Chapter 35

"Ah….”

The pendant string fell into pieces, leaving only the jewel in his hand.

Soon, a light filled with holy power spread around Julia. At the same time, her appearance gradually returned to its original state.

Fernan’s face gradually became distorted as he gazed at her.

“Ha..”

He gave a faint laugh with a complicated expression. He looked somewhat miserable.

He kept staring at her, unable to speak so easily.

"How did you know?"

Julia murmured with a puzzled look on her face. How in the world he was able to recognize her?

Now she was even more frightened of this man. She felt like no matter what she did, she could not escape him.

Fernan gripped the pendant in his hand tightly as if to break it, and opened his mouth gently.

"This pendant, I could feel a faint power."

The pendant had lost its light. Matheus didn’t tell her about this when the pendant was cut off, but she knew instinctively.

That the remaining power in the pendant was absorbed into her heart.

Maybe that was why her heart felt hot and tingling as if it was burning. The over-absorbed power began to rampage as if it wanted to escape from this narrow space.

"Let's go home now. You’ve put me in enough trouble.”

Fernan pulled Julia’s hand roughly. She bit her lip as she stared at the knights surrounding her.

There was nothing more she could do. Without saying anything, she was led by Fernan’s hand.

He picked her up in one fluid motion on the saddle, then naturally climbed in behind her.

"Julia.”

His low voice sank. The hand pulled her waist closer was somewhat persistent.

Julia stared at his large hands for a moment, then quickly averted her gaze.

Fernan pulled the reins as he watched her stiffen back.

Soon the horse began to run at a fast pace.

They left the city center and entered the forest leading to the city walls.

Julia looked around, clearing her complicated mind. The trees were thick around the snow covered path.

Through the trees, she could see different paths.

Julia glanced at Fernan’s locked arms around her.

"Your Highness."

Quickly opening her mouth in a quiet voice, Julia turned her face sideways and looked at him.

“I’m tired. Let’s take a break.”

The words were meant to catch him off guard, but her face was pale at first glance.

It was because the pain in her heart had suddenly become much worse after the pendant was cut off.

Fernan watched her without saying a word, but gradually slowed down. Then, having stopped completely, he said something to the approaching knight.

"I ordered them to bring the carriage. It won't take long."

Julia gave a small nod. As she turned to get off the horse, Fernan, who had gotten off first, gave her a light hug.

It was a careful touch.

Stepping onto the ground, Julia staggered for a moment. Her otherwise tired body was even less strong after the long ride on the horse.

She moved her eyes and looked around. It was to find a way to escape.

"Where did you stay all this time?""

At that moment, a low voice fell. Julia remained silent.

“Were you with the priest of the Temple of Ilion?"

Her hands flinched. How on earth could he know that much? Julia dropped her gaze and hid her puzzled face.

“He must have given you the pendant.”

"…"

“If you don't want to answer, do so. Because I can arrest all of them and ask.”

As his harsh voice descended, Julia could no longer remain silent.

“Don’t hurt an innocent person. He has nothing to do with me."

This time, it was Cedric, not Matheus, who had helped her, but if Fernan dug deeper, Matheus would be harmed.

She couldn't do harm to those who helped her out of pure goodwill.

Fernan looked down at her with narrowed brows. Julia faced him straight on and began to speak.

“Why did you look for me?”

Until now, she still did not understand why he would go to such lengths to get her back. Fernan was silent for a while, and then spoke coldly.

"Are there men who would sit still when their wives disappeared?"

Julia lost her words. It was because the word "wife" he uttered felt stranger than any other word at this moment.

"…Were I a wife to Your Highness?"

Fernan closed his lips in a complicated expression at the question.

He couldn’t answer easily because he had never considered her his wife.

Julia struggled to get up. Then she walked along the road, ignoring Fernan who followed behind her.

She didn't want to delay the time any longer.

After a while, she came to a stop on a cliff with an open view.

There was a fierce river flowing beneath it. Her eyes became determined as she looked over the cliff. Perhaps this was the most certain way out.

"Julia, come here.”

As she continued walking, Fernan called out to her in a faint voice. Julia didn't answer and searched her pocket. A small blade appeared in her hand. 

She had hidden it in her robe all this time just in case, but she didn’t expect to use it like this. Julia turned around and pulled out a knife with a firm face.

She wouldn’t scare him with a mere thing like this, but she could stall him for a while.

“You…”

Fernan couldn't help but stare at her with slightly puzzled expression.. 

"Don't come any closer. If you get any closer, I'm really going to stab you…"

Fernan’s face was cold even with her threat.

“Do whatever you want.”

As if he was sure that she wouldn’t stab him, Fernan took a few large steps forward, and Julia flinched and stepped back.

Biting her lip, Julia glared at him as he approached and changed the direction of her blade. The knife that had been aimed at him was now aimed at herself.

"What are you doing now ….?"

Fernan paused, glaring at her with a cold face. Julia stepped backwards nonchalantly.

As expected, it seemed to be more effective this way.

"D*mn it, put down that knife!"

His face cracked at once. With his immediate impetus to pounce, Julia pressed the knife further into her neck.

Red blood flowed down from her neck because she didn’t adjust her strength. But strangely enough, she didn't feel any pain at all.

Fernan’s face distorted as Julia slowly backed away in that state.

“No… don't move any further! I'm sorry…”

While he was unable to approach hastily, Julia's steps gradually approached the end of the cliff.

Fernan slowly stepped back, as if he was not going to get any closer.

Still, Julia did not stop.

Fernan stared at her with a pale face and immediately opened his mouth in a cracked voice.

"Please don't do this. It’s my fault. I’ll do whatever you want….”

He was trembling. It was hard to believe that he was such a cold and heartless husband.

As Julia stared at him, she felt her sense of reality fading.

The blade on her neck, the footsteps on the edge of the cliff, and Fernan’s pleading cries were all unfamiliar.

But one thing was clear: she had to end it here.

At that moment, the scattered snow began to intensify. Julia heard footsteps. Behind Fernan, knights were seen running.

Julia, who were watching them absentmindedly, slowly engraved his face in her eyes for the last time. She knew that if it was not now, she would never be able to escape from him forever. Maybe she would start to love him again.

"… What I’ve experienced so far is enough."

She didn't want to be tied to him any longer.

Julia stepped back a little. Her body, which was already halfway to the edge of the cliff, lost its balance and slowly collapsed.

"Julia!"

Looking at Fernan rushing in desperately, Julia jumped off the cliff. At the last minute, she could see the knights holding on to Fernan as he jumped after her.

Julia slowly closed her eyes. Her body, which was falling at a fast speed, sank deep into the cold river.

At the same time, the divine power that flowed out of her heart began to envelop her body slowly.