I looked down as I was being carried in Tenstheon's arms.

Since we were quite high up from the ground, the scenery looked quite different.

When I turned my head, I saw Blake's red ears.

Even though Blake sighed in dissatisfaction, he did not tell his father to put him down anymore.

He held Tenstheon's collar gently with his little hand. It was a very serene image.

When we arrived at the training ground, Tenstheon put us down.

Blake quickly got out as soon as Tenstheon loosened his arms.

"Now go back!"

Blake was uncomfortable, but Tenstheon walked inside and picked up a wooden sword from the side.

"Are you training with this?"

"I normally use a real sword! But I've been resting for a while now..."

Blake's voice gradually decreased in volume.

He was embarrassed about using a wooden sword.

He usually used a real sword for training, but after he fell sick, he returned to training with a wooden sword.

"I see."

Tenstheon threw the wooden sword at Blake and picked up another wooden sword for himself.

Was he going to fight?

I looked at Blake.

Tenstheon excelled in swordsmanship. According to Edon, the best swordsman among the Imperial knights, he was still inferior compared to Tenstheon.

Blake's eyes were filled with the sheer joy of being able to compete with the most powerful man in the Empire.

Tenstheon walked to the center while Blake stood opposite to him.

"Good luck to both of you!"

I cheered for him loudly.

Tenstheon looked cold-hearted, but he was actually a warm-hearted person. He would definitely teach Blake kindly while at the same time making him stronger.

It may recover their father and son relationship too.

But in less than a minute, my thoughts were proven completely wrong.

"Ah!"

Blake lost his balance when he tried to swing the sword and fell to the ground.

Tenstheon looked at his son.

"Stand up."

Tenstheon didn't give him a break.

He continued their duel, and didn't go easy on him even though he was his son.

Of course, it would be over instantly if Tenstheon showed his full power, but it was far from the father and son duel that I had been expecting.

"Excuse me."

I was going to ask Tenstheon to be gentler, but Blake raised himself up, smiled, and held the sword.

I shut my mouth. Blake didn't want his father to go easy on him. Rather, they were enjoying this situation.

Blake's sword dropped to the ground before they could have a proper fight.

"Your sword keeps falling because your grip is still weak. It is impossible for you to carry a real sword in this state. You could put yourself at risk."

"I'll be more careful."

"Come on."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Blake did his best, but he couldn't touch Tenstheon at all.

As time went by, Blake became tired and his grip on the sword loosened. Tenstheon stood still, like an iron fortress.

Exactly an hour later, Tenstheon put his sword down.

"Wait! I want to practice more!"

Blake staggered as he tried to hold the sword, but Tenstheon was adamant.

"Let's continue tomorrow."

"You'll come tomorrow?"

Blake asked. Usually, he didn't care whether Tenstheon came or not.

But now, he was desperately hoping to see Tenstheon again. Tenstheon stroked his hair with a smile.

"Yes, I will come everyday."

"...."

"You've been practicing very hard. Well done."

"No I haven't! Don't make fun of me."

"I couldn't even hold the sword properly at your age. Good job. Edon taught you well."

"Really? Are you going to reward Edon?"

"Yes."

Blake was much happier when Tenstheon praised him.

Blake hugged him and smiled.

"Ah!"

Tenstheon suddenly picked Blake up in a careless manner.

"Put me down!"

"Do you even have any strength left to walk?"

"I can walk!"

"It doesn't matter."

"How about a piggyback ride?"

"I don't want that either!"

"Should I put you on a horse?"

"I said no!"

Blake's face turned red while Tenstheon's mouth curved up in a smile.

It really was fun to tease Blake. Even father knew that and teased him.

"Ancia, come here."

He gestured to me. He wanted to carry me too so I shook my head in a hurry.

"Oh no need!"

Being carried by Tenstheon was a pleasant experience, but I didn't want to do it twice.

I was really past that age!

However, he still picked me up with one arm.

In the end, both of us were back in the same position as before.

Ah, so embarrassing.

***

Tenstheon ended up staying at the Crown Prince's palace, and we had dinner together.

"It's hard to swing a sword around and move at the same time. Do I even have the talent for swordsmanship?"

"You need more experience. You'll get used to it when you've practiced more."

Perhaps it was because they shared the same interest, but their conversation didn't stop throughout the meal.

"Ancia, try this. It's very delicious."

"Thank you Blake."

"Have you decided to call him by his name from now on?"

Was he reminding me to follow the etiquette?

I nodded my head cautiously.

"Yes."

"I guess Blake has been a good husband lately."

"Oh no, that's not why I decided to!"

"I've been a good husband from the start!"

Blake answered angrily before I could.

"That's right, My husband is very reliable."

Tenstheon burst out laughing.

"Haha, yeah. I made a slip of the tongue. I'm sorry."

"Please be more careful next time."

The Emperor apologized again when Blake retorted.

The overall atmosphere was very warm and pleasant.

I hoped that this happiness would continue. No, I'll make sure it lasts forever.

"Ancia."

"Yes, father."

"Don't expect too much."

My heart sank at the unexpected remark.

"What do you mean?"

"I've tried many ways to lift the curse. There were also various royal families and churches in other countries who claimed that they could lift the curse. But in the end, it all ended in failure.

"Even though Eunhan had excellent abilities. Magic and curses are different. Well, you might have better chances because you're the Heir of Light, but don't expect too much."

Tenstheon was worried that I might fall into despair because I expected too much.

He didn't want me to suffer the pain he felt in the past.

But there was nothing to worry about.

I was the real Heir of Light, the only one who could lift the Goddess' curse.

"Father, it's going to be different this time. Trust me! I know how to do it."

"You know how?"

"Yes, I-"

A scene in the novel passed through my head.

An R-19 scene...

"Well, the Heir of Light needs to be in close contact with the heir to the curse in order to break the curse."

The more I spoke, the more embarrassed I became.

How do I explain that?

"Contact?"

"Yes, it's not working right now because we need to become closer to each other. But Blake's curse will definitely be lifted! Please wait a little longer!"

Tenstheon stared at me as if he didn't understand a thing.

"Please wait a little longer until Blake grows up! The curse will be lifted! So you don't have to worry about it!"

"Ah..."

Somehow Tenstheon looked embarrassed as well.

"Do you understand me?"

I asked carefully as he nodded.

"So you need more time..."

"Yes! So please wait a little more!"