.jpg)
Julia had also prepared drinks for herself and Dimiter. He was the one who had taken care of the children on her behalf and been considerate of her while Julia had been lost in thought for the past few days.
Dimiter and Julia also needed some alone time as a couple. The apple wine Julia prepared was something Dimiter and Julia shared every wedding anniversary, a kind of custom.
Dimiter stared at the bottle with a pale face.
"Is something wrong?"
Julia asked, puzzled. Julia, who had smoothed out her silky pajamas, sat on the sofa.
"...I was wondering if I had forgotten something."
His words were fragmented.
"It's definitely not our wedding anniversary."
"Huh?"
"Is it your birthday today? No, it's not that either."
Dimiter glared at the transparent bottle with the gold label. The clear, golden liquor sloshing inside looked like poison.
'Remember, remember what you forgot!'
Even with all his might, his head, which usually worked so well, felt like it had turned to stone, and he couldn't remember anything.
Dimiter clenched his fist tightly.
"...Dimiter?"
"I'm sorry, Julia."
"Yes?"
"I can't figure it out. What anniversary did I forget today? I'm so sorry..."
Only then did Julia realize what Dimiter was thinking, and she burst into laughter. She didn't know how adorable his pale face and stammering words were.
If there was one thing she had done right in her life, it was accepting the man who awkwardly offered her a bouquet of flowers like a simpleton.
It was a decision made in her youth, but Julia was not wrong.
"What are you talking about, Dimiter?"
"I..."
"It's nothing like that, so come and sit here. Today is not a special day for us."
Only then did Dimiter breathe a sigh of relief. Dimiter's face, sitting next to Julia, gradually regained its color.
Julia handed him a glass full of wine.
"...If it's not a special day for us, does that mean it's an important day for someone else?"
"Well, maybe. I don't really know."
Julia shrugged. It was too early to talk about the story between Evelyn and Cerden.
She could tell that the way they looked at each other was special, but it wasn't an easy relationship.
Even if Cerden treated Evelyn specially, and Evelyn's gaze towards Cerden was warm.
The huge mountain called Spelman stood between them.
Still, this apple wine gave Julia and Dimiter a special magic. It made them more honest with each other.
She could only hope that the magic would work for them too.
"...Actually, I have something to tell you today too."
"Something to tell me?"
Julia's eyes widened at Dimiter's words. Dimiter nodded heavily.
"...Duke Spelman visited me during the day. And he made me an offer."
He spoke in a long and roundabout way, but in the end, what Duke Spelman wanted to say was one thing.
Betray Cerden and take his hand.
Dimiter briefly explained the conversation he had with Julia.
"That sly old fox. He brought up our children."
"That's right. It means he'll use anything he can."
Dimiter gritted his teeth.
"I think I can use this opportunity."
"...You're going to be a double agent?"
Dimiter nodded.
"It could help Cerden. I could prevent the plans they're making in advance."
"...Cerden Your Highness, the Crown Prince is an unstable person. Trying to help him might lead to misunderstandings."
"I'm prepared for that."
Dimiter smiled bitterly.
Dimiter knew his friend well. The suspicion and wounds he held inside.
"But I think it'll be a little better because you're here. I think now might be an opportunity. The fact that he entrusted Your Highness with you, who is like a weakness to him, means he trusts you that much."
This was a double-edged sword. That's why Dimiter had been agonizing over it all day.
Which would be more efficient, which would be the right thing to do.
"Besides, the friendship between our family and Your Highness, and the friendship with the Crown Prince, might seem like a good thing to Duke Spelman."
"...There's some truth to what you're saying. But I think it would be better to talk to Your Highness, the Crown Prince first."
Dimiter nodded.
"We should be careful for a while. If Duke Spelman finds out that I'm meeting Cerden..."
"All the plans will be ruined."
"Haa. If there was a way to contact Cerden secretly and directly..."
"I think I can handle that."
Julia said firmly.
At that moment, Julia was thinking of Evelyn. The only outsider who had moved Cerden's heart.
She thought it would be safer if Evelyn became the bridge. And Evelyn...
'She will definitely be on our side.'
For some reason, she was sure of it.
* * *
Julia's work started at 8 a.m. Julia had never been late once. Today was no exception.
"Good morning, Your Highness."
"Indeed. It's a really good morning, Julia."
They exchanged greetings pleasantly. How happy she was to have someone to talk to so comfortably in a place where there was no one else.
Only those who have lost it once would know.
She couldn't help but hum.
Besides, there was no one sticking right next to her to watch her, and no one could enter carelessly because of the knights guarding outside.
Ha, she wished it was like this all the time.
Besides, she was having so much fun preparing to outsmart Duke Spelman.
Without Duke Spelman's pressure, she didn't have to stuff cookies in her mouth for no reason, and she didn't have to twist her body while making a lisping sound.
Is this what it means to have a rosy life?
"Was the gift I gave you yesterday okay?"
"Yes?"
Her eyes widened.
"Ah, the apple, the apple wine."
She swallowed hard. She had finished the apple wine. She shared it with Cerden... and enjoyed it.
It was an apple wine that was so sweet it tingled the tip of her nose.
The moment she thought of the apple wine, she also thought of the kiss yesterday. Their bodies pressed together without an inch of space, and the hands that caressed her skin erotically.
'Okay, that's enough for today.'
She remembered the hazy look in his eyes when she couldn't bear it anymore and pushed him away.
'Looking at me with those eyes.'
The sensation of his firm fingers caressing her eyes came back to life. Even the kiss that followed.
She remembered how it lightly touched her eyelids and only fell away after a long time.
Her heart fluttered.
She also remembered how they promised to just hold hands and sleep, but ended up hugging each other tightly.
"...Your Highness?"
"Yes, yes?"
"Your face... is very red."
"Me, me? I didn't do anything?"
She said in a shrill voice.
"You seem flustered..."
"Me? No, really."
She quickly hardened her expression and spoke stiffly. Julia chuckled softly.
"I won't ask any more questions. So stop making that face."
She rubbed her face.
I'm sure I'm a good actress. I've never been caught acting before.
She gulped down water.
"...I think it would be better if I changed the subject first."
I really like Julia's consideration and quick wit. Julia refilled my teacup and started talking.
It wasn't a welcome story.
"Your Highness, actually, Duke Spelman came to see my husband."
Duke Spelman. When will I ever stop hearing that name?
"...What did he say?"
"He offered to join hands."
After listening to Julia's story in detail, it turned out that Duke Spelman wanted Roger.
And Duke Roger wanted to volunteer as a double spy.
She was saying that she wanted me to be the bridge between Roger and Cerden. It's just like the original story.
Does that mean that even if the path is different, the destination will be the same? I felt like my heart was going to explode.
.jpg)