The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 61

The spring they had so longed for arrived, bringing with it unwelcome news for Makari.

“A summons.”

Santiago said calmly, his voice low. In his hand, he held an envelope bearing the royal crest. The order, delivered urgently from the royal court, was half-filled with threats. Santiago had sent similar letters before, so it was expected. Nevertheless, the air felt heavy as the moment arrived.

Yulania looked out the window for a moment without a word. The wind flowed through the lush greenery, and pink petals scattered in the distance. Heartlessly, the spring scenery was beautiful.

“We have to go, what else can we do?”

She said calmly, but there was an unavoidable resignation in her voice.

“Would you rather I just left?”

Was it just her imagination, or did Santiago’s voice tremble slightly at the end? He looked directly at Yulania. Yulania met his gaze without flinching, forcing a calm expression while trying to hide her sinking emotions.

“Of course not.”

“Then why don’t you try to stop me?”

“If I did, it would only weaken your resolve.”

The words were not just a rational choice, but the best consideration she could offer. And at the same time, they were the cruelest words. Both for Santiago, who would leave alone, and for her, who would be left behind.

“……”

They had discussed the visit to the capital beforehand. Having sent Alban away like that, friction with the king was inevitable. Their conclusion was that Yulania did not need to confront the royal family directly. Especially after learning about Yulania’s pregnancy, their resolve only strengthened. They had already experienced something unspeakable once before. They couldn’t possibly put a pregnant Yulania on horseback again.

Therefore, Yulania knew, and Santiago knew, that her words were empty.

“Shall I come with you?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

Yulania’s belly was now visibly swollen. It didn’t restrict her movements, but it was at a stage where people around her would break out in a sweat from anxiety even if she just walked casually. Not only the maids in the castle, but Santiago himself was constantly watching Yulania’s feet.

“You really are too much.”

“I think I know what that means now.”

Yulania said, playfully pouting. Santiago responded with a serious expression, not even smiling. He had always been a taciturn husband, but lately, he was slowly learning to express his emotions honestly. That alone made her feel like she had the whole world.

“If you know, then you should try to appease me, Princess.”

Occasionally, he would say things that melted her heart, which was another new side of Santiago that Yulania had discovered recently.

Yulania smiled playfully and squeezed his hand tightly.

“I promise I’ll stay safely in the castle without moving an inch, so don’t worry and come back quickly. But you have to come back as fast as possible.”

“I’ll ride back without stopping.”

Yulania finally burst into laughter. This man was becoming quite the jokester.

Santiago’s steps were filled with energy as he headed to the training grounds.

Yulania didn’t know it, but Santiago’s expression had clearly changed, even when she wasn’t around. His face was still expressionless, but the warmth in his eyes and every movement had softened. And the knights who spent the most time with him noticed the change most clearly.

As he arrived at the training grounds through the morning sunlight, the entire Makari Knights, including Diego and Haron, were already assembled. As soon as they saw Santiago, they all gave a neat salute, starting with Diego, accompanied by the clatter of armor. The knights’ eyes were filled with reverence and loyalty.

Santiago simply nodded briefly, but with that one gesture, everyone understood his intention. The salutes that had been raised in unison returned to their original positions.

Santiago when he was with his beloved wife, and Santiago when he was handling official duties. The knights, who knew how to clearly distinguish between the two, respected him as more than just their lord. And naturally, Yulania, who was by his side, received the same respect.

Unspokenly, Yulania was called “Our Lady” among the knights. Their respect for their lord extended to her, becoming a source of pride for the knights. Yulania herself still smiled shyly, but without her knowing, her reputation soared within the castle.

Diego lowered his shield and said with a smile.

“Lord, you seem to be in particularly good spirits today.”

His face was expressionless, but Diego, who always saw him up close, could see the slight upturn of his lips. Haron chimed in.

“Yes, I feel like I’ll be praised, so I’m naturally motivated.”

Santiago smiled briefly, but definitely. He still rarely smiled openly, but the warmth in his eyes was unmistakable.

“You’re all slacking off.”

Even so, he flicked the tip of Haron’s sword with his fingertip. Normally, he would have been stingy with such small acknowledgments. Haron shrugged, smiling awkwardly.

“Well, with you in such a good mood, I feel like I could headbutt a mountain.”

A small laugh broke out among the knights. Even in that brief moment of levity, an unwavering tension lingered in the training grounds. They all knew. Even in this peaceful moment, another battle would come before long.

Santiago watched them and slowly organized his thoughts.

‘It’s almost a blessing that the demons are bringing an army.’

A cynical sneer naturally formed on his lips. The summons recently sent by the king clearly contained threatening phrases.

[If the response from Makari Castle is deemed inadequate, it will be considered treason.]

He found the king’s arrogance in sending such a letter laughable. Santiago was no longer afraid. No, he was laughing instead.

He had already personally experienced the reality of thousands of demon soldiers. If the king acted recklessly, a disaster that the royal family could not handle would occur. On the contrary, it wouldn’t be impossible to take advantage of the chaos and disappear somewhere with Yulania.

For him, the option of leaving with her alone and starting a new life in a new place wasn’t bad. Even if it was just Santiago alone, he was confident that he could protect Yulania.

Santiago could run away anywhere with her and be safe, but not the king. From the moment he realized that reality, he had been drawing up a reply to the king in his mind.

‘If you thought you could easily control us, you were mistaken.’

That’s what he wanted to declare. And he now had the power to make that declaration a reality.

Diego asked cautiously.

“Lord, do you have any specific instructions?”

Santiago thought briefly and replied.

“For the time being, strengthen the defenses of the castle. And contact the information network in Haylon. Pay attention to the movements of the capital.”

“Yes, sir.”

Diego saluted and stepped back. Haron put his sword on his shoulder and asked playfully.

“Captain, but you know. The atmosphere has been so good overnight. We’re all getting carried away… Did something good happen?”

Santiago narrowed his eyes and stared at Haron for a moment. Haron flinched for a moment, but then stood up straight. Then Santiago said, as if spitting it out.

“Is my face that strange?”

Haron shook his head frantically.

“N-No! It’s just that when you smile, Captain, even the air seems clearer. Ahaha!”

Diego gave Haron a pathetic look and hit him on the back.

“Stop talking nonsense and move.”

“Yes!”

Even during the light conversation, Santiago never let his guard down for a moment. The castle where Yulania was. And the child who was not yet born. His mind was filled with them.

Support