Chapter 70

The refreshing coastal city in summer boasted cool scenery just by looking at it.

The mansion that Fernan had prepared was located on a high ground that could be seen beyond the sea to the horizon. In the distance, several ships were seen going to and from the port.

Seyref, which took five days to arrive, was a beautiful land.

“The interior is decorated arbitrarily.”

Passing through the colorful entrance door, Fernan spoke.

With those words, Julia looked around the interior decorated in bright colors.

Decorated statues everywhere and large picture frames hanging in the hallway.  Even the elegant tapestry of the dark series was made with attention to detail.

“If you don’t like it, we can redecorate it.”

Julia shook her head and answered.

"I like everything.”

She felt like her heart would be cleared up if she stayed in such an open place.But she shouldn't be too affectionate.

Julia quickly climbed the stairs and looked at the large window hanging on the landing wall.

It felt as if the vast sea spread out through the window opened up to the depths of the blockage.

“Shall we go to the beach together in the evening?”

Fernan, who came closer to her, asked.

“I’d like that.”

Fernan nodded as if he was satisfied with the gentle answer. Julia stared at him for a moment.

His handsome face, which was no different from his usual, was not stained with tiredness, even though she had never seen him sleeping during the entire ride in the wagon.

“Your Highness, aren’t you tired?”

In response to the quiet question, Fernan looked at her clear eyes softly as if it contained the blue sea.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, he thought that Julia and this coastal city go together very well.

When there was no answer from him, Julia gently grabbed his hand.

“Go to the bedroom.”

Julia, who smiled slightly, led him up the stairs one step at a time.

Fernan, who had taken his steps suddenly, was gently led by her.

As they entered the long hallway on the third floor, the waiting attendant led them to the assigned bedroom.

Julia, who opened his bedroom instead, released her hand.

“I’ll come and call you in the evening. Please rest well."

Seeing how friendly Julia was today, Fernan's eyes became subtle.  As if conflicting whether to rejoice or have doubts.

While he hesitated, Julia nodded her head as if she was telling him to go in.

Seeing the small smile on the corner of her lips, Fernan eventually moved his feet.

"See you later."

“…okay."

Only after Fernan, who answered softly, went inside, Julia turned away.

Walking slowly in the wide hallway, Julia took a deep breath.

Her bedroom was a little farther from Fernan's bedroom. When the large door opened wide, a bedroom decorated with bright colors just like the lobby was revealed.

Julia looked around the room for a moment. Each piece of furniture and decorations were placed with great care.

She removed the silk canopy and sat down on the bed, her body quickly got tired.

In fact, before she came here, she had already made an appointment with Cedric.

The deadline was one week later. She agreed to meet him at Lian, the largest port in Seyref.

She didn't know what would happen, so she didn't set the exact time.

[I'll wait forever, so don't overdo it and come to me when you're sure]

Cedric said he would stay at an inn near the port and wait for her.

When she met him safely, she would take a ferry and leave the empire first.  Cedric has said that her ticket and ID would be secured in advance.

So, until then, she wanted to do whatever her heart wanted.

Julia looked out the window.  It was still a hot afternoon. She wanted to walk on the windy sea in the evening.

It was around sunset when Julia, who had fallen asleep without realizing it, woke up.

Not long after, her temporary assigned maid came to attend to her.

“What kind of evening dress would you like to wear?”

As she followed the maid into the dressing room, a space as large as her bedroom was revealed.

Julia looked at the clothes hanging on the hangers with a bewildered face.  All of the summer clothes that had been mended to fit her body shape were brand new.

‘When did he prepare all these?’

Having entrusted her body to the hands of her maid, Julia fell into a slightly complicated mood.  Because she didn't know she would be so meticulously equipped.

She wore a dress made of light material, and low-heeled shoes.

After that, she left the bedroom to find Fernan as promised, and to her surprise, Fernan was standing in front of the door.

“Your Highness, when did you come?”

"A while ago.”

Fernan raised his lips slightly as he looked at her.

He looked a little different than usual, not in his usual uniform, but in a matching white poet shirt.

