The carriage that left the villa rattled down the mountain road.
Their destination was a small town near the border. It was said to have a well-placed square and a bustling area, but not too many people.
Julia peered out the window through the slightly drawn curtain.
She was trying to see exactly where this villa was located and what roads she needed to take to escape the mountains.
While Julia was gazing outside for quite some time, Fernan suddenly spoke up.
“If you feel unwell, just let me know.”
Only then did Julia turn her gaze toward him and nod silently.
Then, she realized suddenly that this was her first time going out with Fernan like this.
They had gone together to the palace a few times, but that had only been during official events.
It felt a bit silly and, on the other hand, somewhat empty.
They had never spent time alone together during their marriage, and it felt strange that it had come to this point now.
If it had been her back then, would she have been overjoyed to see Fernan suggesting to accompany her?
Perhaps so. Those had been simpler, more foolish times.
But now, being with him felt unwelcome.
Julia kept her gaze down, silently waiting for them to arrive in the bustling area.
After a while, the carriage finally entered the town.
The first thing she noticed was the river running long between the streets.
There were people sitting closely together in a small boat floating on the surface.
As she watched the oarsman rowing for a moment, the carriage stopped nearby.
Fernan, who got down first, extended his hand to her. Julia hesitated for a moment but then took his hand.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, bright sunlight poured over her. Looking around, she saw a square with a leisurely atmosphere.
‘We actually came…’
The reason she wanted to go out was simply to find an escape route around the villa and to determine its exact location.
So she had no other plans.
Glancing at Fernan, Julia quickly averted her gaze as their eyes met.
For now, it seemed best to walk wherever her feet led her.
As she entered the street, various shops lined up before her—from clothing stores to jewelry shops, and even stalls selling assorted goods.
Julia took her time exploring the streets without placing much meaning on it.
She tried not to think about Fernan following behind her.
After wandering around for a while, her gaze suddenly fixed on a jewelry store.
Brilliant jewels were beautifully displayed in glass cases.
Among them, what caught Julia’s eye were a pair of blue diamond earrings.
Unknowingly, she stopped and stared at the display case.
Although she wasn’t particularly interested in jewelry, the dazzling colors naturally drew her attention.
Her gaze didn’t linger for long. Julia quickly turned away and continued down the street.
At some point, she stopped being aware of Fernan following her.
He was silent, as if he were truly her guard, keeping a suitable distance behind her.
So, without realizing it, Julia wandered the streets with a relaxed mind.
Time passed quickly. Before long, she reached the end of the street and noticed a flower shop nearby.
Seeing the flowers reminded her of the monastery.
I wonder if everyone is doing well? Gabriel and the children, and Cedric…
Julia briefly looked at the flowers, recalling them, and then turned back.
As she entered the street that turned sharply, Julia took a small breath.
The purpose of her outing had already been fulfilled, so there was no point in lingering here any longer.
“Let’s head back.”
For the first time, Julia turned around and spoke to Fernan.
He was still following her at a comfortable distance.
As she confirmed he nodded in response and was about to turn back again, a man suddenly burst out from a side street.
Before the man could collide with Julia, Fernan pulled her towards himself.
“Hey, watch where you’re going…”
The man, who had jumped out, was about to lose his temper but then noticed Fernan standing behind her and quickly shrank back in surprise.
Seeing Fernan with an intimidating glare, as if he might draw a knife at any moment, the man hurriedly blurted out an apology.
“Ah… I-I’m sorry!”
Then he fled as if running away.
Julia, staring blankly at the man who was running away, looked up at Fernan, who had wrapped an arm around her waist.
He met her gaze with a refined look, as if he had never shown any hostility.
“…T-thank you.”
Julia mumbled this late as she stepped away from his embrace.
With her lips pressed together, she turned and hurried her pace.
To return to the square, the two walked slowly across the bridge that spanned the river.
A gentle breeze rustled her hair.
A little behind, Fernan focused all his attention on her, without glancing at anything else.
Naturally, during their time wandering this bustling area, his entire being was attuned to Julia alone.
Eventually, Julia quietly gazed at somewhere beyond the bridge.
Her gaze was directed at a stable where several horses were tied up.
Unknowingly stopping, she fixated on a white mare tied at the end of the stable.
“Do you like that horse?”
Fernan asked quietly. Only then did Julia turn to him and shake her head.
It wasn’t that she particularly liked it; it just looked so mystical that it drew her gaze. She had never seen such a white, shiny horse before.
In any case, she didn’t know how to ride.
Though it was one of the courtesies of the nobility, she had never been given the opportunity to learn.
Julia turned away from the horse.
In the meantime, a large, ornate carriage arrived in front of them.
The carriage reached the villa just as the sun was setting.
As soon as Julia headed straight for her bedroom, she was taken aback when she stepped inside.
Several unfamiliar boxes were placed on the table.
“Your Highness, welcome back!”
Melissa rushed in with a bow upon hearing that she had arrived.
Julia nodded and pointed at the table, asking, “Melissa, where did these come from?”
“Um… Didn’t Your Highness purchase them? The baggage cart arrived before the two of you came. I assumed you bought them during this outing…”
At her words, Julia felt puzzled and opened one of the jewelry boxes.
Inside was a pair of earrings set with blue gems.
Julia’s eyes gradually widened. It was undoubtedly the pair of earrings she had been mesmerized by in the glass display case. Melissa spoke quietly.
“I think it’s likely that His Highness purchased them for you.”
But Julia had not seen him buy anything.
…To be precise, she hadn’t turned around even once to see him behind her.
As she closed the jewelry box with a confused expression, someone knocked on the door.
When Melissa hurriedly opened it, a servant stood at the entrance.
In his arms was a large bouquet of flowers.
“Your Highness, His Highness asked me to deliver these flowers to you.”
“……”
Julia accepted the bouquet presented to her by the servant in a daze.
It was a beautiful bouquet of blue forget-me-nots and white daffodils.
The fragrant scent of the flowers wafted toward her nose. Julia stared blankly down at the bouquet.
“Why would he do this…”
Both the earrings and these flowers.
They were all things she had shown interest in while wandering the bustling area.
‘…Has he been watching me all along?’
Fernan seemed to be silently following her, keeping his word not to interfere.
In the meantime, it appeared he had observed everything within his sight one by one.
At that moment, Julia felt curious for the first time about Fernan’s true intentions.
What on earth could he gain from doing this for her?
Of course, he had said he didn’t need any benefits, but Julia didn’t believe those words.
“What does His Highness want?”
Julia murmured quietly to herself. Melissa, who was watching her with a strange expression, replied.
“Um, maybe he just wants to give you something, Your Highness?”
“……”
“Because His Highness….”
Melissa paused as if she were about to say something, then tightly closed her mouth.
She thought it was presumptuous for a mere servant to speculate about her master’s feelings.
However, at least in Melissa’s eyes, it was clear that Fernan had fallen in love with her late.
Fernan was anxious around the coldly indifferent Julia, and his gaze and attention were solely focused on her.
Their positions had completely reversed from before.
“Just wanting to give something…”
Julia muttered softly. Even so, she had never wanted anything like this from him.
She didn’t want anything from him at all. But…
Julia felt a swirl of emotions as she looked down at the bouquet once again.
The fresh and beautiful scent of the flowers gently stirred her heart.
Without realizing it, Julia softly embraced the bouquet in her arms.
—
