The mansion was unusually busy all morning. Perhaps it was because of the sudden downpour. Watching the servants scurrying about, Yulania felt a sense of urgency herself. Peeking out the window, she saw servants applying tree sap to the outside of the building, to prevent rainwater from seeping in. The neat raindrops that had started to fall began to pour so fiercely in the afternoon that it was hard to see even an inch ahead.
‘Surely the sun is behind that somewhere.’
The sky was filled with black storm clouds, making it impossible to tell if it was day or night. It was as if the sky was mischievously trying to sink the sun into the water.
Yulania closed the window again, dismissing such trivial thoughts. The surroundings were dark and damp, and she didn’t feel like working on her tapestry. Everyone was running around so frantically that she didn’t want to create more work for them. She spent her time leisurely sipping tea in her bedroom. Sometimes, she felt a little melancholy the day after the wedding night. Perhaps it was the weather and the atmosphere of the mansion. Yulania felt particularly emotional today and chose to stay in. She had only one appointment today.
Knock, knock.
“Princess, it’s Devon.”
No sooner had she thought it than the appointment arrived. Yulania straightened her back, which had been sinking into the chair, and spoke.
“Come in.”
Almost as soon as she gave her permission, the door opened and a man entered. He had obviously anticipated her approval and moved in advance. A middle-aged man with dark brown hair slicked back with oil approached Yulania with quick steps.
“Princess, have you been well?”
Devon, the royal physician sent by the royal family, grinned with an empty expression. Seeing him, Yulania was struck by how quickly time seemed to pass. Each day seemed to drag on, but three months had flown by so quickly.
“I have.”
Yulania replied with an indifferent face, feeling subtly uncomfortable with him.
“Yes, yes. That’s a relief. His Majesty is always worried about your hypersensitivity.”
Devon opened the leather bag he had brought, uttering his tiresome words. As Yulania waited in silence, he quickly took out a small vial and handed it to her. Taking it in one hand, she felt the familiar whitish liquid slosh around.
“Here, drink this. You must produce an heir soon.”
Devon urged her, miming the act of swallowing the medicine. Without a word, Yulania obediently opened the vial and swallowed it in one gulp. The viscous liquid went down, leaving a subtle sweetness.
Devon watched her until the end, then took the empty vial. He bowed, wearing a somewhat irritating smile.
“Then, I’ll see you again in three months, Princess.”
“You may leave.”
“Yes, yes.”
Having finished his business, Devon left immediately without adding another word.
“Haa…”
Watching his retreating figure, Yulania leaned back in her chair, exhausted. Soon, the familiar effects of the medicine began to take hold, bringing a sense of calm to her mind and body. The medicine sent by the King didn’t seem to help her conceive, but it was excellent for calming her nerves. She closed her eyes, feeling her pounding heart slow down.
“…Lania, Yulania. You need to wake up.”
“Huh? Ah, Santia.”
She must have dozed off. Yulania groggily opened her eyes to the touch of her husband shaking her awake. He smelled of damp earth. Judging by the fact that he had come to find her himself, it seemed to be an urgent matter. She roughly ran her fingers through her hair and sat up.
‘How long did I sleep?’
She had only meant to close her eyes for a moment, but quite some time had passed. A blanket was draped over her knees, perhaps by Vanessa, and the outside of the window was as dark as night.
Perhaps it was because of the lack of light, but she felt particularly sleepy today. Seeing that she was awake, Santia immediately got to the point.
“Yulania, it seems we have to go to the territory.”
“Ah… earlier than last year.”
No wonder the servants were so busy. They had started preparing for the journey sooner than expected. The rain must have made it even more chaotic.
“I received an urgent report that the movements in the North are unsettling. We need to go as soon as possible. I plan to leave at dawn tomorrow, so be ready.”
“So suddenly? It’s pouring rain.”
She hadn’t expected it to be today. She had thought it would be soon, but traveling in such bad weather? She doubted if the carriage would even be able to move properly. Yulania widened her eyes, filled with a sense of bewilderment. The little sleepiness she had left vanished at his words.
