Chapter 88
The old man who treated me was named Calosa.
Yulia met with Calosa twice a week for examinations and medication.
Every time she took the medicine he prescribed, she felt her body grow lighter, as if a cool sensation were spreading through her mind.
“Have you experienced any unusual symptoms? Memory lapses, or strange dreams?”
Calosa’s question came abruptly, as usual, after watching her take the medicine.
Yulia set down the water glass and hesitated before shaking her head.
“No, nothing like that. In fact, I’ve been sleeping so well lately that I hardly dream at all.”
“Hmm… Is that so?”
Calosa nodded slightly, but his expression was subtly troubled.
It had only been about two weeks since Yulia began regularly consuming the holy water.
With no significant improvement yet, it seemed they’d need more time to observe.
Soon, his face returned to its usual indifference as he continued,
“Good that you’re sleeping well. So, how have you been spending your days?”
Even after treatments, Calosa never left immediately—he always made small talk.
Though not naturally warm, years of treating young patients in Carnocia had taught him to feign kindness around them.
To Calosa, Yulia was just another child, and he made an effort to be gentle.
By now, Yulia had grown accustomed to him.
“I haven’t been doing anything strenuous. I was told it’s best to avoid overexertion until the treatment is complete.”
She fidgeted with her hands. In truth, it was Fernando who had insisted she rest.
“Focus on recovering. Don’t worry about politics or external affairs.”
A faint blush crept into Yulia’s cheeks.
“…So lately, I’ve mostly been staying in the castle.”
The corners of her lips curled slightly. These days, it felt like she was living in a dream.
She’d wake up to a world that had changed overnight—her once-indifferent husband now treated her like a different person entirely.
The Fernando she knew had never been an affectionate spouse.
He was rarely even in the castle, making it difficult to see him at all.
On the rare occasions they shared a meal, he never spoke to her.
In short, he was a husband who showed no interest in his wife.
But now, he was different. He no longer left the castle, and whether at meals or teatime, he was the one initiating conversation.
As she struggled to suppress a smile, Calosa chuckled.
“Well, I should be going. Wouldn’t do to keep you from your husband.”
Yulia’s eyes widened. She hadn’t mentioned Fernando at all, yet Calosa spoke as if he already knew.
Was I that obvious? Flustered, she stood as well.
“Then, please take care on your way back, Father.”
Calosa gave a curt nod and crossed the room. A maid hurried to open the door for him.
Only after watching him disappear down the hallway did Yulia turn away—
—and froze.
“Is the treatment finished?”
A familiar low voice.
She whirled toward the door.
Fernando stood in the doorway. At the sight of him, color rushed to her face.
“No major improvements, but her condition is stable.”
He exchanged brief words with Calosa about the treatment.
Yulia lingered, waiting for their conversation to end.
“The holy water—no, the medicine—has been administered sufficiently. She need not take more for now. Just monitor for changes.”
With that, Calosa left.
Fernando finally turned to Yulia, who had stepped closer.
“Your Highness.”
Her flushed face tilted up, lips parted slightly.
The gaze he returned was calm and tender—
—a look that still felt foreign to her.
“The weather is good. Shall we take a walk?”
His voice, as gentle as his eyes, was just as unfamiliar.
Yulia nodded without hesitation.
“Let me just grab my coat.”
She hurried into the dressing room, cheeks pink.
Fernando watched her go, then slowly surveyed the bedroom.
Not a single thing had changed since the day Yulia disappeared.
He’d forbidden anyone from entering without permission—even himself.
So seeing her here now made it feel as if everything had truly returned to two years ago.
As if all that had happened was just a dream.
Click. The dressing room door opened, and Yulia skipped toward him.
A white shawl draped over her shoulders, her bright eyes eager.
Every time he saw her like this, Fernando had to suppress the contradictions churning inside him.
He loved her like this—unable to hide her joy at something as simple as a walk.
But it also filled him with regret.
If only I’d treated her this way from the start, none of this would have happened.
Masking his thoughts, he led her through the lobby. Suddenly, Yulia spoke.
“Your Highness.”
He glanced down, waiting. She worried her lip.
“Are you… not busy? Is it really alright for you to stay in the castle like this?”
She cherished their time together, but a part of her feared it would end.
In her mind, Fernando was still the “busy husband”—this peaceful interlude couldn’t last.
“I’m not busy. Even if I were, I’d stay.”
His reply came softly, as if he’d read her worries.
The words surprised her—so much that she couldn’t hide her shock.
Or the smile that followed.
“…Then, will you keep spending time with me like this?”
She pressed her lips together, peering up at him.
“Yes. Of course.”
His answer was immediate. He memorized her glowing face—
—until the image of her resigned expression from that day superimposed over it.
There was a complete difference between the Yulia of the past and the Yulia now.
If she regains her memories, will she resent me again?
Will she feel deceived, manipulated?
Even so, Fernando wanted to bury the past.
Just until she remembered—he wanted to erase their tangled history.
If I could start over, I’d never neglect her again.
He’d thought it countless times.
And perhaps now was that chance.
A fleeting opportunity to make things right.
A servant opened the grand doors. The crisp autumn air rushed in.
Fernando gently took Yulia’s hand.
She flinched, then slowly looked up. Her wide blue eyes shimmered.
“I won’t leave you lonely anymore.”
His whisper was low as he laced their fingers together.
Her startled gaze softened—
—then curved into a quiet joy.
Timidly, she curled her fingers around his.
The delicate warmth in his palm made his chest ache.
・。.・°✧・°・。.・
