After several days of intensive care, Yosan had finally made significant progress. That afternoon, sunlight shone shyly from behind the open curtains of Reina's bedroom window, gently bringing coolness and calmness to the room. Yosan, who was now able to sit upright in bed without assistance, slowly grasped the side of the bed. His face still looked a little pale, but the small smile on his lips showed a returning spirit.
Reina entered the room with light steps, carrying a bowl of warm porridge. Upon seeing Yosan sitting alone, she stopped her steps for a moment, looking at the man with a mixture of relief and concern. "You shouldn't push yourself," she admonished, approaching while placing the bowl on the small table beside the bed.
"I only wish to move, Your Majesty. Nothing more," Yosan replied in a joking tone, though his hands were still trembling slightly. He looked at Reina and gave a weak smile. "Besides, I don't want to keep troubling you."
Reina let out a long sigh, then sat on the edge of the bed. "You're not troubling me at all, Yosan. But, I guess it wouldn't hurt if you moved a little." She reached for the spoon, took some porridge, and directed it to Yosan. "Come on, eat first."
Yosan complied without much protest. After a few mouthfuls, he ventured to speak. "Training with Uncle Elexon was probably too much for me back then. I didn't expect my body to react this badly."
Reina looked at Yosan with a look that implied dislike when she heard Elexon's name mentioned. She was still upset with the man. Even so, there was a concerned tone in her voice. "It's not your fault. You're just pushing yourself too hard. And, can you stop talking about it?" he said, stopping his feed to Yosan.
"I don't want to hear her name for now," Reina continued inwardly.
Yosan was a little surprised at Reina's changed tone. He looked at her, trying to understand the reason behind that attitude as he chewed the porridge in his mouth. "Why? Did something happen while I was unconscious?"
Reina averted her gaze, trying to hide the annoyance depicted on her face by taking a spoonful of porridge from the bowl. "Nothing. I just don't want to talk about it." She returned to feeding Yosan with quick movements. "You'd better eat."
Realizing Reina was reluctant to talk further, Yosan decided not to insist. He nodded slowly and opened his mouth, accepting Reina's attentive mouthful. Silence fell over the room for a moment, with only the sound of the spoon clashing with the bowl.
Reina, who seemed to have calmed down, finally opened the conversation again. "The doctor said you can try to stand and walk a little, but it has to be gradual. You can't push yourself like before," Reina said.
Hearing the news, Yosan's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? Then, can I try it now?"
Reina looked at him doubtfully. "I'm not sure it's the right time. But..." She paused for a moment, seeing Yosan's obvious enthusiasm on his face. "Alright, I'll call someone to help you. But remember, don't overexert yourself."
Before Reina rose to her feet completely, Yosan held her wrist gently. "I'd prefer it if you were the one to help," Yosan said in a gentle tone. Reina's face flushed slightly, but she did not refuse.
Reina stood up, holding Yosan's hand to help him stand up slowly from the bed. Yosan's body still felt weak, but with Reina's support, he managed to stand up even though he was a little unsteady. "Take it slow," Reina said, her voice full of concern.
Yosan's first steps were heavy, but he did not give up. Carefully, he took small steps, utilizing the strength left in his body. Reina continued to hold him close, occasionally offering encouragement.
When Yosan reached the window, he paused for a moment, gazing out. His gaze swept across the palace gardens bathed in afternoon sunlight. "I haven't seen this in a long time," he murmured.
Reina smiled as she rubbed Yosan's back. "I thought you would never wake up and would leave me, as well as Lia."
Yosan turned to Reina and smiled. "I will not leave my loved ones and my precious jewels just like that, Your Highness."
Reina was surprised by Yosan's unusually romantic words. Even so, Yosan had actually uttered similar meaningful words many times before, although they were more vague and unclear in meaning.
But now, Yosan's romantic overtures sounded so real and meaningful. Reina's face flushed slightly. "You... don't joke around like that," she said in a nervous tone. "And when did you become like this? Who taught you?"
"I'm serious, Your Majesty. To me, you and Lia are pieces of my body and soul." Yosan looked into Reina's eyes with sincerity, then gently kissed her hand.
"I am very grateful that God has brought us together. No matter how badly we met and how you treated me in the past, one thing is for sure, I am very grateful and happy to be by your side, loved by a queen as great and beautiful as you."
Reina was silent for a moment, her heart touched by Yosan's words, but she could only smile embarrassedly. She then rubbed Yosan's back gently, feeling the warmth that was so evident between them.
