The Emperor was pleased with the unexpected harvest. Though still irritated by not finding Isabelle, his anger subsided at the news of discovering the trees. 

 “I thought they would be in the North, but how unexpected to find them elsewhere.” 

 “They’re being moved to the capital right away.” 

 “Their condition?” 

 “Good.” 

 Not having seen them directly, it was impossible to confirm how they had been. 

 “Things seem to be working out. Make haste to go to the North. Now that we have the holy power trees, there’s no need to go to Codran Forest.” 

 “But it might be good to check just in case.” 

 At the advisor’s words, the Emperor lazily stroked his chin. 

 “Any record of requesting healing priests from the North?” 

 “None. Since there’s been no such movement, I suspect Her Highness the Princess isn’t in the North.” 

 “We’ll see when we get there. Report everything without missing anything.” 

 “Yes, and Your Majesty. Kvarando has announced they’re temporarily banning magic stone exports.” 

 “What?” 

 “They say due to snow, they can’t mine enough magic stones to provide large quantities.” 

 The Emperor’s eyes creased. He felt like his mood was being toyed with. 

 “Why are you telling me this? You should either have resolved it or suggested alternatives.” 

 “I-I’m sorry!” 

 They had never cut off exports before. Though snow had piled up due to Isabelle’s ability, to completely stop magic stone exports… 

 “Even with snow piled up, they should have previously mined stones.” 

 “About that…… since Kvarando never gets snow, they don’t have snow removal equipment, so it’s taking time to clear it.” 

 “Send equipment to Kvarando and get the magic stones.” 

 Without magic stones, they couldn’t make sailing ships. The Emperor struck his chair and told the advisor. 

 “The moment the sailing ships stop, your breath will stop too.” 

 “I-I’ll keep that in mind!” 

 “Why are you standing there? Hurry and make contact.” 

 At the Emperor’s shout, the advisor hurriedly left the office. 

 “Strangely, lately I feel like someone’s watching me.” 

 His golden eyes quickly scanned the surroundings. However, he sensed no other presence. 

 The Emperor pressed his temples with his fingers while looking out the window. 

 He thought he’d made eye contact with a bird and stared intently, but the bird just kept pecking at the tree trunk. 

 ‘Must be a crazy bird.’ 

 It was strange to see a hawk, not a woodpecker, pecking at a tree trunk. The Emperor clicked his tongue, saying there were too many crazy things around. 

 ❖ ❖ ❖ 

 Perhaps because the worrying matter was resolved, her body felt more languid. 

 Isabelle stayed in the guest room without coming out. Still not fully recovered, she slept more than her. 

 Serina occasionally checked Isabelle’s condition and reported to her. 

 ‘The news is later than expected.’ 

 Hopefully nothing had gone wrong. Her daily routine started with looking out the window. 

 It was in hopes of seeing if the friend she sent to the capital might return. Today again, the hawk couldn’t be seen. 

 She stared blankly out the window. 

 “Um, Your Highness.” 

 Rien carefully approached while watching her expression. 

 “I won’t eat today.” 

 “You must. His Highness specifically ordered us to bring you.” 

 “Rien, I really feel like I’m going to roll around. Just eating and not being able to move!” 

 Why wouldn’t they let her do anything when her hand was fully healed? Finally unable to bear it, she declared she wouldn’t eat anymore. 

 “You must eat for the baby’s sake.” 

 “Rien, think about it. Even though it’s for the baby, five meals a day is too much! Endless feeding!” 

 “T-that’s true but…… you need to eat well in the early stages.” 

 “Even so, this is excessive!” 

 Can’t eat anymore. Can’t live like this. 

 Even hibernating bears wouldn’t eat this much. She shook her head and spread her arms on the bed in resistance. 

 “Your Highness……” 

 “Not going! Won’t go! Won’t eat!” 

 I feel like my stomach will burst at this rate. Zeno watched her and chimed in. 

 “Woowoo.” (Master, you have gotten fatter lately.) 

 “……Don’t you join in too.” 

 She was already depressed that her clothes didn’t fit. It’s hard enough for people to eat three meals and snacks, but five meals! 

 “Woof. Woowoo.” (See. I told you he’s not right in the head. Can’t you tell by his eyes?) 

