The problem that bothered Pristin these days was not the palace changes or unfamiliar living conditions that came with becoming Empress, nor was it Jerald, who became busier after marriage.
“It’s time for your meal, Empress.”
Pristin was very nervous at the word. The maids came inside with plates of food as she stood up and went to the table.
But as soon as they opened the silver dish covers, Pristin jumped out of her seat.
“Ugh!”
Then, she immediately gagged with her mouth closed. The maids’ faces turned pensive as they watched, and eventually they put the covers back on. But the odor still lingered in the air, and Pristin continued to gag.
“Ugh, ugh!”
“Your Majesty, are you all right?”
Aruvina approached Pristin with a panicked expression on her face, but Pristin held out her hand to her as if she was fine. She wasn’t exactly fine, but this was all too familiar.
Pristin gagged several more times before removing the hand that had been covering her mouth until the smell of the food had become minimal. She had clamped it so tightly that her mouth was red for a moment.
Aruvina said, looking anxiously at Pristin like that,
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, I should have been more careful this time…”
“I know. It’s definitely better than last time.”
But it still wasn’t enough to cure her morning sickness.
She waited until the wedding and didn’t have any symptoms, but after the wedding, morning sickness suddenly started.
Today was day three. She hadn’t eaten much of anything for three days. Naturally, the people watching were anxious. They tried to get Pristin to eat in as many ways as they could, but they could only watch her squirming when they opened the dish cover.
“Just bring me soup for lunch.”
She could eat the soup without much difficulty. Of course, it still smelled disgusting, but it was okay. Aruvina nodded, and soon a large soup arrived in front of Pristin. Pristin gave her a look that said it was too much, but Aruvina gave her usual response.
“Eat some and leave the rest.”
She didn’t bring it to her hoping for her to finish it in the first place but she figured if she brought this much, she’d at least see her sincerity.
For three days, Pristin didn’t eat too much, and Aruvina, watching, was worried to death. She refused whatever she tried.
“I’m done eating.”
The words came less than ten minutes after Pristin picked up her spoon. The amount of soup had barely diminished in time. Of course, they’d brought her a lot to begin with…
Aruvina pleaded with a desperate tone,
“Please eat a little more, for my sake.”
“I have no appetite in the morning.”
“You’ve already skipped breakfast with that excuse,”
Aruvina said as if she couldn’t move on this time.
“I will be scolded by His Majesty the Emperor.”
“The emperor has already eaten.”
And at that perfect timing, Jerald appeared. Pristin stood up, and Jerald entered the room. Jerald approached Pristin in panic when he saw her standing up.
“Sit down. Why are you standing?”
“But Your Majesty is here.”
“You’re not just one person.”
Jerald hurried to seat Pristin.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m all right.”
“‘All right’ is a bit of an understatement. I can clearly see your morning sickness is severe.”
Pristin smiled awkwardly, and Jerald stared at Pristin and opened his mouth.
“I’ve prepared something.”
“Prepared?”
“Yes, come on in.”
At once, the door opened, and servants began to enter, bringing in covered dishes which they placed on the empty table.
Pristin spoke with a slight narrowing of her brow.
“It’s no use. I was unnerved by the smell earlier.”
“This time will be different.”
Jerald seemed unusually confident. Pristin decided to take a chance and lifted the dish cover.
“…Oh.”
It didn’t smell.
‘Of course, it doesn’t smell at all, but…’
It wasn’t enough to feel uncomfortable. There was a yellow-white biscuit on the plate. Pristin looked at Jerald with an approving expression.
“Your Majesty really prepared it?”
“I consulted the palace chefs.”
One could tell how much he must have insisted without even seeing it. Pristin stifled a smile.
“I tried to prepare foods with minimal smell. Otherwise…”
As she lifted the cover from the next dish, a refreshing scent emerged.
“Foods that won’t make you feel sick even if they have a smell.”
“Wow.”
There were fresh fruits—apples, strawberries, oranges, grapes, and more…
Pristin looked flustered at the mountain of fruits.
“You can’t possibly expect me to eat all of this, right?”
“It would be great if you could, but I’m not asking that.”
Jerald gently cupped Pristin’s cheeks with both hands and whispered,
“You need to eat something. You’ve lost too much weight these past few days.”
“…It’s not to that extent.”
“Not that bad? You’re nothing but skin and bones now.”
“Your Majesty. You exaggerate.”
Pristin blushed with embarrassment and opened the dish covers of other plates. The contents were almost the same. Desserts made of fresh fruit were all there was.
Pristin couldn’t help but laugh.
“You’ve prepared various things.”
“I didn’t know what you’d like.”
Jerald looked pleased with himself and then seemed to remember something.
“Oh, and you need to eat this before it melts.”
“Huh? What is it?”
