The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 67

The tavern was filled with alcohol, smoke, and stories. Santiago leaned back, quietly raising his glass. The lingering echo of Yulania’s name being suddenly mentioned still lingered, but listening eased his mind.

“The Duke and Duchess of Makari are truly something else. When the Duke leads the knights into battle, the Duchess personally meets with the people of the territory.”

“Is that is she being called a saint?”

“Really? As far as I know, the Princess well, there weren’t any rumors about her back in the capital, right?”

“That’s what makes it amazing. Isn’t it because she faced a demon directly?”

Santiago sighed softly to himself. It wasn’t the direction he intended, but Yulania’s sincerity had ultimately reached even the people’s words. Just like when she calmly placed her hand on the sacred stone and smiled in Makari Castle.

“It’s nothing but praise, Captain.”

Haron gently clinked his glass against Santiago’s from the side. Santiago wordlessly raised his glass to meet his. Haron bowed deeply and then grinned mischievously.

“Happy that your beloved wife is being praised? You’re usually so stoic—”

Thwack!

“Ugh!”

Santiago’s toe accurately struck Haron’s shin. As Haron winced and rubbed his leg, Santiago finally smiled slightly and continued.

“Shut up.”

“Aye, aye, sir.”

It was a familiar joke and reaction. Having a subordinate who understood him without a word was more valuable than he thought. Through bloody battles and the court’s cold gazes, Haron had always stood by Santiago’s side. And now, even in a noisy alley tavern in the capital, he was still there, unchanged.

The alcohol soon warmed him from the inside, and the boisterous noise flowed like background music. Santiago gradually relaxed. The meal was surprisingly decent, and Haron’s jokes were quite amusing.

Santiago raised his glass and slowly drank. The storm was still approaching, but at least for this one moment, it was peaceful. A short but precious peace that he hadn’t felt in a long time.

The dawn twilight shining through the windows of the corridor was not yet tinged with red. The still and frigid air seemed to freeze time, but Santiago stood there. In front of the Royal Audience Chamber, far earlier than the appointed time.

The time set by the King was precisely at sunrise. But Santiago had arrived much earlier. He didn’t want to be caught on anything.

After a long time, a servant approached him as he waited in a stiff posture, without a word. He left with only a quiet greeting and a brief instruction to wait, before disappearing inside the door.

And nothing happened.

An hour passed, then two, and no one came out.

Occasionally, passing courtiers carefully bowed their heads as they passed, as if they wanted to avoid even making eye contact. But Santiago did not waver.

‘So, this is how it is today.’

It was infuriating, but also pathetic. Knowing that he had arrived in the capital in loyal obedience to the King’s command, he was deliberately stalling for time.

It was the King’s way. He hadn’t expected much, but this level of rudeness was something he hadn’t seen in a long time. Exactly two hours after the silence had settled, heavy footsteps were heard in the distance.

The footsteps, slow and deliberate, as if savoring each step, soon stopped in front of the large doors of the audience chamber. The doors, adorned with red silk, opened smoothly. And through the gap, the King appeared with a leisurely gait.

As if this place were a forgotten stage, he wore a light coat over his shoulders and a nonchalant smile on his face. His attitude was too relaxed and indifferent for someone who had made him wait so long.

Santiago bowed his head and greeted him concisely.

“Duke Santiago of Makari greets His Majesty the King.”

The King looked straight at him without frowning. The arrogant attitude of looking down on Santiago was evident in his lofty gaze.

“You’re quite confident.”

That one sentence was like a signal foreshadowing the atmosphere of today’s audience. Santiago didn’t bother to answer. It wasn’t a place for emotions to be exchanged. Today was a time to exchange logic. Both the King and Santiago knew that there was no room for emotions to enter.

The King chuckled and slowly moved. He didn’t sit on the throne but walked slowly around Santiago, asking briefly.

“Where’s Yulania? Why did you come alone?”

It was an expected question. The accuracy of the prediction made him bitter, but Santiago answered without hesitation.

“Yulania is not in a condition to travel right now.”

The King’s eyes narrowed.

“Don’t tell me she’s pregnant?”

At the blatant question, Santiago smiled very briefly. He almost clicked his tongue, but fortunately, he managed to turn it into a small smile. However, the smile vanished in an instant, and he said indifferently.

“Who knows.”

The King was displeased with his attitude but seemed to be holding back for appearances. He couldn’t hide it from Santiago, who was more sensitive to energy than anyone else. Soon, the King turned his back and slowly sat on the throne, saying.

“You’re getting more and more impudent these days.”

Santiago looked at the King for a moment and said without flinching.

“I don’t follow Your Majesty’s orders because I’m weak.”

The King looked at him with interest.

To start with meaningless fault-finding. There was no need for him to bow his head when he was innocent. Today, in particular, was a meeting to straighten out their relationship. Santiago continued, in a low position but with an attitude that was not at all servile.

“I only follow because I was taught that way when I knew nothing.”

The King leaned back and twitched his lips. Santiago was silent for a moment. Then, he opened his mouth with a fleeting smile.

“I hope you understand that the kingdom could be trampled by demons depending on my decisions.”

The King’s face darkened. He gripped the chair and muttered bitterly.

“It’s a pity. That a thankless wretch like you serves a king like me.”

Santiago narrowed his eyes and slowly replied.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have much attachment to the Tinley Kingdom.”

The King’s expression froze for a moment. Seeing that face, Santiago finally gave a sincere smile.

“If that happens, wouldn’t it be safer to protect the Makari territory?”

He quietly added, in a firm tone as if gripping a sword. The King was silent. The air in the audience chamber grew heavier and colder.

After a while, the King said in a low voice.

“Still, you can’t deny that I bestowed grace upon you.”

“Yes. I received the most precious thing and didn’t know the grace.”

Santiago bowed his head lightly. The King raised his eyebrows at the words.

“I will try my best even now.”

Santiago’s voice was resolute. The King stared at him for a long time before spitting out like an order.

“Relinquish all authority over Princess Yulania.”

“What?”

Santiago replied quietly, with a murderous aura in his expressionless face.

“From what I hear, you didn’t act like a father.”

The King’s face contorted. Santiago continued smoothly.

“I don’t think Yulania has any obligation to act like a daughter either.”

The audience chamber became suffocatingly silent. He had not discussed this part separately with Yulania. He had only talked to her about Santiago’s own position and the Makari territory. But Santiago had no intention of easily overlooking what the King had done to Yulania so far.

The King gritted his teeth but no longer tried to suppress his emotions.

“You, really.”

But Santiago interrupted him and said calmly.

“I don’t need to be a Duke.”

The King’s eyes widened.

“But someone who is not a Duke of the kingdom would also have no need to face demons for the country.”

The King couldn’t say anything. Santiago quietly bowed and turned around. He didn’t look back. His every step was colder and harder than the chill that filled the audience chamber.

He went straight out of the castle gates. Only one thought was clear in his mind.

‘I’ll be there soon, Yulania.’

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