Chapter 89
In the Imperial Palace of the Formene Empire,
On the fourth floor of the Emperor’s palace, in the room where the office was located, the Emperor’s voice, filled with dissatisfaction, echoed loudly.
“Didn’t the Duke reinforce the defense of his territory?”
A month ago, the Emperor’s trusted subordinates, who had been sent to the Illion Temple, returned only to be killed.
Not only did they fail to capture the target, but they had also been discovered by Fernan.
The woman whom the Emperor had secretly ordered to be kidnapped and brought to him was now most certainly within his territory.
In haste, the Emperor had sent more men to the Duke’s territory, but they reported that the defenses were so tight that it was impossible to infiltrate.
“By the way, regarding the woman you mentioned, the Duke supposedly hid her in the temple and then brought her back,” said the Crown Prince, Javier, sitting across from the Emperor, opening his mouth with a somewhat displeased look.
“In my opinion, I don’t think she’s an outsider,” he added.
The Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly in confusion.
“Why do you think that?”
Javier placed his hands beneath his chin and briefly hesitated before answering.
To Javier, his cousin Fernan had always been someone who lived on his own terms since childhood.
Even in times when he had no power or reputation, Fernan never bowed to anyone, never submitted.
And that proud nature extended to his relationships with women.
With his decent appearance, he had no shortage of women around him even before he went to war, and naturally, after the war, even more came.
But never had Javier seen Fernan show any sign of allowing a woman into his personal space or offering any leeway. It wasn’t just a matter of physical attraction.
‘But…’
There had been one time when Javier saw Fernan do something he had never done before.
It was when the former Duchess, the daughter of Marquis Elodie, was around.
At that time, it was well known that Fernan had been quite reluctant to his own wife.
However, one night at the founding ceremony banquet, Javier had noticed Fernan’s gaze subtly following his wife, even while talking to others or listening to the Emperor’s speech.
Moreover, Fernan had rejected Duke Blair’s marriage proposal at that time.
Javier, who was aware of the many people watching him closely, understood what was going on.
While it might seem like a simple affection for his wife, something about it didn’t sit right, and Javier had never forgotten that moment.
Thinking back on it now, he realized those incidents might have been the trigger.
But more than that, what troubled Javier the most was what had happened after the disappearance of the former Duchess.
In social circles, rumors had circulated that Fernan might have killed his wife secretly, out of hatred, but Javier knew better.
He knew Fernan had gone mad searching for his wife for half a year.
Despite his subordinates’ efforts to conceal it, Fernan’s actions—traversing foreign lands—were not something that could be fully hidden.
From this, Javier had gathered that Fernan did not regard his wife as just a political tool.
Afterward, rumors started again in social circles.
“They say that Duke Caesar has a secret lover hidden away. That could be the real reason he rejected the national marriage proposal.”
These rumors, which stemmed from Fernan’s refusal of the national marriage, gained traction when Duchess Elodie herself provided proof of them.
The Emperor and the Duchess believed that Fernan’s secret woman was an outsider.
However, Javier now had one person in mind.
“…The missing Duchess. It must be her who’s returned.”
With a firm voice, Javier whispered, causing the Emperor’s eyes to widen in surprise.
“Is it the daughter of Elodie?”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes in confusion.
“That’s quite a sudden thought. Didn’t the Duke dislike my wife immensely? Why would you think this?”
Javier lightly raised one corner of his mouth.
Rather than dislike her, it seemed likely that she had now become his only weakness.
“Trust in my family. The woman the Duke hid in his territory is most certainly the Duchess.”
The Emperor, looking skeptical, stared at his son with a gaze full of certainty.
After tapping the table several times, the Emperor nodded.
“Then you take charge this time. Find a way to bring that woman hidden in the Duke’s territory to me.”
Javier adjusted his uniform and promptly responded.
“Yes, there are several ways to go about it. But, I believe the Duke’s mother, Duchess Elodie, would be the most suitable for this task.”
If they couldn’t invade the Duke’s territory directly, they would have to make the Duchess come out on her own.
If they couldn’t attack the Duke, they would attack the woman, his weakness, a typical plan from the Emperor’s son.
Javier believed that Duchess Elodie would know how to make it happen.
Rising from his seat, Javier wore a more intense expression of greed than his father had.
He immediately summoned his attendants and ordered them to send someone to Duchess Elodie’s house.
Meanwhile, in the Forest
The sound of footsteps crunching on fallen leaves echoed softly.
