Chapter 23
At Harvich’s cold reply, lincia bit her lip, about to say that Julius seemed to be targeting their child.
She didn’t want to confirm once again that he didn’t believe her.
She was hurt by Harvich’s attitude, but she wasn’t shameless enough to expect comfort.
After all, hadn’t she also treated him coldly today?
She hadn’t listened to his words when he said he could explain.
Even if they stayed in the same space, they weren’t close enough to share a bed anyway.
lincia wanted to pretend not to see Harvich sitting casually on the sofa.
But sensing his subtle gaze, lincia sighed.
“…Sleep in the bed.
If it’s uncomfortable to share it with me, I’ll take the sofa.”
“It’s fine.
And I’m not shameless enough to make a pregnant woman sleep on the sofa just so I can be comfortable.”
Harvich murmured softly, as if it was nothing, and somehow lincia felt a surge of emotion.
If that night, when he had held her and laid her on the bed, was just for such a reason…
Then why had he asked her if she was uncomfortable that night?
“Am I making you uncomfortable?”
The unanswered question resurfaced, souring her mood.
“If you’re not going to sleep and just sit on the sofa, then leave.
You’re making me uncomfortable.”
lincia spoke coldly, but Harvich said nothing.
“Should I leave instead?”
“Where could you possibly go at this hour?”
Harvich, who had been sitting on the sofa, quickly rose to his feet.
Seeing him walk toward the bed made her scoff.
The fact that the man who hadn’t responded to any of her words suddenly jumped up at the thought of her leaving was absurd to the point of madness.
“Then this is a good chance to confirm who my supposed affair partner is.”
The thin thread of trust between her and Harvich had crumbled with her pregnancy.
Having to repeat the same words again and again was no longer just tiresome—it was unbearable.
If she could, she wanted to throw everything away and run.
When she grabbed the shawl placed on the desk, Harvich seized her hand.
“Looking like that…”
His hand on her wrist trembled.
“Let go!”
To lincia, Harvich had been everything.
But to him, she was nothing.
Though she struggled, he did not release her hand.
“I…”
“…”
“I was wrong.”
Unfamiliar words fell from Harvich’s lips.
Her strength drained away.
“…What did you say?”
“I was wrong.
So please, don’t go.”
At his apology, the storm of emotions inside her gradually subsided.
That night, Harvich held her as he had on their first day at the fortress, and fell asleep with her in his arms.
As if he were afraid she might leave the bedroom.
For Lincia, this only made Harvich more incomprehensible.
Why would a man who was so certain of her infidelity go so far as to apologise just to keep her near?
Why would he hold her so tightly in his sleep?
She had no way of knowing.
***
When Lincia awoke in the morning, Harvich was gone.
She stared at the empty space on the bed, remembering his words from last night.
“I was wrong.”
Words she thought she had misheard.
“Good morning.
There’s a banquet starting from lunch today.
I came to wake you, worried you might have caught a chill… thankfully, you’re fine.”
Startled, Lincia turned to see Anna beside her.
“To arrive at the banquet on time, you’ll need to hurry a little.”
Anna quickly helped Lincia bathe and dress, chattering all the while.
As she brushed Lincia’s hair, she went on.
“His Majesty saw your condition last night and decided there’s no need to hold the banquet for ten whole days.
He shortened it for your sake.”
lincia’s lips stiffened.
“…Julius did?”
“Yes.
His Majesty said he came to the north specifically to shorten the banquet period.”
“…”
“And though it’s not much of a trade, he wishes to speak with you personally on the final day, before the Imperial envoys depart.”
“…Is that so?
When is he leaving?”
“Tomorrow.
His Majesty said he wanted to see that you are well, and to show that he still cares for you, so you won’t feel neglected.”
lincia’s eyes trembled faintly.
“Did the retainers permit me to meet the Emperor?”
“Yes.
In exchange for shortening the banquet dates…
Is it uncomfortable for you to speak with His Majesty?”
Anna fidgeted nervously with the comb in her hand.
Lincia gave her an awkward smile.
“No, it’s just that… It’s been two years since I last saw Julius.
So I guess it feels a little awkward.”
“Oh, I see.
I was worried you and His Majesty might have quarrelled, but of course, that could never be.”
Linciaa stayed silent, listening to Anna’s chatter.
***
Originally, the banquet was scheduled to last ten full days.
But Julius, concerned forLincia’ss health, had shortened it.
To make up for the reduced time, the preparations had become even more extravagant.
Soft music filled the hall from the morning, a champagne fountain sparkled at thecentrer, and drinks of every kind were laid out amongcolourfull flowers.
lincia was slightly impressed by how completely different the atmosphere was compared to the first day.
Yesterday had felt subdued, but today was closer to the grandeur of an Imperial banquet.
For a moment, she could almost mistake this place for the Imperial Palace rather than the fortress.
She looked around, escorted by Harvich.
Though the banquet had not yet begun, Julius entered the hall.
“Oh, it’s beyond expectations.”
Julius let out an admiring remark as he looked around.
Harvich bowed politely to him.
“We prepared so as not to bring shame upon the Empire.”
“You’ve filled it with all the things my sister loves?”
Julius said, taking in the hall with apparent satisfaction.
Then he strode toward Lincia.
“Will you give me the first dance?”
He extended his hand to her with a smile.
When Lincia placed her hand lightly in his, he kissed the back of it.
It was a simple courtly greeting, yet it made her stomach churn.
Her head knew this was not the Imperial Palace, but just seeing Julius in the banquet hall made her feel as though she had been pulled back in time.
Back to when she had been powerless, unable to do anything.
Though things weren’t so different now, at least she was no longer under direct threat to her life.
She tightened her grip on Harvich’s arm.
Harvich glanced at her, then stepped in front of her as if to shield her from Julius.
“Shouldn’t the first dance be with me, her husband?”
“Even though I’ve come all the way to the north to see my sister?”
“Yes.
That is the proper custom.”
