Fernand had not returned to the castle longer than usual.
In the beginning, he often left the castle, but the users began to gossip, dismissing the reason for not returning because of Julia.
In the midst of all the negative words surrounding me, Julia's heart went down endlessly.
It felt like everything was going wrong because of me.
But I couldn't figure out how to untangle the complicated knot between him and me.
"Sir, you said you were going out today, didn't you?"
With only a deep sigh, Melissa looked around the clothes hanging in the dressing room and spoke to her.
"Yeah, I want to visit the garden in the backyard."
When Julia answered without strength, Melissa continued her conversation with a lively voice.
"Then I think it would be better to wear a dress that is a little shorter in length. There might be dirt on the dress!"
"yes. I will."
Julia looked at Melissa like that and raised her lips with an effort. Melissa was now the only person in this castle to treat her with her kindness.
Whenever she looked gloomy, Melissa would be cheerful and cheer her up.
If it wasn't for Melissa, there would be no one to laugh or even talk to in this great castle.
"Then, let's go!"
Yulia nodded and headed to the backyard of the nature. Lately, she's been trying to keep herself busy.
I was desperately looking for something to do because I fell into a feeling of endless melancholy when I stood still.
After arriving in the garden, Julia looked around widely.
This unmanaged garden was barren and there were weeds everywhere, so it didn't look good.
With winter approaching soon, it was somewhat difficult to plant new vegetation.
Julia, who was deeply immersed in her thoughts, returned to the castle and summoned Bennet, the butler.
"What do you think of repairing the land and building a greenhouse?"
Julia looked back at Bennet and asked.
In the meantime, Bennett was in charge of all internal and external affairs of the Grand Duke. It was because the seat of the hostess, the Grand Duchess, had been vacant for several years.
Fernando was not very interested in managing the castle, so he entrusted all authority to the butler.
But now that he has a hostess, the authority had to return to Julia of course.
For some reason, Bennett did not give her the right to internal affairs, giving various reasons.
But even now, he was going to fulfill his duty as a hostess. I wanted to do my part in anything.
"I do not know. The cost of the repair work that will be started right away, and the cost of hiring manpower seems to be considerable."
But Bennett's voice came out of dissatisfaction.
In the meantime, he had been managing the castle with his own iron rules, and it seemed that he didn't like Julia's words.
Yulia continued to speak in a calm voice.
"I came to check the ledger just in case. The cost of maintenance of the castle is overflowing every year."
"This garden is sometimes used as a training ground for knights. It will be difficult if you recklessly try to make repairs first, Your Majesty."
Julia couldn't hide her bewildered eyes at the words cut with a single knife.
However, after a quick look at his expression, he gently nodded his head.
"I didn't know that. Then the ground is barren and it doesn't look good, so even if it's leveling the ground for easy training... ."
"ha… , Have you given permission to the Grand Duke?"
Bennett, who interrupted her words, raised her one-piece glasses as if annoyed. It was somewhat rude to treat his boss.
In the end, Yulia was at a loss for words and had to blink her eyes.
Even if it was just an imaginary Grand Duchess, Julia was also the owner of this castle.
Just because Fernando was rude to her did not mean that the position would disappear.
"In the meantime, I heard that you were in full control of the castle. That's why I wanted to discuss it with you, but do I have to tell you separately?"
If it had been another lady, I would have slapped her on the cheek right away, but Julia tried to convince Bennet in a calm tone.
He had been managing this castle for a long time. He should have respected him no matter what.
But Bennett didn't seem to have any respect for her.
"As you said, it is up to me to manage the castle, but since your Majesty your Majesty is so reckless, I think I will need your permission."
In response to his hard answer, Yulia muttered far away without even blinking her wide eyes.
"What the hell is that… ."
"I'm sorry, Rain. I think I'll have to discuss this with my majesty separately at a later date. So, I'm busy with other work, so I'll leave my seat first."
Bennett politely said hello and then disappeared. Julia looked at Bennet's back with a bewildered expression.
He wasn't offended by Bennett's attitude, but he knew for sure that he was rude.