Tall trees towered above Yulia, casting long shadows.
As Yulia walked, she suddenly looked up.
At that moment, Fernan, who had been walking beside her, met her gaze.
Yulia always felt at ease when their eyes met, as though it was the most natural thing.
She also loved the feel of his large hand, which never let go of hers.
“It feels like I’m dreaming,” Yulia murmured absentmindedly. Even though she spent every day walking with him, it still felt like a dream.
She gently stroked the back of his hand with her thumb, feeling how much sturdier it was compared to hers.
“Why do you think that?” Fernan asked with genuine curiosity, looking at her calmly.
At that moment, a small leaf fluttered down and landed in her hair.
Fernan naturally reached down to remove the leaf, his delicate touch making Yulia blink in surprise.
“Because you’re always by my side… it feels like I’m dreaming,” she replied.
Her life with him, walking hand in hand through the forest, exchanging sweet words—this simple life was exactly what Yulia had always dreamed of.
The man she had never forgotten since childhood, Fernan, was now by her side, and it made every moment feel surreal.
Fernan smiled faintly, his eyes fixed on her clear ones.
Yulia, captivated by his smile, whispered, “This happiness makes me feel anxious.”
The anxiety, though, was hard to place, and it made her even more fearful.
To reassure her, Fernan gently replied, “There’s no need to worry. I’ll stay with you, always.”
Yulia gazed at his warm eyes, and slowly, the anxiety inside her began to fade away, as if by magic.
She slightly tightened her grip on his hand.
“Is that a promise?” she asked.
Fernan nodded without hesitation, and only after confirming this did Yulia resume walking.
As she led the way, a gentle smile finally appeared on her lips.
As they walked, stopping and starting, Fernan showed no sign of irritation.
Together, they continued walking through the cool breeze, enjoying each other’s company.
This forest, located near the castle, was the perfect size for a casual stroll, and lately, they had come here every day.
“Your Highness, let’s walk in the forest even during winter,” Yulia said, turning around with a bright smile.
Fernan smiled softly at her excited face.
“Alright.”
“Next spring… and even in summer,” she continued, listing off promises with no guarantee of when they would come true.
Watching her, Fernan’s smile faded slightly.
He wanted to ask her, if he would still be by her side when the memories returned.
But he no longer had the confidence to keep her by his side.
Every time he tried to hold onto her, she got hurt and fell.
The more he tried to keep her close, the further she drifted away.
So now, if she said she was leaving, he would let her go.
This time, the dreamlike feeling wasn’t just felt by Yulia.
Fernan slowly parted his lips as he watched her.
“I can’t promise that.”
At his words, Yulia hesitated for a moment. She wasn’t sure what he was about to say.
“Why?” Yulia asked, looking at him with a hint of anxiety.
Fernan let out a deep breath and took her hand in his. Each time his fingertips touched hers, Yulia could feel his desire for them to remain together.
“When I’m by your side, you get hurt, you suffer, and I fear that, in the end, you’ll drift away from me. The reason I can’t promise you anything is because I know that being with me will only bring you more pain.”
Yulia tried to understand his words, but deep in her heart, she still trusted him. She shook her hand gently towards him, her voice soft but firm.
“That’s not fear, it’s love. Love cannot hold us back.”
Fernan paused for a moment, gazing at her, his head tilting slightly. His heart wavered. He didn’t want to let Yulia go.
Fernan’s gaze softened as he took a step closer to Yulia, their hands still intertwined.
“Love can bring pain, but it also brings healing, Yulia. I don’t want to see you hurt, but I also can’t live without you.”
Yulia felt the weight of his words deep within her. She had known for a long time that their love was not without complications. Yet, she couldn’t ignore the way her heart raced when she was near him, the way he made her feel both protected and vulnerable at the same time.
She smiled gently, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll be with you, no matter what. I trust you, Fernan. Whatever happens, I’ll face it with you.”
Fernan’s heart clenched. He could feel her sincerity, and it terrified him. What if one day he failed her? What if, in his pursuit of power and vengeance, he lost everything that truly mattered?
He kissed her forehead softly, a promise, a silent vow that he would do whatever it took to protect her. “I’ll keep you safe, Yulia. You have my word.”
Together, they stood in the middle of the forest, the leaves rustling around them, the world seeming to pause for just a moment. Despite the shadows of uncertainty that loomed over them, they knew one thing for sure: they would face the future together.
