IWDGD 12

Chapter 12

Yulia sat alone in the large carriage, gazing out the window.

The Founding Day celebrations were to be held in three days, but Yulia had set out for the capital early at the Empress’s summons.

Recently, the Grand Duchy had been spending chaotic days due to monsters that had invaded across the border.

To finish dealing with that matter, Fernan had delayed his trip to the capital, and as a result, Yulia could not travel together with him.

Yulia’s eyes, quietly staring at the empty seat in front of her, glistened with loneliness.

After a long journey, Yulia arrived at the imperial palace and was guided inside by an attendant.

As she entered the reception room of the central palace, the Empress, who had already taken her seat, greeted her with a bright smile.

“Welcome, I hope the long journey wasn’t too tiring for you?”

“I greet Her Majesty the Empress. The journey was comfortable, so please do not worry.”

Yulia sat at the tea table, facing the Empress. Unlike the Emperor, who made her feel somewhat uncomfortable, the Empress was someone who put others at ease.

The Crown Princess, who was also present, was a frank and warm-hearted person, so Yulia was able to quickly adapt to the occasion.

“But I’m worried, Grand Duchess—you seem to have lost even more weight since the last time we met.”

Crown Princess Veronica cautiously opened her mouth. Yulia forced a smile.

“I haven’t been in good health lately. It’s not worth your concern, so please don’t worry.”

“I see. I do hope this schedule won’t be too taxing on you.”

Veronica smiled gently. With her dazzling blonde hair draped to one side, she wore a loose maternity dress.

She was five months pregnant, and her face was filled with a bright and happy glow.

“Well then, how about attending evening mass with Veronica? There are priests staying at the palace right now who pray for expectant mothers.”

When the Empress subtly suggested it, Veronica clapped her hands together and nodded.

“Let’s do that! I’ll ask the priest to offer a blessing for the Grand Duchess’s health.”

“No, I couldn’t possibly trouble the priests who came for Your Highness the Crown Princess…”

“Don’t think that way. You are also a member of our imperial family.”

The Empress smiled benevolently and urged her again. Eventually, Yulia nodded and quietly expressed her gratitude.

Throughout the modest tea party, a peaceful and amicable atmosphere continued.

Yulia, who had been sinking into deep depression at the Grand Ducal residence, was able to feel at ease, at least during this time.

—

As evening approached, Yulia headed to the chapel with Veronica to attend mass.

Upon entering, she saw the priests kneeling on the dais.

Above them, the stained glass shone brightly.

“Father Mateus.”

Veronica quietly called out to one of the priests. The man sitting at the center of the priests slowly turned his head.

The priest named Mateus was a man with silver hair that was nearly white.

“Welcome, Veronica.”

He looked at Veronica for a moment, then turned his gaze to Yulia.

His quiet eyes rippled gently.

“This is the Grand Duchess of Caesar. I’ve brought her to join us for mass.”

“I see.”

Gazing at Yulia with an enigmatic look, he soon lightly changed the subject.

“Mass will begin shortly, so please take a seat wherever you are comfortable.”

Yulia sat in one of the long rows of seats and watched the priests make the sign of the cross. Soon, the priests standing before the altar began the opening ceremony.

Yulia quietly watched Mateus as he delivered the sermon. His voice was gentle and earnest, putting her mind at ease.

As Mateus recited the prayers for the ritual, the priests brought a silver vessel containing holy water.

“May peace and stability be bestowed upon the mother and child.”

Mateus raised his hand over Veronica’s head and sprinkled holy water.

After reciting the blessing in a quiet tone, he slowly opened his eyes. Then he nodded toward Yulia, as if indicating she should come forward.

Yulia stood before the altar and quietly closed her eyes.

“May God’s blessing always be with you.”

The holy water trickled lightly along Yulia’s hair. Somehow, his voice seemed to slowly seep into her heart.

As she gently opened her eyes, she met the gaze of Mateus, who had been staring straight at her.

“…Do you recognize me?”

He asked in a quiet tone. Yulia blinked her round eyes blankly.

“Ah, no… I believe this is my first time seeing you, but…”

“I see. I misspoke.”

Mateus smiled softly and concluded the blessing ritual.

After the mass ended, Yulia left the priests’ chamber and tilted her head in puzzlement.

