Chapter 29

Cornelia said that she heard the conversation between Julia and Fernan on the day of the national banquet.

"Why don't you find someone in advance? Whether it's someone to soothe loneliness or someone to go to after divorce.”

Julia remembered the elegant voice that said this while staring at her in front of Fernan’s private residence.

Julia's face gradually darkened.

If Fernan was close to Cornelia, and if the matchmaking was exchanged, it would not be surprising if she deliberately spread such rumors.

"It's already been a year and there's been no news from you, so I had a rough idea… but you are, and always have been a fool.”

The Marchioness murmured with an expression that made it hard to tell whether she was angry or mocking.

It was a dual emotion. She was angry at Julia for bringing disgrace to the Elody family, but at the same time she felt slight satisfaction at seeing her treated as befitting her lowly birth.

Julia didn't panic, she just closed her eyes slowly as if she was numb.

Even if such rumors were circulating, it didn't matter now. There was no more reason to be hurt.

Anyway, she intended to somehow get out of the position of the Grand Duchess before winter ended. When Julia didn't show any reaction, the Marchioness frowned heavily.

"How I have lost face in front of the noble ladies because of you…"

"Mother."

Julia raised her quiet eyes and stared at the Marchioness.

The Marchioness’ eyes narrowed for a moment as her gaze was devoid of any emotion.

Julia spoke in an uninterested voice.

"Why don't you go home now?"

"What?”

“It's getting quite late. I'm a little tired too."

The Marchioness stood up and raised her voice.

"How dare you kick me out.”

Shedding her gentle mask, the Marchioness could not contain her anger. Julia just avoided looking at her as she raised her hand in the same way the Marquis did the other day.

But the difference between the Marquis and his wife was that the Marchioness’ sense was a little more sensitive.

Seeing the expression that everything was annoying and exhausting of Julia, the Marchioness lowered her hand and glared at Julia.

"You have an ulterior motive, don't you?"

The Marchioness had never seen Julia look like this before.

She had only seen her shrugging, shaking, and just meekly doing as she was told.

At the Marchioness’ words, Julia squeezed her soft palms, but her expression was as calm as she could be. The Marchioness stared at her for a long time and spoke in a relaxed tone. 

"When you step out of the shadow of our family, a woman like you is just a lowborn on the street.”

Julia will never be free from her oppressive life, that was what the Marchioness meant.

“So don't dare to climb up blindly, and just do what you're told to do for the rest of your usefulness.""

Julia gradually unfolded her hand, which had been tightened. She felt the pain of hitting her heart violently, but her expression hardened. 

"It doesn’t matter what you say.”

"What?" 

"You need to leave now."

Julia was ready to do anything to avoid this misfortune. Therefore, those accursed words could no longer bind her to this hell. 

Julia walked to the door, opened it, and looked back at the Marchioness. As the Marchioness paused with a look of dismay on her face, Julia quickly called out to a chambermaid who was passing by over the corridor.

"The Marchioness Elody is leaving, can you show her the way?”

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll do so.”

Julia looked at the Marchioness again. When the gaze of the servant reached her, the Marchioness had no choice but to move her feet.

However, even as she walked out of the room in a bad mood, the Marchioness didn't forget to glare at Julia. And so the Marchioness disappeared across the corridor, and Julia closed the door without hesitation.

***

The first thing on the agenda for the next day was a meeting of the women of the imperial family.

It was a meeting regarding the banquet and charity events that would be held after the Crown Princess's birth. The Empress asked Julia to travel to the capital often in the future. She was of the opinion that since the Grand Duke was not deeply involved in the affairs of the capital, it would be preferable for her to maintain a close relationship with the Imperial Palace even with the Grand Duke.

To her words, Julia answered honestly that she would do that. But it was a promise she wouldn’t be able to keep.

After that, with some time to spare before the next schedule, Julia went alone to the side garden of the Palace. In the center of the vast garden was a maze garden of ash trees. Julia emptied her head as she slowly walked through the maze.

There were three days left on the schedule.

"…ha…”

Julia sighed deeply. Even though it had only been one day, she already felt exhausted. Returning to the Grand Duchy wouldn't change that, but it was better than this unfamiliar Imperial Palace.

When she turned at the corner with a gloomy face, Julia unexpectedly met someone walking from the opposite side of the path. It was a boy of about ten years old, wearing a white priest's uniform. 

The boy who spotted Julia smiled at her. The boy had a familiar face. Julia then remembered she had met him in the temple of Ilion. 

It was the young priest who took her to see Matheus that day. 

“How are you?”

The child greeted her in the same cute voice as then. It seemed that this young priest was included among the priests who were supposed to come from the temple of Ilion. 

Julia smiled and bent her knees.

“We meet again, priest.”

Seeing that the child was here, Matheus must have arrived at the Imperial Palace as well. Before Julia could ask anything, the child spoke as if he could read her mind.

"Master Matheus has gone to the Central Palace. He has some things to prepare for the Mass that will be held in the afternoon.”

“I see. So the priest is alone?"

Julia asked gently, meeting the child's gaze, and gave him a little tap on the head. 

"Yes, Master Matheus said I could look around the garden.”

The child replied with a soft look in his eyes. Julia smiled gently at how cute he looked and suddenly held out her hand.

“This garden is complicated and you might get lost. Would you like to walk with me?"

Looking at the offered hand, the boy’s eyes widened for a moment. Then, he smiled and took Julia’s hand.

“Yes.”

With the little hand in hers, they walked through the maze garden together.

The boy talked about many things. The reason Julia was here was for the Crown Princess' birth mass, and she would only stay for a week, but Matheus had to stay for over a month.

He then said that he was Matheus' only disciple and said something cute about being older than he looked.

“May I ask how old you are?"

Julia asked curiously, and the child seemed hesitant and shook his head.

"It's not a good time to ask, but I'll definitely tell you later."

The child who spoke like an adult was cute, and Julia stroked his hair without realizing it.

The wavy brown hair curled in her hand. The boy with his eyes widened blushed a little in embarrassment.

Then, when they reached the fountain, the entrance of the maze garden, the boy suddenly raised his head and looked at Julia.

"My name is Cedric."

Then, he asked cautiously, his green eyes shining.

"If I ask your name, would it be impolite?"

Julia ummmed for a moment, then answered slowly.

"I’m fine, but it might be rude to others."

She spoke politely, worried that the child might ask the other nobles their names, then bent her knees again and made eye contact.

"My name is Julia."

"…Julia."

The child mumbled her name as if imprinting it in his head. Then, immediately, he smiled brightly.

“Julia, can we take another walk together tomorrow?"

"Of course."

Since she had to stay in the imperial palace for the next three days anyway, she had a lot of time to meet the boy and take a walk with the free time in between schedules.

"Priest, then I will see you here again tomorrow at this time."

"Yes.”

Cedric was a lively child, reminiscent of grass and trees.

The tight, stuffy feeling seemed to have eased a bit while Julia was with the boy. Julia grabbed his hand again and left the maze garden.

The garden, bathed in winter sunshine, had a peaceful atmosphere.