In another room, the butler sat near her husband, carrying some gauze and medicinal herbs to treat minor injuries. The palm of her hand, which was injured when she hit something in frustration, was now carefully bandaged.
Elexon sat on the chair, silent without speaking, his face visibly bruised from the blow from Yosan as well as Reina's hard slap earlier. The butler let out a long sigh before starting to speak, his voice calm yet reprimanding.
"You're being too hard on Yosan, Elexon," she said as she poured antiseptic liquid onto a clean cloth and began treating the wounds on her husband's hands. "He's not ready for something like this."
Elexon sighed softly, looking down at his treated hand. "I just want her to be stronger. She has to learn to deal with pressure. The world out there will never be soft on her."
The butler stopped his movements for a moment, looking at Elexon with sharp eyes. "But you're forgetting that she's also a human, not a tool you can mold as you please. Reina was right when she slapped you. You've gone too far."
Elexon bowed his head, as if trying to digest his wife's words. However, he still defended his actions. "I didn't mean to hurt her. It's just that... she has great potential, and I don't want to see her waste it."
"Whatever your intentions were, you still hurt someone who shouldn't have been hurt. You know how her body is," said the butler, continuing his work patiently despite the tension in his voice. "And you're forgetting something more important. If you continue like this, you will lose Reina's trust in you."
Elexon sighed again, heavier this time. He leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling. "I only want the best for them... but maybe you're right. I'm pushing things too hard."
The butler finished his bandaging, patting Elexon's hand gently. "Don't just regret it. Talk to them, especially Reina. You know how she is. She won't just forget this."
Elexon nodded slowly, rubbing his bruised face with his bandaged hand. "I will. But give me some time."
The butler smiled slightly, though there was still concern in his eyes. "Better early than late, Elexon. I already consider Yosan and Reina part of this family. Don't let your behavior today become a problem in the future."
After a moment, the butler looked at him sharply. "Then, what exactly did you guys say before training earlier? I heard something about a penalty of a thousand rounds if he fails to harm you, and you called this a 'blessing' as well as 'proof'. What does that mean?"
Elexon paused, hesitating to answer. Finally, he let out a long breath. "I knew Yosan was beginning to love Reina. Therefore, I wanted to test him. If he manages to hurt me, even just a little, I will approve his marriage to Reina. However, if not... don't ever hope to have Reina."
The butler looked at her husband with a dumbfounded and disappointed expression. "So, you're making this about honor and blessing, without considering their feelings? Are you really sure this is the way to go?"
Elexon didn't answer, just bowed his head with regret beginning to show clearly on his face.
The butler sighed, grasping both of Elexon's hands gently. "I know your intentions are good, Elexon. You're doing this for Reina's sake, wanting to make sure she gets the best match of her life. You want Yosan to prove himself worthy, not only with his skills, but also his determination. Not just empty talk, but real proof."
Elexon remained silent, but raised his head slightly, hearing the gentle yet firm tone in his wife's voice.
"But, isn't it the case that with the affection Yosan has shown for Reina all this time, it already proves his worthiness?" The butler looked at her deeply. "He's been by Reina's side, supporting her, accepting her with all her flaws, even sacrificing himself to help. Isn't that enough to prove who she really is?"
Elexon bit his lip, seemingly deep in thought. "I just want more... want to make sure she can protect Reina, not just with heart but also strength. Reina deserves someone who can guard her from all harm."
The butler smiled faintly, but there was warmth in his gaze. "Sometimes, the strength of the heart is greater than the strength of the body, Elexon. You know that. Reina doesn't need someone perfect, just someone who will always be there for her and Yosan has proven that."
The room fell silent again after the conversation was over. The butler got up, clearing away the remaining cloth and potions, while Elexon fell silent, lost in his own thoughts. Outside, the night was growing late, bringing only temporary calm amidst the emotional storm that was still reverberating.
As the butler was about to exit the room, he paused in the doorway. Turning once more to her husband, she said in a softer, yet meaningful tone, "Elexon, sometimes, you have to trust love to accomplish what logic cannot. Reina knows what is best for her, and Yosan just needs time to prove that in his own way."
Elexon looked up slowly, his gaze thoughtful. He knew that his wife's words always came from a place of wisdom, even if they were hard to accept at first. However, before he could answer, the door closed softly, leaving him in silence.
The next day, in Reina's room, the atmosphere was calmer despite the implicit tension. Reina sat at a small table with several stacks of royal documents in front of her. Occasionally, she wrote something with a pen, then stopped to look at her daughter who was playing with a small wooden doll on the carpet. Lia looked cheerful, but there was a sense of worry that the little girl could not hide.
Yosan was still lying on the bed, his face pale and his breathing slow. The warm cloth Reina had soaked him with last night still clung to his forehead, while the bowl of water on the bedside table had begun to cool.
"Mom, when did you wake up?" asked Lia suddenly, breaking the silence. Her big eyes looked at Yosan expectantly, as if waiting for a miracle.
Reina stopped her movements, looked at her daughter for a moment, then turned her gaze towards Yosan. It touched her heart to see that the man was still unconscious since yesterday's incident. Yosan's body temperature had risen high throughout the night, keeping Reina busy changing the compress cloth many times. Although his body temperature was now stabilizing, his condition was far from recovered.
