“Your Grace, I’m truly honored by your visit, despite knowing how busy you must be.”
Lady Elodie, the Marchioness, greeted the Duke and Duchess warmly. The household servants stood in a line, bowing respectfully as they welcomed them.
“We won’t be able to stay long due to our schedule. I hope you understand,” replied Fernan, maintaining a courteous demeanor as he entered the mansion.
The Marquis, appearing slightly flustered, greeted Fernan as he emerged into the main hall.
“Welcome, Your Grace. I hope my request hasn’t inconvenienced you.”
“It’s regrettable to summon you while aware of your busy schedule.”
Fernan’s dry response momentarily startled the Marquis, who quickly regained his composure with a casual smile.
“Since you’ve come all this way, it’s a shame we can’t offer a proper meal. How about enjoying a light refreshment in the drawing room?”
Given their schedule, they had to return to the palace before evening.
Stroking his beard, the Marquis continued, “Coincidentally, my knights are conducting outdoor training. It would be a great honor for them if Your Grace would observe.”
The Marquis then turned his gaze towards Yulia, who stood beside Fernan.
“Yulia, accompany the Duke and tour the mansion. Please call for refreshments when they are prepared.”
Upon hearing the Marquis’s words, Yulia glanced briefly at Fernan before nodding slightly, indicating she would lead the way.
Ascending the stairs together, Yulia felt a strange mix of emotions.
This mansion held memories of her childhood, marked by pain and scars. She never wanted to return, but with Fernan by her side, she inexplicably felt reassured.
She couldn’t help but feel a bit excited that he had made time for her.
“This room houses a collection of portraits.”
Yulia guided him into the gallery, where paintings adorned the walls.
It was the most lavishly decorated gallery in the mansion, showcasing portraits of the Marquis’s family members.
Avoiding unpleasant memories, Yulia turned her head and noticed Fernan standing in front of one painting.
“Oh, that’s…”
The painting depicted a young, expressionless Yulia seated.
Despite the Marchioness’s objections, Yulia’s portrait had been hanging here for a long time, displayed to entertain guests visiting the mansion.
Fernan paid no attention to other paintings, his gaze fixed on Yulia’s portrait for a long time.
Observing him from the side, Yulia felt captivated by his contemplative demeanor.
The portrait captured Yulia at the age of twelve, around the time she first met Fernando.
Could he possibly remember me?
A faint hope stirred in Yulia’s heart.
However, he remained silent, fixated only on the painting.
With her lips sealed, Yulia cleared her throat softly, diverting the topic.
“I’ve heard there are works by renowned artists in other rooms. Would you like to see them?”
At her words, Fernan finally tore his gaze away from the painting and looked at her.
“Let’s go. I’m leaving now.”
As if concluding his business, he promptly left the gallery. Yulia hurried after him, feeling her cheeks warm inexplicably.
Returning to the main hall, a servant informed them that refreshments were ready.
Approaching the reception area, Yulia cautiously spoke.
“Your Grace, thank you for taking the time to come today.”
Fernan nodded silently. His eyes, usually devoid of warmth, now gleamed with a gentle light.
Yulia’s lips curled slightly upwards as she walked with light, excited steps.
“You’ve arrived. Please, have a seat.”
Upon arriving at the reception, the Marquis, who had been waiting, guided them to their seats.
On one side of the vast garden, ten knights were in the midst of training.
After briefly discussing the knights’ training methods, the Marquis shifted the conversation to his business affairs.
“…Recently, we’ve expanded our silk trade. If Your Grace is interested…”
Throughout, Fernan’s face remained indifferent, almost discourteous.
Despite his almost non-existent responses, the Marquis persisted in engaging him.
To Yulia, he appeared less imposing and somewhat pitiful compared to her usual perception of him as an authoritarian and intimidating father.
Surprised by her own thoughts, Yulia pressed her lips together.
After spending some time together, the Marquis suddenly turned to Yulia.
“By the way, Yulia, would you like to join me for a moment? I’ve purchased some jewelry and dresses for you. They may not suit your taste, but…”
With an affectionate smile and a fleeting glance towards Fernan, the Marquis led Yulia away to a secluded annex.
After seeking Fernan’s permission, the Marquis departed for the annex with Yulia.
The steward looked around before getting straight to the point.
“So, how is the Duke these days? Any suspicious behavior?”
“Suspicious behavior?”
Unable to grasp the meaning of the question, Yulia’s eyes widened slowly. She had never thought of such a thing before.
But upon closer thought, it didn’t seem like an impossibility.
Despite being married for several months, he still seemed disinterested in starting a family.
Yulia’s perplexed expression prompted the steward to press further.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
Yulia finally nodded her head quietly.
“I really don’t know about that. He’s always so busy…”
“Hah, what are you doing at the Duke’s estate anyway? Shouldn’t you have some idea of where your husband goes and what he does?”
The steward’s arrogant tone echoed loudly. Yulia closed her mouth slightly, feeling somewhat intimidated.
Not liking even that reaction, the irritated steward continued.
“Have you used the medicine I gave you last time?”
Yulia recalled the medicine the steward had given her on the day of the Duke’s visit. After placing it on a shelf, she had completely forgotten about it.
“Well, I…”
“Why are you stalling like this? Do I need to feed it to the Duke myself? Don’t you know anything about taking care of yourself?”
The steward’s voice continued to grow louder. Yulia remained silent, accustomed to enduring her father’s words in silence.
Finally managing to calm down his anger, the steward let out a long sigh before speaking again.
“Yulia, listen to me carefully.”
He felt endlessly frustrated trying to mold this innocent and foolish girl.
The steward judged that threats like these usually got the best results.
“Surely you haven’t forgotten what I told you? If your marriage to the Duke were to falter, you would no longer be under my protection.”
The steward’s tone was dripping with malice.
“If you don’t want to end up abandoned like your mother, decaying for the rest of your life, then you’ll do whatever it takes to bear a child, even if you have to roast or boil the Duke alive.”
Yulia’s hand twitched. It was not so much fear of the steward’s threats as it was a discomfort that filled a corner of her heart.
Each time she heard demands like this, she felt as if she were being treated like livestock.
Desperate to block out the words telling her to have a child, she found herself in agony.
She wanted nothing more than to plug her ears right then and there, but all she could do was bow her head deeply.
“I know very well that the Duke is not a gentle man. He even dares to challenge the Emperor with wide-open eyes, so how could I not be concerned?”
The steward clicked his tongue irritably. He had already experienced just how stubborn the Duke could be.
Not long after the war had ended and before this marriage was decided, the steward had secretly brought a woman to the Duke’s bed under the Emperor’s command.
The woman was a certain Countess, rumored to have withdrawn after losing her husband.
If this indiscretion were exposed, even someone like Fernan would inevitably suffer a blemish on his otherwise impeccable reputation.
