"You guys missed breakfast, Ivy, Theo. Did you guys wake up late?" asked Queen Amelissa.
"I have something to do with Ivy, Mother. If we don't show up in the morning, you two can have breakfast without us," Prince Theodoric replied.
"Then you should have breakfast first. I have to see Barbara. Something happened to her last night and she doesn't know what happened to her. Her back looks bruised," Queen Amelissa explained.
Prince Theodoric frowned, as did Princess Ivy. They looked at each other. Meanwhile, the Prince wanted to confirm the look on his wife's face, whether she felt something or not.
"Are the wounds serious, Mother?" asked Princess Ivy.
"I do not know. Habib is about to come here and I have also sent the news to her family to come here soon. Ivy, maybe our trip today is postponed. Are you all right?"
Princess Ivy nodded. "No problem, Mother. Just put Princess Barbara first. After breakfast with Theo, we will go see her.
Queen Amelissa smiled and rubbed her daughter-in-law's shoulder. She then went to the guest room where Princess Barbara lay.
"What happened to him?" asked Princess Ivy to no one else, but she looked at her husband.
"I do not know, Ivy. As you said, let's go see her after this."
Breakfast with Prince Theodoric didn't take long. The servants then tidied the dining table and now the two couples were going to visit Princess Barbara.
Slowly but surely, Princess Ivy and Prince Theodoric entered the guest room. There lay Princess Barbara with a pale face and a pained expression.
She was silent and could not speak. When she saw Princess Ivy's face, her face became frightened. But Princess Ivy was bewildered and didn't know what had happened to her.
Princess Ivy looked at her mother-in-law and gave her an expression to go out with Prince Theodoric. Luckily King Thomas wasn't in the guest room, so Princess Ivy didn't have to worry.
Queen Amelissa then understood and nodded. "Theo, come with me to the medical room for a moment. I think I have a cure for her and I need your help," said Queen Amelissa.
"Ah, very well, Mother. Ivy, wait here a moment."
"Of course, my husband. I will be able to look after her."
Princess Ivy sat quietly. While waiting for her husband and mother-in-law to walk away, Princess Ivy's eyes pierced Princess Barbara's eyes.
Her hands brushed her hair with a smile. But it was very clear that the seductive woman in front of her still looked afraid of her.
"I could heal you, Princess Barbara. But can you promise me one thing?" she said softly but horribly.
At that moment, a snap of Princess Ivy's finger made Princess Barbara's mouth shut, so she could speak.
"Wh-what?" she asked nervously.
"Stop teasing my husband. As long as he's seduced by you, that's my business."
"Please, Your Majesty. H-heal me. It feels ... hurts."
"I will not make you promise, but I will let you keep your word. If you do not, I will shake your whole family," threatened Princess Ivy.
She just nodded her head weakly. Princess Ivy then chuckled with a smirk that looked so terrible in Princess Barbara's eyes.
Her hands began to work the tip of Princess Barbara's head to the tips of her feet. The blazing turquoise light shone on Princess Barbara's body. Meanwhile, Princess Ivy mumbled silently with her lips.
"Now, you will not forget what I did to you. But you will remember what you did to me, the risk you took if you did not keep your word and demeanor, that I would destroy your family. You also will not open your voice to anyone about who I am," Princess Ivy whispered to her, casting a spell.
***
After Princess Barbara's departure when her family picked her up left some questions for Prince Theodoric and King Thomas. Of course, neither of them knew that Princess Ivy was behind it all.
But no one asked anyone, because they thought they wouldn't find an answer.
"Ivy ... looks like we will be going to my shop, shall we?"
"Very well, Mother. I am up to you."
"All right, get ready then. Theo, you still have time for her before she goes with me," Queen Amelissa snapped at her son.
Prince Theo nodded. They then left the living room but at that moment King Thomas stopped them. "Thoughts about having children. I want grandchildren for my inheritance! If you can not get pregnant, then I will force my son to marry another woman," said King Thomas boldly.
"Father! I will not even go along with your will to marry my wife!"
Princess Ivy didn't say anything. She just kept quiet and gave her father-in-law a dull expression.
"You will obey me, Theo!" said King Thomas stubbornly.
"Not!"
"Theo, let's go to our rooms. We will excuse you, Father," Princess Ivy spoke up.
She wrapped her husband's arm as Princess Ivy looked back, right where King Thomas was still watching them. Princess Ivy didn't want to teach him a lesson right now. As long as her father-in-law's words sounded casual, she didn't mind it.
"Forgive my Father, Ivy. You know-"
"Shhh ... I'm getting used to it. Better help me to take off my back strap. I have to change," said Princess Ivy, turning her body.
Prince Theodoric began to untie the ropes. His movements slowed down and his hands started to get naughty. But Princess Ivy just smiled and walked away from her husband's touch.
Prince Theodoric's face was devoid of disappointment, but he didn't dare tell her. So, she just kept quiet and watched his wife who was changing clothes in front of him on purpose.
"Later tonight, my husband. I do not like it if mother waits for me while we are having sex. So do not put on your disappointed face," said Princess Ivy, approaching her husband and kissing his lips.
"Tonight. I will make you apologize to me, my dear."
"Oh ... I can't wait for that."
Prince Theodoric turned his wife around and began to help tie the bodice of her dress. When he finished, he kissed his wife's shoulder.
"Have fun with Mother, my wife," he said.
"Of course. Then, what are you going to do when I am not by your side, Theo?"
"I'll take care of some things. Distribute food rations to the underprivileged people."
Princess Ivy's face looked surprised. She really didn't know about her husband's part of the job. "Someday, invite me to join you, Theo."
"Of course. In the meantime, enjoy your time as newlyweds."
"Aren't you a newlywed too? We should be enjoying our time together. Plus, it's still very Christmas. I would be very happy if I could hang out with you, my husband."
"I'll arrange my schedule for you, Ivy."