“You’ll be safely escorted in the carriage, so don’t worry. It’s a hundred times better than demons pouring down.”
Was the urgent report related to demons? She had thought they had subsided for a while, but pouring down? Yulania widened her eyes, slightly surprised.
“I understand. Is there anything else I need to do?”
“No. Just prepare yourself mentally, as the journey may be difficult.”
“…Yes.”
He retorted in a twisted tone, but Yulania let it go quietly. Perhaps it was because she had taken the medicine earlier, but her emotions weren’t greatly affected.
“And I’ll tell you in advance, I plan to stay there for a long time this time. If I only deal with urgent matters and come back as hastily as last year, the territory will collapse soon. I can’t keep going back and forth to the capital like this.”
Santia’s words that followed sounded as if he were rebuking Yulania. He explained as if she had been stubborn about not wanting to go to the territory.
‘I didn’t particularly object, though.’
She felt a little sulky inside, but she didn’t bother to say it out loud. She didn’t find anything to say in response, so she quietly listened to his words.
“If you go with me, you’ll be able to keep watch well enough. I’ll inform the King myself.”
This level of sarcasm was nothing more than affection. She simply nodded silently.
Santia, looking down at her, frowned as if something was still not to his liking, then left the room with heavy footsteps.
Yulania folded the blanket and put it away, then got up from the chair. She had been sitting in the room all day, and she felt stuffy. She rang the bell to call Vanessa and instructed her to prepare a bath. She thought she should take as many baths as she could before arriving at the Makari Territory.
Yulania woke up again to the sound of rain in the early dawn. Lying in bed, she turned her head slightly and saw that the rain was even heavier than yesterday.
“Sigh…”
The thought of breaking through that made her sigh involuntarily. Perhaps because she had been dozing all day yesterday, she was wide awake despite the early hour. Yulania shook off her drooping mood and got out of bed. Thanks to taking a warm bath last night and applying plenty of scented oil, her light blonde hair flowed down smoothly. It was Vanessa’s special measure in preparation for not being able to wash for a while.
Yulania felt the smooth texture with her fingertips and shook the bell. Soon, Vanessa entered with a surprised face.
“Princess, you’re up early. Did you have trouble sleeping?”
“No, I think I went to bed too early.”
“I see. Still, it’s a relief that you slept well since you’ll be suffering for a while.”
Vanessa chattered and prepared the washing water. Yulania blinked blankly and looked at her reflection in the silver tray. Golden hair and golden eyes, symbols of royalty, and fair skin that had been carefully maintained. A hothouse flower raised preciously by the King. She only saw the figure of a powerless, beautiful woman.
She had certainly married Santia to escape her father’s pressure, but somehow, she felt that nothing had changed. The King’s hand still reached her, and her husband was just another inconvenience.
“It’s been a while since I left the capital.”
“That’s right. It’s your first time since you briefly visited the territory last year, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
It was already her third time going to the Makari Territory. Contrary to Santia’s thoughts, Yulania wanted to stay in the territory as long as possible. Unlike the capital, which was practically in the King’s grasp, the harsh North was a place where his influence was definitely less.
Wouldn’t it be more comfortable if she was far away? She thought she should suggest it to Santia this time.
Vanessa skillfully helped Yulania get ready. She left the mansion, carefully wrapped in waterproof fabric.
Swish, swish, swish.
Amidst the constant downpour, the servants carefully wrapped the horse-drawn carriages, which were covered in tree sap. The sound of the rain drowned out their voices, and everyone was shouting loudly.
“There! Wrap the corners with two layers!”
“Yes, hold that side tight!”
It was the final waterproofing process for the carriages that had finished preparing to depart in front of the main gate. No matter how high-end the carriage was, it was useless against such a downpour as if a hole had been torn in the sky. If they went on the rainy road without any wrapping, water would leak through the cracks in the ceiling.
“Ah, Princess! This way!”
Leaving behind the servants who were still in a frenzy until the end, Yulania got into the carriage prepared for her.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The raindrops falling in an offbeat rhythm seemed to foreshadow her mismatched life.
