“At the moment, the most likely cause is internal injuries, so it’s best to administer the prescribed medicine and wait for consciousness to return…”
With a bleak expression, Fernan pressed his forehead and signaled for the doctor to leave with a slight nod.
The doctor bowed and exited the room, leaving a deep silence to settle in.
Julia lay quietly, her complexion pale, barely breathing, as still as a statue.
Fernan sat heavily on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on her unmoving eyelids.
It had been three days since they arrived, and Julia showed no signs of waking up.
He had been told that she had a heart condition, but if that were the case, there was no reason he couldn’t feel her pulse.
Without thinking, Fernan gently held her slender hand. But there was no warmth in her ice-cold skin.
“Julia.”
He whispered her name several times, his voice filled with a tinge of frustration.
Though she lay within arm’s reach, Julia no longer gazed at him with those once radiant eyes.
So close, yet their eyes couldn’t meet.
Fernan slowly extended his hand towards her face, cautiously brushing his large fingers against her cold cheek.
At that moment, Julia suddenly began to cough faintly.
For the first time since arriving, she made a movement, and for the first time, Fernan’s eyes showed a hint of relief.
The dry cough continued a few more times.
Fernan, watching her cracked lips, picked up a cup of water from the bedside table.
Supporting her shoulder with one hand, he tilted the cup towards her parched lips.
But the water spilled down her chin, soaking the sheets before she could swallow it.
Watching her intently, Fernan didn’t hesitate. He brought the cup to his own lips, filled his mouth with water, and leaned towards her.
Their lips met lightly as he transferred the water into her mouth, and her pale neck moved slightly as she swallowed. He repeated this a few more times before pulling away.
He wiped the moisture from her lips with his thumb, and his hand lingered on her lips for a moment before retreating.
As he laid her limp body back down, the coughs subsided.
For the first time, her breathing became more distinct.
Finally, feeling a faint sense of relief, Fernan pressed his fingers to his eyes. Then, he removed his hand and gently caressed her cheek once more.
At the end of his careful touch was a faint but renewed determination that had long been absent.
“…I might not be able to let you go anymore.”
“……”
“It’s not too late… wake up, Julia.”
He muttered as if declaring to her, even though she couldn’t hear him, a hint of self-mockery in his voice.
Once was enough for pretending to be a good person.
Even if Julia rejected him and resented him, it couldn’t be helped.
Better that than allowing her to leave his sight and face danger.
No, that was just another excuse.
The truth was, he simply didn’t want to lose her anymore.
Though he didn’t deserve to have her by his side, he wanted her close, where he could see and touch her.
“…Julia.”
Fernan continued to repeat her name meaninglessly.
Hoping that one day her clear, bright eyes would open and look at him, even if only once.
* * *
From then on, Julia’s condition gradually improved. Her breathing and body temperature returned to normal.
But her consciousness still had not returned.
It was only then that Fernan decided to leave for the Empire with Julia.
To prevent word from spreading that she had survived, she was moved to an old villa instead of his estate.
It was an old villa at the southernmost edge of the Grand Duchy, a place he had rarely visited.
“Why did His Highness bring Her Highness here?”
Adrian, one of Fernan’s lieutenants, murmured as he gazed blankly beyond the villa.
Lloyd, standing beside him, responded in a casual tone.
“It must be to prepare for when Her Highness wakes up.”
The villa was located in a quiet mountain village, far from the city.
Beyond the villa lay a wide field and a blue lake, an elegant and serene view fit for a winter retreat.
It was probably similar to the small village in the Holy Kingdom where Julia had lived.
“Adrian, how was Her Highness’s life in the Holy Kingdom?”
Lloyd, who had been leaning on the railing, suddenly asked.
Adrian was one of Fernan’s loyal spies planted in the Holy Kingdom.
He had faithfully reported Julia’s whereabouts and had escorted her from the convent.
“Just as the reports say. She led a very simple life.”
The convent where Julia stayed was easily accessible, so there was no need for elaborate surveillance.
By attending mass as a common worshiper, it wasn’t difficult to keep track of her.
“Do you know anything more personal about her life?”
Lloyd asked cautiously, hoping for something that might help his lord.
The biggest concern now was what would happen once Julia regained consciousness.
Would she be able to accept the situation?
It would be helpful to gather any information, no matter how small, to bring her around.
Adrian blinked slowly, recollecting his thoughts.
“If you’re asking about her personal life… Ah, it’s nothing special, but Her Highness seemed to be quite good with her hands.”
“Good with her hands?”
“Yes, there were flower wreaths in front of the convent, and I heard that Her Highness made them all herself.”
“Really?”
Lloyd listened carefully, thinking it might be worth suggesting to his lord to build her a garden.
“Ah, and this wasn’t included in the report, but…”
Adrian hesitated before lowering his voice and whispering.
“I once heard a rumor that the priest and Her Highness had a special relationship.”
“What?”
Lloyd’s eyes widened in shock, and Adrian quickly added, “It’s just a rumor! There wasn’t enough credibility to report it.”
Regretting his words, Adrian fell silent, but Lloyd was already deep in thought.
Should he inform his lord? It was just a rumor, but would it stir unnecessary trouble?
But before Lloyd could finish his internal debate, he felt a sudden, cold presence.
Turning slowly, his heart sank when he saw Fernan standing quietly behind them.
“Y-Your Highness, how long have you…?”
Only then did Adrian realize Fernan was there, letting out a startled gasp.
While the two men stood frozen in shock, Fernan’s face remained impassive.
But as they watched his expression darken, it became clear that he had heard everything.
“Continue.”
Fernan nodded at Adrian, his voice calm but his gaze sharp.
“What was the relationship between the priest and Julia?”
“W-Well…”
Adrian glanced at Lloyd for help, but Lloyd only shrugged, avoiding eye contact.
Adrian, close to tears, had no choice but to obediently answer his lord’s pressing questions.
* * *
Drip, drip.
The faint sound of water droplets tickled her ears.
Julia slowly opened her eyes, regaining her senses little by little.
Her half-open blue eyes gleamed dully as she stared blankly at the ceiling, then shifted towards a familiar face sitting beside her.
“…Y-Your Highness?”
The woman sitting by the bed, holding a wet cloth, gasped in surprise.
As Julia stared blankly at her, her eyes slowly widened.
“Melissa…?”
It was Melissa. Her hair had grown a bit longer since Julia last saw her, but her large features and brown eyes were unmistakable.
For a moment, Julia wondered if she was dreaming.
“Oh my… I thought you would never wake up…”
Melissa cried, grabbing Julia’s hand tightly.
But Julia, still dazed, could only stare back at her.
Why was Melissa here? Where was she?
Struggling to gather her thoughts, Julia tried to recall her last memory.
She had been heading to the lord’s mansion for a garden party.
After pondering for a while, Julia’s eyes suddenly widened in shock.
She couldn’t remember anything after that.
She had been riding in a carriage, watching the snow fall outside the window… and then nothing.
