The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 82

Finally, it was the day of the spring banquet.

Every window in Macaki Castle shone brilliantly, reflecting the spring sunlight off its transparently clean glass, and the hall was filled with the voices of busy servants and people excited about the banquet preparations. This banquet was not just a ritual to welcome the season, but also a stage to showcase the status of the castle and its territory.

Yulania stood in front of the mirror, carefully clasping her hands as if she had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Behind her, Vanessa and Maya were touching up her hair ornaments, exclaiming in real-time.

“It’s been so long since we’ve styled your hair like this. Princess, you look absolutely beautiful.”

“I don’t know if I should say this, but you’re the most beautiful person in Makari Castle.”

With practiced skill, Vanessa neatly styled her hair into an elegant yet splendid shape, and then placed the hair ornament that Santia had specially prepared in the capital on top. It was an ornament with yellow gemstones densely embedded on delicate gold threads that branched out like small twigs. The gemstones softly emitted light depending on the angle of the lighting, and that light sparkled like her eyes.

Yulania gazed at herself in the mirror and quietly inhaled.

‘It’s different than before.’

Now, she was enjoying this time more sincerely than anyone else. The knot in her heart had been untied, and she could express her feelings in words, laugh, and love. This spring night was an opportunity that would never come again.

Yulania carefully grasped the hem of her skirt with her fingertips and stood up slightly. Then, she rechecked the small tapestry piece that she had carefully prepared inside her coat strings. The palm-sized ornament was a small and heartfelt gift made to be attached to Santia’s sword. The pattern embroidered with gold thread on the thin cloth, like a mini cape, contained the meaning of ‘future.’

‘He’ll secretly smile. Definitely.’

Thinking that, she walked out into the hallway, and Santia, who had been waiting at a distance, bowed politely. Santia, who had added banquet accessories to his more formal military uniform than usual, held out one hand towards her, with a sturdy sword at his waist.

“I will escort you, Princess.”

Yulania took his hand with a smiling gaze.

“It’s an honor, Duke.”

The two walked side by side towards the hall. The curtains hanging along the hallway fluttered in the spring breeze, and the fragrant scent of grass from the garden lightly brushed past. The castle servants and managers lined up on both sides of the hallway and bowed to the couple. Those whose eyes met theirs could not hide their admiration, and whispered as if captivated by Yulania’s elegant and peaceful appearance in particular.

“Now she really looks like the Duchess of Makari.”

“If only the Duke would smile a little more often.”

Yulania chuckled inwardly. The fact that Santia had been smiling a lot more lately was something only she knew.

At the end of the hallway leading to the hall, the noisy atmosphere of the banquet was seeping out from beyond the brightly opened doors. Numerous northern nobles had already arrived and were buzzing, and their gazes were directed towards the entrance with anticipation that the Duke and Duchess would soon enter.

Santia stopped walking and looked at her for a moment in front of the door.

“Are you alright?”

“Of course. You know how much I’ve been waiting for this day.”

When Yulania smiled brightly, Santia’s expression softened slightly as well. Then, he carefully took her hand and linked it with his arm.

“Then, let’s go in.”

With those words, the door opened. The two slowly walked into the hall illuminated by golden light. All eyes were on them. A moment of silence flowed, followed by thunderous applause and cheers.

The appearance of the Duke and Duchess of Makari. The two, who entered as dignified as a king and queen, left a strong impression in the memories of everyone present.

The central hall of Makari Castle was already filled with nobles and invited guests. The faint red sunset was seeping through the high windows, and the gemstones embedded in each wall were reflected in a warm golden light, embracing the banquet hall. This banquet, called the flower of northern society, was originally held around the end of each winter, but this year, its meaning was ripening a little differently with the energy of spring.

Everyone held their breath as the Duke and Duchess of Makari appeared. The two, walking slowly but very neatly, seemed like a symbol in themselves. Yulania was wearing a white dress with a light yellow tint. Her round abdomen was subtly revealed, but her movements were dignified, and a clear and firm smile spread across her face. On her head was a hair ornament that Santia had personally made in the capital, and at its center was a small, refined gemstone that shone like a small life.

Santia, who was guarding her side, was protecting her with a composure as if he would not lose in any battlefield. The sharp lines and simple silhouette of his black uniform, and above all, the delicate gaze beyond his stoic face, made him look even more solid.

As the two entered the hall, the venue became quiet for a moment. Everyone bowed their heads to pay their respects, and the atmosphere of the banquet hall changed as if it were a symbolic moment. No one gathered there dared to speak first, quietly welcoming the two.

Yulania walked towards the prepared platform. Since it was the banquet she had prepared, she had to give the first greeting. When she stood on the platform, a natural aura spread as if the place had been hers for a long time. When she raised her hand, her voice, spreading quietly, reached the entire hall.

“Thank you for coming all the way here despite the long journey.”

A short and clear first word. And a soft and warm applause followed. Yulania quietly accepted the applause and continued to speak.

“Today’s banquet is not just a gathering prepared because the season has changed. It is a gathering prepared to share the good news that has come with spring with you all.”

She smiled and placed her hand on her abdomen.

“Above all, I would like to celebrate the small life that has come to our couple.”

Applause spread. Some noble ladies had tears of emotion in their eyes, and others carefully took out handkerchiefs and covered their faces.

“And one more thing. Santia Makari has finally defeated the Devil, who has been a threat to our Makari territory and the entire Tinley Kingdom.”

A reaction of admiration and surprise spread through the banquet hall, and soon turned into enthusiastic applause. Some, overwhelmed with emotion, even stood up and cheered.

Only then did Yulania turn to Santia, who was standing next to her.

“All this victory and peace was possible because of him. I would like to give a small gift to the guardian of Makari, Sir Santia.”

She took out a small tapestry box she was holding in her hand. The decoration embroidered with thin gold and silver threads was a mini-cape-shaped ornament specially made to be attached to the side of the scabbard. When she quietly held it out, Santia could not hide his momentary embarrassment, but soon knelt down on one knee and held out his hand.

“I will gladly accept it, my lady.”

As he slowly received the ornament, small exclamations leaked out from among the nobles. Santia immediately attached the ornament to the side of his scabbard, and in that instant, the light reflected off the gold thread, spreading a sparkle as if starlight had settled there.

That scene became an image that would remain in everyone’s hearts for a long time.

Soon, the music began. The banquet had truly begun. Dancers gracefully moved around the center and danced, and servants lined up and began to serve food. In the hall where the light of the gemstones slowly rippled, the Makari couple stood in that place as the perfect center.

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