IOWYC Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Not long after the Highland lord visited the mansion, a letter arrived from the Valdormer estate.

It was from the head butler, Cliff.

Kallion opened the envelope with a calm expression and began to read.

But the more he read, the harder his expression became.

The letter was about Yuliana.

After Yuliana began dealing with the Bas Merchant Guild, Kallion had secretly ordered Cliff to investigate her. He was worried that she might be using the guild as an excuse to meet Lloyd.

After all, the first time Yuliana met Lloyd was in front of the Bas Guild, and the last time as well.

But what the letter revealed was different from what he expected.

It seemed Yuliana was doing business with the Bas Guild privately.

Why would she, the lady of Valdormer, make deals in her own name instead of in her husband’s?

She had never once shown greed for money or complained about wealth before.

Yet she was secretly trading with the guild?

That meant it was not for Valdormer’s sake.

Kallion’s thoughts tangled.

“It’s only a formal marriage, isn’t it? No one knows when the contract with Heister might collapse.”

Could she be thinking the same?

Was she preparing for when the contract between Valdormer and Heister ended?

Or… had she not come here as a hostage but as a chess piece?

If she was sending the profits from those secret trades to Heister…

Kallion’s stiff hand began writing a reply. He ordered Cliff to investigate Heister’s movements as well.

He hoped it was only a feeling.

He hoped she truly wasn’t Heister’s puppet.

Even if she hated him, he wanted to believe she endured life in Valdormer for herself—not for Heister.

But for that, he had to uncover the secret hidden behind her calm face.

At the same time, he feared what he might find.

Like something that should never be opened, like a Pandora’s box.

“Unless a child is born between you, the two families’ bond will always be as fragile as a candle in the wind.”

If he and Yuliana had a child… would this unease disappear?

He let out a bitter laugh at the thought.

A child between two people who only hated and resented each other—wouldn’t that be too pitiful?

And yet, without realizing it, he imagined what such a child might look like.

Would the child have her golden hair? Or his black hair?

He hoped the eyes would look like Yuliana’s.

His thoughts drifted to the dream he once had—of a black-haired child playing on the beach with Yuliana.

He hadn’t seen the face, but he couldn’t help thinking that if they ever had a child, it would look like that.

With a self-mocking smile, Kallion shook his head.

Clearly, his aching head was making him imagine nonsense.

***

That night was the night they had promised to share a bed.

Though she told herself it was just a duty, just a formality to meet Denian, still, Yuliana’s body did not feel calm.

She rubbed her palms nervously, remembering their last night together.

She had thought it was meaningless, nothing but two bodies lying side by side. Yet she had ended up crying that night.

This time, she swore she would not show weakness.

She must go through with it, no matter what. After all, this was the time when Denian had been conceived.

Taking a deep breath, Yuliana rose to her feet. She thought perhaps a little fresh air would help.

The sea at dusk glowed red, swallowing the golden sun.

Waves crashed noisily against the shore.

The damp breeze tangled her golden hair, but she didn’t mind, staring blankly at the horizon.

Turning her head slightly, she froze.

Beside her stood Denian—the black-haired child—smiling up at her.

His cheeks glowed pink in the orange sunset, so lovely and dear.

She smiled softly back at him.

Even though she knew he was only a memory, it warmed her to see him again, even in her mind.

From a distance, Kallion silently watched.

She was smiling at nothing, looking lonely yet strangely radiant in the fiery sunset.

Drawn as if enchanted, he began walking toward her.

Sensing his presence, Yuliana turned.

With the blazing sunset behind her, she looked almost like a goddess of fire.

He stared for a long time until she finally spoke, her voice cool and steady:

“Do you have something to say to me?”

That snapped him back to reality.

Meeting her crimson eyes, he murmured, “You know tonight is our bed-sharing night.”

“…Yes.”

Her serious tone made his heart stir, but he forced calm into his voice.

“I’ll wait in the room.”

With that, he turned and left.

Yuliana watched his back, silently renewing her resolve. Tonight, she had to go through with it.

***

The bridal chamber had been prepared.

Though they usually slept in separate rooms, tonight they must spend the night together.

Kallion, already showered and dressed in a robe, sat on the bed, restless.

He stood, sat, and paced nervously, finally pouring himself some wine.

At that moment, the door opened.

Yuliana stepped in, wearing an evening gown.

Her damp hair showed she had bathed too.

Kallion’s eyes lingered a moment, then he quickly turned away, filling another glass and offering it.

“Would you like some wine?”

The door clicked shut behind her. The sound seemed loud in the silence.

Trying to break the tension, he said, “It’s a specialty from Dallot. The scent is fine, and it lingers gently.”

He raised the glass to her—

But Yuliana walked forward, her fingers untying the knot of her gown.

Kallion’s eyes widened.

Meeting his gaze with a calm face, she said, “I don’t need wine.”

Alcohol might interfere with tonight.

The knot loosened, and her gown fell open, revealing the thin, sheer slip beneath.

Kallion’s breath caught.

His heart pounded wildly.

Then she slid the gown from her shoulders.

It slipped down her skin and fell silently to the floor.

And in that moment, Kallion felt as though his heart, too, had dropped to the ground.