The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 62

Though Santia had made a fuss as if he would leave right away, he actually needed a bit more time before departing from Makari. It wasn’t as simple as Yulania guarding the territory, allowing the lord to be absent for an extended period. Administrative coordination, guard rotation, troop deployment there were many tasks a lord had to handle even for a temporary absence.

As part of those preparations, a familiar face reappeared in Makari. Mireya, whom they thought had returned to the Hailon March, was once again entering the castle.

“Princess, it’s nice to see you again.”

She bowed, smiling playfully.

“At this point, I might as well be a knight of Makari.”

Yulania responded with a smile, but her thoughts were more complex. She remembered Santia mentioning Mireya as someone he trusted most. Of course, her skill and loyalty were beyond doubt, but an inexplicable sense of unease lingered.

Santia, in addition to his existing guard, Vihan, recalled Diego and assigned him as a temporary guard. The stern way he issued orders seemed like his way of coping with the reality of having to leave.

“Protect her with your lives. No, value her more than your own lives.”

Diego shrugged and replied.

“Yes, yes. Of course.”

Vihan bowed silently, and Mireya took it seriously as well. They all knew well that protecting Yulania was not just a simple duty but Santia’s everything. Santia’s actions during the last expedition had moved them all.

In the evening, Santia and Yulania shared tea and a quiet conversation. Yulania gazed at the long sunset stretching outside the window and said,

“You’re staying longer than I thought.”

Santia looked at her and slightly raised the corner of his lips. It seemed a long time had passed since a hint of playfulness had begun to appear on his face. Yulania was newly touched and closed her eyes for a long moment before opening them again.

“It just means there’s a lot to prepare. And I wanted to spend as much time with you as possible before leaving.”

He said that and gently clasped Yulania’s hand. Yulania quietly placed her fingers on his warm, firm hand. His touch conveyed not a farewell of departure but a reassurance of return.

“The only reason I can leave you with peace of mind is that someone other than me can protect you.”

Yulania nodded and said quietly,

“Then I’ll try too. To be able to be okay on my own.”

One afternoon, bathed in warm sunlight, two people sat side by side in the reception room of Makari Castle. On the large table, an intricately woven tapestry was spread out, and Yulania was carefully selecting strands of light-colored yarn.

Her belly wasn’t yet very large, but her touch was more cautious than before, and her expression was deeper. A blanket with delicate embroidery, made with the maids’ care, covered Yulania’s belly. The beautifully embroidered baby angel represented the maids’ sincere wishes for Yulania and the unborn child’s safety.

“Santi.”

When a hand gently touched hers from across the table, she slowly looked up and called his name.

“…Why?”

Santi, his eyes looking as if he would burst into laughter at any moment, returned her gaze without looking away. Military reports and tax adjustment documents spread out on one side of the desk had already been pushed aside. His attention seemed to be solely focused on her.

Yulania took a steady breath and said,

“Remember what Joel said.”

“Does that mean I can’t even touch it?”

He feigned disappointment, but his actions were the opposite. Santia moved to sit right next to Yulania. Yulania gave her husband a displeased look but tried to focus on her fingertips.

“I’m working right now.”

“I won’t disturb you.”

“You already have.”

At her airtight retort, Santia sighed softly. Then Yulania tilted her head slightly and added in a playful tone,

“If you keep doing this, I might ban official contact too.”

“You’re too much, as always.”

When Santia visibly drooped his eyes, Yulania gently nudged his arm with her finger.

“You don’t like it? Should we call off the contract now?”

“Of course not.”

Even so, he stared at the spot where her hand had touched for a long time, then rubbed his arm with his other hand as if he had suffered a great injury. Yulania smiled and picked up a strand of yarn, threading it through the needle. Her hand movements were skillful, and each step was careful and delicate.

“You’re busy. Do your work.”

Santia raised an eyebrow once and turned his head towards the pile of documents. However, he remained sitting close to her, his hand twitching as if to touch her.

Santi’s hand, which had been leaning on her as if he were folding his arms, soon wrapped around Yulania’s waist again. He wrapped his long arm around Yulania, gently caressing her slightly swollen belly with his hand.

“Isn’t this an official necessity since Lady Mireya is watching?”

“Sir Santia…”

Mireya, who was sitting far away, couldn’t bear it any longer and spoke at Santi’s outrageous remark.

“Ha! Understood.”

As if declaring the end of the war, Santia leaned back and folded his arms. However, his gaze still followed Yulania’s fingertips. She continued her work calmly, even while feeling his gaze. Perhaps, the time she spent with these small threads and needles was the most comfortable for her now.

Yulania, unable to suppress her laughter, gave Mireya a slight wink.

“Could you give us some time alone?”

“That’s what I was hoping for, Princess.”

Mireya opened the door and left with a relieved expression. As soon as she was gone, Santia threw the documents aside as if he had been waiting for this moment and turned to Yulania.

“What is it? You’re making my heart race.”

“It’s not what you’re thinking. I was just embarrassed for Mireya to see.”

As Santia moved his face closer as if to knock her over, Yulania finally burst into laughter with a “pooh” sound. Even as he leaned in as if to pounce on her, the hand firmly supporting her back tickled her heart.

Soon, Santia gently took the work from her hand and placed it on the table.

“This is dangerous.”

Yulania widened her eyes in disbelief at his absurd excuse, but Santia paid no attention and leaned in even closer.

“You’re the most dangerous.”

“You know it well. Please be careful.”

“Oh my?”

Yulania, who had leaned back against the couch handle, grabbed Santi’s shoulder. In the brightly lit studio, two red lips met. Unfinished documents and tangled threads were scattered haphazardly on the table.

The honey-sweet time flew by, and the day of Santi’s departure arrived.

That morning, Yulania, with a more serene face than ever, smoothed his collar. Hiding the slight trembling in her hands, she carefully buttoned each button. Santia silently looked down at her and finally opened his mouth.

“Please wait for me safely.”

The words were both a desperate request to Yulania and a firm promise to himself.

“I wish you good fortune too.”

Yulania replied. There was a subtle tremor in her smiling lips, but her gaze towards Santia was firm.

He finally reached out and stroked her cheek. For a moment, the two looked at each other in silence. The short eye contact contained the days they had spent together for a long time.

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