The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 58

The peaceful time flowed like water.

And with the changing seasons, a small change came to Yulania. Santia noticed it first.

“Why?”

Before leaving the castle for business in the territory, Yulania refused his kiss. This was the third day in a row. She said she wasn’t feeling well.

But it wasn’t a refusal during private time, but a public send-off. No matter how bad their relationship was, she had never refused public contact. It was a minor thing, but it felt significant because it was the first time.

“I’m sorry. I don’t feel well. Have a good trip.”

Yulania gave the rest of the send-off greetings kindly, without showing any sign of dislike, which made it even stranger.

On the morning Santia went out, Yulania nervously clasped her hands in different directions. A little while ago, she had heard that Joel had arrived at the castle. She took a deep breath. She hadn’t called him for a simple cold or indigestion.

Hesitation and awkwardness overlapped, tightening her chest. She wasn’t the type to request something like this herself. In fact, Vanessa’s strong persuasion was the reason for today’s meeting.

“Princess, please just see him once. What if there’s something wrong with your body?”

Vanessa grabbed Yulania’s arm from the morning and spoke carefully but firmly. Outwardly, she was gentle, but persistent and repetitive. All the maids were restless and watching. Everyone wanted to properly check Yulania’s condition while Santia was away.

Moreover, those who had witnessed the Duke and Duchess’s loving demeanor every day now harbored secret expectations and curiosity. Maybe, perhaps, a miracle had happened.

Yulania eventually couldn’t ignore their gazes and was about to undergo Joel’s examination. Soon, with a knock, Joel entered and carefully greeted her.

“Princess, I greet you.”

Yulania smiled awkwardly. Soon, ceremonial greetings were exchanged, and the examination began.

“You seem a little heavy. Vanessa has been worried.”

Joel nodded as if he understood immediately. And he immediately began preparing for the examination.

After a short pulse diagnosis, abdominal examination, and some additional tests, Joel looked up with a bright face. The words that came from his mouth were something she had expected but found hard to believe.

“Princess, congratulations. You’re pregnant!”

For a moment, time seemed to stop. It took Yulania a few seconds to understand the words. A silent silence that rang in her ears. Her heart thumped loudly once.

“Really?”

She asked as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Yes, I’m sure. It’s still early, but you’re in very good health.”

Joel said again with emphasis. And he smiled brightly.

“Congratulations, Princess.”

Yulania opened and closed her mouth. She seemed to have forgotten to breathe. She unconsciously placed her hand on her lower abdomen. A small life that couldn’t be felt yet. But it was definitely there. Vanessa wiped away tears beside her. She took out a handkerchief and sobbed, covering her face.

“Princess, I’m so, so glad!”

The other maids also secretly reddened their eyes. Everyone knew. The wounds she had experienced in the past. No one mentioned it, but the memory had not been forgotten. That’s why today’s miracle was even more precious.

Yulania smiled cautiously. She was still dazed, but the smile was sincere.

“I’ll tell my husband myself.”

She said softly.

“Yes, of course. Please do so.”

Joel nodded with a sincere look. And he explained the precautions needed for pregnant women to the maids in detail.

“Especially since the late cold is still lingering. You can’t be careless. You must be careful to keep warm when going out, and maintaining body temperature is most important.”

Vanessa nodded with wide eyes.

“Yes! I’ll make a warm hot pack right away!”

She hurried out of the clinic. Yulania was still sitting still, covering her lower abdomen. A throbbing sensation filled her whole body. Joy and excitement, and a little fear.

‘How should I tell him.’

She thought of Santia’s face. His appearance when he was inadvertently shocked in the morning kept circling in her mind.

As that image came to mind, she felt like playing a prank.

That evening, at the time Santia was due to return, Yulania deliberately sat calmly in the bedroom. While pretending to read a book, she was filled with anticipation, imagining his reaction.

The door opened, and as Santia entered, he immediately noticed her strangeness and looked worried.

“Yulania, are you alright?”

Yulania closed the book and said, pretending not to know.

“Santia, what should I do?”

Santia immediately tensed up.

“Why, what’s wrong?”

Yulania sighed, looking down.

“I’m sorry, but from today, we’ll have to use separate rooms again.”

Santia looked at her with a bewildered face.

“Why?”

His voice was mixed with embarrassment, though he tried not to show it.

“It’s quite warm now.”

Yulania added, playfully suppressing a smile.

“Just because of that?”

“We were originally together just because of the cold.”

Santia was speechless for a moment. And he approached with an anxious look.

“Is that really, the reason?”

But when he reacted with more disappointment than she had expected, Yulania decided to add another explanation.

“Actually, I saw Joel today.”

Santia reacted like lightning.

“What? Is there something wrong with your body after all?”

“What do you mean, ‘after all’?”

When Yulania asked back, he sighed and made a serious face.

“You’ve been saying you haven’t been feeling well for the past few days, and you’ve been subtly struggling with contact with me.”

Yulania bit her lip to hold back her laughter at his serious expression.

“That’s right. Something big has happened.”

Yulania said in a playful tone. As soon as Santia heard those words, he bent down and looked seriously into her eyes.

“Yulania, tell me, it’s okay.”

Yulania couldn’t hold back any longer at his earnest expression. The laughter she had been holding back burst out. Santia stared at her blankly.

Yulania took his hand and led him. And carefully, very gently, she placed his palm on her lower abdomen.

“I have a feeling that you’ll be a good father.”

She whispered. Santia blinked. He looked back and forth between her and her lower abdomen several times. And finally, his eyes widened.

“Really?”

He swallowed. Yulania nodded gently.

“Really.”

After a moment of silence, the large man collapsed on the spot. Santia knelt down, still with his trembling hand on Yulania’s belly.

“Thank you.”

And he whispered in a trembling voice.

“Thank you, really, thank you.”

Yulania leaned into his arms, who had slumped down like a child, and closed her eyes. At this moment, she was happier than anywhere else in the world.

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