Editor: bodyinthefreezer

“Uh! Sorry!”

I was so overcome by emotion that I hugged him too tightly. I was about to move back, but Blake grabbed my arm and prevented me from getting up.

“Don't go.”

“Your Highness…”

Blake reached out and held my hands. His hands were a little cold as usual, but his fever had subsided in a short time.

“Ancia, why are you crying?”

“No reason. I'm just happy to see you. Are you feeling well?”

“Yes. I feel well-rested after sleeping for so long.”

“Thank god, I’ll call the doctor.”

“No. Don't go. Stay with me.”

“Your Highness…”

“Ahem.”

Tenstheon announced his presence and walked closer.

“Your Majesty…”

It was the first reunion between father and son in three years. And I was stuck between them. I tried to get out of the way quickly, but Blake firmly held my arm with no intention of letting go.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes.”

Tenstheon touched Blake’s forehead.

“You don’t have a fever.”

“Yes.”

They met after a long time but their conversation was so awkward. If I left, they’d talk more comfortably, right?

“I’ll call the doctor.”

“No, Ancia don’t go.”

But Blake didn’t have any intention of letting me go.

“I’ll call the doctor.”

In the meantime, Tenstheon opened the door and went out. When only the two of us were left, Blake hugged me again.

“Ancia, I’ve missed you. It’s been too long since I saw my wife’s face.”

“Me too. I’ve been waiting for you to look at me like this.”

“You called me so I woke up.”

He smiled brightly, holding my hands in his.

“Thank you Ancia.”

I should’ve laughed too but tears dripped down my face instead.

“Your Highness, thank you for waking up! Thank you very much!”

Ten days of anxiety burst out in the form of tears as Blake patted my back.

***

There were many changes in the Crown Prince’s Palace after Blake woke up.

Tenstheon visited the Amoria Palace every other day, and sometimes we even ate dinner together.

“Father, try the mushrooms too.”

I pushed the mushroom egg roll towards Tenstheon. I called Tenstheon ‘father’ again but Blake still called him ‘Your Majesty’

I felt uncomfortable for some reason, and father was also disappointed.

“Thank you, it’s delicious.”

“Your Highness hates mushrooms, but if I make it like this, you enjoy it, right?”

“Yes….”

Blake nodded quietly

“Father, his highness has been eating perilla leaves lately.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He used to hate the strong scent, but he’s finally realized its charm, right?”“Yes.”

Blake nodded again but that was all. The two were still awkward, and faced each other with stiff expressions and curt answers.

Blake and Tenstheon only responded alternately when I said something to them and neither of them spoke to each other.

Since Blake was cursed, the two hadn’t seen each other for a long time. It was too much to hope for a fast recovery in their relationship.

Still, I felt frustrated because I knew they loved each other.

“Father, our Crown Prince is very cute, isn’t he?”

“Yes, very cute.”

“Your Highness, raise your head.”

“Our Emperor is wonderful, isn't he?”

“Yes.”

“Look a little closer. Isn't he so cool?”

“…Do you have to say it twice?”

“Pardon?”

“…..”

Blake ate without saying a word. The father and son’s meal together ended with little progress.

***

“Your Highness, you're glad your father comes here often, aren't you?”

After Tenstheon left, I asked Blake carefully. Blake replied in a nonchalant way.

“It’s no big deal.”

The moment I heard that, my heart sank. Did he blame Tenstheon?

“Don’t you like it?”

“No. I get less time with my wife.”

“What? Is that why you hate it?”

Wasn't it because of all the misunderstandings and emotions that have been suppressed for so long?

“When we’re with him, you only praise him and care about him.”

Blake pouted.

“When did I?”

“You said he was cool today too.”

“I also said you are cute.”

“You said his abs are magnificent.”

“That's a long time ago!”

Why would he suddenly reveal my dark history? I tried to erase it from my memory!

“I want to be with Ancia. I don't want anyone else.”

I gave him a big hug. Anyway, I was glad he didn't blame father.

