Chapter 18

Fernan looked at Julia with an expressionless face and then quickly turned his attention to Matheus. Matheus rose from his seat and greeted him.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, My Lord. I am Matheus, priest of the Temple of Ilion."

“I was told that the Crown Princess sent you. What is it for?”

Approaching them without hesitation, Fernan took a seat and tilted his head. Matheus smiled lightly and replied.

“The Crown Princess, concerned for the safety of Lady Julia, asked me to visit the Duke's castle.”

Fernan’s gaze turned to Julia. She was staring into space like someone lost in thought.

"And with your permission, I would like to bless the castle.”

Fernan, who had been staring at Julia, opened his mouth without hesitation.

"Do so."

As Fernan’s reply fell, Julia suddenly looked at him. Their eyes met, but she did not react much and spoke to Matheus.

"I will show you the room where you will stay after dinner."

"Thank you."

Matheus smiled softly. Julia also looked at him, her lips raised faintly.

A faint ripple occurred in Fernan’s eyes as he watched the scene.

***

After Matheus had left the castle, Julia was often absent-minded.

Sitting at the table, she stared at the pendant in her hand.

The pendant, engraved with a blue gemstone, was given to her by Matheus before he left.

The pendant contained part of Matheus’ power. Julia put the pendant in a drawer.

She checked her pocket watch and quickly left the bedroom. Then she stood in front of the railing and looked down at the main hall on the first floor.

Fernan was always passing by, walking towards the doorway.

Julia always gets up at the time of Fernan’s departure.

Otherwise, there was no chance to see him to her heart's content.

She had long ago stopped standing by the servants to see him off in person. She didn't want to get a scornful look from him again.

So she was content to look at him, even if it was just for a moment.

‘I’m a fool.’

The end between them was already decided.

For a time she thought they would have many days together and she tried to change his mind, but it was useless now.

‘I love him, but I know that I can't keep this heart for long.’

However, Julia was not ready to give up on even seeing him from afar.

"Oh, Your Grace.”

Walking down the corridor with a weak gait, Julia turned around at the sound of a voice calling her.

Melissa, who had brought one of the letters with her, stopped in front of her.

“A letter was sent from Marquis Elody.”

Julia stared at the letter Melissa held out to her, and immediately accepted it.

Returning to her bedroom, she sat down in front of the table and left the letter unopened.

Even if she didn’t open it and read it, the contents were already known. For the Marquis sent her letters with the same content every day.

‘··· What am I supposed to do?'

Julia sighed deeply as she clutched her eyes with her slender hands.

Fernan said he didn't want her heart. He never wanted her as a wife. He thought about ending this marriage and kept pushing her away.

However, her father told her to keep Fernan around somehow. He urged her to make babies and make this marriage more solid….

Julia bit her soft lip and bowed her head. She felt like her head was going to crack.

***

In the end, Julia didn't answer the Marquis's letter as she always did.

Since then, all the letters that arrived every day piled up on one side, and she pretended not to see them. If no reply from her, the Marquis might come to the castle and get mad at her.

But Julia didn't want to bother with these letters any longer.

She turned off her thoughts and tried to read a book, then she suddenly looked out the window. Autumn was almost over already.

As time went on, she had no idea when she would be driven out of this castle. Fernan didn't say anything. He was just busy as usual, and it was hard to even see him. So Julia decided to make the best of the situation and take it easy.

It was just after noon when she took a walk around the castle.

After looking up at the sky for a while in the faint sunlight, she suddenly heard a loud noise.

"We have to leave right now. Hurry up.”

As she turned, Julia saw Bennett fumbling around near the stable.

Julia was just passing by the road, so without thinking she spoke to Bennett.

"What's going on?"

"Oh, Grand Duchess.”

Bennett replied hesitantly as he bowed his head.

"I received a letter addressed to His Highness the Grand Duke, and it seems to be urgent."

Julia's eyes grew wide as she stared at the letter in Bennett's hands.

It was because the front of the envelope was sealed with the pattern of the Marquis of Elody.

"Do you know what it is, by any chance?"

"I don't know, but the servant who brought the letter said it was urgent and said to give it to His Highness immediately.”

Julia had a bad feeling. She looked serious and averted her gaze, then quickly held out her hand. 

"I'll give it to him.”

“You want to give it to His Highness personally?”

Bennett seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then gave her the letter.

Soon the horseman, whom Bennett had called, was pulling the carriage over. 

Since she was already dressed in her outdoor clothes, Julia made no special preparations and got into the carriage immediately.

“Have a safe trip, Your Grace.”

Bennett saw her off, and the carriage began to drive away.

Julia stared at the window with anxious eyes. She couldn't sit still seeing the letter was sent to Fernan from her father.

Julia hadn’t replied to any of the Marquis’ letters, and now he sent it to Fernan instead…

Julia clasped her hands together. She didn’t know what exactly, but she had a feeling that it definitely wasn't a good thing.

It may be a groundless fear, but Julia couldn't trust her father.

She worried that her father might try to give Fernan the drug like he gave her last time.

She thought she would feel better if she went directly to Fernan and asked him about the letter. She didn't want to create any more misunderstandings with him.

“Your Grace, we have arrived at the mansion.”

Before she knew it, she reached the destination and the horseman opened the door.

Julia got out of the carriage and briefly scanned the exterior of the large mansion.

It was only today that she learned that Fernan had a separate mansion. She was dubious about it, but she needed to speak to him first.

The moment she reached the gate, Julia bumped into someone who was walking out of the mansion.

"Ah!" 

"Oh, I'm sorry…"

Julia was about to apologize, but paused. The person who came out of Fernan’s private mansion was someone she knew.

A woman with her red hair down gracefully. It was Cornelia, Duke Blair’s daughter.

Julia remembered her from the day of the banquet, when she talked to the noble ladies and they greeted each other briefly.

"Eh, Grand Duchess?”

Cornelia looked at Julia with her big eyes. 

Julia froze in place and stared at the gate of the mansion Cornelia just walked out. Why would Lady Blair come out of Fernan’s mansion? When Julia herself only found out today that Fernan had a separate residence…

Julia's mind froze blank for a moment.

"Um, Your Grace, you can’t go in now.”

Cornelia smiled beautifully as she looked at the frozen Julia.

"It's probably best if you don't go in."

"… What do you mean?"

Julia asked back in a hard tone, and Cornelia leaned her back against the large gate.

She stared at Julia, her gaze filled with interest and mockery.

"On the day of the Founding Festival banquet, I heard the conversation between His Highness and the Grand Duchess."

At the leisurely reply, Julia’s face darkened as she remembered that day.

Cornelia, who was looking at Julia closely, continued with amusement.

"It seems that His Highness is thinking of divorcing you…"

Cornelia's eyes narrowed as if she felt sorry.

“Poor thing.”

Cornelia smiled with satisfaction as she watched Julia's expression change from time to time.

“Why don't you find someone to soothe your loneliness too?

"…"

"After the divorce, you’ll have someone to reconsider."

Was this what the sudden ominous premonition was about? Cornelia didn't speak any of it directly, but Julia could see the meaning of her words at once. It was about the possibility that Fernan might have another woman in his life.

And at the same time, rumors around her suddenly danced in her head.

Julia stared with shaky eyes at the mansion where Cornelia was blocking the entrance.

She wanted to ask Fernan the truth, but she was immediately afraid. Because Fernan had already told her about the end of this marriage, and most of all, he hated her.

What difference would it make if he told her the truth when he didn’t even think of her as his wife from the beginning?

Julia pictured him in her mind, looking down at her with his usual cold eyes and hurting her with even colder words.