Blake had never left the palace before in his life as he was the heir to the curse. The people of the South were in a state of uneasiness and opposition because of the Crown Prince’s curse.

Such a prince couldn’t leave the palace and go out in a leisurely manner.

For Blake, the square was an unknown territory. It was a place that he could only think of in his imagination, such as the Valley of Chaos or the Snow Mountain in the north.

Furthermore, in novels, the square was always described as the source of all kinds of problems that lead to problematic events.

“Don’t worry, our security is the best on the continent. Besides, Sir Edon went with her.”

“Okay…”

“Is there anything else that’s bothering you?”

Blake’s dim expression didn’t lighten up, so Hans was also worried.

“Ancia won’t leave me, right?”

Blake continued to pour out worries.

When Ancia first helped him take a bath, she hesitated when Blake told her not to leave him. It was only for a few moments, but Blake kept thinking about it.

Blake was afraid that she might suddenly run away one day.

His life was a series of losses.Not long after his birth, his mother died and his father abandoned him. The servants also despised him.

Sure, his father showed sympathy, but when he saw the cursed inscriptions, he, too, ran away. Blake was so used to losing. Despair was his long-time friend.

But when he thought about Ancia leaving him, he was scared and his heart felt like it was being torn apart even if he just thought about it.

Hans smiled as he looked at the young boy standing with his head down.

There was a sense of fear in Blake’s eyes. It was a better sign than his usual worn out expression, though it would be better for him to smile instead.

“Your Highness, don’t worry. She will never leave you.”

Hans said with confidence.

Hans had observed Ancia carefully. The world was rife with groundless rumours surrounding the heir of the curse. Regardless of gender, age, status, they made up rumours simply because the cursed inscriptions looked ominous.

However, even though Ancia was young, she was not swayed by those false rumours.

Hans thought his loyalty for the Crown Prince was second to none, but he reflected on himself after seeing Ancia.

He had been defeated.

“Should I check on them…?”

Blake’s eyes glistened.

Soon, when Hans said she was okay, his expression visibly brightened.

Hans wondered how worried he must have been…

He hoped the two of them would be happy for a long time.

***

I went to the blacksmith with Melissa and Edon and asked him to make a cauldron. The blacksmith was intrigued and filled with the spirit of taking on a challenge after hearing my explanation and seeing the cauldron I drew.

I didn’t think they would be this enthusiastic, but he was really friendly and helpful.

When I came out from the blacksmiths’ place after completing my request, Melissa asked, “Your Highness, will you stop by somewhere else?”

“No. I want to go back to the palace.”

It was my first outing since I transmigrated into Ancia’s body. The view outside the carriage was terrific, and there were many places I wanted to go. I was actually thinking of looking around.

However, explaining the cauldron in detail took longer than expected. I didn’t want to worry Blake. Besides, I didn’t feel like looking around the beautiful square without him.

When I went back to the Crown Prince’s palace, the little bunny dashed to me and crashed into my arms.“Have you been well?”

“Yes, I’ve been well.”

I stroked his hair. It was such a delightful thing to have someone welcoming me back home. I hadn’t felt this way for a long time since my grandmother passed away.

“Did anything dangerous happen?”

“No, nothing happened. Were you worried?”

“Yes. You came back too late.”

I was glad I came back to the palace right away. I almost worried my husband too much.

I clasped his hand and went into his room. I spent most of my time there since Blake’s room was much more comfortable than mine.

I took off his mask as soon as I came into his room. Even though I had already fired all of his hostile servants, he still wore a mask all the time.

”Why do you always try to take my mask off?”

“Because I want to see your handsome face.”

“Hehe. I’m happy to look at you too.”

“You don’t need to wear a mask when you’re alone with me.”

“Alright.”

Blake held my hand tightly. I felt like hugging him, especially today.

“Your Highness, what happened while I was away?”

“Nothing happened.”

“Really?”

“…Frankly, I was a little scared that you would leave me.”

“….”

“But it’s okay now. I know you won’t leave me.”

Contrary to his assured voice, his hands trembled. I could feel that he was still worried. I held his hand as tightly as I could in response.

“Don’t worry. I’m not leaving.”

“Really?”

Blake smiled brightly.

“Yes, I do. But if you have someone else that you love, I will step down right away.”

“What does that mean?”

His expression hardened instantaneously. Surprised by my response, the corners of his mouth hooked down into a frown.

“Your marriage with me was a political move, your Majesty. It was not according to your wishes. You can find true love when you grow up later on.”

The Asteric Empire’s tradition was to arrange the kids' marriage early on. Especially, the higher the status, the faster the marriage would be arranged. Most of the time, the marriages between the royal family and the aristocrats were arranged for political advantages, so they often cheated or divorced in the end.

To prevent such things from happening, I wanted to give him the freedom to make another choice.

Ancia and Blake only had a small wedding and did not announce it in the church. It was also possible to divorce if we wanted to.

“I don’t want to. I only have Ancia.”

Blake spat out in a low voice.

“Once you become an adult and the curse is lifted, you will become very handsome. I’m sure all the beautiful women will love you.”

Blake would love Diana the most among them. But suddenly, Blake said firmly, “Ancia is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.”“Hey, you’ll change your mind when you grow up.”

“It won’t change.”

“You’re still young. It’ll change.”

“Wife.”

Blake cut off my words. I looked at him with an expression of surprise. It was the first time he had called me ‘wife’.

“You are my only wife, Ancia. And I will be the only husband you have.”

“Your Highness…”

“Wife, remember this, I don’t need another girl. Do you need another man?”

I thought he was just a little boy, but Blake radiated an intense force that I could not defy and his gaze was fixed on me.

I shook my head unconsciously, as if I had been bewitched by him.

“No, I don’t.”

But what followed was my losing streak.

“All I need is you.”

Diana was the only one who could lift his curse. I didn’t want to cross the line, but I didn’t know that I genuinely wanted to stay with Blake.

But…It’s dangerous. I can’t do this.

I tried to pull myself together again, but Blake hugged me tightly.

“Stay with me until I die.”

“……”

“I’m sorry for being so greedy.”

As soon as I heard his confession, my heart warmed up and tears welled up in my eyes.

“You’re not going to die! Who’s going to die?”

“Ancia, I’m fine. So don’t cry.”

“You’re not going to die! You’ll get through the curse! I’ll make it happen!”

“Ancia.”

“I’m a family member of the Bellacian that has the power of light. I’ll find a way, so don’t worry about it and just live happily.”

“Yes, I will, so don’t cry,”

Blake wiped my tears away with his sleeve.

“Don’t. Your clothes will get dirty.”

“It’s okay.”

“Ah, I need to take a bath. I’ll get some water. Your Highness I’ll give you a bath, too.”

I quickly got up from my seat.

“My wife always tries to undress me…”

“You should say I'm helping you take a bath instead. And now, take your clothes off.”

I quickly fixed his sentence, and for some reason, there was a serene smile on his face.

Again, Blake’s face turned red. I had already helped him bathe a few times before, but he was still this embarrassed.

“Ancia, you are the prettiest when you smile.Your smile is the most beautiful thing.”

I clasped his hand when the door suddenly opened and Hans came in.

“Your Highness, the Emperor has returned!”

Tenstheon, Blake’s father and the most powerful Emperor in the history of the Empire had finally returned to the palace.