(From Blue''s Perspective)


    "But isn''t it just a possibility?" Ruby stated. "I mean, there''s a chance he''ll fall for me after our marriage, but there''s also a chance he won''t. What will I do then?"


    "Ruby, you''ve always expressed a desire to start your own family. Don''t you think it''s a chance? So, what if you marry someone who will not love you? He will, at the very least, respect you. And there is no way you won''t be happy either. You know, sometimes we just have to be brave," I said. "But, at the end of the day, it''s your life.


    You must make your own choice. I can only advise you, and my advice is to give it a shot. Isn''t it better than having nothing? No family or a family with a loyal husband who may not love you as much as a loving husband—thetter is a better option in my opinion. However, you have the final say. I will support your decision."


    I also wanted to say that at least she had a choice. She could marry him if she wanted and if she did not want to, she did not have to marry him. I was not given this choice. I was always led by someone. It was not like I let them lead me easily, but they made me follow them. I always had this regret that I never could lead myself in my own life.


    Was this not why I was trying to be independent? If things kept going like this, I would be thought of as more of a doll than a human. It would be as if I did not have the ability to think at all.


    "Then I will carefully consider what Your Highness said. Your Highness will be the first to learn of my decision," she said.


    "Alright. I will wait to hear it," I said with a smile.


    Ruby gave me a massage in the bath. Perhaps because I moved like this after a long time, my body was sore. It was like the aftermath of exercising for the first time.


    "Your Highness will be having lunch with His Highness after a long time. Then you should wear something fancy," she said.


    "Fancy? I wear fancy dresses every single day," I said. "Even my nightgown is the type that I can wear all the time."


    "I mean, a little fancier than usual," she exined. "I believe the new blush pink dress will suffice."


    "Blush pink? I didn''t see it..."


    "It''s a gift from Crown Prince Carey," she said. "It''s not like Your Highness has to wear ck all the time. And the fabric is very expensive and of high quality, so I believe it is appropriate for Your Highness to wear it."


    "Has it been checked properly?" I asked.


    "Yes, Lord Luc checked it himself. There is no kind of magical artifact in it. Your Highness''s personal tailor checked it as well. She reported that everything is alright. I checked the report myself, Your Highness."


    "Alright then... But wait... It''s a gift from Prince Carey," I muttered. "Will it be alright if I wear it for Demetrius? I mean..."


    "Well, His Highness is a jealous person, but I suppose he won''t be upset over a gift..."


    "Whatever. Let''s just put it on. After all, it is a dress. He has nothing to be upset about. I''ll try it on first to see if it''s to my liking..."


    "Alright," she nodded.


    "How is little Ava? I heard she''d hurt her little finger..."


    This morning, Evelyn, her husband, and their daughter Ava returned from Ataraxia. I wanted to greet them, but I heard that they were too stressed. So, I decided to greet themter.


    After the banquet, some members of the Royal families of the five kingdoms preferred to stay for a few days longer and participate in various events.


    Dem hated the idea and wanted toe back as soon the banquet ended. Well, because of some inconvenience, we had toe back even before the banquet ended. Because of that, I could not even meet the dark mage who was supposed to try to awaken my power.


    "The littledy is probably sleeping right now. She likes to nap at this time of day. Your Highness could meet all of them during lunch, but Lady Evelyn and Lord Merrick have nned to go out for lunch along with the littledy. They like to go out a lot after all. And Her Highness, the former Queen also went to join Countess Reba''s invitation."


    "Ah, I see... Then it''ll just be Dem and me," I mumbled.


    The Royal dining room was enormous. Since we were the king and queen, we sat at two corners. The room was quiet, so it was not hard to talk to him like that. But the vastness of the space always made me uneasy. That was the reason I ate mostly in the bedroom with the excuse of being sick.


    "Does Your Highness dislike spending time with His Highness? That, I don''t believe is the case..."


    "No, that is not the case! I just... don''t like the open space," I mumbled. "Anyway... I''ll get ready right now. I''ve been in the tub for far too long."


    After wiping my body dry, I wore my bathrobe and went back to the room. Ruby brought the dress that Crown Prince Carey gifted me.


    It was a blush pink V-neck one-leg cut gown. The fabric was a cross between silk and chiffon. It appeared to be chiffon, but it had a silky feel to it. It was a well-known fabric that could only be found in Ataraxia. I read about these things in Mother''s rmended books, which would help me learn about other kingdoms'' cultures.


    "Wow, this fabric- this is the first time I''ve seen one," Ruby eximed. "It''s really famous. Ataraxia does not even export it."


    "Hmm, I wonder why he would give me a gift. Is it because I am the Queen of Querencia?"


    "Yes. Anyone would want to be on good terms with any king or queen. So, it''s normal."


    "Ah, we also sent something to the King and Queen of Ataraxia. I didn''t choose the gift, Dem did, so I don''t remember. I guess it''s something like that..."


    The dress was really beautiful. I decided to wear it today. It had been quite a while since I wore something other than blush pink.


    "Wow! Your Highness looks really beautiful!" Ruby eximed, pressing her palm over her lips.


    "... Did my chest grow a bit...?"


    "I think so too," Ruby said. "The difference is too little... Actually, that day, I heard His Highness asking the doctor..."


    "What did he ask the doctor this time?"


    "His Highness asked if breasts can grow after the age of eighteen. I mean, His Highness was worried that it might be a disease or something..."


    "It was two days ago, wasn''t it?" I asked.


    "Yes... But how does Your Highness know?"


    "I knew it!"


    Two days ago, I had been taking a bath that time. When Dem came, I told him to help me stand up since my bottom felt sore after sitting for too long in the bathtub. That time, I identally tumbled on his chest and my naked chest got pressed against him. I had no idea he would be able to remember my chest size just by that and also find out that they had grown a bit.


    "Oh my goodness... What did the doctor think? Dem keeps asking such strange questions..."


    "His Highness was only concerned about Your Highness," she chuckled. "Well, the doctor said it''s possible. So it''s all right."


    "Anyway, I should go quickly. It''s time," I said.


    "Your Highness, wear some essories," she said. "Don''t try to run away."


    She knew I was hurrying because I did not want to wear the essories. No matter how much I tried, I never could get away without have to wear them. Ruby always caught me and made me wear at least two pieces of jewelry.


    "These rose quartz earring and ne willplement the dress nicely. The ne is nothing more than a simple ne. It''s not at all heavy. The earring is a little heavy, but not overpowering. Your Highness will befortable wearing them," she said.


    I sighed. "I don''t wanna wear anything else. No rings... no bracelet or whatsoever."


    "Alright, this simple look is good on Your Highness anyway. The makeup is light as well. It will do."


    Demetrius, too, preferred minimal makeup. He alwaysmented on how much he liked my natural face. I had no idea what was so attractive about my face, but for his sake, I wore less makeup. Besides, I preferred light makeup as well.


    "I will go then. Where is Perita?"


    "She is waiting outside to escort Your Highness."


    "Well, then I will go now. And take care of Sapphire. She is sleeping too much these days, don''t you think?"