The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 94

The capital was bustling with preparations for the upcoming Harvest Festival. As the King’s birthday fell during the Harvest Festival period, it had become the most important event of the year during his reign.

News that a royal banquet would soon be held quietly spread throughout the castle. Some servants, anticipating Yulania’s attendance as in previous years, prepared the lining for her dress in advance. Vanessa, who had been in charge of Yulania’s attire, also subtly inquired about her preferences while observing her complexion.

However, Yulania remained noncommittal for days, only responding with ambiguous smiles. Finally, she formally voiced her decision on a quiet afternoon while working with Santia in the study.

“I’m not going.”

Yulania conveyed her decision to Santia in a firm voice. She briefly added the reason.

“I don’t want to attend with a heart that can’t sincerely celebrate. I plan to make time to see Father separately.”

Since departing from Makari, Yulania had been contemplating whether to attend her father’s birthday banquet. She hadn’t had a proper conversation with her father since fleeing to Makari. Her biggest concern was creating an embarrassing scene at the birthday banquet, but she also felt guilty towards her father.

Regarding Shuria, she hadn’t even informed him of the pregnancy and came to the capital like this. Ironically, coming to the capital with the child would serve as a good excuse for not attending the banquet.

Verbalizing the thoughts she had been organizing gave her a bit more confidence.

Santia, who had been organizing documents on the desk, looked up at her. Although the words were spoken without any preamble, he didn’t seem surprised. He hadn’t been consulted about her concerns, but he must have foreseen it to some extent.

After a brief silence, he quietly opened his mouth.

“You’re passing the responsibility onto me?”

Yulania’s eyes curved into a slight smile at his words. It was a reply tinged with humor.

“Maybe. I’m sorry. But I’m really okay, so you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

Staying in the capital and not attending the banquet was not a good look at all. However, since Yulania had made the decision for her own comfort, she didn’t want to send Santia alone again.

Hearing those words, Santia nodded firmly once.

“If you’re okay with it, so am I. I will go.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

As Santia put down his pen and looked at her, Yulania slowly approached and leaned against the desk where he was sitting. Santia also followed her movements with his eyes, then looked up at her as she came closer.

“When did you become so dependable? The day has come when you’ll attend a royal banquet alone.”

“Am I your son?”

Santia slightly raised his eyebrows. He was sometimes a little uncomfortable when Yulania found him cute or admirable. She was probably the only one in the kingdom who treated the best prosecutor like that.

Instead of answering, Yulania circled around the desk and moved into his arms.

“Where else would you find such a dependable son? Duke Santia.”

Only after hugging Santia’s head and pressing it against her chest while speaking in an affectionate tone did he chuckle.

“I have nothing to hide, and I’m not worried about anything. Since I’ve come all the way to the capital, I’ll just pay my respects and come back.”

“Shuria and I will be waiting.”

Santia wrapped his arms around Yulania’s waist and reassured her with his eyes. His calm reaction melted away even the lingering worries Yulania had.

Vanessa had been subtly watching Yulania since hearing the news of her absence. She had served Yulania since before her marriage to Santia. She understood better than anyone what kind of life she had lived in the royal family and what kind of awkward relationship she had with the King.

Eventually, she hesitated but finally opened her mouth.

“Princess, are you really not going?”

Yulania was sitting by the window, enjoying the sunlight. In her hand, she held a small woolen hat that Shuria had used. She stroked the edge of the hat with her fingertips and slowly raised her head.

“Yeah, I’m not going. Who would look after Shuria if I went out?”

Vanessa frantically waved her hands.

“We’ll take good care of the little one! Where else would you find someone who takes care of her as directly as the Princess does? We’re the ones who should be sorry.”

Yulania looked at Vanessa for a moment. Then she spoke in a quiet but profound voice.

“You know, Vanessa.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“I don’t have many memories of my mother. She was there when I was young, but I don’t even have a memory of being held by her.”

Vanessa’s eyes wavered. Although she was a maid, Vanessa secretly regarded Yulania as a younger sister in her heart. She knew that she hadn’t received much affection from the royal family, so she had been even more affectionate towards her.

“Princess!”

“So, I want to be a mother that Shuria remembers. So, that when she closes her eyes and thinks of me, she can always recall my embrace. That’s what I can do for her, and what I really want to do.”

At that moment, Vanessa couldn’t hide her emotions and wiped her eyes.

“Princess, really. You make me feel so sorry when you say things like that…”

As they quietly smiled, Shuria began to babble on the bed. Seeing her slightly move her head and raise the corners of her mouth, Yulania smiled back.

“This child has such a gentle personality. She was so fussy in the womb, though.”

“Still, they say that kicking back then was a sign of good health, and looking at her now, it seems to be true.”

Vanessa said with a smile. Yulania nodded at her words. The nine months she carried the child were vividly recalled. Those times were unfamiliar and difficult, but the result was brilliant. This little life was so lovely that it covered all the pain she had endured.

On the morning Santia left to attend the royal banquet, the hallway of the Makari mansion was unusually quiet. It was an early morning with a light fog. The birthday banquet was held in the morning to coincide with the King’s early rising time.

Yulania held Shuria in her arms and went to the gate to see him off. Strangely, the young baby would open her eyes wide early in the morning whenever her father went out.

“It might be late in the evening.”

Santia said as he fastened the last buckle. He was wearing a well-tailored uniform instead of armor, but somehow, this attire seemed to weigh more heavily on him.

“Don’t worry. Vanessa, Maya, and Diego are here too.”

Yulania held Shuria in one arm and adjusted Santia’s collar with the other. She tidied up any stray pieces and said,

“Contact me immediately if anything happens. I’ll find some excuse to get out of here.”

“Nothing will happen. I’m a little concerned about the kind of looks you might receive at the banquet.”

Santia closed his lips and then carefully opened them after a moment.

“Don’t worry about unnecessary things. If you’re worried about that, you made the right decision not to come.”

“Is that so?”

Yulania felt relieved at Santia’s incredulous reaction. Santia lowered his head slightly and kissed the back of her hand at her gentle smile. Shuria didn’t miss him approaching and reached out her hand while babbling, and Santia gently held his daughter’s small hand as well.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Santia whispered in a small voice and met Yulania’s eyes as if making a promise. She nodded and said.

“Have a safe trip. And be sure to…”

“Yes.”

“If you hear anything unpleasant, let it go in one ear.”

“I’m confident in that.”

With that, Santia mounted his horse and left the mansion. Yulania stood in front of the gate and remained still until he was completely out of sight. Shuria made soft breathing sounds in her arms and looked in the same direction.

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