Chapter 57
TL:Zimming
Did he believe me?
I hope he won't be too worried in the future.
"Okay, I'll believe in you."
"Really?"
"Who else would I trust if it's not my own daughter?"
Tenstheon smiled.
"Thank you for coming today, father."
"No need to thank me, I have already burdened you with taking care of Blake."
"Blake's not a burden! He's my treasure! Even if you're his dad, I'll be mad next time!"
"I'm sorry, I said the wrong thing."
He stroked my head with a smile.
"If you're really sorry, you'll have to come tommorow and play with Blake."
"Even if you told me not to come, I'd come everyday. Don't worry."
Something has changed in Tenstheon, he didn't worry about a lot of things like before.
"You can even move to the Amoria palace."
I grinned broadly.
***
I looked at Blake's face who was still asleep.
As promised, Tenstheon visited Amoria Palace everyday to teach Blake swordmanship.
Edon was acknowledge for teaching Blake swordmanship very well and he was given an expensive sword, Tenstheon also give presents to other servants.
Blake and Tenstheon's relationship was getting better as the happy days continued, but I couldn't relax.
My mind was filled about Blake's curse.
Even though I have the steps to break Blake's curse, the problem still dominated my mind.
Why does it have to be a R-19 novel?
There's actually a R-15 version of the novel. But even in the clean version, there was no difference, only some scenes are not explained in detail.
Then again, why does Blake acted different in the novel?
Is it when Blake grows up?
When he grows up, will he really be a handsome man who spews out sexiness?
Did the rabbit really turn into a wolf when he's older?
A rabbit stays as a rabbit, a wolf stays as a wolf.
But then...
I checked whether Blake was really asleep or not, I touched his cheeks.
It's very soft.
Oh, I think about many things too much.
Besides, I can't wait until Blake's curse is released.
Baekhan said that the power of light I have is preventing the curse from spreading any further.
But that didn't mean the pain would go away.
The curse still haunts Blake and he suffers as much as he did many years ago.
Blake's pain will continue unless his curse is lifted.
I tried to do what I could do first, it was cooking for Blake.
Baekhan said there's a power of light in my cooking.
Then wouldn't eating a lot of food I made, prevent the curse from spreading.
I began to cook three meals a day for him.
"Blake, eat this mushroom egg."
"Yes! It's delicious!"
"Eat more soup."
"Okay!"
"The dessert is milk pudding. I made it from the milk father gave me."
I don't know why but Tenstheon has been sending the crown prince's palace milk these days.
Wait...is it because I said Blake needs to grow up?
"Your Highness, what food do you want for a snack?"
"Ancia, my stomach is going to burst."
Blake touch his plump belly.
"Don't worry your stomach is very cute."
"....."
"What would you like for dinner?"
"No."
"Why not? Are you feeling sick?"
"I don't want to have a big tummy." He murmured.
"What?.
"I ate a lot everyday. My belly has gotten a lot bigger."
"Oh!"
I looked at Blake's belly.
He ate a lot, so his belly became big.
I am the one who did this for him to grow up. But seeing him now I felt a little sad.
I think I know how my grandma felt when she said I grew up.
"Don't worry. You'll be as handsome as His Majesty when you grow up."
"Will I?"
"Of course, you're my husband."
"Hehe."
Blake laughed at my praise, I laughed in response too.
I am the happiest when Blake laughed.
It was always like that.
***
—the goddess of light sent out a girl. The girl gave light to Asteric, the curse of the goddess will be lifted by her.
Richard read the report given by Domiram and eventually crumpled it up.
Since Blake and Ancia got married, there are rumours saying the crown prince's curse will be lifted.
"Emperor Tenstheon didn't do any sin, he brings glory instead. His son can't be evil. The goddess must have made a mistake. I'm sure she'll release the curse."
"Crown princess Ancia is sent by the goddess. The goddess has released her mistake and sent Ancia to release hus curse."
"The crown princess always smiles brightly around him. If the crown prince is really a monster, the crown princess won't be that happy."
"The crown prince is blessed. I'm sure the curse will be lifted soon. Ancia will release the curse."
"There must be a reason why His Majesty didn't send the crown prince to southern island.
"The curse of the goddess will be lifted after a thousand year."
Even though the cursed crown prince lives in a palace, many believed that the curse will be lifted so they didn't protest."
