Chapter 31

It has been three years since Prince Marks took Princess Edna to that farm.

Even now, after three years, Marks often recalls the pleasant times he spent with the commoners' flavors and the people of the farm.

"I wonder if Alesia is doing well."

After spacing out for a moment, he tidied up his desk and stood up. It was quite late at night. The maids attending to his mother would still be awake, wouldn't they? No, there would be someone on night duty.

"I'll check on my mother's condition before going to bed."

Marks' mother, the queen, has been suffering from headaches for about half a year. The headache attacks have become more frequent and more severe. Initially, it was thought to be psychological, but recently, she has also experienced dizziness, nausea, and numbness in her limbs. It was clear that it was more than just a headache. However, the doctor only prescribed painkillers and did nothing else. He probably couldn't do anything.

As Marks approached the queen's room, the maids were bustling about despite the late hour. They all had tense expressions.

"Has something happened?"

"Your Highness! The queen has fainted in her room. We are calling the doctor now."

Marks ran to his mother's bedroom and opened the door. The guard knight was just laying his mother down on the bed.

"Mother!"

"Marks, I'm sorry to cause trouble at such a late hour."

"Does your head hurt?"

The queen shook her head slightly.

"It's fine now. I tripped."

"Is there anything you want me to do before the doctor arrives?"

"No."

His mother had lost a lot of weight, and her neck and arms were visibly thin. Her appetite had decreased.

"If you want something to eat, I can have it brought to you."

"It's fine. Thank you for coming to see me."

She probably wanted to sleep. Her face was pale, and she was likely still in pain.

Eventually, the doctor arrived and said, "I'll give her some medicine." After waiting for his mother to fall asleep, he left the room. She had been taking the medicine for a long time, but her condition continued to worsen.

The queen's personal maid, who specialized in dressing, caught up with him.

"Your Highness, the queen seems to have a better appetite for fruits. Should I tell the kitchen? I mentioned it to the person in charge of her meals, but they scolded me for interfering in matters outside my duties."

"Yes, allow it. Tell them it's my order."

"Thank you."

While returning to his room, he thought about the farm. Had his mother ever tasted the fruits from that farm? He wanted to let her try the nectarines, ponkas, and mulberries.

(Though it will break my promise with Mother... I'll ask for her forgiveness.)

The next morning.

"Gil, I want to get some fruits from that farm. I want to let Mother taste them."

"..."

Gil looked at him as if he wanted to say something but didn't respond.

"What is it?"

"Would it be better if I went alone?"

"Well, that's true, but... no, I want to go myself. If I can't do anything else, I at least want to get the fruits myself. The fruits there are delicious, you know."

It had been three years since Prince Marks and Gil visited the farm, so Ethan, who was working in a field near the entrance, was surprised.

"Sorry for coming suddenly, Ethan."

"No... What brings you here today?"

"I want some fruits. Various kinds."

"Then I'll hurry."

Gil, who had been standing behind Prince Marks, suddenly spoke up.

"Hey, Ethan, are Alesia and Chana doing well?"

"Eh? Yes, they're doing well. Chana is picking mulberry leaves right now, but Alesia is in that shed. Hey, Alesia! Alesia!"

"No, no, it's fine if they're doing well..."

As Marks was getting flustered, a voice came from the nearby shed.

"Hello, what is it?... Oh!"

Alesia, whom he hadn't seen in three years, came out and looked at him in surprise.

"It's been a while, Alesia. Sorry for coming suddenly."

Alesia had grown much taller than he remembered. Her fluffy brown hair had grown long and hung down her back. Her face had become slimmer and more delicate, and her eyes seemed larger. Her overall aura had softened, and she looked very much like a young woman. She had become very beautiful.

Alesia looked at him with her blue eyes, which seemed to sparkle with golden stars, in confusion.

"I wrote in my letter that I wouldn't come, but there's a reason. I really want Mother to taste the fruits from here. She's not feeling well."

Alesia's face clouded over.

"Is that so? The queen is..."

"The fruits are the only thing she can eat, apparently. In my experience, the fruits here are the best. That's why I came to buy them."

Alesia, still wearing her simple, plain clothes, went into the house and came back with a basket. She started to head towards the orchard but then turned back to look at him thoughtfully.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, it's fine. I'll be right back."

She seemed to have hurried to gather the fruits, as she returned with a basket of ponkas, nectarines, and other fruits, breathing heavily.

"I've gathered the best-looking ones. Please consider this a gift from our farm," Alesia said, offering the basket.

Gil tried to pay, but she refused. Gil thanked her and carried the basket towards the horse. He seemed to be considerate, as he continued to stroke the horse, turning his back to them.

Her parents and Ethan's parents were watching from a distance, looking worried. When they made eye contact with him, they bowed. Alesia ran over to them, talked for a moment, and then returned to the shed. She came back running and handed him a white cloth.

"This is a gift from all of us. Let me explain how to use it quickly. Please listen carefully."

"Prince, Alesia has become very beautiful, hasn't she? She's fourteen now, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Don't you want to see Chana?"

"Chana? Why?"

"Oh, I see."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing, it's fine."

Prince Marks, with Gil, who seemed to be satisfied with something, headed back to the palace.