Yerhan took Illianâs plate without a word and started to cut it.
Rosena, who was thanking him, made eye contact with Crayle, whose jaw-dropped.
Rosena couldnât see why he was appalled as if he had seen something he shouldnât see.
After cutting all the meat, Yerhan put down the knife and followed Rosenaâs gaze.
At the end of it was Crayle, who stopped doing everything with a dazed face.
Yerhanâs eyes narrowed.
Upon seeing Yerhanâs fierce eyes, Crayle immediately closed his jaw.
If he was a little late, his jaw would have been forced to close.
Yerhan, who caught their eyes, offered a plate to Rosena and Illian.
Rosena turned her head and thanked him with a puzzled look on her face.
The meat on the plate was neatly cut into bite-size pieces.
Yerhan silently watched as Rosena took a bite of the meat.
It was an action done to see if the food was to Rosenaâs taste.
Fortunately, the meat was grilled just right, and the seasoning was Rosenaâs cup of tea.
Yerhan kept moving busily while Rosena was eating.
The arrangement of the plates containing the food was also changed and water was poured into her glass.
There was no word, but every action was smooth.
Crayle and Isaac looked at it blankly, not even eating.
All of this was such a rare scene.
Their leader looks like a normal personâŚ
Both men thought so at the same time.
Meanwhile, Illian, who sat in the farthest seat from Rosena, ate and grabbed the fork.
He had been annoyed by the way Yerhan snuggled up with Rosena from a while ago.
He was able to have a good meal alone with his mother, but everything went awry.
Illian was troubled for a moment, then smirked without anyone noticing.
The sound of tableware falling on the floor was heard.
Rosena, who was eating, immediately looked up at Illian.
Illian was getting food all over his body, starting with his mouth.
Originally, he was slow in eating, but it was the first time that he was covered in food.
It seemed difficult for him because the tableware used in the Kingdom of Astania and the tableware of the empire were different.
âIllian, are you okay?â
She felt sorry for Illian, who was mumbling.
Rosena leapt out of her seat and approached Illian.
Then she stood by and helped Illian eat.
As Rosena flew away like a bird in an instant, Yerhan, who was pushing the plate of food, threw his eyes.
Whether he knew it or not, Illian looked naive and ate the food Rosena scooped up.
A tendon popped out on the back of Yerhanâs hand.
Crayle and Isaac looked reflexively at Yerhan, who emitted a fierce energy that seemed only to be felt on the battlefield.
Then Yerhan crumpled the fork in his hand.
Yerhan raised the fork and the two swallowed a silent scream at the same time.
They certainly thought that fork would sink into the table.
But contrary to their expectations, Yerhan calmly put down the fork, then rose from his seat and brought a new one.
Can they get out of here safely today?
Isaac and Crayle struggled to turn their eyes to the food.
Rosena, who woke up early the next morning, pulled the curtains.
The bright sun was soaking the bed like pouring water.
It was a nice day to hang out the laundry. Rosena lifted herself up while thinking like a housewife.
She left the room quietly so that Illian wouldnât wake up because he was still asleep.
Since the weather was nice, she was going to take a short walk and organize the backyard from yesterday.
She pulled the weeds out roughly and wanted to plant something in the vacant ground.
It was frustrating that she couldnât leave the palace even if she needed something.
It wasnât very nice to ask Yerhan either.
Rosena, unable to see straight ahead, thumped against someone.
Rosena, who was stuck in a hard chest, looked up.
In the bright sunlight, a shiny face came into her field of vision first.
It was Rosenaâs fault that she didnât see.
Rosena immediately apologized and took a step back.
Yerhan paused for a moment and spoke quietly.
âDid you get a good nightâs sleep?â
âYes, thanks to you.â
âThatâs great. I was actually on my way to you.â
A question mark floated over Rosenaâs head.
Did he have any business coming to see her in the morning? Yerhan grinned at Rosena like that.
âWould you like to go out of the Imperial Palace?â
It was an unexpected proposal.
Rosena had never been outside ever since she entered the palace.
The furthest place she went was the entrance to the palace.
Yerhan didnât tell her not to go out, but she stuck in the palace just in case.
She was afraid that she might run into another royal family member.
Rosena pondered and asked again.
Rosenaâs forehead narrowed slightly.
What did he mean together with him?
Rosena gave her answer without further consideration.
âIâll just stay at the palace.â
In fact, Rosena couldnât handle the situation of being alone with Yerhan.
It was not that she hated him, but she still didnât know how to treat him, so she was very confused.
Yerhan stared into Rosenaâs eyes.
Her red eyes were mixed with emotions.
Unfamiliarity, fear, awkwardness⌠they were not positive emotions.
Yerhan sighed inwardly. It seemed like he still had a long way to go.
Yerhan, who was agonizing over what to do to make Rosena move, looked up.
The best thing at times like this was using Illian as the excuse.
âActually, I knew just a little about children.â
He dropped his eyes and lowered his voice.
âThereâs a limit to asking othersâŚ. about what a child would like and what they need.â
Rosenaâs face looked puzzled.
She knew he didnât hate Illian, but she didnât expect him to go so far.
Most noble men did not directly care for their children, saying such work was demeaning.
They left their children to the nanny or wife and just sat on the sidelines of child care.
As Rosena stared at him, Yerhan continued slowly.
âIâve been to a toy store, but I think I should buy what the child likes.â
Rosena thought of the empty room for a moment.
There was nothing Illian could play with.
Rosena came up with things she needed.
In addition to toys, she needed books to teach Illian.
He was taught about imperialism at home from time to time, but since he was born and raised in Astania, he lacked a lot of vocabulary.
Yes, this was an outing only for Illian.
As soon as the words fell, Yerhan smiled faintly.
âIâll have everything ready right away.â
âShall I wake Illian up?â
âNo, let the child sleepâŚâ
Yerhan and Rosena looked back at the same time at the child calling for his mother.
Illian was slowly blinking with his pillow in his arms.
Rosena approached Illian with a smile.
Illian stretched out his arms and wrapped his arms around Rosenaâs waist.
Rosena patted Illianâs back lightly.
âWhere are you going?â
When Illian asked in a slow tone, Rosena glanced at Yerhan.
As long as he was awake, she thought sheâd have to take him.
âShall we go buy Illianâs favorite toy?â
Yerhanâs expression deteriorated dramatically.
Tsk, he clicked his tongue without anyone noticing. Then Illian looked up and laughed at Yerhan.
He was only six years old, but his sneering face made him look like a theater star.
Yerhanâs eyebrow grew narrower.
He kept his composure and tried to calmly persuade.
âItâs not been long since he recovered, so itâs going to be hard to go out for a long time. Because itâs going to be a pretty long road.â
The words shook Rosena. She never wants to see Illian collapse again.
âIlian, you betterâŚâ
âGive me a piggyback ride.â
Even before Rosena finished, Illian stretched out his arms.
And the one his arms headed towards was none other than Yerhan.
Yerhanâs forehead narrowed further. However, Illian asked for a hug with his rounded eyes.
Heâd rather be in his fatherâs arms, which he hated so much, than for that man go out alone with his mother
âUm⌠is that okay?â
When Rosena carefully asked, Yerhan smiled.
Damn that little boy. But for Rosena to go out with him, he was gonna have to do it.
Despite swearing inwardly, Yerhan eventually held Illian.