Chapter 65

Anna looked up at the sky with a puzzled expression. It was still autumn and morning, so the sunlight wasn’t warm.

However, I firmly took the hat and pulled the veil over my face. When I stepped outside again, Julian stood in the same position. He then naturally reached out to take the wheelchair from Anna.

“That’s Anna’s job.”

At my firm tone, everyone present, including Anna, looked at me with startled eyes. Only Julian continued to look at me without any change in his expression.

“Why are you doing something that undermines your dignity?“

“I don’t see how taking care of my sick wife undermines my dignity.”

With that, he walked toward me. I was confident that I wouldn’t budge no matter what he said, but then he lifted me out of the wheelchair.

“What, what are you doing!”

I shouted in surprise, but my arms naturally wrapped around his neck. It seemed I’d gotten used to being held by him after all this time.

“There are a lot of people watching!“

“So? Are you planning to walk to the carriage on those legs?“

“Walk to the carriage? I need to attend the hunting competition’s closing ceremony….”

As I spoke loudly, I realized people were staring at us, so I buried my face in his shoulder. While it wouldn’t block their gaze, I wouldn’t have to see them.

I could feel my neck turning as red as a beetroot. I brought my face closer to his ear and whispered.

“I told you we should keep our distance.“

“I heard you.“

“Then why…?”

Julian gestured to a servant to open the carriage door. The servant quickly ran over and opened it. Julian carefully placed me on the carriage seat. His gentle handling made my heart race.

Was it because of what Nife shouted last night…? I couldn’t stop thinking about Julian. Whether he was aware of my feelings or not, his expression remained unreadable.

“You won’t be attending the closing ceremony.“

“But I will! I also need to meet Lady Ari!“

“Don’t attend. It’s better to return quickly from such a dangerous place.”

Julian didn’t even pretend to listen to me. It was the first time I’d seen him act so stubbornly. I pressed down on the edge of the veil with one hand, careful not to let him see my face.

How absurd that I insisted on keeping my distance from him but didn’t want to show him my disheveled appearance. I found my ambivalence toward Julian ridiculous.

I initially wanted to keep my distance because I felt I was taking everything he did for granted. But now there was another reason.

‘I can’t fall for Julian.’

It would be absurd to say I love him when I’ve vowed to use him and Duke Zan’s family to protect my own, even planning to betray him. For that reason, I decided to maintain some distance from him.

Julian placed me in the carriage and then attempted to sit across from me. I spread my hand wide to stop him.

Usually, he would’ve halted at such a gesture, but Julian gently took my hand and climbed into the carriage. To anyone else, it might have seemed like I had reached out to help him.

I realized I could no longer pretend to be calm and composed. In the end, I stammered as I questioned him.

“W-why are you acting this way?“

“What’s the problem?“

“You agreed, too! I’m too dependent on you… so we should keep some distance.“

“You never specified when that would start.”

I was at a loss for words. Julian called for a servant to place a small platform under the seat and gently rested my legs on it.

With my injury, sitting with my legs down was uncomfortable, so I appreciated his thoughtfulness. The problem was that this wasn’t much different from before.

“Is the sunlight still too bright?“

“Yes. Very, very bright.”

I spoke firmly, pulling my hat down tightly. Julian didn’t respond. Soon after, Nife jumped into the carriage beside me and hugged me.

“Your Grace, I’m going to miss you.”

I widened my eyes in surprise.

“Are you leaving for Sasha’s territory already?“

“You were so eager to send me off!“

“When did I ever try to send you off….”

I muttered, feeling slightly hurt, and Nife gently kissed my cheek. I was so startled that I quickly touched my cheek. What surprised me more was Julian’s reaction. He inserted his arm between me and Nife and glared at her.

“That doesn’t seem appropriate.“

“Why not? I shared a bed with Her Grace last night, and we hugged and slept together.“

“What did you just say?“

“I said we slept in the same bed and hugged each other, Your Grace!”

Nife replied clearly with a bright smile. What a bold and straightforward young lady. I was at a loss for words. It was even more flustering when Julian looked at me as if expecting an explanation.

