I Will Disappear, Grand Duke

Julia could only stare blankly as he entered through the doorway.

She should have struggled, told him she didn’t want this, but oddly, she had no strength left in her body.

As they climbed the stairs and passed through the hallway, Melissa, who was standing in front of the bedroom, was startled and quickly bowed.

Without even glancing at Melissa, Fernan walked straight into the bedroom.

At that moment, Julia came to her senses and began thrashing wildly in his arms.

Even though her hands weakly pushed against him, Fernan strode determinedly across the room to the bed.

As her body sank onto the mattress, Julia spoke again, her voice unsteady.

“Are you going to lock me up again? Are you going to trap me in this hell once more…?”

At the word “hell,” Fernan’s dark eyes lowered deeply.

To Julia, he was hell. In the past and now, he was nothing but a prison where she could never find peace.

“…Even if it’s hell.”

Fernan muttered precariously and then finally lowered his head.

“Still, stay here with me.”

Taking a step back, he slowly turned around. Julia watched his imposing back as he walked away, pressing a hand to her forehead.

With a click, the door closed, and her head began to throb.

Thump, thump. Her heart pounded erratically as she lowered her gaze, her vision slowly blurring.

—

A day passed like that.

The next morning, after a sleepless night, her personal physician, Lokman, came to visit Julia.

It was only then that she learned she had been unconscious for ten days since Fernan had brought her back.

This was the first time she had been unconscious for so long since the time she fell from the cliff a year ago.

Lokman held her wrist and checked her pulse for a long time. He lowered his gaze, measuring something, before finally raising his head.

“Fortunately, I can feel a bit of a pulse now. However…”

Lokman addressed Fernan, who was standing nearby.

Seeing Lokman hesitate, Fernan pressed him.

“Is there another problem?”

“…The flow of blood is still not smooth. The blood vessels leading to her heart are blocked.”

Lokman cast a glance at Julia, who was sitting expressionless.

“Your Highness, do you feel any pain?”

Julia, with her pale complexion, looked as though she wasn’t feeling any pain, her face eerily calm.

She didn’t answer Lokman’s question, instead averting her gaze.

In truth, it wasn’t that she felt no pain. She was simply too overwhelmed mentally to notice the physical pain.

Julia had already realized by now that her power was far weaker than before.

Before, she could sense it, like a mist spreading through her heart, but now, it was barely noticeable.

That meant her life force had diminished significantly.

Fernan, looking at her vacant expression, clenched his jaw in anxiety.

He already knew she had a heart condition.

A physician sent to the Holy Land had previously reported that her condition was improving.

But contrary to that report, she had recently lost consciousness for an extended period.

It was clear her condition had worsened since then.

“For now, it would be best if she took medication to aid circulation, along with some pain relief.”

Lokman answered with his head bowed.

Her condition was subtle, not quite like a typical heart illness, but for now, this was the best course of action.

“After she takes the medicine, we’ll monitor the progress. I’ll take my leave now.”

When Fernan nodded, Lokman bowed deeply and left the room.

With a click, the door closed, leaving only the two of them in the bedroom. Fernan spoke carefully, his voice unusually gentle.

“Julia, if you feel any pain, tell me right away.”

“……”

“Is there anywhere else that’s uncomfortable? Do you have a fever…”

As he reached out to touch her forehead, Julia sharply turned her head to avoid his hand.

Her eyes, cold and lifeless, completely ignored him.

Fernan slowly withdrew his hand, silently watching her.

“Rest. I’ll call a maid.”

Fernan gazed at her, as she refused to even glance at him, before turning his back.

He probably thought having Melissa by her side would help calm her.

But Julia hadn’t yet come to terms with the situation. Even with Melissa, nothing would change.

Eventually, a cold voice escaped from her lips.

“Even if you keep me here, you won’t gain anything, Your Highness.”

Fernan stopped in his tracks and turned his head back.

For the first time, Julia looked directly at him, her expression composed.

“Whatever you want, I have nothing left to give.”

Fernan stared at her. Her face showed no desire to remain by his side, as if even facing him was burdensome.

The look in her eyes pierced him like a dagger, but Fernan only muttered quietly.

“I know that much.”

His eyes briefly darkened. He understood that no words could change her mind.

To Julia, he was someone she couldn’t bear to face.

Julia narrowed her eyes, gazing directly at the man standing before her.

His once handsome face now reflected a mix of hopeless emotions.

Just as she began to feel a pang of curiosity, his voice, devoid of emotion, broke the silence.

“As much as I hurt you, you can hurt me in return.”

“……”

“You can inflict an even deeper wound, and I’ll accept it.”

As she looked at him, her expression confused, his steady voice continued.

“…So stay by my side. Don’t leave.”

As always, his words were a unilateral demand. But this time, his voice sounded almost like a plea.

Julia gripped the blanket tightly and lowered her head.

Whether it was a plea or an order, this man was once again planning to imprison her.

To trap her inside his cage, promising her everything within it, just like before.

“You really haven’t changed at all, have you?”

“……”

“Not even a little…”

Her voice, laced with a bitter smile, carried deep contempt for him. Julia lowered her gaze.

Even if she was trapped again, she would never yield to him.

She wouldn’t give him even a single glance, a shred of her heart, or a word.

Julia swallowed hard, biting her lip as she struggled to hold back her breath.

Fernan silently watched her, willing to accept even her hatred, resentment, and anger.

—

Fifteen days passed like that.

During that time, Julia didn’t have the strength to escape and could only stay in the bedroom all day.

Her health had deteriorated. With each passing day, her energy waned.

Eventually, she discovered that this place was located on the mountainside.

Attempting to escape into the frozen winter mountain would be suicide.

While lost in thought, a knock sounded on the door.

Julia neither turned around nor moved to open it. She already knew who it was.

The door clicked open, and someone entered.

“Julia.”

Though the voice was familiar, Julia didn’t turn her head.

The sound of a tray being placed on the table reached her ears.

“Eat something. You shouldn’t take your medicine on an empty stomach.”

When she didn’t respond, footsteps approached from behind.

“Julia.”

A hand gently touched her shoulder, and Julia reflexively shook him off.

Turning her head, she found Fernan standing close, quietly looking down at her.

“I’m not going to eat.”

“Eat.”

His voice was firm but lacked any hint of force. Julia bit her lower lip and glared at him.

No matter what, she didn’t want to do what he told her.

Fernan silently looked over her thin frame. She had become even more emaciated than she was fifteen days ago. To him, she looked like she could barely stand.

His expression hardened for a moment before he spoke.

“Take out your anger on me. Don’t punish yourself like this.”

Julia’s hands trembled slightly. He was right. She was destroying herself.

But she couldn’t let go of her fragile pride. If she complied with even one of his demands, it would feel like she was giving in.

As she clenched her hands tightly, Fernan murmured softly.

“I’ll bring a maid. Please, eat.”

“……”

“I won’t come back for a while if that’s what you want.”

He gazed at her for a moment, as if memorizing her face, then turned to leave.

Julia didn’t spare him a glance as he walked away, turning instead to the window.

Beyond the window, the sky was bright with the morning sun. But in her heart, there was no light, only darkness.