Jerald lifted the cover from the dish furthest from Pristin. Underneath was a delicate layer of finely shaved ice topped with strawberry syrup. Pristin’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Shaved ice?”
“I thought you’d like it.”
“This is such a rare treat.”
Shaved ice was difficult to store and not something just anyone could have. Pristin smiled at Jerald, finding his proud expression endearing.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, you must be busy.”
“Thank you? It’s only natural that I should take care of this.”
Jerald spoke to Pristin in a warm, affectionate tone.
“It’s our child. Since I can’t take care of them as much as I’d like, I should make sure to take care of you more.”
“You always say such nice things. Did you learn that somewhere?”
“Learn? It’s just common sense.”
“Well, let’s eat together. I can’t manage all this by myself.”
“You should be able to eat it all.”
“I want to eat it together with you.”
Pristin gently took Jerald’s hand and asked,
“Since you’re here. Will you?”
“…Really.”
Jerald smiled with an expression that showed he didn’t mind.
“You make it impossible to refuse.”
“Are you very busy?”
“Even if I’m busy, I can find time to eat shaved ice with you. No, I must.”
Jerald scooped up a large portion of the shaved ice and brought it to Pristin’s mouth.
“Come on, let’s eat. It’ll melt.”
“Oh, but… there’s only one spoon?”
They needed another spoon to share.
Pristin turned her head and called out to Aruvina.
“Madam Korsol, could we get another spoon here?”
“No need for that.”
“Eh?”
“I’ve just found a solution.”
Jerald, holding the spoon, lazily smiled and tilted his head slightly.
“Go ahead, Pristin.”
“No, I…”
Pristin looked around, flustered, and subconsciously scanned the surroundings.
“There are too many eyes…”
“Eyes? Where?”
Jerald asked nonchalantly, and Pristin confirmed that the maidservants who had been watching them a moment ago had all turned away.
“Oh…”
Pristin, who was speechless, couldn’t say anything, but Jerald urged,
“My arm is falling off, Pristin. Ah.”
“Ah…”
Pristin suddenly opened her mouth, and the spoon soon disappeared into her mouth. At the same time, a sweet and cool sensation filled her mouth.
A smile naturally formed at the corners of Pristin’s mouth, and Jerald’s own smile brightened as he watched.
“What do you think? Does it suit your taste?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.”
Pristin offered with a smile,
“Your Majesty, please go ahead and eat.”
“No, take another bite yourself first. Come on, ah.”
Pristin opened her mouth again, and she ate three spoonfuls by herself. Pristin spoke to Jerald, narrowing her brow.
“Give me the spoon, please.”
“You’re going to eat it yourself?”
“No.”
Taking the spoon from Jerald, Pristin lazily scooped up a spoonful and brought it to Jerald’s mouth.
“Now, ah, try it, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, my.”
Jerald laughed as if it couldn’t be helped, and eventually opened his mouth. Pristin fed Jerald shaved ice with a proud expression, and soon a smile spread around Jerald’s mouth.
“It’s delicious. The chef made it well.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Can you eat all the leftovers?”
“All of this? I think I’m going to gain weight from all the sweets.”
“To tell you the truth, I want to celebrate every pound you gain.”
“A pound…? Please restrain yourself, Your Majesty.”
“I won’t, just eat as much as you can. Okay?”
“I’ll try.”
“You promise?”
Jerald smiled and kissed Pristin’s forehead. However, the lips that touched the forehead did not leave but slid down on the nose. The lips that touched the nose soon reached Pristin’s lips.
Startled, Pristin inadvertently parted her lips, and the warm sensation filled her mouth.
“Ah…”
Everyone’s watching…
Pristin briefly looked flustered but then closed her eyes, as if not sure what to make of the situation. After all, everyone had turned their backs; they’d likely pretend not to notice. With a smile as sweet as cotton candy, Pristin savored the kiss with Jerald, enjoying the moment.
“Haa…”
It wasn’t until Pristin was short of breath that Jerald slowly pulled away. After a few moments to catch his breath, Jerald approached Pristin once more.
“Your Majesty, if you don’t leave now, you’ll be late for the meeting.”
The servant’s voice came from outside. Jerald sighed aloud and looked at Pristin with a wistful expression, like a puppy caught in the rain, and Pristin smiled.
“Come back in the evening. Go now.”
“Such bad timing.”
Jerald, shaking his head, placed his lips on Pristin’s forehead for the last time as if it were too bad to leave this way. Even after he left, Pristin looked at the place where he disappeared for a long time.
“Now, His Majesty has asked you to eat, so you should try some.”
“I should.”
Pristin picked up a strawberry and put it in her mouth, then glanced at the orange.
Suddenly, she couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing her reaction, Aruvina asked,
“Why are you laughing, Your Majesty?”
“…Oh, it’s nothing.”
She must be going crazy.
How could she think of Jerald just from looking at that orange, and feel so happy?
