After the funeral and the subsequent coronation ceremony, Jihyuk’s attitude towards Yeocheong gradually changed.

“Your Highness, if you’re not feeling well, please let me know right away.”

“I’m fine. I apologise for causing you unnecessary worry.”

“You don’t need to apologise. How could your health ever be an unnecessary worry for me?”

When Jihyuk unexpectedly visited him and spoke warmly to him, Yeocheong first thought it was just sympathy for his continuing poor health. But Jihyuk continued to visit him frequently.

Although it wasn’t unpleasant, Yeocheong couldn’t quite get used to the sudden change. He remained cautious, responding to Jihyuk with an awkward politeness that belied his discomfort.

“It’s a bit confusing. I haven’t done anything to deserve this, yet everything feels so different now. Frankly, it makes me a little uneasy.”

“Take it as a good thing, Your Highness.”

Seon said happily, brushing Yeocheong’s hair with a beaming smile.

For Seon and Sowol, the change was nothing but welcome news. Ever since rumours had spread that Yeocheong was favoured by Jihyuk, the two attendants had noticed a marked improvement in their treatment within the palace. Their once cold and dismissive colleagues now greeted them with respect, making their daily lives much more bearable.

“Not long ago, they acted as if they were lords over us, but now they’re careful.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Good doesn’t even begin to cover it! You have no idea how humiliating it was before. I suppose His Majesty was too busy managing the duties of Crown Prince and King.”

“Do you really think that’s the reason?”

“Of course it is! It must be.”

“It must be, Your Highness.”

Sowol chimed in and handed Yeocheong a cup of tea.

Yeocheong accepted, even though he wasn’t in the mood. The royal physician, along with Seon and Sowol, had insisted that he drink tea regularly to keep his body warm. As a result, Yeocheong had developed the habit of drinking tea at this time every day.

“There is a rumour that a date has been set for you two to consummate your marriage.”

Seon said with a mischievous smile.

“Those who whispered that you’ve been cast aside are suddenly holding their tongues.”

“But the royal physician still advises me not to push myself too hard.”

Yeocheong replied, his voice filled with uncertainty.

“That is why you must recover quickly, Your Highness. Didn’t the royal physician say that the sudden change of environment could be the cause? This tea service was brought all the way from the Empire, so it should be familiar to you.”

Sowol said with a reassuring smile.

“Mm… yes.”

Yeocheong murmured, nodding as he looked at the luxurious tea service. Although he hadn’t grown up in poverty, he wasn’t used to drinking such fine tea every day. Even now, it still felt a little unnatural for him to sip tea out of obligation rather than desire.

“The sooner you regain your health, the sooner you can face the night of consummation with ease and establish your dignity as queen.”

Sowol added, her tone matter-of-fact.

“Exactly! We must put these arrogant fools in their place.”

Seon joined in, nodding fervently in agreement with Sowol’s words.

Her excitement stemmed from the fact that Yeocheong had only consummated his marriage once as Crown Princess, and his subsequent decline in health had led the royal physician to recommend that he avoid further exposure to the scent of pheromones and concentrate on his recovery. Seon looked up at Yeocheong with sparkling eyes and spoke with enthusiasm.

“That’s why you must get well quickly, Your Highness! Just yesterday, His Majesty doubled the monthly budget for Wolha Palace, specifically so that you can focus on your health. And he even ordered that the skin of the black bear he hunted yesterday be made into a cloak for himself, although the court servants whispered that it was actually for you.”

“Really?”

Yeocheong asked in surprise, his expression softening slightly.

“His Majesty must have been too busy until now. There’s no other explanation, so don’t worry and concentrate on what lies ahead, Your Highness.”

“Yes. With you two by my side, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Yeocheong replied with a faint smile, feeling a glimmer of warmth as he looked at the two attendants who seemed to care for him even more than he cared for himself.

Without their support, his life in Yeon would have been much more difficult, he thought. But despite their tireless efforts to comfort him, Yeocheong couldn’t quite shake his lingering unease. The peace that had come so suddenly, he feared, could vanish just as quickly.

