Felix's words made Kallion's lips tighten.
Then William, head of the Sorrento family, carefully spoke up.
"Even Lady Layla deeply regrets her actions. You know well how much she has sacrificed for Valdormer."
Glancing at Felix, William added:
"If you cast her aside after she has served the Valdormer house with loyalty for ten years, the trust of vassal families like mine will be shaken."
Kallion tilted his head slightly and answered coldly:
"Are you threatening me?"
William quickly bowed.
"Of course not. I only hope you will consider the loyal servants who have long devoted themselves to Valdormer."
The truth was, Kallion himself had not decided Layla's punishment.
She had betrayed him and slandered his wife, which deserved punishment.
But her motive had come from excessive loyalty to Valdormer.
From Sorrento's point of view, it must have felt unfair that the daughter of their old enemy Heister had been brought in as mistress of the house.
And for the other vassals, it might look like Kallion was throwing away a servant of ten years just to defend the enemy's daughter.
Felix, watching Kallion's troubled face, bowed his head and pleaded:
"For this time, I think it best to accept Lord Sorrento's request, for the sake of appearances before the other families."
Kallion's lips twisted.
"So this is why the Highland lord came with you."
Felix frowned but insisted firmly:
"If this continues, the vassals will think you have fallen under the sway of Heister's daughter and are cutting ties with them."
Kallion's voice turned icy:
"Valdormer's wife."
The two men blinked at him.
"She is not 'Heister's daughter.' She is Valdormer's wife."
The killing chill in his voice made Felix and William glance at each other nervously.
Then Felix carefully suggested:
"Then… why not ask your wife directly?"
Kallion's face twisted in displeasure.
The reason he had not brought back Layla yet was because of Yuliana.
Even if Layla was like family to him, to Yuliana she was simply the maid who had plotted against her.
He wanted to give her time.
And if, in the end, Yuliana could not accept Layla…
Unbelievable as it was, he was even ready to let Layla go.
Because if Layla ever hurt Yuliana again, he could not bear it.
Just then, a knock sounded, followed by a familiar voice.
"It's me, Yuliana."
The three men turned toward the door.
"May I come in?"
After a pause, Kallion allowed it.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Yuliana entered carrying a teapot and cups.
She calmly set them on the table and began pouring tea for the guests.
Seeing her, Felix and William exchanged uneasy glances.
Kallion frowned.
"You should have had a maid do that."
Yuliana straightened her back gracefully and looked at them all.
"Forgive me, but I heard from outside. You wanted to ask me something directly?"
Her composed, noble voice left Felix and William momentarily speechless.
Kallion quickly cut in.
"You don't need to get involved."
"This is about Lady Layla, isn't it?"
"..."
"As I'm the one concerned, isn't it best to ask me?"
William hesitated, then bowed toward her.
"It was only because of her excessive loyalty to Valdormer. If you would forgive her, the vassals would look at you differently."
Yuliana stayed silent.
Felix added:
"As mistress of Valdormer, please show generosity…"
Kallion's expression darkened.
"Enough!"
But Yuliana's calm, cold voice followed.
"Bring her back."
Kallion turned to her in disbelief.
"…Are you serious?"
The woman who had hated Layla so much—now she was saying this?
Yuliana's face was not angry or hurt, only distant and indifferent.
"When did you ever care about my feelings in such matters?"
Inside, Yuliana was calculating.
She would not stay in Valdormer forever.
For now, having Layla around might actually be useful.
And it would be unwise to cause conflict with the vassal houses.
"For what's ahead, you'll need Lady Layla anyway," she said.
But her clenched hand betrayed the tension she felt.
Part of her still wanted him to say she didn't need to forgive Layla.
After a long silence, Kallion finally said quietly:
"We'll speak of this again."
He rubbed his forehead tiredly and dismissed the lords.
"I've heard your opinions. You may leave for today."
Felix and William bowed and withdrew.
***
That night, Yuliana deliberately went to her own bedroom instead of the marital chambers.
The recent nights with Kallion had been reckless, and it was time to stop.
She lay down on the wide, empty bed, almost asleep, when—
Knock, knock.
The door opened, and Kallion entered, face stern.
The tension returned instantly—after all, until yesterday, he had clung to her like a starving beast.
But his voice was calm.
"May we talk?"
Relieved, she pulled on a robe and went to the table.
His eyes followed every movement as she tied the robe.
"What is it?" she asked coolly.
"Did you truly mean it, about bringing Layla back?"
She answered calmly:
"You wanted me to forgive her, didn't you?"
He could not reply right away.
For some reason, that silence chilled her heart.
What was she expecting?
She forced herself to speak coldly:
"Just because we've shared a bed a few times, don't act like we're truly husband and wife."
It was as much a reminder to herself as to him.
Kallion's face went blank with shock.
"What…?"
"You've never cared for me before. Don't start now."
Her harsh words twisted his expression with pain.
But Yuliana felt no joy.
He was supposed to be only an enemy, someone she resented.
His concern only made her uncomfortable.
Finally, his voice turned cold as well.
"Fine. If you say so, then I have no reason to refuse the lords' request. Layla will return—it's easier for me anyway."
Then, after a pause, he added,
"Tonight… we'll sleep separately."
He clenched his fists, turned, and left the room.
Yuliana felt her body loosen at last as the tension drained away.