Chapter 16

I had told Princess Abigail that Julian was shy around me, but could that really be the case? He simply didn’t want to show his bare face before me. It was natural since I hadn’t earned that level of trust.

“Still, I’m going to attend the dinner.”

Julian would remove his mask and dine with Princess Abigail if I didn’t go. I didn’t want that.

“Your Grace…”

Anna, who had been standing behind me, called me cautiously. When I turned around, she hesitated, fidgeting with her lips as if embarrassed to ask.

“Do you perhaps like His Grace?”

“What?!”

I was so startled that I asked again loudly. It must have been quite a loud voice because even Anna glanced toward the door. If someone heard, they might think I was scolding Anna.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

I whispered in a low voice, and Anna shrugged her shoulders, feigning ignorance.

I had no right to like him.

Moreover, Julian wouldn’t like me, so it would be a one-sided love, and I didn’t have time for such emotional waste.

After taking the fever medicine Anna handed me and resting my eyes for a while, I changed from my sweat-soaked clothes. Though my fever had slightly subsided, my face still looked pale, so Anna applied some rouge to add color.

“How do I look?”

Anna carefully examined my face as she dabbed at the makeup.

“It’s not noticeable unless someone looks closely.“

“Really? That’s a relief.”

I sighed in relief. I didn’t want to appear weak in front of Princess Abigail.

Leaning slightly on Anna, I walked towards the dining room. When we arrived at the door, I stood straight without Anna’s support. I lightly cleared my throat and checked my outfit several times.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I think so. Now…”

“Your Grace.”

I nearly jumped out of my skin at the low voice. As I turned around in a fluster, a large shadow stood there.

It was Julian. Anna, realizing this earlier than me, seemed at a loss.

“Julian.”

I had tried to clear my throat, but my voice still sounded raspy. I quickly cleared my throat again.

“Are you unwell?”

It was just a hoarse voice, but Julian noticed it immediately. Lacking the courage to confess my illness, I mumbled a vague excuse.

“No. I think it’s because I took a nap.“

“You look pale for someone who just napped.”

At his words, I glared at Anna. She had said it wasn’t noticeable! But Anna just looked back at me with an aggrieved expression.

“Don’t blame the maid; it’s your fault you’re sick. What’s wrong?“

“It’s just a light cold.“

“It doesn’t seem light. Why don’t you go back and rest?”

I deliberately didn’t answer. Julian must have come here to see Princess Abigail. If I left, she would naturally invite him to dine with her, and Julian, not wanting to leave a guest alone, would accept.

Julian looked displeased at my stubborn silence.

“I don’t understand why you’re being so stubborn.”

Because of you, I absurdly blamed him, wondering how to decline.

Then, his large hand reached out. Startled by the approaching shadow, I stepped back. But his hand continued to reach out, touching my forehead.

“You have a fever.”

I felt a sudden urge to lean into that hand. But I clung tightly to my skirt, resisting the impulse. Julian sighed deeply, interpreting my action as obstinacy.

“It’s too much to entertain the guest alone, so I’ll join you.“

“But…”

Julian couldn’t eat without removing his half-mask. He answered nonchalantly.

“I won’t take off my mask. I’m not ready yet.“

“For the entire meal?”

I quickly looked up and asked. Before Julian could respond, I added.

“Even if the Princess commands you to?”

Was I delirious with a fever? I had just resolved not to have feelings for him, yet I was babbling nonsense. Julian nodded, escorting me by placing my hand on his arm.

“We can eat later.“

“…Fine. Let’s go together.”

Honestly, I wasn’t confident about handling the Princess alone.

I pretended to lean on him as he escorted me, making it much easier to walk steadily. The attendants opened the doors on either side, and we entered together. Princess Abigail, seated at the head of the table waiting for us, narrowed her eyes.

“Julian, why are you so late?”

Princess Abigail acted as if I wasn’t there. I let go of Julian’s arm and bowed to her.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Your Highness.“

“Oh, Lady Winsley is here too. Welcome.”

Princess Abigail smiled sweetly as she spoke but always tried to humiliate me.

