"Why did you call me?"

As soon as Blake entered his office, he quickly cut to the chase.

There was an awkward tension between the two.

Blake didn't blame his father for Ancia's disappearance.

Apart from that, however, their relationship had gradually weakened like before.

Blake was buried in grief after losing Ancia.

Tenstheon blamed himself for the incident and he couldn't approach his son due to his guilt.

During seven years, their relationship slowly deteriorated.

"I heard about you and Ancia."

"I'm not even sure if she's Ancia or not."

Blake quickly replied.

"Do you think that child is not Ancia?"

"Yes,"

Blake answered without a moment of hesitation.

Blake thought that she was definitely not Ancia. He still had his doubts before, but now he was certain.

"Is it because of her changed personality?"

"Didn't you also feel it?"

Tenstheon wasn't surprised when he heard Blake's words. He didn't scold him for being suspicious of Ancia. His reaction was not unexpected.

"I know Ancia is different from before. Even a small wound can turn you completely into a different person."

Tenstheon thought she was the real Ancia. Not just because of her appearance, but also her power and language skills. Unless she was Ancia herself, those things couldn't be explained. Of course Tenstheon also felt that something was not right with her words and actions. But he already tested her skills, when Richard brought her to him. He gave her books from each country to test her skills, including a novel from the Chang Empire.

It was a novel about an elderly couple who lost their own child and adopted another child, but they were betrayed by that adopted child.

Eventually, they found their own child and reached a happy ending. But they went through many ups and downs in the process.

Ancia read the story and expressed her opinions coldly.

"They're idiots. They shouldn't have taken in a human being in the first place. Human beings can't be trusted."

Her voice contained a deep hatred. Tenstheon could guess that she had gone through a lot.

Maybe that was why she lost her memories. Maybe what she went through for the past seven years was so terrible that she didn't even want to think about it.

Tenstheon had done everything to find Ancia.

He even asked Eunhan's help to search for her in the Chang Empire.

Eunhan had also hoped that was the case and that Ancia went into the East.

But they couldn't find her there either. He should've stopped Ancia before she went into the door of darkness.

Tenstheon deeply blamed himself for Ancia's change.

Recalling what happened back then, Tenstheon tried to persuade Blame.

"Blake, take good care of her."

"It's not just because of her character. There's many factors that make me doubt her."

Blake was stubborn.

"That child had language skills and the power of light. No one else could imitate that."

Objectively, Tenstheon was right.

But Blake just couldn't accept her. He thought of Rose instead.

If he didn't meet Rose, would he have believed that she was Ancia?

No, he wouldn't believe her even then. Even if he didn't meet Rose, he wouldn't be fooled.

Blake felt it instinctively. He had felt repulsion when he saw her claim to be Ancia.

"Richard might be behind this."

"I'm also investigating Richard, but even if he sends us a fake Ancia, she wouldn't be able to imitate the real Ancia. You know that well don't you?"

"......"

Tenstheon's words were perfectly reasonable.

Besides, the power of light flowing from the woman was real. The light couldn't be imitated by anyone.

"How about having a meal with her once? If you treat her nicely, her memory will be back soon and she'll act like before then."

Blake slowly opened his mouth,

"...okay. I will obey your orders. But I one one condition."

"A condition?"

"In exchange for me dining with her, can you also meet a woman?"

"...you mean the woman you found in the valley of chaos?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I'll do it."

Tenstheon also wanted to meet the woman called 'Rose'.

Blake hadn't let anyone in his heart since Ancia went missing.

But he suddenly showed interest in another woman.

Even to the point of abandoning Ancia.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Blake's mouth curved up into a smile when Tenstheon agreed.

It was the first genuine smile Tenstheon had seen from him in seven years.

***

Blake invited Ancia to a dinner as promised. Ancia went there all dressed up, and she looked very beautiful.

But Blake didn't show any reaction to her.

"I'm so glad you invited me. It feels like a dream."

"Sit down."

"Yes."

Ancia sat opposite to Blake, smiling widely.

She suddenly placed an unusually shaped book on the table. When Blake glanced at it, she smiled broadly.

"It's a book. The content was difficult to read but it's very interesting!"

She opened the book and began to read aloud.

"A child is chosen by heaven. He is respected by all. But if he abuses that power, heaven will punish the child."

Blake glanced at her.

It was a book about the founding of a kingdom, and it's contents were complicated and difficult.

Blake suddenly realized her intentions in bringing that book.

She was trying to show him that she was a polyglot.

Blake furrowed his eyebrows.

He was already convinced that she was a fake. However, he tried hard to not make it obvious and held it in.

Even if she was a fake, her abilities were real.

She must have something to do with Ancia. It was necessary for him to act nicely to find more information.

But he was pretty reluctant to do it. He missed Rose. He wanted to get out of this position as soon as possible, but the food wasn't ready yet.

***

"Chelsea, what nonsense are you speaking?!"

"Why is this nonsense?!"

Camilla and Chelsea were arguing in the kitchen.

"Are we seriously going to give this to His Highness?"

"What's the problem?"

Chelsea raised her head proudly, holding the dish that Rose made.

She was going to present Rose's cooking to the Crown Prince. For that reason, she did not follow Rose out, instead staying behind to guard the food.

Rose was too nice so she let it go, but Chelsea wouldn't let the dish go to waste.

"The chef said it's fine too."

Chelsea secretly got permission from the chef. After tasting Rose's dishes, he praised the dish for being unique and flavorful. He also agreed that it could be served.

After learning about that, Camilla still opposed it.

In the midst of this fight, the cook could only shut his mouth and step back.

"His Majesty hates mushrooms."

"He isn't allergic to it, so it'll be fine!"

"Chelsea, do you really think His Highness will eat that dish?"

"He would if I say Rose made it."

Camilla glared at Chelsea.

"Don't be like that. Why are you so sure High Highness wouldn't like it?"

"I...!"

Camilla was furious.

"I have served him for a long time! I know his tastes best!"

But no one believed Camilla's words. She continued, "I know the Crown Prince better than you all do. Since I've been with him for a long time..."

Her voice gradually weakened.

Camilla had indeed served Blake for a long time but he didn't even know her name.

Camilla lost her confidence and added bitterly, "We can't tarnish the Palace's name with clumsy dishes."

Camilla loved Blake. In fact she wasn't happy that the Crown Princess was back. But the Crown Princess was only a girl he married when they were children, so she thought she still had a chance.

She hated Rose. She had never liked that woman.

She hated everything about her.

She couldn't stand to see Blake eating food that Rose made.

She wanted to stop Rose and the Crown Prince from getting closer in any way she could.

"Why don't you know this? The Crown Prince enjoyed eastern dishes before. So this dish will be perfect."

Other maids only laughed at Chelsea for having so much confidence in that woman's dish.

Chelsea was once like them, but now she had no desire to be the Crown Prince's woman. Of course, Blake was a charming man, so at first she was interested in him too.

But after watching him from the sides, she gave up on the idea.

Blake had devoted his whole life to one woman.

He had already given that woman his whole heart and there was no space for anyone else.

Chelsea didn't wish for a passionate love, but she at least wanted a partner with whom she could share life's burdens together.

She didn't want to suffer from loneliness, looking at the back of the man who had already given his heart to another woman.