“You were adamant about dignity, yet you seem less strict with yourself.“

“That was in front of everyone, but this is different. Does chatting all night with a close younger sister damage dignity?”

I answered absentmindedly, and Nife burst into laughter. I glanced between Julian’s stern expression and Nife’s cheerful one, tilting my head in confusion.

“Am I right?“

“Your Grace, why are you so adorable?“

“If you keep that up, you’ll get scolded by the maids again.“

“It was an honor to meet you, Your Grace. I was happy to see you as well, Your Grace.”

Hearing Nife’s farewell made my nose tingle. Nife winked at me, then suddenly seemed startled as if she spotted someone nearby.

“I really must go now. Write to me!”

Without waiting for my response, Nife waved her hand and hurried away. I had a feeling I knew who she had seen. Shortly after, Louis appeared outside the carriage door, looking troubled.

“Your Grace, good day.”

For some reason, it felt as if Louis had grown significantly overnight.

“Nife ran away when she saw you.“

“…It can’t be helped. She and I are on different paths.”

Louis tried to appear nonchalant, but I could see the shadow on his cheek. I looked at Louis with a bitter expression, which he seemed not to want, as he forced a bright smile.

“I’m heading straight back to the Winsley estate.“

“You too?”

Louis nodded without hesitation.

“I can’t rest forever. Your Grace, I have imposed on you. I am sincerely grateful.“

“Travel safely.“

“Yes, Your Grace, please be well too. I shall take my leave.”

Louis left after a shorter farewell than Nife’s. It had been quite noisy when they arrived, but now only Julian and I remained. As the carriage began to move, a deep sense of emptiness settled over me. I hid my lonely expression under my veil.

“There’s no need to feel so lonely.”

I looked up. How did he know?

“You get attached to people so easily. Even Lady Sasha, who you initially found burdensome, now seems to miss you.“

“Not really.”

I replied shortly. After that, there was no further conversation between us. The only sound was the occasional carriage stop when Julian checked my wound.

Julian, arms crossed, had his eyes closed. I couldn’t tell if he was genuinely asleep or just resting his eyes.

When the carriage reached Duke Zan’s estate, I spoke to Julian, who still had his eyes closed.

“I have a favor to ask.”

Julian slowly opened his eyes at my words, like a snake revealing itself.

“What is it?“

“I’d like to stay at your villa for a while.“

“Is this an extension of your request to keep some distance?“

“Yes, that’s right.”

I fiddled with my bandage unnecessarily.

“Plus, I’d like to tidy up the villa a bit. I mentioned before that I wanted to do that, but I haven’t made any progress, coming and going as I have.”

Julian gently moved my hand away from the bandage. He didn’t hold it long—just enough to keep me from touching the wound.

“Do as you wish.”

Julian tapped on the driver’s seat, instructing him to head to the villa. The carriage naturally turned toward the villa. Though I said he did not need to take me there, Julian didn’t listen.

The carriage arrived at the villa. When Anna prepared the wheelchair, Julian lifted me up and set me down in it.

“How will you manage without me?“

“I’ll be using crutches soon. I’ll manage with Anna for a few days.“

“…Alright. If that’s what you want.”

Was it my imagination, or did his final words sound curt? Julian climbed back into the carriage without even watching me enter the villa.

It was I who kept staring after the carriage until it disappeared. Once it was gone around the bend, Anna asked worriedly.

“My Lady, why did you make this decision? The Duke seems upset.“

“Anna, does this seem strange to you too?”

Anna hesitated before replying.

“Yes, it does seem a bit sudden.”

We should have been this way from the start. It was unnatural for us to be so close.

“I don’t know what’s right anymore. That’s why I’m keeping some distance from him, to think things through.“

“Oh, what do I know? I’ll just follow your lead, My Lady. Let’s go inside; it’s cold.“

“Alright.”

Anna pushed the wheelchair. The good-natured caretaker no longer seemed flustered when I showed up suddenly and welcomed me warmly. I returned his smile as I entered the villa.

‘If I keep my distance from Julian here, maybe this absurd feeling will subside slightly.’

That was what I was hoping for, anyway.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.