Chapter 12

Julia sat alone in the large carriage and looked out the window.

The celebration of the Nation Establishment would be held in three days, and Julia was on her way to the capital early at the call of the Empress.

Lately, the Grand Duchy has been cumbersome due to the demons that have invaded its borders.

Fernan's journey to the capital was somewhat delayed, and Julia could not go with him.

Julia's eyes gleamed sadly as she stared at the empty seat in front of her.

After such a long time, Julia arrived at the Imperial Palace and was led inside by a servant.

When she entered the reception room of the Central Palace, the Empress, who was sitting there beforehand, greeted her with a bright smile.

"Welcome, you must be tired from the long travel.”

“Empress. Don't worry, I had a comfortable journey.”

Julia sat down at the tea table and faced the Empress. Unlike the emperor, who seemed somewhat uncomfortable, the Empress was a person who made others feel at ease.

The Crown Princess, who was also present, was a honest and compassionate person, so Julia quickly adapted to the occasion.

"By the way, I am concerned that the Grand Duchess seems to be thinner than the last time I saw her."

Veronica, the Crown Princess, opened her mouth cautiously. Julia tried her best to smile.

"My health hasn't been good lately. But It's nothing to worry about.”

"I see. I hope this is not too much for you.”

Veronica smiled softly. She was wearing a loose maternity dress with her dazzling blonde hair hanging to one side.

She was in her fifth month of pregnancy, and her face was bright and full of happy spirit.

"How about you and Veronica join me for evening mass? At present, there are priests staying at the Imperial Palace to pray for pregnant women.”

The Empress spoke softly, and Veronica nodded, clapping her hands.

"Do so! I will ask the priest to bless the Grand Duchess' health.”

"No, I can't bother the priests who came for the Crown Princess.”

"Don't even think about it. You are also a member of our imperial family."

The Empress smiled benevolently and recommended it again. Eventually, Julia nodded and thanked her. The small tea party continued in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

This was the only time that Julia, who had fallen into a serious depression at the Duke’s mansion, was able to put her mind at ease.

In the evening, Julia went with Veronica to the temple for mass. Once they were inside, the priests were seen kneeling on the podium.

They were glowing from the sunlight permeated through the stained glass windows .

"Priest Matheus.”

Veronica quietly called the priest. The man sitting in the middle of the priests slowly turned his head. He had silver hair, almost white.

“Welcome, Princess Veronica!”

He looked at Veronica for a moment, then quickly turned his gaze toward Julia.

His quiet eyes wavered calmly.

"This is Grand Duchess Caesar. I brought her here to attend Mass with me."

"I see.”

He looked at Julia with a deep gaze and quickly changed his words lightly.

"Mass will be starting soon, so please take a comfortable seat."

Sitting in a long row of seats, Julia watched the priests draw the cross sign. Soon the priests stood in front of the altar and proceeded with the beginning ritual.

Julia stared quietly at Matheus as he delivered the lecture. His voice was gentle and serious, soothing.

When Matheus recited a prayer for the rite, a priest brought a silverware containing holy water.

“May peace and stability be with the mother and unborn child.”

Matheus raised his hand over Veronica's head and sprinkled the holy water.

He recited the congratulatory text in a quiet tone, and slowly opened his eyes. He then nodded to Julia to tell her to come forward.

Julia stood in front of the altar and closed her eyes.

“May the blessings of God be with you always.”

The holy water flowed down along Julia's hair. Apparently, his voice seemed to seep slowly into her heart.

“Have we meet before?”

He asked in a quiet tone. Julia blinked her round eyes absentmindedly. 

“Oh, no… this is the first time I've seen you…"

"I see. I made a slip of the tongue."

Smiling softly, Matheus wrapped up the blessing ceremony.

Somehow Matheus seemed to know her. But no matter how much Julia thought about it, her encounter with him did not exist in her memory.

Julia felt strange and looked back at him.

***

Fernan arrived in the capital in time for the day of the festival.

The Emperor's parade in the morning was eventually escorted by the Imperial Knights.

After the parade was safely over, the attendants hurriedly prepared for the banquet in the Central Palace. Hearing the news that Fernan had arrived, Julia hurried down to the main hall on the first floor.

She was dressed in a dark green dress, and the people kept glancing at her.

The elegant dress with dark gold lace decorating the neckline

made her look even more stunning than usual.

“Your Grace, you're here.”

While Julia was loitering in the hall for a while, someone called out to her. She met him downtown the other day.

It was Fernan’s aide.

"I've come to deliver His Highness' message. He said you can go to the banquet hall first as he’s running late.”

“Oh… I see.”

It was customary for a couple to enter the banquet hall together. Julia, who had naturally expected to enter with Fernan, felt a little lost.

She thought about waiting, but he certainly would not want her to wait.

“Thank you for telling me. Hmmm …."

Julia hesitated for a moment . This was because she did not know the name of the aide.

Noticing this, Lloyd belatedly made a formal greeting and politely introduced himself.

"My name is Lloyd Allen. Please feel free to call me Lloyd.”

"Thank you, Lloyd."

Smiling softly, Julia quickly made her way to the palace where the banquet hall was located.

Following an attendant's directions, Julia entered the banquet hall alone and stood in front of an empty table.

Some of the ladies who found her approached with a friendly smile.

“Grand Duchess, how are you? I haven't seen you since the last tea party."

“Yes, how are you?”

Formal greetings were exchanged and after a short pause, the Crown Prince and his wife entered the banquet hall.

Veronica gently held her swollen belly as she was escorted by the Crown Prince.

"Those two are always so close.”

"I heard the Crown Prince is very sweet. They were like that since the beginning of thier marriage.”

"Oh, what are you talking about? You husband is as sweet as honey.”

As the ladies began to joke about their husbands, Julia had nothing to say. She wondered how they could be so close to each other when they had all met in political marriages. Far from being intimate with Fernan, they had never had a friendly conversation.

"What about the Grand Duchess?"

"Eh?"

Julia's complexion stiffened a bit when question was directed at her.

“Everyone is very curious to know what Grand Duke Caesar is like.”

“Both of you don't come the capital often, so I'm really curious to know how you're doing.”

The noblewomen looked at her with curiosity. Smiling awkwardly, Julia spoke carefully.

“His Highness is very busy. And I'm a little lonely because there aren't any ladies in the estate to hang out with. But I'm doing well in my own way."

She replied in a roundabout way, and fortunately the noblewomen nodded and chimed in.

“That's right. It must be hard to invite all the people you know in the capital.”

“But you'll invite us at least once, right? I'd be very happy if the Grand Dcuhess would call me."

"Yes, I will.”

The conversation quickly returned to a different direction. Only then did Julia, who was taking part in the conversation at ease, turned her head at the buzzing voices.

From a distance, she could see Fernan entering the banquet hall. All the people's gazes focused on him at once.

Apparently, his appearance attracted more attention than the Crown Prince.

Julia, who was wondering what to do, approached him cautiously after greeting the ladies.

"Your Highness."

Fernan turned at the sound of a small voice. Julia looked up at him, gently tugging at the hem of her dress.

When she finally called out to him, Julia felt very frightened. She was afraid that he would ignore her and go elsewhere.

But perhaps because all the people were looking at him, he did not show his usual cruelty.

"Let's go to our seats."

Fernan opened his mouth dryly and reached out his arm to her. Staring at him with surprised eyes for a moment, Julia folded her arm around him.

Looking at his reluctant face, she felt that he had no choice but to act.

It was a bit bitter, but she didn't feel so bad about being escorted by him. As she headed to the empty table with him, the Crown Prince, who found them, approached with a bright smile.