Of course, there were knights around the castle, but it seemed that if they avoided Fernan's eyes, something would happen.
Julia, who was about to take her steps as it was, stretched out her hand toward him, just in case.
He waved his hand carefully in front of him, but he didn't open his eyes.
Before Julia, who had raised her hand like that, could straighten her body, a firm hand grabbed her and pulled her in a slam.
"… ah!"
In an instant, Yulia raised her head while being held in his arms. Her half-opened golden eyes stared intently at her.
A hand wrapped around her waist pulled her closer to me. She had to face him so she sat on her firm legs, motionless.
"Where are you going?"
A voice that sounded like it was locked somewhere fell into my ear. Yulia tried to get up from his side without answering, but her firm hand did not budge.
Fernan shook his head slightly and muttered.
"… Tomorrow, let's go out together."
After saying those words, he gently grabbed the back of Julia's hair and made her lean on me. He could feel his heartbeat through his body.
He bowed his head and buried his face in Julia's shoulder.
And he said nothing more.
Julia tried to push him away, but the large hand wrapped around his waist did not come off easily.
'… Are you asleep?'
Julia, who looked at him with a puzzled face, finally put her hand down.
It was no use trying to fix his posture because his body was tight against each other.
After giving up and letting out a small sigh, Yulia released her strength from her rigid body.
Yulia, who had been looking over his shoulder for a long time with a blank expression, lowered her eyelids.
Was it because of the warmth that came from him? My eyes gradually became heavy.
Suddenly, Yulia leaned on his shoulder and completely closed her eyes.
* * *
The next day, Julia was able to come out of the castle after a very long time.
It was thanks to the doctor who repeatedly asked her to move even a little bit after leaving her.
She was naturally drawn to Fernan's hand, but Yulia was very docile, unlike usual.
The place he led was the back gate of the castle and the road leading to the patronage.
As I stepped outside, the soft sunlight made me dizzy for a moment.
Unsurprisingly, Yulia realized how long she had been trapped inside.
Walking in the snow with the sound of rattling, I arrived at the front of the glass greenhouse.
Upon entering, the first thing that caught my eye was a flower bed full of lily of the valley.
For a moment, Julia's attention was taken from the white flower bed.
"As you said, this place is all filled with those white flowers."
At his quiet words, Yulia narrowed her eyes slowly.
Then I remembered that I said I would fill this greenhouse with only lily of the valley.
It's been quite a while since I haven't visited the greenhouse, so today was the first time I've seen flowers planted like this.
"If there is anything else you want to do, do it."
Fernan turned to her. He was calm as usual, but there was a hint of nervousness somewhere.
"Yeah, you can do whatever you want."
So, don't try to get away from me anymore.
Julia could fully anticipate the behind-the-scenes things he didn't say.
Perhaps Fernando thought she would be satisfied if she gave away material things.
However, that was not what Julia wanted.
I wanted a life where I could love and be loved in peace, without getting hurt, without getting my heart pounded.
And now, she was too tired to wish for such a love in Wa Fernan.
'If all I want is love, yes, there's nothing I can't give up.'
He had said so. If you want love, I will gladly give it to you.
But Julia knew it well. The love he speaks of and the love I want are completely different concepts.
There was a time when a single glance looking at me was enough.
There were times when I thought Fernand was my only hope.
Because I thought this man was the only one who would protect me from this hellish life.
Because he was like my first love, and at the same time, it was the first family I had created out of the shadow of a marquise.
family… . Yeah, I thought, ironically, that we could become a family.
Julia took a step forward with her eyes closed.
Then I bent down and looked at the beautiful white flowers planted around the small fountain.
He tore off the petals. It was her behavior that she would never have done normally.
Yulia opened her mouth for the first time as she looked at the petals in her hand.
"I will be by your side."
I just got up and turned around. When he raised his head, Fernan's eyes met immediately.
His eyes fluttered slightly, as if in shock. But her eyes narrowed again immediately, as if to check if her words were sincere.
It still won't look sincere. So from now on, I was going to make him believe it.
What Fernando wanted was for her to remain calm here. If that's the case, then you just have to let him do what he wants and loosen his boundaries.
"I won't think about divorce any more."
I will no longer focus on his nerves with vain pride.
After he believed me and took all the guards off, he stopped paying attention to me. then you can leave
* * *
At first glance, it seemed that everything had returned to its place.
Julia was no longer buried in bed. She went out on time to restore her health by eating and moving her body.
After that, Fernando no longer locked her in my bedroom. She was freed from her confinement with her words that she would not divorce.
In that way, Julia was able to freely wander around the castle again, but that did not mean that her watchful gaze disappeared.
The knights still stayed around her, and she had to follow her wherever she went, even in the castle.
'… It's okay because I already expected this.'
Julia did nothing. He didn't even look like he was trying to get out of the old castle and go out.
So, the seemingly peaceful days continued.
When evening came, Julia slowly headed to the dining room.
When I was confined, I always ate semi-forcedly in the bedroom, but now I naturally ate in the dining room facing Fernando.
"Good evening, my lord."
Julia greeted her with a dignified sound as before. Her Fernando, who had taken her seat first, looked at her sullenly.
"okay."
The man who had not always responded to her greetings now gave a brief answer.
Then I looked at Yulia until she sat down, and only after seeing her pick up the tableware and put the food in her mouth did she start eating.
Julia quietly continued her meal and glanced at him.
Fernan still didn't seem to believe her sincerity. But she didn't want to specifically question or confirm it.
Feeling the gaze, Fernan suddenly looked at her. Julia slightly avoided her gaze and opened her mouth.
"majesty."
And he looked at him again with a gentle gaze.
"Let's go for a walk together after dinner."
"… … ."
"I want to walk together."
A cautious light appeared on her face. It was because she was nervous that it might sound contrived.
However, it seemed that it had stripped Fernan's boundaries one layer at a time, and a more softened voice came out of him than usual.
"Yeah, let's go together."
Yulia felt a strange feeling for a moment, but she just nodded.
After finishing their meal, they left the dining room side by side and headed straight for the back door.
The snow that the servants had been working hard on for several days was neatly arranged.
When I first came here, it was difficult to see that the landscaping of the Grand Duke's garden was excellent.
However, after Julia showed her will to repair the garden one day, the land was plowed and a greenhouse was built, revealing a beautiful view.
When spring comes, flowers will bloom and become even more beautiful.
'Maybe I won't be here then.'
Julia quietly moved forward with a subtle expression on her face.
Except for the sound of footsteps, there was no word between the two of them.
He glanced at Fernando, but his face as he walked from a distance of about a span was obscured by his darkened son-in-law.
How long will it take to completely deceive that man and run away?
At least I wanted to leave this place before the end of winter.
Before too much time passed, even the will to run away completely disappeared.
Yulia, who had been pensive for a while, impulsively grabbed his fingertips.
At the touch of the winding hand, Fernan stood tall.