According to the report, Ancia had dealt with all the spies planted by the Duke of Cassil, including the chief servant.

Tenstheon recalled Ancia on the day of her wedding.

She was very timid. However, to send the eldest son of the Marquis of Hamel to prison, it seemed that she was all grown up, and she had even managed to weed out only those who were truly wicked.

She really had a good eye for people. But no matter how clever she was, could a ten-year-old child have that much insight?

Tenstheon did not even get a moment to clear his mind before Marquis Hamel rushed right in upon hearing that the Emperor had returned.

He shamelessly claimed that his son, and a few of the Crown Prince’s servants, had been falsely accused.

Tenstheon immediately called for Ancia. He wanted to use Marquis Hamel as a pretext to meet Ancia in person.

But Ancia was much more intelligent than Tenstheon thought.

She stood up against the Marquis confidently and provided evidence to support her argument.

Thank you for protecting Blake, Ancia.

“Eunhan, what do you think of the Crown Princess?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think she’s reliable?”

Eunhan had been in hiding to look after the Crown Prince for the past month. He was there when she fired many of the servants.

But from some point onwards, he had forgotten his purpose and only observed “Ancia.”

She was pretty, intelligent, and warm hearted. It had been a long time since he had forgotten his hometown, but he also felt a lingering sense of nostalgia and envy, thinking that his life might have changed if he had someone like her next to him.

“Yes, she’s a good person.”

“I didn’t think you’d say that.”

Tenstheon was quite surprised.

Eunhan was a boy who only followed his orders obediently and had no interest in other people. Eunhan did not believe in anyone except for Tenstheon. It had taken Tenstheon a lot of effort before Eunhan opened up to him.

This child, whose heart was stained with a deep-rooted distrust in people, praised a girl he had observed for only a month.

“Did anything out of the ordinary happen?”

“No such thing.”

Tenstheon hoped Blake wouldn’t be lonely. He wanted to give Blake a companion that would comfort him.

But who could truly love the heir to the curse? Even his father could not express his love for him.

Tenstheon gave him a marriage, but he didn’t expect much. He was just thankful that someone was willing to be with Blake, but Ancia went far beyond his expectations.

She embraced Blake with sincere affections.

It was so perfect that he was rather suspicious. It was also suspicious that her attitude had changed after she fell into the lake.

Was she faking it? Wouldn’t that hurt his son even more?

Tenstheon was born with the qualities of an Emperor. He never hesitated when making decisions and his choices were always right. But he was very careful when it came to his son.

Eunhan handed a small image stone to the anxious Emperor. Tenstheon played the video.

[“Blake! Attack!”]

Ancia was blowing the raspberries into Blake’s belly. She kissed the cursed inscriptions on his body without any qualms, and Blake laughed in happiness.

[“Hahaha! It tickles. Ancia, don’t! It tickles!”]

Tenstheon was told that the smile had not left Blake’s face for a month. He really didn’t know he’d get to see Blake laugh this way again.

Ever since Blake was cursed, Tenstheon thought that he’d never get to see him smile like that again.

Tenstheon let go of his worries. It was thanks to her that Blake laughed again. He needed to thank her for that.

***

The cauldron finally arrived. Frankly speaking, I didn’t expect much, but it looked almost the same as the one used in my past life.

The blacksmith did an admirable job and fully embodied the cauldron from her paintings and explanations alone.

I went to the pre-made furnace and placed the cauldron in it. Blake also came over and touched it in amazement.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

“I’ve never seen such a thing either.”

“Neither have I.”

Melissa and Edon agreed with him. Hans exclaimed, “Your Highness must’ve had a profound knowledge of Eastern goods.”

“You’re amazing!”

“You’re a genius.”

“That’s right! Ancia is a genius!”

My face flushed with embarrassment when I received their excessive praise.

If things continued, I’d soon be trapped in a prison of praise all day long, so I quickly changed the topic.

“I’ll make you the best dishes! Everyone, look forward to it!”

