The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 87

As the carriage stopped, the vibrations and the sound of hooves disappeared. A moment of silence. Yulania tried to lift her head and look out the window, but before she could, Santia quietly entered the carriage.

“Are we there?”

Yulania asked, but instead of answering, Santia gently closed the door, blocking the outside view. She looked at Santia with a slightly puzzled expression. Then, Santia took out a fine silk cloth from somewhere and carefully knelt before her.

“Would you mind if I covered your eyes for a moment?”

“Suddenly?”

“There’s something I want to try. Please indulge me for a moment.”

Seeing the taller, gruff man making such a careful request, Yulania found it both absurd and amusing. Suspicion lingered, but trust came first.

“Alright. Where are you planning to drag me off to?”

“You’ll like it. I’m sure of it.”

Santia quietly pursed his lips and gently placed the cloth over her eyes. As the soft texture covered her eyes, the whole world turned dark, and her other senses came alive delicately. The touch of his hand felt careful and warm.

Yulania nodded slightly without a word. The next moment, Santia lifted her into his arms.

“A date like this is unlike you, Santia.”

“That’s why I wanted to try it.”

His words were mixed with an awkward laugh.

A gentle breeze touched her face. The scent of nearby grass, the scent of soil, and the faint chirping of birds from afar awakened her senses. After a short journey, Santia carefully set her down on the ground.

“Can I look now?”

“Yes.”

At that short answer, Yulania gently raised her hand and removed the blindfold.

The scenery before her was literally breathtaking. Her mouth opened slightly, and she unconsciously gasped.

There was a lake with water as still as a mirror, shimmering in silver. The mountain ranges surrounding the lake stood silently and reverently, capped with eternal snow, and the snowmelt flowing from their peaks seeped into the clear lake. The sky was dyed a deep blue, with fluffy white clouds hanging here and there.

Near the lake, a small picnic mat was neatly spread out, and on it were fresh fruits and a simple meal. Santia wasn’t usually the type to prepare something like this, which made it even more special.

Yulania was speechless.

“There’s a place like this here?”

“Yes. It’s been here for a while, but I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want anyone to know.”

“It’s so beautiful.”

Santia quietly watched her gazing at the scenery with a face full of admiration, then, as if relieved, he came closer and put his arm around her shoulder.

“Do you like it?”

“More than anything.”

Yulania leaned against him and whispered quietly. Tears of admiration welled up in her eyes, sparkling in the sunlight.

“Actually, I didn’t expect you to prepare something like this for me. Especially knowing what I would like.”

“Did you think I didn’t know you?”

“No. I’m just surprised that I seem to know you better and better these days.”

The two sat quietly on the mat. Santia opened the prepared lunch box and took out things that suited Yulania’s taste one by one. The fruit was already prepared, and the tea was wrapped in leather to keep it warm. More than anything, she could feel the care.

Yulania quietly looked at Santia. The way he silently prepared the meal for her, taking care of every little detail and handing it to her, felt like he was a different person.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because you’re being too cute right now.”

Santia frowned slightly, but couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

“If I had known, I would have tried to look a little more presentable.”

Yulania laughed, stroking her belly.

“It’s enough. Even now, just as you are.”

The lake was endlessly calm, and the gentle breeze softly fluttered their hair. And in that peaceful atmosphere, the two sat together in silence for a long time. Words were unnecessary. Just the fact that they were together was enough; it was the most perfect sanctuary in the world.

The cabin was small and cozy. Traces of time remained in every corner, but the interior, cleaned of even a speck of dust, held a cozy warmth like a treasure hidden for a long time. Yulania, who had opened the door and stepped inside, carefully looked around. An old space that didn’t seem to have been touched by many hands at first glance. But that very fact seemed to add to the specialness of this place.

“This is my first time here. I didn’t even know there was a place like this.”

As Yulania quietly expressed her admiration, Santia silently took her luggage and placed it on a chair in the small living room. Across the narrow living room, there was another door that seemed to lead to the bedroom. A fireplace and a small window, and a wide platform where you could sit by the window. It was simple but had a warm atmosphere. Above all, the view of the lake seen through the window made this small cabin seem like a hideaway outside the world.

“It won’t be too uncomfortable.”

Santia said worriedly. Yulania shook her head slightly and smiled.

“It’s okay. I feel lighthearted and comfortable.”

After finishing speaking, the two took a tour of the interior together. In the small cabin, there were a few old books and wooden furniture, and above all, the small dining table leaning against the inner wall was impressive. It was just the right size for two people to sit side by side. Soon, Santia carefully took out an apron and tied it around his waist with clumsy hands.

Yulania stared blankly at the sight, and almost burst out laughing.

“An apron?”

“Yes.”

“Anyone would think you’re a chef.”

“I learned from the chef. I wanted to try this at least once.”

Santia said with a serious face and went into the kitchen. There, pre-prepared ingredients were neatly arranged, and a pot was placed on the already heated stove. Yulania watched the process with her mouth open.

The way he handled the ingredients, cutting them as if he were still a knight wielding a sword, was still the same, but the way he nonchalantly and neatly prepared the vegetables and slowly marinated the meat in the seasoning clearly showed his intention to become accustomed to it.

“I didn’t know you would learn something like this.”

“There are many things I need to learn. Because a child will be born soon.”

Yulania smiled and waited, swinging her legs. Every sound coming from the kitchen felt like music to her. The scent of gently cooked veal and the savory aroma of pie crust filled the room.

Santia sparingly spoke and calmly continued cooking. And finally, he brought out a pie and spring vegetable dish neatly arranged on a plate to the table.

“Now, please try it.”

Yulania seriously picked up a spoon. She took a bite of the pie, blinked, and then slowly chewed and nodded.

“It’s much more delicious than I thought.”

“More than you thought?”

“Much more than I thought. Your Grace.”

Yulania emphasized the word ‘much’. Only then did Santia smile slightly. And he slowly filled her plate and silently began to eat as well.

Without much conversation, the two finished their meal in a warm and fulfilling atmosphere. Just the fact that they were together made this cabin a perfect sanctuary.

Yulania stroked her belly and sat there for a long time. The baby in her womb was moving slowly. Santia noticed her movement and quietly came closer, putting his arm around her shoulder.

“Are you happy?”

He asked in a low voice.

Yulania nodded and replied.

“Yes. Really.”

A small house, a small table, and this quiet time created by a small, gentle heart. Far away from the complicated things of the world, they were enjoying a peaceful day with the person they loved and the child they had not yet seen.

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