“You were jealous right?”

“Yes. I'm jealous.”

When did my little bunny grow this big? Suddenly, Blake held my arms.

“Ancia, I don’t like seeing you with other men.”

“He’s my father.”

“Just look at me. I can only see Ancia.”

He looked up at me with his big eyes, hugging my waist tightly. He looked so beautiful that I was speechless for a moment. Since when did he become so lovely?

I patted his cheek. His cheeks were no longer as chubby.

“My husband should eat a lot. Your chubby cheeks are all gone.”

He had only been sick for ten days, but lost so much weight. Even though I had had such a hard time bulking up my husband! But right now he had no fever, and even though he had been ill for ten days, the curse hadn’t spread.

It was a relief that he seemed to have recovered his health. It was just fat. I could put it back on him!

“No. I'm not going to be cute anymore.”

Was he already going through puberty? But it wasn't convincing because he still looked cute no matter what he did.

In fact, it didn't matter whether he was cute or not. I just needed my rabbit to stay healthy.

As I was hugging his skinny body, I heard a knock at the door.

“Your Highness, it's Eunhan.”Eunhan had quit his life as a shadow.

Those who did not receive the knighthood couldn't take over escorting a royal.

So for now, he was staying at the Crown Prince's Palace as a special guest who was interested in Eastern culture.

I explained to the servants of the Crown Prince's Palace that Eunhan was from the kingdom of Canua, the Easternmost part of the Western Continent, because some asians lived there.

Eunhan was well versed in the Imperial language and had fully mastered the etiquette of Western lands, so no one noticed that he was from the Chang Empire.

Tenstheon had also prepared the documents in advance so that Eunhan could come out if he wanted to.

So it was perfect. There was only one minor problem.

“…come in.”

Blake answered nonchalantly. Eunhan opened the door and came inside.

“Why are you here?”

“Your Highness…”

I said to Blake once that he should be nicer to Eunhan, but he was still the same.

“How are you?”

Eunhan would come to check Blake's condition every day.

“You know even if I didn’t tell you.”

Eunhan could feel Blake's mana. So he could tell Blake's condition without having to take his temperature.

It was true, but his attitude was too cold. However, Eunhan didn't care and smiled.

“I'm glad you're healthy today too.”

“I'm tired. Please leave.”

“Alright, I'll be going. Your Highness, have a good night.”

“Good night, Eunhan.”

Eunhan bowed his head and went out. The two showed no signs of getting closer.

As Blake and Tenstheon had spent a lot of time apart, it was natural that it would take time to restore their relationship, but it was different in this case.

“Your Highness, why are you so cold to Eunhan?”

“No reason.”

“He's been trying to get close with you for a while now.”

“I think Eunhan is a good person. I hope you two will get along well in the future.”

Blake was always lonely. I wanted him to hang out with more people.

“I already have a friend you know. Diana.”

They’d fight all the time, but he finally admitted it.

Of course, they had always been friends with each other, but I thought he’d never admit it.

“But you would have fun if you had more friends.”

“I don't like him.”

Blake said monotonously.

It was my first time seeing him draw a line like this, so I didn't force him anymore.

It had been less than a month. They’d get to know each other soon enough. I decided to not fret about it.

But I hoped they’d begin to get along before I left.

“And Blake.”

“Pardon?”

“My name is Blake.”

“I know. Of course I know my husband’s name.”

I laughed because it was very cute when he suddenly told me his name, but Blake had on a serious expression.

“Everyone else calls each other their names, so why do you keep calling me ‘Your Highness’?

“That's etiquette.”

“You can call me comfortably.”

“That’s…”

“Wife, am I really your husband?”

“……”

“When will you decide to stay by my side?”

I did so due to etiquette, but it was also a deliberate move to distance myself from Blake.

I’d have to leave if I couldn’t lift Blake’s curse. So I drew the line and tried not to cross it.

“What do you mean? I've always been by your side.”

“Don't be silly. I've heard you.”