"I don't know either, dear." Reina replied in a gentle tone, though the worry was hard to hide. She rose from her chair, approached Yosan's bed, and replaced the cloth on his forehead with a new one. "But your father is strong. He'll wake up soon."
Lia gave a small nod, though her face still showed anxiety. She got up from her seat on the carpet, walked over to the bed, and stood beside Reina. Slowly, she reached for Yosan's hand that was drooping at his side and grasped it tightly with both of her small hands.
"If you wake up, I want to tell you about Mattias who's still bothering me!" Lia said softly, trying to distract her anxiety. She puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, though her eyes looked sad, and her voice trembled slightly. "Yesterday she teased me because I couldn't count some numbers correctly!"
Reina smiled a little at that, though her heart was still heavy. "If you complain about something like that when your father wakes up, he might laugh at you," she said lightly. "Or maybe I'll increase your study time even more."
Lia turned to Reina, her cheeks still a little puffy. "It's okay, instead of being like this," she said lowly. She folded her arms across her chest, looking at Yosan with concerned eyes. "Instead of Father doing nothing like an unemployed man!"
Reina was silent for a moment, her heart touched by Lia's words. She gently rubbed her daughter's head, providing a bit of warmth amidst the somber atmosphere. "Your father will recover soon, dear. Don't worry too much, okay?"
Lia nodded slowly, then looked back at Yosan. Her gaze softened again and she whispered, "I hope Father get well soon.
Reina sat back in her chair, picking up the documents she had left behind. However, her attention continued to be divided. On the one hand, she was busy with royal duties, but on the other, she made sure that Yosan was comfortable and Lia was at ease. Although the room was quiet, the small warmth between mother and daughter seemed to be the light in the midst of their worries.
As Reina was busy jotting down something on one of the documents, Lia suddenly spoke up again. "Mother, what's wrong with Father? Yesterday, Uncle Nils didn't answer my questions at all. He just told me to keep praying that Father would be okay."
Lia remembered when she had just finished playing with some servants after school, and found some people in her mother's room. She saw Yosan in an unconscious state, with several parts of his body injured. The sight left Lia shocked, crying, and wondering what had happened.
Reina gasped at the question. She immediately put down the pen, looking at her daughter gently. "I just practiced martial arts with Grandpa too hard yesterday, dear. That's why he's like this," she replied, her voice sounding a little hesitant as she tried to hide the truth. "Your father just needs to rest after training too hard. All we can do now is look after him together, so that he recovers quickly."
Lia frowned, looking at her mother curiously. "So it's all Grandpa's fault?" she asked innocently.
"No, it's not, sweetie." Reina replied quickly. She let out a long breath, then tried to smile. "I was just helping you train to get stronger. But I think you like to push yourself, and that's why you need to rest more now."
Lia lowered her head, looking thoughtful. After a moment, she looked at Reina again with eyes still filled with worry. "Then, I'll take good care of Father, so that he doesn't get sick again. And I'll also warn Father next time not to work too hard at martial arts training or work!"
Reina smiled and gently rubbed her daughter's head. "That's a good idea, dear. I know you're a very caring child. Daddy must be happy to have a daughter like you."
Lia nodded firmly, then took Yosan's hand again. Meanwhile, Reina stared at the man who was still lying weakly, her heart filled with guilt and worry. Although she tried to look calm in front of Lia, she knew the truth was far more complicated than just martial arts training.
Time passed slowly. With Lia now busy drawing beside Yosan, Reina continued her work while occasionally looking at them. Although the atmosphere was still shrouded in worry, there was a glimmer of hope beginning to grow in the room.
The night was getting late, and Reina, who had finished the last of her paperwork, went to bed. She checked Yosan's condition once more, making sure the compress on his forehead remained cool. Just as she was about to lie down, she was startled by a small noise in the doorway.
Reina turned her head and found Lia standing there, tightly hugging one of her favorite dolls. Her hair was a little messy, and her big eyes looked at Reina hesitantly but hopefully.
"Lia? Why aren't you asleep yet?" asked Reina softly, stepping closer.
The little girl bit her lip briefly before answering, "I... I want to sleep here, Mom. Take care of Daddy at the same time. Is that okay?"
Reina was stunned for a moment, but then a gentle smile graced her face. It warmed her heart to see her daughter's concern for Yosan. "Alright, you can sleep here," she said as she patted the bed. "But on the condition that you don't make any noise, don't move around much, and don't disturb Daddy, okay?"
Lia's eyes lit up at her mother's approval. "I promise, Mom!" she called softly, afraid to disturb her father who was resting. She didn't know how long it would take.
With small, eager steps, Lia approached the bed and climbed onto it. She slipped into bed, right between Yosan and Reina. After finding a comfortable position, she tilted her body towards Yosan, giving her father a gentle peck on the cheek. An affectionate peck, just like he often did before going to bed.
Reina watched the scene with a warm smile. She then pulled up the blanket, making sure Lia and Yosan were protected from the chill of the night. "Go to sleep, sweetheart." Reina whispered as she gently rubbed her daughter's head.
"Yes, mom. Good night." Lia replied in a small voice, hugging her doll tightly.
Reina lay down, staring at the ceiling for a moment before closing her eyes. Although worries about Yosan still loomed large in her mind, Lia's presence that night gave her some peace. In the dark and silent room, the warmth of their family remained, like a small fire that kept burning in the middle of a cold night.