Rumours began to spread rapidly about how the curse of the goddess will be lifted after the 1000th anniversary of the empire.
When Richard heard of such rumours, he ignored them at first.
It was stupid and absurd.
The crown prince can stay in a palace because of Tenstheon's influence. In front of the powerful emperor, the nobles were forced to shut their mouths. Tenstheon is good at persuading.
Richard think about the rumours, the one that says the curse will be lifter because Tenstheon is Blake's father, or because of Ancia and 1000 year story. He think they were all very stupid.
This year is the 993rd year.
Blake will turn 18 years old once it's the 1000th year.
But what's the difference? Richard think all of it is just a stupid number game.
Richard laughed when he heard about the rumour. Not only the commoner, even some of the noble believed it.
By the time some people realized that those rumours are fake, it will be spread too much. For now, he'll just wait and see.
It was a rumour originated from people's wishes. It was annoying to see the fools talking about it in such a serious expression. The curse won't be lifted anyway, so the rumour would naturally disappear once Blake died.
However, there was another strange rumour spreading since last month.
"The goddess of light was angry and cursed Phillip's descendant when he sinned greatly. Over the years, Asteric empire flourished and has been blessed abundantly. The earth is blooming with flowers and many people are full of laughter. The goddess of light decided to lift the curse and sent a girl to the imperial family. The curse will be lifted by Ancia, in the 1000th year. Together, the crown prince and crown princess will bring glory to Asteric Empire."
Richard ordered Domiram to collect the rumours that has spread/ but he was only convinced on one fact.
'Tenstheon had began to move.'
Many rumours are spread ahead of time. Anyone can tell that those fairytale-like rumours are spread intentionaly.
"It is the work of the emperor."
Richard gritted his teeth as Domiram carefully opened his mouth."
"Maybe it's because of the festival of lights."
Every june, the festival of light is held in order to commemorate the day the goddess of light gave power to Phillip."
It was the second largest festival after the festival to commemorate the founding of the empire. The whole country will be in a festive mood for many days.
Since exchanges between regions are also active. Food, fashion and culture which were popular in their region will be spread throughout the country.
"No, it's Tenstheon's work."
Chapter 58
TL:Zimmings
There was a fundamental difference between the rumours that had spread across the country and this rumour.
Emperor Phillip betrayed the goddess and was cursed in return. However only a few people knew it.
Most people knew that the goddess of light cursed the fallen soul or a seed of the tyrant in the empire.
Suddenly there was a change in the rumour.
"The goddess of light was angry and cursed his descendant. It was not the fault of the heir to the cure. The sins of emperor phillip have been brpught upon his descendant."
The rumours clearly stated the facts. Whoever spread this rumour knows the truth about the curse.
And in the empire only a few knew about this truth.
It was only the emperor, high priest and duke cassil who knew.
Richard also learned the information by spying the duke of cassil.
In any case, out of the three men, only Tenstheon was willing to protect the crown prince, even by defaming the first emperor of Asteric empire.
'Why did the emperor do that?'
The emperor had changed after the crown prince was in a comma.
He started to visit Amoria palace frequently and spent time with the crown prince.
In addition, he sent a gift to the crown prince's servants. The nobles were rather silent about the recent developement.
As the rational Tenstheon suddenly changed his attitude, rumours had spread that the emperor seems to have found a way to lift the curse.
Many said the curse will be lifted soon, many nobles and commoners said that.
Bastards.
'Did he really find a way to lift the curse?'
'No way. If there was such a way, the curse will already be lifted.'
For many years, countless emperor tried to lift the curse. But in the end, they all failed.
Richard raised the corner of his mouth.
"Maybe it's the opposite."
"What do you mean?"
"The crown prince only had a few days left."
Blake only had a few days left, Tenstheon wanted to spend the last moment with his son.
However, as soon as the nobles found out Tenstheon had been visiting the crown prince, they will protest.
So, he used the rumours about how the curse will be lifted soon.
It is a hundred times more reasonable.
"I'll have to hurry"
Richard said, with a huge smile on his lips.
If Blake dies, Ancia will be a princess and her new husband will be the emperor.
So I have to make Ancia mine as soon as possible.
***
The festival of light had begun.
The festival of light, which commomerate the day when the goddess of light gave her power to Phillip, lasted for 15 days.