It seemed that Mateus knew her, but no matter how much she thought about it, she had no memory of ever meeting him.

Yulia, feeling somehow strange, kept looking back over her shoulder.

—

* * *

Fernan arrived in the capital on the day of the Founding Day.

The Emperor’s parade, held in the morning, was ultimately carried out under the escort of the imperial knights.

After the parade ended safely, servants were busily carrying supplies in the central palace for the banquet.

Hearing that Fernan had arrived, Yulia hurried down to the main hall on the first floor.

The servants kept glancing at her, dressed in a dark green gown for the banquet.

The elegant dress, with deep gold lace adorning the neckline, made her stand out even more than usual.

“Your Highness, there you are.”

Just as Yulia was pacing the hall, someone spoke to her. It was Fernan’s adjutant, whom she had met in the city the other day.

“I’ve come to deliver a message from His Highness. He says preparations are running late due to other matters, so you should proceed to the banquet hall first.”

“Ah… I see.”

It was customary for couples to enter the banquet hall together. Yulia, who had naturally assumed she would enter with Fernan, felt a little lost.

She considered waiting, but he surely wouldn’t want her to wait.

“Thank you for letting me know, um…”

Yulia hesitated for a moment. She didn’t know the adjutant’s name.

Noticing this, Lloyd belatedly offered a formal greeting and politely introduced himself.

“I am Lloyd Ellen. Please feel free to call me Lloyd.”

“Thank you, Lloyd.”

Yulia smiled softly and soon made her way to the palace where the banquet hall was located.

Guided by an attendant, Yulia entered the banquet hall alone and stood before an empty table.

Several noblewomen who spotted her approached with friendly smiles.

“Your Highness, how have you been? It’s been a while since we last saw you at the tea party.”

“Yes, I’m well. Have you been well, my lady?”

After exchanging formal greetings and chatting for a while, the Crown Prince and Princess entered the banquet hall.

Veronica, escorted by the Crown Prince, gently cradled her swollen belly.

“Those two are always so affectionate, aren’t they?”

“I’ve heard His Highness the Crown Prince is very kind. Oh my, even my husband and I were like that in the early days of our marriage.”

“Oh my, what are you saying? You and the Count are still dripping with honey, my dear.”

As the noblewomen began joking and talking about their husbands, Yulia found herself at a loss for words.

Even though they had all likely met through arranged marriages, it was fascinating to see them so intimate and close.

As for herself, she had never even shared a warm conversation with Fernan, let alone been close.

“And how about you, Grand Duchess?”

“Pardon?”

Suddenly put on the spot, Yulia’s face stiffened slightly.

“Everyone is very curious about what kind of person Grand Duke Caesar is.”

“You both rarely visit the capital, so we’re all truly curious about how you’re getting along.”

Curious gazes poured in from the noblewomen. Smiling awkwardly, Yulia chose her words carefully.

“His Highness is extremely busy with his duties. And since there aren’t many noblewomen in the territory who are suitable companions, it’s a little lonely… but I’m managing well.”

Answering evasively, the noblewomen fortunately nodded in agreement.

“That must be the case. It’s probably hard for you to invite acquaintances from the capital as well.”

“But you will invite us someday, won’t you? We would be truly delighted if Your Highness called upon us.”

“Yes, I will.”

The topic soon shifted elsewhere. Just as Yulia was finally relaxing and joining the conversation, she turned her head at the sound of murmuring.

From a distance, she saw Fernan entering the banquet hall. People’s attention instantly focused on him.

Somehow, his entrance seemed to attract even more attention than the Crown Prince’s.

After deliberating for a moment, Yulia excused herself from the noblewomen and carefully approached him.

“Your Highness.”

At the quiet call, Fernan turned to look at her. Yulia gently gathered the hem of her dress and looked up at him.

Now that she had actually spoken to him, she felt fearful. She was afraid that he would ignore her and go elsewhere.

But perhaps because everyone was watching him, he did not show his usual cold attitude.

“Let’s go to our seats.”

He spoke dryly and obediently offered his arm. Yulia, looking at him with startled eyes for a moment, took his arm without thinking.

Seeing his reluctant expression, she could tell he was only doing this out of necessity.

It was a little bitter, but being escorted by him didn’t feel entirely bad.

As they headed toward an empty table together, the Crown Prince, who had spotted them, approached with a bright smile.