He was not the overwhelming and cold northern ruler, but a noble young master of a noble family.

For the first time he looked like a young man his age.

If he had been the heir of an ordinary aristocratic family, he would have looked like this.

A handsome, calm, and somewhere cool but daring man.

"Let’s go. Let’s eat first.”

At his calm voice, Julia erased her brief thoughts and nodded. She didn’t know why, but her heart was pounding.

Standing side by side, they slowly made their way through the hallway to the stairs.

Eventually, when they arrived at the dining room, the smell of spices unique to the city hit the tip of her nose.

Being a coastal city, the meal was mainly seafood.

“Then, have a good meal.”

The waitress, who was carrying the food to the table, politely bowed and turned around.

So the meal time began with a gentle silence.

It was the silver spoon that dropped to the floor with a clunking sound that broke the silence that had been going on for a while.

Fernan raised his head and asked.

“Are you okay?”

As he looked to see if there were any other problems with Julia's meal, an innocent voice came out.

"I’m okay. I just accidentally missed it.”

With a small smile, Julia lowered her trembling hand under the table. A cold sweat broke out on her back.

The pain that seemed to twist her body started again.

Meanwhile, the servant brought out new tableware.  As if nothing had happened, Julia started eating again.

Fernan, who had been watching her for a while longer, withdrew his attention as there seemed to be nothing wrong with her.

As they left the dining room after finishing their meal, Julia spoke first.

"Your Highness, let's go see the sea tomorrow."

Fernan looked down at her quietly.  Her complexion was slightly paler than before.

Before he could ask anything, Julia hurriedly added.

“I don’t feel well, so I think I should go and rest.”

“Is it very bad?”

Julia shook her head.

“It’s not enough to worry about, I’ll be fine with a little rest.”

There was a hint of concern in Fernan's gaze, but she pretended not to know and spoke in a calm voice.

“Then, I’ll go up first.”

Julia tried to climb the stairs slowly so as not to look urgent. She felt Fernan’s gaze was watching her, but she did not look back.

She went straight to her bedroom, and as soon as she opened the door, she collapsed on the bed.

"ha…”

Grasping her trembling hand tightly, she let out shallow breaths.

For some time now, the cycle of pain has been increasing. 

Her hair was long and messy.

Still, as long as she doesn’t bleed in front of Fernan, it would be fine.

Julia put her knees up and buried her head.

She just hoped it wouldn’t get any worse than this.

***

The next day, Julia could not spend time with Fernan as planned.

The maid came to wake her up several times, but Julia couldn't get up.

After sending the maid away using an excuse of tiredness, she continued to sleep.

“How’s Julia….”

Around the afternoon, Fernan, standing in front of her bedroom, asked the maid. The maid bowed her head and reported.

“She’s still sleeping. I tried to wake her up several times, but she seemed very tired….”

Fernan looked silently at the closed door, and then he turned the doorknob.

As he opened the door, a small figure, lying on her back, buried in the bed, caught his eye.

"Julia."

He had visited her in the morning as well. Julia was sleeping then so he turned around. It was strange that she slept through the afternoon.

Fernan walked closer to her bed and gently stroked her disheveled light hair.

Julia, who had not moved, finally flinched her shoulders.

“Are you sick?”

As his quiet voice descended, Julia rustled and slowly rose up.

The eyes looking back at him were wet. Her face was even more emaciated than yesterday.

Fernan reached out and touched her forehead.

“You have a fever.”

“…  it's okay."

“Call the doctor.”

Ignoring her answer, Fernan ordered the maid.

The maid bowed her head and walked out of the room, and Fernan lowered his hand from her forehead to her cheek.

Her face was hot, completely covered by his large hand.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?”

“It doesn’t hurt.  It's just that I'm tired from riding the carriage for too long yesterday."

Her voice was shaky as it came out.  Fernan looked at her with a piercing gaze, and then slowly removed his hand.

“Julia, even if it’s a small problem, see a doctor first from now on.”

"Okay."

Julia's eyes curved faintly as she answered softly. Still, Fernan’s face was stained with concern.