In fact, it wasn't just Bennett.
At some point, the attitudes of other users also began to change significantly.
To be precise, from when Fernando started blatantly ignoring her.
Yulia came out of the garden and entered the main hall. Her maids, looking down at her from her second-floor railing, began to murmur.
"You are quite busy these days. I wonder if your Highness will know about it."
"You're using it to try something, huh?"
"Then what do you do? It's already been a week since His Majesty has not returned. You don't even know it's because of you, you're walking around so shamelessly... ."
Thinking that Julia wouldn't be able to hear it, the gossip continued without end.
"Then why do you hate His Majesty so much?"
"Well, don't you think there's even a government hidden away?"
The word 'government' entered my ears clearly.
The sound of laughter and the words spoken with malice in every word kept stabbing my heart.
The chaotic atmosphere around you. At this moment, I remembered the time when I was living with the marquis.
A lonely place with no one on my side. A place full of people who criticize whatever they do.
Julia kept her mouth shut and quietly moved on. I was used to being treated like this.
Even so, suffocation was unavoidable.
* * *
"Your Majesty, the time has passed quite a bit. How about going back to Iman Castle?"
Lloyd looked into Fernan's eyes and opened his mouth carefully.
Fernan, who has been too busy with work recently, has darkened the eyes of the lieutenants who suffered from overwork at the same time.
"Do not talk to me. I have a lot of work to do."
Fernando stared at the paperwork and shuddered as if annoyed.
In addition to preparing for the founding of the country, it was a busy time due to the invasion of monsters at the border.
Recently, even the security in the estate has become unsightly, so there are many things to be concerned about.
Lloyd turned around with a puzzled face and returned to his seat. It looked like she would have to stay up all night tonight.
"What happened to the trafficker you talked about last time?"
Fernando suddenly raised his head and asked Lloyd.
"Oh, yes. We are still investigating. It will take some time, but I think we will be able to compile a list and details of transactions soon."
"Find out all the traces of the Marquis Elodie and the people who were involved, even the people behind them."
"Yes."
Last time, the drug found in Julia's room was circulated as an illegal trade.
An organization that traffics drugs such as hallucinogens, as well as strong drugs distributed in the red light district.
Many nobles secretly used the organization, and, of course, among them was the Marquis Elodie.
Fernando was planning to get the traffickers out of the way. To prevent the Marquis from creating an excuse to escape.
"It seems that the Marquis was quite in a hurry. With what kind of confidence to be caught by the tail so easily... ."
"You are well aware that you are a hand that can be discarded at any time."
Fernan answered indifferently. Literally, the Marquis was just one of many handicrafts the emperor had.
A plaque placed by the emperor to oppress Fernan. However, if it fails, the Emperor will always discard the Marquis and attach another hand.
So the Marquis will have no choice but to do such crazy things without hesitation.
If anything goes wrong with this marriage, it will be a disaster for my family.
"It seems that His Majesty Rain is also cooperating with the Marquis, so it would be good to have someone watch over it."
When Lloyd mentioned Julia, Fernan's indifferent face instantly cooled.
In the meantime, she has been desperately trying to talk to Fernando to make the situation go away.
His nerves only got worse every time he saw him constantly standing by his side, even though it seemed like he was there.
Having erased his thoughts, Fernando looked down at the paperwork again. However, the woman's face, which once filled her mind, did not disappear as easily as she wanted.
As the watery blue eyes popped up, Fernando finally put the papers down aloud.
There was no denying that she had been shaken for a moment. Her pity, her sympathy, or perhaps even more of her sympathy as she looked at her, he was clearly swept away.
So I got even more angry. She felt such an absurd feeling for a woman who had nothing to fear with the marquise and the emperor on her back.
Besides, ironically, those subtle emotions still filled a corner of his nerves.
The tender hand that desperately held him as he left the castle someday. His eyes stared up at him as if he wanted to know the truth.
Because whenever I think of those images, I always feel unacceptable.
Fernando ruffled his ruffled hair carelessly. And he hardened his expression colder, as if forcibly shut off all thoughts.