“Your Highness, are you feeling better today?”

Jihyuk visited Wolha Palace every day, as if he could sense Yeocheong’s inner turmoil. At first, Yeocheong found Jihyuk’s presence awkward and slightly uncomfortable, but as the days passed, his discomfort faded and was replaced by a growing familiarity. And over time, it wasn’t just the familiarity that began to grow.

“Yeocheong.”

Eventually, Jihyuk stopped calling him Bi (a formal title) and started calling him by his name. Yeocheong found that he liked it – he liked the sound of his name being spoken by Jihyuk. He also liked the occasional, almost unintentional moments when Jihyuk’s formal tone softened into casual speech.

It felt… warm. Comfortable. And maybe, just maybe, something more.

It seemed that Yeocheong’s lingering poor health had been partly psychological, as the bouts of fever and days spent confined to his bed became much less frequent. Though still physically frail, he was no longer so debilitated.

“Your Majesty.”

Yeocheong said softly, addressing Jihyuk with increasing ease.

He had gradually begun to adjust to life in Yeon. Smiling, which had been rare in the Song Empire, became more natural. Meeting people no longer filled him with fear.

Yeocheong didn’t fully understand love, but he wondered if this was what love felt like. A once ordinary world now seemed to be filled with one person, and the idea of sharing this expanded, enriched world with Jihyuk made him feel truly happy.

For his part, Jihyuk was always gentle with Yeocheong. If Yeocheong even had a nosebleed, Jihyuk would worry excessively, and if Yeocheong stumbled, he would immediately call for the royal physician and stay by his side until he was sure that nothing serious had happened.

“Really, I’m fine, Your Majesty.”

Yeocheong said, trying to reassure Jihyuk.

“I can’t trust your fine.”

Jihyuk replied, his brow furrowed with worry.

“You said you were fine last night and then you fainted, didn’t you?”

“…! That was…”

Yeocheong stammered, unable to find an excuse.

His face flushed as he remembered the embarrassing incident, and Jihyuk’s worried yet annoyed expression only made him feel more self-conscious.

Yeocheong loved the way Jihyuk, though typically gentle, sometimes showed a playful side. He especially loved how Jihyuk’s demeanour changed when no one else was around – his speech became casual, his laughter uninhibited. It was impossible not to fall in love at such moments.

And Yeocheong was sure that Jihyuk loved him just as much, if not more.

Although Yeon in the south generally enjoyed a mild climate, it still experienced the distinct four seasons. But at Wolha Palace, it always felt like spring. Yeocheong knew the effort and expense required to keep the palace at such a constant temperature throughout the year, and to him it felt like an extension of Jihyuk’s love and care.

Now the season that marked Yeocheong’s arrival in Yeon had come full circle – winter had returned.

***

“It will soon be a year since Your Highness came to Yeon.”

“Has it been that long?”

“You were so worried when you first arrived, but it was all for nothing. Now, if only an heir would bless us, there would be nothing more to wish for.”

Yeocheong’s face turned slightly red at her comment, but he managed to keep his composure. The thought of an heir wasn’t unfamiliar – he knew it was expected – but hearing it out loud still made him feel shy.

“Seon, don’t say unnecessary things.”

“S-sorry, Your Highness. I guess I got carried away.”

Seon replied, her excitement quickly fading as she bowed her head apologetically. Sowol gave her a sharp look that made Seon fidget nervously.

It had been more than half a year since Yeocheong had received Jihyuk’s affection, and they had officially shared the marriage bed four times, with countless unofficial nights together as well. Yet there was still no sign of pregnancy.

“Once Your Highness fully recovers, you will conceive without issue.”

The royal physician had reassured him that it wasn’t a matter of fertility, but simply a result of his health not being fully restored. But Yeocheong’s recovery had stalled – his condition was better than when he first fell ill, but it hadn’t improved significantly in months.

“It’s fine, really. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Yeocheong said, his voice calm as he looked down at his still flat stomach.

“It’s only been a year. If we keep trying, it will happen eventually.”