Yosan leaned closer, his gaze soft yet meaningful. "Your Highness, I love you-"
Before Yosan could finish his sentence, a cheerful voice could be heard from the suddenly opened door as Lia, their little daughter, appeared looking fresh and adorable.
"Mommy! Daddy!" cried Lia with a big smile, spreading her arms as she ran towards her parents, her face full of joy.
One of the three servants who escorted Lia to her parents' room sighed at her daughter's rather 'bar-bar' behavior. "Princess, you should be more graceful," he said in a resigned tone.
However, another servant laughed. "It's useless to teach her etiquette. If the princess prefers to learn directly from Her Majesty the Queen," he said with a smile, remembering Reina's demeanor which was far different from the typical queen's image. Despite looking more rambunctious and not so graceful or meek, the woman still showed an authority that was able to make others reluctant and helpless. The current Reina had changed for the better since the presence of Yosan and Lia.
"She's right." The third waiter replied in agreement, smiling at Lia's adorable behavior.
Lia jumped for joy, walking up to Yosan. "Dad is healed? Can you stand up now?" she asked excitedly, looking at her father with sparkling eyes.
Yosan chuckled and nodded. "I'm better, sweetheart," he replied gently.
Hearing that, Lia jumped up and down on the spot. "Then carry me, Daddy!" she exclaimed enthusiastically.
Yosan was about to comply with his daughter's request, but Reina swiftly restrained his arm. "No way, Dad's still not fully recovered. You two can't do that," Reina said as she smiled gently at Lia.
Reina then aligned her height with Lia's. "Here, let Mommy carry you," she said as she lifted her daughter into her arms. Lia laughed cheerfully, wrapping her arms around Reina's neck.
"But I'm fine, Your Majesty," Yosan said in a reassuring tone.
Reina shook her head firmly. "No, Yosan. You're still not healed. So obey. And I don't accept arguments."
Lia, who heard that, looked at her father with a slightly glum expression. However, she immediately smiled, trying to be encouraging. "It's okay, Father. When you get better, you can carry Lia, and we can play as much as we want," she said in a cheerful tone, trying to cheer up.
Yosan nodded and smiled slightly, warmed by his little daughter's concern.
"You three may leave now." Reina said to the three servants still standing by the door.
"Yes, Your Majesty," one of them replied while bowing politely before leaving with his two colleagues.
After the three servants left, Yosan sat back on the bed, accompanied by Lia who sat next to him. Lia cheerfully began to recount her daily activities, her face full of enthusiasm.
"Earlier after Lia came home from school, Lia had to do some school homework first," Lia said, looking at Yosan enthusiastically. "After that, I could play, take a nap, and take a bath in the afternoon. So, that's why I can only see you now. You're not mad at me for seeing you just now, are you?" asked Lia hesitantly, her eyes hopeful.
Yosan smiled, stroking Lia's hair gently. "Of course not, dear. I'm not angry. I'm happy to see you now," he replied lovingly. He gazed at his daughter with gentle eyes, happy to see her growing up cheerful and full of energy.
Meanwhile, Reina stood beside the small table near the bed, preparing medicine for Yosan. She carefully arranged the various bottles of medicine, mixing the correct dosage as recommended by the doctor. Occasionally, she glanced at Yosan and Lia with a small smile, feeling happy to see their little family together despite their humble circumstances.
After finishing preparing the medicine, Reina approached slowly and offered the medicine cup to Yosan. "Here, Yosan. Drink this medicine to help your body recover," she said gently.
Yosan accepted the cup, looking at Reina for a moment with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty," he said sincerely, before taking the medicine carefully.
Lia looked at her father with concern. "Dad, the medicine is bitter, right?" she asked, a little worried.
Yosan laughed softly, nodding. "Yes, dear. But in order to get better quickly, you have to take it," he replied, smiling at his daughter.
Reina sat beside Yosan, watching him attentively. "You should really rest after this. Don't overexert yourself," Reina said, her voice full of affection.
Yosan nodded and placed the empty cup on the table. "I will obey, Your Majesty," he replied, though there was still an eagerness in his eyes to recover soon and get back to living their lives as before.
A gentle silence enveloped them, with the sound of the breeze coming in through the window and Lia's echoing giggles. The simple yet warm moment brought peace to Yosan's heart, who felt so lucky to be surrounded by the people he loved so much.