“Oh, no. You don’t have to make anything for us. How did you learn how to cook Your Highness?”

Melissa was in a daze and didn’t know what to do. She would be like that every time I cooked.

“It’s okay. The cauldron is very big, so it’d be better to cook more at once. We can all help each other.”

“Of course we must definitely help!”

“I’ll help too!”

Seeing Blake raising his hand vigorously and saying he would help me, a happy smile bloomed on my face.

Then, someone walked in. It was Collin, the Emperor’s aide.

“Your Highness”

He bowed to Blake, and then bowed to me too.

When Collin finished greeting, Blake asked carefully, “What’s the matter?”

“Your Majesty has sent an invitation for Her Highness.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Your Highness.”

Collin gave us the white envelope with the Imperial stamp on it. The invitation said that he wanted to have tea together in the greenhouse today.

I had expected that he’d call me soon, but I didn’t know it’d be this soon. Besides, he even sent his personal aide to call me over.

However, it was too early to be surprised.

“His Majesty has also sent you a gift.”

“A gift?”

“Yes.”

Collin put down the boxes one by one. The gifts began to pile up endlessly.

“Something doesn’t seem right. I’m afraid you’ve brought the gifts to the wrong person.”

I said to Collin as I looked at the line of boxes that filled one side of the room. Collin replied politely, “No, it’s not a mistake. These are all gifts from His Majesty for Your Highness.”

No way. There was no reason for the Emperor to send so many gifts to me. I had no choice but to tell him yesterday.

Was he happy because I complimented his abs?

…No way. That can’t be it.

Anyway, I opened the gift boxes and realized that Collin hadn’t made any mistakes.

Dresses, coats, shoes, and all kinds of ornaments came out endlessly. I could tell at one glance that they were all clothes in my size.

They looked so beautiful and precious that I couldn’t even imagine wearing them.

“Your Highness, you have to get ready! You’ll be late for the invitation!”

Melissa shouted urgently as she arranged the gifts.

“We still have three hours, just relax.”

“Only three hours!”

Did I really need to dress up to meet my father-in-law? I was bored but Melissa was excited.

“I promised to cook for you guys.”

I took Blake’s hand, but Blake joined forces with Melissa.

“I’m fine!”

“But…”

“You will look very pretty in this.”

Blake pointed at an emerald dress. It was a simple dress which was perfect for tea parties.

“That’s a great pick.”

Melissa agreed and I liked it the most too.

I went back to my room and tied my hair to one side to suit my dress.

I wore the dress, shoes, overcoat, and jewelry that the Emperor gave me.

“You’re so beautiful.”

Melissa admired me. Honestly, I was also surprised to see myself in the mirror.

Ancia’s face was as pretty as a doll and the dresses I wore usually were also beautiful. However, I looked like a completely different person when I really dressed up in earnest.

“Your Highness, It’s time to go.”

I heard Edon call me from outside. I only dressed up lightly, but the time for the appointment had already approached. It would have been a disaster if I had been slow.

When I went outside, Hans and Edon made a fuss about my beauty, but Blake remained silent.

“Does the dress not suit me?”

“No, No! You’re very pretty, Ancia. Too pretty.”

Blake shook his head and replied in a hurry. A smile came to my lips when I saw the tips of his ears burning red.

“I’ll be back.”

“Okay. Have a good trip.”

I got on the carriage and saw Blake’s figure become smaller as we left…

***

It was in the middle of winter, but the greenhouse was full of various flowers. However, none of these colorful flowers could enter my eyes.

Tenstheon was sitting in a white chair. I hurriedly lowered my head.

“Your Majesty.”

“Sit down.”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

I sat on the white porcelain chair opposite to him.

“It suits you well.”

When the Emperor complimented me, all my tension was relieved. I grinned broadly.

“Thank you for the gift.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“I especially liked the golden dress.”

“Do you like gold?”

“No, I meant that I like the colour gold, not real gold.”

“…Do you really like the Crown Prince?”

“Of course I do. He’s my husband.”

“How can you like him?”