The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 85

In the middle of the day, as a warm breeze seeped into the castle, Yuliana sat on a long chair by the window, quietly turning the pages of a book. The sunlight cast a beautiful glow, filling the room with peace, and the birdsong from the garden, along with a faint floral scent, tickled her heart. However, her gaze was not fixed on the book. The tip of her finger slowly traced her belly. A familiar sensation arose beneath the gently rising curve. She felt it clearly once more.

“It’s moving again,”

Yuliana murmured in a low voice, carefully pressing her hand down. As if the baby heard her, it responded by tapping her hand with its foot.

At that moment, the door opened and Santia entered. He brushed back his half-loosened hair with his hand and asked before Yuliana could even look at him.

“Did it move again?”

Yuliana smiled and nodded.

“It’s been doing it since a while ago. It seems to be even more active when it hears your voice.”

Santia went straight to her side, kneeling down. He placed his hand over hers on her belly, whispering softly.

“Is it here?”

A moment of silence passed. And as if on cue, the baby moved again under Santia’s hand. His eyes widened.

“Really.”

Yuliana couldn’t help but giggle.

“It can already distinguish its father’s voice.”

“At this rate, it’ll come out wielding a weapon,”

Santia said with a serious face, then touched his forehead with one hand.

“I wonder if it’s a son.”

“I was thinking the same thing. It’s so active.”

“Then are you saying it’s a son who takes after me, not a daughter who takes after you?”

Santia frowned.

“That’s a bit dangerous.”

“Why?”

“A cute, lovely, and obedient daughter like you would be fine, but a stubborn and short-tempered son like me would definitely be a troublemaker.”

Yuliana chuckled.

“He could be a kind and responsible child like you.”

Santia fell silent for a moment after hearing her words. Perhaps that was the greatest compliment. Santia placed his hand on her belly and stroked it slowly. As the baby’s movements continued for a while, he even put his ear to her belly without a word.

“I can’t believe this is actually happening,”

Santia said quietly.

“That there’s a life I created inside your belly.”

His words brought a warmth that seemed to caress Yuliana’s heart. Along with anticipation for the baby, the still-awkward word “father” was slowly taking root in his heart as well.

Yuliana looked at Santia and gently reached out to touch his face. In his eyes, she clearly saw a bewildered joy.

And since some time ago, the couple’s displays of affection had become more frequent. Closer than before, they naturally held hands several times a day, confirming each other’s warmth and sharing short kisses.

“You’re going to be a really good father,”

Yuliana whispered.

Santia embraced Yuliana, placing his hand once more on her belly. His large hand enveloped Yuliana’s round belly, and the warmth slowly spread.

“Let’s be the most reliable parents in this child’s world. Both of us.”

“Yes.”

As night fell and the starlight beyond the window began to shine quietly, the two held each other’s hands tightly, together envisioning the life yet to be born. Within it were mixed anticipation and fear, love and responsibility, but their gazes were fixed on the same place.

Toward a small and precious miracle called the approaching future.

The sunlight grew more dazzling with each passing day. Before they knew it, the season had passed spring and reached the threshold of summer, and Makari Castle was enjoying more peaceful and vibrant days than ever before. The garden was in full bloom, and the castle stones quietly absorbed the light, coloring the days and nights.

Even after the banquet, people continued to come and go, and Yuliana spent each day carefully, yet fully.

Then one day, an unexpected message arrived at the castle gate in a carriage. The sender was Yuliana’s younger brother, Yurvan, who was staying in the capital. Santia was out patrolling outside the castle, so Yuliana received the letter directly from Vanessa’s hand.

The envelope was stamped with the royal crest, and the seal was surprisingly neat and careful. She tore open the seal in one swift motion and took out a folded piece of paper. Yurvan’s unique handwriting, neat but somehow lacking in strength, caught her eye.

[To my sister.]

The beginning was strangely polite. Yuliana raised her eyebrows slightly and carefully read the next line.

[In truth, I have tried to write this letter several times since that day. But the reason it has been so delayed is, well perhaps because I have not been able to convince myself.]

Her eyes moved slowly. Something contained in the lines was different from the Yurvan she knew. The familiar arrogance remained, but a subtle texture was mixed within it.

[When Lord Santia was staying in the capital, Father secretly sent people to the Land of Demons to find something. I watched it happen from the sidelines. As a king, and as a father, it was not a beautiful sight at all.]

Yuliana felt the tips of her fingers tremble quietly. Each sentence came across as surprisingly clear and truthful. In addition, things she had not known were being revealed in the quiet letters.

[Perhaps, I was envious of seeing Lord Santia protecting you. That envy turned into shame within me, and that shame turned into annoyance towards you.]

He might not be considered mature yet. Nevertheless, that was Yurvan’s way. She could understand a little why her brother, who always sent subtle glances, was so uncomfortable, why he always said things that went astray.

[If you are well may I see my niece or nephew’s face?]

The letter concluded like that.

The signature [Sincerely, Yurvan] was attached below.

Yuliana quietly inhaled. A feeling of joy and aching welled up in one corner of her heart. She couldn’t define exactly what that feeling was, but what was certain was that the corners of her lips were slowly rising.

After sitting there blankly for a while, she took the letter in her hand and walked to the window. In the spring sunlight, the writing on the letter paper shone more clearly.

Just then, the door opened and Santia entered. He wore a neat coat without a speck of dust, and approached with a composed gait, as was his style.

“A letter just came from the capital.”

Yuliana said, shaking the envelope in her hand.

“Who is it from?”

As Santia approached and asked, Yuliana smiled slightly and handed him the letter.

“It’s from Yurvan.”

Santia took the letter and scanned it with interest. Then, he suddenly said in a voice devoid of laughter.

“This is definitely the writing of someone who has committed a sin.”

“Still doesn’t he seem a little better?”

Santia snorted and placed the letter on the desk.

“I don’t know what kind of heart that guy wrote it with, but you would easily forgive him again.”

Yuliana sighed with a laugh instead of answering. Then, she slowly walked towards Santia and leaned her head against his chest.

“Santia.”

“Yes.”

“Yurvan is still a child. He can change.”

“How long will a child who has been an adult for a long time remain a child?”

Even as he spoke firmly, Santia did not pick her up. He simply wrapped one arm around Yuliana’s shoulders and leaned his head slightly on top of hers.

Outside the window, the new sprouts were still swaying. The seasons change, and people change too. If that change can ultimately lead to positivity, then it might be okay to open one’s heart again. Yuliana thought so.

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