"Please, Uncle Tucker, let me introduce you in person to my most beautiful wife in the world. Her name is Princess Ivy," said Prince Theodoric when they arrived at King Tucker's palace.
Princess Ivy immediately bowed and introduced herself. King Tucker's face with the others was so happy when he looked closely at his nephew's daughter-in-law.
"She is beautiful," said Queen Grace, his wife.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to meet my husband's family," replied Princess Ivy.
"If you don't mind, would you mind walking around while letting the guys talk about their problems?" Queen Grace asked Princess Ivy.
Princess Ivy looked at her husband for permission to which Prince Theodoric nodded his head.
"With pleasure, Your Majesty."
Slowly, Queen Grace guides Princess Ivy around her castle. Shows some of the gardens and farms they have. In fact, Queen Grace did not hesitate to explain that she was a supplier for all the food for several palaces that needed it.
"You are extraordinary, Your Majesty. I would be amazed if someone had plantations and ranches like yours," said Princess Ivy.
Queen Grace laughed. She then stopped and looked at Princess Ivy. Her hands were on her shoulders. "Don't call me like that. Just call me Aunty Grace. Neither does my husband, Uncle Tucker," she said.
"Oh ... very well, Auntie. I just want to respect someone the way they should be."
They then hugged each other. But suddenly Princess Ivy's body felt something unusual when her hands touched Queen Grace's back. Then she let go of her hand and looked at her.
"Are you hurt, Aunt Grace?" she asked.
Queen Grace immediately retreated in an instant. She looked surprised but she kept her mouth shut not to answer Princess Ivy's question.
"Aunty, tell me. I ... I can heal it if you're hurt. At least tell me what happened to you?"
But Queen Grace remained silent. Then she looked left and right. Then she pulled Princess Ivy's hand to a quieter and more private place.
"How did you know that, Ivy?" asked Queen Grace with her back to her.
"I-I just felt it, Auntie."
Then Queen Grace turned to face her. Her gaze suddenly became sad and teary. "Promise you won't tell anyone."
Princess Ivy nodded with a concerned face. Then she saw Queen Grace take off her dress and reveal the bruises on her back. Surprise surrounded Princess Ivy's entire body. It made her shudder in horror until her hair stood on end.
"Aunty ... What has happened to you? Was this Uncle Tucker's doing?" asked Princess Ivy anxiously.
Weakly, Queen Grace nodded her head. "My husband is a very stubborn man. If I oppose him even a little bit, then my body becomes his escape."
"You didn't even tell anyone, Aunty?" asked Princess Ivy.
"I'm afraid no one will believe me, Ivy. My husband is a good man and generous in public."
Princess Ivy then touched the bruise gently. "Allow me, Aunty. But promise not to tell anyone."
Only a nod of Queen Grace's head she gave Princess Ivy. Then a bluish-green light started to appear, the magic started to work. It seemed to cover Queen Grace's bruises until it looked faded and gradually disappeared. Along with that, Queen Grace no longer even felt the pain.
"It's done, Aunty," said Princess Ivy, helping to put on Queen Grace's dress.
"W-what exactly are you doing, Ivy?" asked Queen Grace in confusion.
"I just want to help the weak people."
Queen Grace looked directly at her. "Ivy ... looks like your presence will bring me safety. Thank you so much."
***
The journey back to Kensington makes Princess Ivy a little worried about Queen Grace who is in danger. She was worried that she wouldn't be there to heal every bruise Queen Grace got.
She glanced at Prince Theodoric who just smiled the whole way. Made Princess Ivy wonder in her curiosity, did her husband know how King Tucker was when he was with Queen Grace?
Princess Ivy gulped when a glimpse of the thought appeared to her and her husband. If she had become Queen Grace, she would have run away.
"What's the matter, my wife? You looked restless the whole way through," Prince Theodoric asked her. He held his wife's hand with passion and tenderness.
"Hmm ... I was thinking, is my husband a violent person towards women? Does my husband like to beat women? I am sorry, Theo, this thought just crossed my mind."
Princess Theodoric smiled and kissed the back of Princess Ivy's hand. "I will not be able to put it into words, Ivy. But I'm sure you'll be able to see my daily life with you. I can only promise you, you don't have to worry, Ivy. I love you, and you know that. Even since we met, you've taken my soul which is only looking for you. You even seem to be the only woman in the world that God created. When I saw you, the women around me suddenly I could not see."
A smile formed on Princess Ivy's lips when she heard Prince Theodoric's answer. She did know that her husband would not do bad things to her. Even so, Princess Ivy remained vigilant just in case.
"It's noon, time for lunch. So, we'll stop by the restaurant first. You don't mind, do you, my wife?"
"Very well, my dear."
Enjoying lunch with her husband at a restaurant for the first time, greatly pleased Princess Ivy. She still felt, as if all of this was a dream that kept her awake from her long sleep.
Especially when she finally did not hear the insults from her stepmother and stepsister. Her ears, heart, and head felt at ease because indirectly, Princes Theodoric had saved her.
But in the end, Princess Ivy thought of something. The magic that her mother gave her, she had not told Prince Theodoric yet. She doesn't know what will happen if her husband finds out the truth. She wanted to tell him, but she had to meet with her mother first to get her opinion.