"Terry, get the turkey ready. I'm going to make a roasted turkey."
In fact, I wanted to make a roasted chicken but to create a festive mood, turkey is the best.
"Are you cooking today?"
"Yes. I'll make an apple pie too!"
"Your Highness, give me a chance to work too."
Chef Terry said playfully.
I used to cook often, but since I found out my cooking held the power of light, I prepared meal for Blake without skipping a day.
"Your Highness. Aren't you cooking everyday lately? Terry and I will make the turkey, so why don't you go to the square? There are so many things to see."
Melissa also urged her to go in a friendly way.
It seemed that I was only staying in the palace throughout the festival period.
"I don't like when it's crowded."
Frankly, I wanted to go to the festival.
But I can go to the festival when Blake's curse is lifted later.
"Melissa, you can go there with Hans."
"Wh-,what, why Hans?!"
Why?
I thought that everyone in the Amoria Palace knew that they're dating.
But seeing how embarrassed she is, I believed that they were secretly dating.
Well, if she doesn't want to reveal it yet, I have to protect it.
"Terry, go out with your brother. The festival of light is only once a year."
"I'm sick of festivals. Whenever it was festival, I thought I would die cooking for many customers back then. Even when I went home after work, it was so loud that I couldn't enjoy my break time. It's terrible."
Terry shook his head, recalling the time when he was working at the restaurant.
Melissa the stabbed Terry in the side to give a hint.
"Terrible? Your Highness, you cannot believe his words, the festival is so much fun. There's a lot to see, there's a lot to eat and it will definitely be a good memory."
Melissa urged me to go to the festival again.
"Your Highness, you've been busy cooking lately. How about you go to refresh your mind?"
Something was out of the ordinary.
I've never been to any festival of this world. But Melissa never urged me this much.
"What's wrong Melissa?"
"Oh nothing."
She waved her hand in a hurry. That makes it even more suspicious.
"Tell me!"
***
After an hour of questioning, I could finally hear the truth from Melissa.
Blake asked her to take me to the festival.
He thinks I didn't go to the festival because of him.
So was Tenstheon. I didn't know that other than Blake, Tenstheon was also concerned.
That night, I said this to Blake.
"Blake, I don't like festivals."
"Why?"
"It's scary because there are so many people. I don' want to get lost."
"Get lost?"
Blake's face turned pale. I must be imagining it.
"Yes, I went to the square when I was younger, and I was lost."
This is true, it's not really my past. It's what the original Ancia went through.
Her biological father, Gilbert Bellacian once abandoned Ancia in the middle of the square and went back alone.
He abandoned her.
"Fortunately thanks to the people, I was able to return home safely..
When Ancia returned home, Gilbert was visibly irritated.
It was heartbreaking to think about that day, even though I didn't experience it in person, I can imagine how heartbreaking that day was to her.
"The festivals must be scary..."
Of course a fear and heartache is different. Ancia's memory lingered on my mind but that's not why I didn't want to go to the festival.
I don't want to leave Blake alone.
If I go alone, I will only think of Blake and I wouldn't have fun.
But Blake will be upset if I said that, so I gave him another excuse.
"I'm sorry...I didn't know."
I stroked Blake's head and grinned.
"What's there to be sorry about Blake?"
"But..."
"Don't you want to go to the festival?"
"No."
Is he serious?
In the original story, Blake only saw the festival once.
Jane, Blake's original aid, begged him to come with her.
When Blake doesn't want to, Jane shed fake tears.
After hearing Jane's fake sob story, Blake finally decided to go.
They sneak out of the palace together. Blake watches the festival with a large mask that covers his entire face. There were many people who were uniquely dressed in the festival so he wasn't suspicious.
Blake enjoyed the festival but the happiness doesn't last long.
The maid Jane was a spy planted by Richard, at his command she brought Blake to the festival.
She intentionally takes off Blake's mask and Richard's servants shouted,
"The monstrous crown prince had appeared!"
as if he had been waiting for that.
Then the people in the square screamed and cursed at Blake.
There were many who threw stones at Blake.
Blake is deeply hurt by the incident, in addition Tenstheon was attacked by the duke of cassil because of this incident.
Tenstheon wanted to comfort his wounded son, but to protect him, the misunderstanding between the two deepened.