“Abi, she’s not Lady Winsley. She’s the Grand Duchess of Zan.“

“Oh, is she? I forgot you two had an arranged marriage.”

Julian corrected her, but Princess Abigail didn’t bat an eye.

I bowed again and sat down, keeping some distance from Julian and Princess Abigail. Not only did I not like her, but I was also worried my thick makeup would be noticed if I got too close.

Thus began a quiet meal among the three of us. Julian didn’t even drink water, making the dining scene quite odd.

As she cut into her steak, Princess Abigail said, “Julian, you can take off your mask before me. It must be uncomfortable, and you need to eat.”

Before Julian could respond, she covered her mouth with her hand, feigning an embarrassed laugh.

“Oh, the Grand Duchess is here. Of course, you wouldn’t take off your mask in front of others. I forgot for a moment; my apologies.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t feel it was worth it. Julian also remained silent.

But Princess Abigail continued talking incessantly.

“The sauce isn’t delicious. I liked the sauce I had last time better. Did the Grand Duchess change it?”

Princess Abigail started picking on everything. I hadn’t been the Grand Duchess for long, and there were many things in the mansion that I hadn’t had a chance to touch yet. Complaining about the food was just her way of causing trouble.

“I don’t like this tablecloth. It looks cheap. It would have been better left alone for a more elegant look. Who changed it?”

Every comment she made was an insult directed at me.

Then she finally said something that cut deep.

“How long is this arranged marriage going to last? You know I’m just waiting for that day, right?”

After that, silence fell over the table. Princess Abigail remained quiet as if daring someone to respond, and I could feel a lump in my throat, unable to speak.

The end of this arranged marriage was predetermined. It would end in ruin. Either I would confess my illness and leave or shamelessly die in this mansion; that was the only end to this marriage.

A deep voice resonated through the room like a cave as I bit my lower lip, unable to speak.

“Your Highness, Laila is my wife. Please apologize for your insults.”

I was so shocked I looked up. The person who spoke was Julian, and he was staring directly at Princess Abigail.

When I glanced at her, she, too, was staring at Julian with wide eyes.

“Julian, what did you just say?“

“I asked you to apologize for insulting my wife. Any insult to her is an insult to me. Just as your words represent the palace.“

“Julian!“

“From now on, don’t call me Julian. I have no face to see His Majesty.”

Princess Abigail slammed the table hard, and the dishes trembled. I nervously grabbed Julian’s sleeve, not wanting him to upset the Princess on my behalf.

But Julian turned his gaze to me and spoke.

“My wife, it seems you are very ill. Let’s go upstairs.“

“What? But…”

Julian stood up and lifted me into his arms. I hurriedly wrapped my arms around his neck. The attendants opened the dining room door, and we left. I whispered in Julian’s ear.

“We should have bowed to the Princess before leaving.“

“The Princess would still be angry at you whether you bowed or not. It’s better not to do it.“

“What?“

“That’s what you would have thought. The usual you.”

Ready to argue, I closed my mouth at his words. He was right. Usually, I would have done much worse. But thinking it might cause trouble for Julian made me hesitate.

Julian looked down at me in his arms. His red eyes met mine, revealing a glimpse of his thoughts. He looked puzzled.

“Is it because you’re sick? Or are you that afraid of the royal authority? This isn’t like you.”

I tried to avoid his gaze but was trapped in his arms. No matter how much I struggled, I couldn’t escape him. Embarrassed, I fidgeted with my fingers and looked away.

“You said you wanted to get involved in the fight for the throne. The Princess is the full sister of the second prince. I’ll be hated eventually, but not now.”

Julian sighed as he carried me up to my bedroom on the third floor.

“Now I see it’s not that you can’t speak because you’re sick.“

“I told you I’m not that sick.“

“You don’t seem to realize what you look like.”

The attendant opened the door, and he laid me on the bed. I missed the coldness of his embrace as he pulled away. Julian looked down at me and then turned to Anna.

“My wife is unwell. Call a doctor.”

My eyes flew open at that. A doctor, no, absolutely not…

“No!”

I grabbed Julian’s strong arm. Our gazes met in mid-air.