He didn’t long for a child to consolidate his position as queen. Rather, he dreamed of a child who would resemble him and Jihyuk – a little one he could cherish and raise with love, just as his mother had done for him. It was a quiet hope, born not of duty but of pure desire.

‘I don’t want a child who grows up not knowing a father’s love, like I did. I want them to grow up surrounded by the love of both parents.’

Yeocheong wasn’t worried; he was sure that Jihyuk wouldn’t treat him coldly just because they hadn’t had a child yet. However, he couldn’t deny that he wanted to bear Jihyuk’s child as soon as possible. Unlike Seon’s bold remarks, Yeocheong couldn’t bring himself to say such thoughts out loud, but they remained quietly in his heart.

“That will surely be the case.”

Sowol said reassuringly and Yeocheong nodded as he sipped his tea. With winter setting in and a slight chill creeping into his body, Yeocheong had decided not to go outside for the time being.

“His Majesty is here to visit.”

Unable to leave the palace himself, Yeocheong was delighted to hear that Jihyuk had come to Wolha Palace instead. His face lit up as he prepared to greet Jihyuk.

“I’ll prepare fresh refreshments.”

Seon said excitedly.

“Yes, get whatever His Majesty likes.”

Yeocheong replied, a warm smile spreading across his face as he looked forward to their time together.

Sowol and Seon cleared away the tea they had been drinking and went to prepare fresh refreshments. A moment later, the door opened and Jihyuk walked in.

“Yeocheong, how was your day?”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s care, I had a peaceful day.”

Yeocheong replied with a gentle smile.

“Don’t you find it stifling to stay within the palace walls all the time?”

“The palace is so huge that there’s no time to feel confined.”

Yeocheong replied, his smile softening even more. He wasn’t lying – Wolha Palace was one of the largest in Yeon, complete with a lake and beautifully manicured gardens. Even though he spent all his time on its grounds, he never felt suffocated.

“I hope the weather warms up soon. Every time I hear you cough, I feel like my heart could drop.”

Jihyuk said, his voice filled with genuine concern.

“In that case, I must do my best to recover quickly for the sake of Your Majesty’s heart. And if I regain my health, perhaps a little one will join us soon…”

In the past, such a remark would have left Yeocheong nervous and at a loss for words. Now, however, he felt comfortable enough to respond with a teasing smile, his heart lightening as he watched Jihyuk’s face soften into a laugh.

With a slightly softer tone, Jihyuk gently pulled Yeocheong into his arms and spoke softly.

“You don’t have to try or strive for anything, my love. Just being here as you are is more than enough. Besides, I’d like to enjoy our time together a little longer before someone else joins us.”

His hug – wide and warm, a comfort Yeocheong had come to know well – felt soothing. Yeocheong smiled slightly and leaned into Jihyuk’s arms, relaxing in the familiar warmth.

“I might have some time next month.”

Jihyuk murmured, his voice deep and sweet, as if he was speaking directly into Yeocheong’s heart. Knowing that Yeocheong liked it when he spoke casually and tenderly, Jihyuk often used such a tone deliberately.

“I’ve heard there’s a lovely retreat about a day’s carriage ride from here. I’ll be taking a few days off, so please wait a little longer if you’re feeling restless.”

With these words, Jihyuk planted a soft kiss on Yeocheong’s forehead. Although Yeocheong had assured him that he was fine, it was clear that Jihyuk was still worried about Yeocheong being confined to Wolha Palace for the entire winter.

“I would like that.”

Yeocheong replied with a soft smile, his heart warming at the thought.

“I will wait patiently.”

Yeocheong had no complaints about his current life, but he didn’t want to reject Jihyuk’s thoughtfulness. The idea of spending quiet, private time together was something he was looking forward to.

‘Yes. The royal physician said there’s no issue with me as an omega, so if I focus more on my health, our little one will come to us someday. I hope that day arrives soon.’

Yeocheong’s face lit up with a pure, unadulterated smile. The moment was filled with a serene, almost overwhelming sense of peace and happiness – so much so that it felt like nothing in the world could disturb it.