It was difficult for me to change my way of speaking to him overnight because I got used to it for so long. He looked at me when I was stuttering without knowing what to do, then laughed.

“Oh my… I was going to grumble about you a bit more, but I can’t. You are so cute. ”

“Your Majesty.”

“Okay, that’s enough. I think you can change it gradually. It’s going to be a great fun for me to watch you feeling awkward about it in the meantime. ”

My face blushed at that. I fanned my face with my hand, turning my eyes away from him who seemed to enjoy teasing me, then I tilted my head a bit because I felt a bit uncomfortable.

I felt strange about his look. He looked a bit pale, or maybe not.

“Your Majesty, are you sick? You don’t look good now…”

“Oh, I’m fine. I’m just a little tired. ”

I knitted my brows. Obviously, he was a bit surprised when I asked, and his voice, which sounded dynamic as a rule, was not spirited at all today.

‘I feel he isn’t in good shape today.’

He said with an embarrassed expression, watching me still looking at me suspiciously, “I’m serious. I think I worked too much because there was lots of work backed up.”

“… You have to take a rest. Why are you still staying in the palace?”

“I’m okay. I can manage it. Since the big conference just ended, there is so much work to do.”

“But you still need to rest. Nothing is more important than your health. So please put down the papers now. ”

When I spoke firmly, he said with a smile while pondering over something, “Let’s do it this way. While I’m taking a break, won’t you handle these documents for me? ”

“… What are you talking about? All these documents need your approval, right? ”

“Well, there is a precedent that when the emperor was away, the empress handled state affairs, so I think you are competent enough to do it. I see no problem at all.”

“But that was hundreds of years ago…”

I shut up while trying to balk at his suggestion when he chuckled at me. He asked me with an interesting expression, “Well, can I take what you just said as meaning that you don’t deny your role as the empress?”

“Well….”

I was embarrassed, but I felt it was unfair.

When did he treat me so casually? Not only yesterday, but also today, he spoke to me without changing his facial expression at all.

“What date is good for you? The sooner, the better for me.”

“… Your Majesty.”

“Call me, Rube.”

“Oh, Ru…” I suddenly stopped saying, while trying to call his nickname.

Oh, no, I’m not supposed to call him like that.

My head was again in the clouds. After calming down my confused mind, I took a deep breath, then opened my mouth slightly. Despite my serious concern about his condition, he was just beating around the bush while teasing me. What if he becomes sick? Besides, it’s only recently that the trial of the poisoning incident was wrapped up.

“Why do you keep wasting your time when you overworked? Please stop here and take a break.”

“Um? I’m going to feel sorry if you insist. The time I spend with you is the biggest break for me. How come you are pushing me out of here? Do you feel so uncomfortable about being around me? ”

“Oh, that’s not what I mean. I just feel you need a good rest…”

“Well, you came here, then just went away without seeing me yesterday. You came here only when I sent someone to bring you here today. I feel sad because only I want to spend time with you.”

He expressed regrets as if he was sour towards me. I broke into a smile with a sign when I saw him complaining.

I was a bit frustrated about him who didn’t appreciate my concern, but at the same time, I was thrilled to think that he really cared about me. Little did I think this kind of day would ever come to me, but it was a pleasure to learn about his various aspects I had never known before.

“Why are you laughing at me?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t feel sad, Your Majesty. I think I have made a mistake.”

“Um?”

“I should have left a message, but I didn’t. It was my fault. I never thought that you might feel sad. ”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to take issue with it at all.”

When I saw him clearing his throat as if he was embarrassed, I was about to chuckle again, but I held it back because he would be really mad if I laughed at him at the moment. So, I changed my facial expression quickly and gave him something I had kept since yesterday.

He took the silver box curiously and unwrapped the blue string. He was surprised to confirm what’s inside.

“This is…”

“Such as it is, please take it as a sign of my sincerity.”

“Have you made it by yourself? You must have been very busy, but when did you take time out to make this…?”

“Well…Actually, I didn’t make it this time. I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Next time, I’ll make a new one for you…Your Majesty? ”

He suddenly stood up and hugged me. I was a little surprised, but I left myself with him naturally as I was already used to.

I was about to close my eyes, surrounded by his cool body odor, because I felt his breathing on my ears.

Since I felt strange, I gently pulled my hand from his chest and moved it to his face instead of forehead.

I felt fever on his face.

Did he have a fever like this until now? When I looked up at him with an angry expression, he quickly let go of me with an embarrassed expression.

“I will call the royal doctor now.”

“No, thanks. I’m fine. I don’t feel that bad…”

“Why are you saying you are okay with a fever like this? No way. You should be treated right away.”

“Well, I had a checkup already. The doctor said I got sick from fatigue.”

“…”

“I’m sorry for lying. I didn’t want to worry you. I got better after a day’s break… ”

Oh my… he had a break yesterday because he was sick.

When I opened my eyes narrowly and stared at him, he looked at me nervously.

I sighed, looking at him. If I could have my way, I would have him take a rest right away, but I couldn’t say because I was bothered by what he told me a little while ago.

“…Are these all the documents that you have to review and approve?”

“That’s all I have for approval today. What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure if I can handle it, but let me do my best, so please take a rest.”

“Thank you, Tia.”

Brightening his face, he moved next to my seat, pretending to look into the box. I smiled at him because it was so cute for him to look at the handkerchief embroidered with the crest of a roaring lion without even holding it for fear he could crush it.

“By the way, is this the same one that I saw in the past?”

“Ah… Yes, that’s right.”

On the day when I started my period, or I thought I did, I made that handkerchief, thinking about him. It wasn’t until I was done embroidering his initials after the crest of the imperial family that I came to my senses.

I tried to cut it away and forget it, but couldn’t. In fact, I made the white handkerchief with my blood and sweat in every stitch.

When I was insulted as an infertile woman, I was enraged with anger due to wounded pride. I officially announced the breakoff of my engagement with him with the intent to get even with him as much as I suffered. Then I looked at this handkerchief with much mixed feelings when I got back home.

When he came to see me, he noticed the handkerchief and asked me what it was, wondering whether I thought of him as my lover.

I answered coldly that he was in the past, but not now.

“Then…”

“… I am sorry for what happened at that time, Your Majesty. ”

“No, I’m not going to blame you for this…I was just wondering if you still considered me as your lover then,” he said hurriedly in embarrassment. I felt sorry for him when he was trying to check even a small change in my facial expression. I could understand that because I always pushed him out.

.