yeah.”

“It’s okay.”

Mireya gently wrapped the bandage.

“Your husband will take care of everything. Whatever it is.”

At those words, Yulania barely closed her eyes. Outside, the commotion still continued intermittently. The rough arguments could be heard, but now they felt distant.

And just as she felt the surroundings had quieted down, the tent door opened and Santia entered with a tired face.

His eyes were still cold and heavy, but the look in his eyes towards Yulania was clearly different from the one he gave Alban. The three people’s eyes met for a moment. Mireya spoke first.

“I’ve finished the first aid.”

Yulania silently looked at Mireya, and then at Santia. Yulania’s body was still faltering, but her heart was strangely calm. Santia slowly approached and knelt down.

His hand gently wrapped around Yulania’s waist and knees.

“Let’s go home.”

It was a short and concise sentence, but the emotions contained within were heavy and tender.

“Put your hands around my neck.”

Yulania carefully put her hands around his neck. It was a weak gesture, but he seemed satisfied and chuckled softly.

“That’s right.”

Santia picked her up in one motion. Carefully and firmly. As if to prevent any wind in the world from touching her.

“Please take care of the rest.”

He turned to Mireya.

“Take command with Diego.”

“Yes, don’t worry and go ahead.”

Mireya nodded without complaint. Yulania buried her face in his chest without saying a word. When they came outside, the camp was much quieter. The royal party had already disappeared. Santia didn’t bother to explain anything about it. Yulania didn’t ask either.

No, to be exact, she didn’t even have the strength to ask and argue right now. She just hoped to stay in his arms, not to move even one step further away.

Santia carefully took Yulania to the black horse. Even after putting her on the horse, he still didn’t let go of her fingertips. They rode up on the horse together and looked at Diego and Mireya one last time.

“I’m counting on you.”

The one sentence contained a lot of trust and responsibility.

“Yes, my lord.”

Diego answered with emphasis. And so, the two slowly left the camp, leaving the long winter plains behind.

The wind blew. It was a biting wind, but it didn’t allow even a single gap between the two. Yulania silently leaned against his chest and closed her eyes. Her body ached and her heart throbbed, but strangely, the feeling of being alive was more vivid than ever.

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