 Zeno heaved a deep sigh. 

 That’s really it! 

 “Woowoo.” (Why did you help that woman and make things so complicated? You got her signature, just kick her out.) 

 “How can I kick her out when I promised to protect her.” 

 She moved from the chair to lie down on the bed. Rien, not knowing what to do, brought Vahalla. 

 “Your Highness. If you don’t come, we’ll die.” 

 “His Highness isn’t that kind of person. He cherishes you all so much.” 

 She shook her head as if it was out of the question. She absolutely couldn’t eat anymore today. 

 “So, I came to get you myself, wife.” 

 “……Your Highness?” 

 She bolted up from the bed to see Cedric leaning against the door. Her fine hairs stood on end at his upturned lips. 

 “Nooooo!” 

 Cedric strode toward her. Despite her scream, he swiftly lifted her up. 

 “You must eat well. Your body is weak.” 

 “Your Highness. Did I do something wrong? If so, please tell me……” 

 This was her first time being punished with food, so she didn’t know how to handle it. 

 Cedric spoke to her with a beautiful smile. 

 “I don’t punish like this. Other methods, perhaps. I just want your body to recover quickly.” 

 “……Other methods?” 

 “What you’re thinking. Something I’m good at.” 

 Something he’s good at? 

 She naturally stared at Cedric’s face. His face was handsome, true. 

 “Besides this face that you like.” 

 “……Besides your face?” 

 He smiled while rolling up his shirt sleeves. Her gaze was naturally drawn to his forearm as he picked up the fork. 

 “Ah, of course. I know you like my body too. You’re not entirely wrong.” 

 “Then what?” 

 Cedric speared some vegetables with the fork and held it out to her. 

 He lightly touched his lips with one hand and smiled meaningfully. 

 ‘……Lips?’ 

 Their kiss came to mind. The hot breaths they exchanged were vivid. 

 Just thinking about it made her mouth go dry. She lightly licked her lips. 

 “You seem to have forgotten that night when we first met.” 

 Only then did she recall their first night. 

 “I’ll eat! I’ll eat, okay!” 

 She spoke with her head bowed low. Her heart felt like it would burst, and her face was surely red. 

 ❖ ❖ ❖ 

 “Wooof.” (Such devotion.) 

 At Zeno’s words, she patted her about-to-burst stomach and turned her head. 

 “Grrrr.” (I really don’t understand. How did you end up marrying a guy like that?) 

 “Zeno, don’t call His Highness ‘a guy like that’. I told you to speak nicely.” 

 “Woowoowoowoo!” (There you go taking his side again!) 

 “Don’t transform into human. You’ll get scolded.” 

 She wagged her finger at Zeno who had his fur standing on end. He whimpered and approached her, seemingly wronged. 

 “Woowoo! Woof!” (You haven’t even had a wedding! But why are you so fond of him! Even a baby!) 

 He felt like a father shouting ‘I oppose this marriage!’ At Zeno’s anger, she recalled their first night that she had forgotten. 

 Click, click. 

 Strangely, the lights wouldn’t come on in the room. Because of that, it was hard to see what was around in the darkness. 

 Wondering what was wrong, she was about to call a maid when she sensed a presence, and suddenly discovered a man lying on the bed. 

 “……Huh?” 

 When did he come in? She hadn’t even heard him enter. 

 Thankfully, perhaps due to the moonlight coming through the window, she could see the form of the man lying on the bed. 

 She was drawn as if enchanted to the man’s broad shoulders and his clearly angry chest muscles. 

 The man lying on the bed looked natural, but there was something strange. 

 That was that his hands were tied with ribbon. 

 ‘What, why is he like that?’ 

 But for a moment, his languid, relaxed pose leaning on the bed felt quite sexy. 

 ……Get it together. 

 She hurriedly shook her head and stared at the man on the bed again. 

 Even when she looked again while blinking slowly, the man still lay there without moving. 

 And why were his clothes unfastened and disheveled instead of properly buttoned? 

 “If you don’t plan to keep standing there, come here.” 

 “What? M-me?” 

 She stepped back nervously while eyeing the man warily. He seemed to have sensed her presence even in the darkness. Perhaps overwhelmed by his aura, she naturally spoke formally. 

 Though she racked her brain quickly, there was only one answer.