The summer’s refreshing coastal city boasted a view so cool, it felt refreshing just to look at it.
The grand mansion that Fernan had arranged sat on a high hill, providing a view that extended beyond the horizon over the sea.
The grains of sand on the shore, where shallow waves washed up, sparkled under the sunlight. In the distance, several ships could be seen going to and from the harbor.
After a five-day journey, they had arrived in Seiref, a land of beauty.
“I’ve had the interior decorated as I wished,” Fernan said as they passed through the grand entrance.
At his words, Julia looked around at the interior, adorned with vibrant colors.
Statues were displayed here and there, large frames hung along the corridor, and dark-hued, elegant tapestries were draped in several places. The effort that went into it all was evident.
“If there’s anything that doesn’t suit your taste, you can instruct them to redecorate,” he offered.
Julia shook her head firmly in response.
“I love it. All of it.”
Staying in a place so open made her feel as though her heart would clear, but she knew better than to grow too attached.
Julia quickly climbed the stairs and looked out the large window on the landing.
The wide-open sea stretched out beyond the window, feeling as if it could clear even her blocked-up heart.
“Shall we go to the sea together in the evening?”
Before she realized, Fernan had moved close beside her and asked casually.
Julia turned away from the window and looked up at him.
“Yes,” she answered easily, and he nodded with satisfaction. Julia studied him for a moment.
There was not a hint of fatigue on his handsome face, which looked the same as usual.
Even though she hadn’t seen him sleep the entire time they were traveling by carriage.
“Your Highness, aren’t you tired?”
At her quiet question, Fernan looked steadily into her blue eyes.
Clear and bright, like the sea. Unexpectedly, he thought how well Julia suited this coastal city.
When he didn’t respond, Julia gently took his hand.
“Let’s go to the bedroom.”
Julia smiled slightly and led him up a step.
Caught off guard, Fernan followed her lead quietly.
As they entered the long hallway on the third floor, a waiting attendant led them to the assigned bedroom.
Julia opened his bedroom door and finally let go of his hand.
“I’ll come to call you in the evening. Rest well.”
Looking at her unusually affectionate demeanor today, Fernan’s expression became subtle, as though torn between happiness and doubt.
As he hesitated, Julia nodded her head, gesturing for him to go inside.
At the slight smile on her lips, Fernan eventually followed her suggestion and stepped forward.
“See you later.”
“…Alright.”
After Fernan answered quietly and went inside, Julia turned around.
Walking slowly down the wide corridor, she took a deep breath.
Her bedroom was a bit away from Fernan’s. When she opened the large doors, she saw a room decorated in bright colors, much like the lobby.
Julia looked around for a moment. Every piece of furniture and every decorative item was meticulously placed with care.
She pulled back the silk canopy, sat on the bed, and felt her body relax almost instantly.
Before arriving here, she had already made arrangements with Cedric.
The meeting was scheduled for a week later, at Rian, the largest harbor in Seiref.
Since she wasn’t sure how things would turn out, she hadn’t set a specific time.
“I’ll wait as long as it takes, so don’t rush and come when you’re certain.”
Cedric had told her he would wait for her at an inn near the harbor.
If they met safely, she planned to leave the empire by passenger ship. Cedric had said he would secure tickets and identification in advance.
So, until then, she wanted to spend her time as she pleased.
Julia looked toward the window opposite her. It was still the afternoon, with the sun shining down intensely.
She was eager for evening to come so she could walk along the breezy shore.
Julia unintentionally fell asleep and woke up just as the sun was setting.
Not long after, a temporary maid arrived to assist her.
“Which evening dress would you like to wear?”
Following the maid into the dressing room, she was surprised to find a space as large as her bedroom.
Julia, her face filled with wonder, looked at the clothes hanging on the rack.
The summer garments, all tailored to fit her, were brand new.
‘When did they prepare all this?’
Julia, entrusting herself to the maid’s hands, felt a little overwhelmed. She hadn’t expected everything to be so thoughtfully prepared.
Dressed in a light, airy fabric, Julia soon put on a pair of low-heeled shoes.
She then left her bedroom to meet Fernan as promised, but was surprised to find him already waiting by the door.
“When did you get here, Your Highness?”
“A little while ago.”
Looking down at her, Fernan gave a faint smile.
Dressed not in his usual uniform but a perfectly fitted white poet’s shirt, he looked a little different.
Not the intimidating and icy ruler of the north, he resembled the refined young master of a noble family.
For the first time, he looked like a young man of his age.
If he had been a successor to a normal noble family, he would have been exactly this kind of man.
Elegant and calm, with a cool yet gentle atmosphere.
“Let’s go. We should eat first.”
At his quiet voice, Julia dismissed her fleeting thoughts and nodded. For some reason, her heart felt restless.
Standing side by side, they slowly walked down the hallway and toward the stairs.
When they arrived at the dining room, the city’s distinctive spice scent filled the air.
As expected in a coastal city, seafood dishes dominated the menu.
“Well, enjoy your meal.”
After setting the dishes on the table, the attendant bowed politely and left.
And so, a serene silence fell over the dining table.
The silence was broken by the sound of an iron spoon clattering to the floor.
Fernan looked up and asked her, “Are you alright?”
Looking at Julia, who had dropped her utensil, Fernan asked, as though wondering if something was wrong with her meal.
Julia replied in a calm voice, as if nothing were amiss.
“Yes, I’m fine. Just slipped accidentally.”
Julia smiled faintly and lowered her trembling hand under the table. Cold sweat trickled down her back.
The pain, twisting her insides, had begun again.
In the meantime, the attendant brought a new set of utensils, and Julia resumed eating as if nothing had happened.
After observing her for a while, Fernan seemed to think there was nothing wrong, as he soon looked away.
After they finished the meal and left the dining room, Julia spoke first.
“Your Highness, let’s go to the sea tomorrow.”
Fernan looked down at her quietly. Her complexion had grown paler since they first arrived.
Before he could ask her anything, Julia hastily added,
“My stomach doesn’t feel well. I think I need to rest.”
“Is it serious?”
Julia shook her head vigorously.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about. I’ll be fine after a little rest.”
Though his gaze showed a hint of concern, she pretended not to notice and spoke in a calm voice.
“Then, I’ll go upstairs first.”
Julia climbed the stairs slowly, not wanting to appear in a hurry. She could feel his gaze following her but didn’t look back.
As soon as she entered her bedroom, Julia sank down onto the floor.
“Ha…”
Clenching her trembling hand tightly, she let out a shallow breath.
The pain attacks had been getting more frequent lately. She’d hoped to stay healthy for at least a week…
Her long hair fell over her face.
As long as she didn’t cough up blood in front of Fernan, she would be alright.
Julia lowered her head, resting it on her raised knees.
She could only hope that her condition wouldn’t worsen.
* * *
The next day, Julia couldn’t spend time with Fernan.
Several times, the maid came to wake her, but Julia couldn’t bring herself to get up.
After sending the maid away with the excuse of feeling tired, she kept drifting in and out of sleep.
“Where is Julia?”
In the afternoon, Fernan, standing outside her bedroom, asked the maid. She replied with her head bowed.
“She’s still resting. I tried waking her a few times, but she seemed extremely tired…”
Fernan gazed at the closed door for a moment before turning the handle.
Opening the door, he saw a small figure curled up in the bedding.
“Julia.”
He had come to see her in the morning as well. She’d been asleep, so he’d left, but hearing she was still resting well into the afternoon felt strange.
Fernan approached the bed and gently brushed aside her disheveled light brown hair.
Only then did Julia’s shoulder flinch.
“Are you unwell?”
As his quiet voice fell, Julia stirred and slowly sat up.
She turned to look at him with a dazed expression. Her face appeared even more gaunt than yesterday.
Fernan reached out and felt her warm forehead.
“You have a fever.”
“…I’m fine.”
“Summon the physician.”
Ignoring her reply, Fernan ordered the maid, who quickly bowed and left the room. He removed his hand from her forehead and held her cheek.
Her face, completely covered by his large hand, was warm to the touch.
“Why didn’t you say you were unwell?”
“I’m not unwell. I just got tired from the long carriage ride yesterday.”
Her voice was cracked and hoarse. Fernan looked at her intensely for a moment before withdrawing his hand slowly.
“Julia, even for minor things, see the
physician from now on.”
As he spoke with a serious expression, Julia eventually nodded her head obediently.
