Remaining in the empty room, Rosena stared at the blanket on the chair.
It was handed over by Yerhan.
At that moment, the memory of that day flashed before Rosena’s eyes.
It was the memory of when she used a shabby blanket together with Yerhan.
Rosena shook her head.
However, despite constant efforts, the only thoughts that filled her mind were related to Yerhan.
Rosena recalled what Yerhan said earlier.
– Are you still gonna say that he’s not my son after all of this?
Rosena couldn’t answer the question.
It was because she knew that it was meaningless to deny anymore.
But Yerhan did not force an answer.
While waiting for Rosena’s answer, he ended up leaving the room without saying a word.
Rosena, who was left alone with Illian, looked at the kid for a long time.
A more relaxed breath quietly filled the room.
Rosena touched Illian’s soft blond hair, she looked down at him, who was sleeping soundly.
The voice of her father, who passed away a long time ago, came to her.
– If you happen to meet the royal family, run away.
– Promise me, Rosena.
‘Did father know something?’
It reminded her of a father who was no longer in this world.
Now, guilt was flooding in.
Not only did she meet the royal family, but she also gave birth to a child of the royal family.
In the end, she couldn’t keep her promise with her father.
Feeling gloomy, Rosena turned her head and looked at the tightly closed door.
Yerhan said Illian would regain his consciousness in two days.
“What should I do…”
Yerhan seemed convinced that Illian was his child.
Illian, who inherited the blood of the imperial family, couldn’t be released.
He didn’t seem to have told anyone about Illian’s existence yet, so she had to talk it out with him.
If having a conversation could not solve the problem, she had to consider running away.
Rosena bit the inside of her lips in bitterness.
Back then, she was sad to have to run away, but that didn’t mean she wanted to give up Illian.
There was nothing left in Rosena’s life if she gave up Illian.
First of all, the palace was in a remote area, so there would be a hole for the two to get out.
She memorized the geography of the Imperial Palace until Illian recovered…..
“Engggh….”
“Illian?”
At the whining sound in his sleep, Rosena hurriedly lifted herself up.
However, Illian had yet to wake up, merely letting out a shallow breath.
Still, she was very relieved to be able to hear Illian’s voice after a long time.
Touching his small hand, Rosena raised her head and stared out of the window.
The surroundings were dim as if there were curtains in the sky.
Maybe she should sleep here today.
Rosena, who gave Illian all the blankets, couldn’t stand the chill and eventually covered herself with a blanket together with Illian.
It was just a blanket and it was warm and cozy.
Rosena fell asleep like that.
***
The next morning, Rosena, who woke up slowly, checked Illian’s condition.
Fortunately, he looked much better. In a little while, maybe he’d open his eyes and call her, mom.
Rosena lifted herself up from the chair and hung around the door.
She thought someone would come by once, but it was too quiet.
As she slowly got hungry, Rosena hesitated.
She couldn’t leave Illian alone in this strange place.
Rosena was thinking about what to do, but someone knocked on the door.
Surprised, Rosena took a step back and looked at the door.
“May I come in?”
The soft voice belonged to Yerhan.
Instead of answering, Rosena grabbed the doorknob and turned it lightly.
The handle turned with a stiff sound because it was not properly greased.
When the door opened, Yerhan strode inside.
Unlike yesterday, he was dressed in neat casual clothes, not in uniform.
As she lowered her eyes slightly, she noticed a tray full of food.
As soon as she recognized it, the room was filled with a delicious smell.
“I brought you something to eat.”
Rosena looked at Yerhan with a slightly surprised look.
She didn’t expect him to bring the food himself.
“Why didn’t you ask the servants…”
Yerhan had a subtle look at Rosena’s murmur.
He answered quietly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t have any servants, so I came by myself.”
He doesn’t have servants?
Rosena parted her lips unconsciously.
Even the count’s mansion where Rosena used to live at, had quite a few servants.
Even after things became difficult for her family, there were several servants. What more about the royal family, who are above the aristocrats?
Come to think of it, this palace was a bit strange. It’s shabby exterior, and the interior didn’t look like a place for humans to live in.
There is only a little furniture, a clearly peeled off wall, a room full of cold air.
What the hell was Yerhan’s existence like in the Imperial Family?
An imperial family worthy of such treatment might be the one who was hated by the emperor.
Rosena received the tray that Yerhan was holding after a short silence.
“Thank you.”
He slowly raised his head when Rosena thanked him.
She just showed her gratitude, but Yerhan was smiling lightly.
The tail of his eyes that curved slightly downward drew a soft line.
It was like a beautiful picture.
With a bewitching smile. Rosena turned her head only belatedly.
Yerhan hesitated after handing over the tray to Rosena.
He looked like a guest, not a palace owner.
After a while, Yerhan opened his mouth.
“May I check the child’s condition?”
Rosena nodded, and Yerhan approached the bed.
He bent low and looked at Illian.
Then he took a glass bottle out of his arms and dropped a couple of drops of the cure on Illian’s lips.
“He’ll open his eyes as early as tomorrow.”
At the words, Rosena swept her chest and looked relieved.
For a moment there was a brief silence between the two.
Yerhan stood opposite Rosena, blinking slowly.
She waited for him to leave, but Yerhan just kept standing there pretending not to know.
After a moment of hesitation, Rosena eventually pointed to the only chair.
She thought she’d settle the matter about Illian.
“Have a seat.”
“Ah, no need.”
Yerhan shook his head. It was an attitude that showed he could not take Rosena’s place.
Rosena put the tray down on the desk without recommending it twice.
Facing him again, Rosena touched her finger.
When she tried to bring it up, her voice didn’t pop out right away.
“I know it’s embarrassing to say this but… I want to ask you a favor.”
“Please speak.”
Rosena looked straight at Yerhan and opened her mouth.
“Let me raise Illian.”
“…….”
Yerhan’s eyes became slightly distorted. Perhaps it wasn’t what he expected, but bitterness passed over his blue eyes.
“Does that mean…. you’re going to leave?”
Rosena nodded in silence.
If only Yerhan remained silent about the existence of Illian, Rosena could return to the Kingdom of Astania and live happily with her kid.
After a moment of thought, his eyes turned cold, but Rosena didn’t see it.
“It’s gonna be difficult.”
Upon his answer, Rosena clenched her lips with a stiff face.
She was trying to come up with a reasonable agreement, but Yerhan then added.
“When we entered the palace yesterday, you and the child’s existences were known to the royal family.”
It had only been a day, but she couldn’t believe the royal family had already found out…
Once they learned of Illian’s existence as one with royal blood, it was clear that Illian would not be handed over to her.
Yerhan looked down at the agitated Rosena and whispered in a low tone.
“You can get out of the Imperial Palace if you want. But…. the child can’t go out.”
Every single word made her feel as if the strength in her feet had deaden.
From now on, everyone in the Imperial Palace would be interested in and monitor Illian’s whereabouts.
Even if they were lucky enough to get out of here, how long would they be able to escape?
It was clear that she would be a wanted person in the entire empire, and that they would be captured before even reaching the Kingdom of Astania.
Seeing her complexion deteriorating greatly, Yerhan dug into Rosena’s weak spot.
“And if you leave alone, this child will be my illegitimate child.”
Rosena couldn’t say anything.
Rosena was well aware of the treatment of illegitimate children in the empire.
It was difficult to be treated as a human being, as well as not being crowned.
Looking at Rosena’s eyes shaking without focus, Yerhan lifted himself up.
He stopped just two short distances from Rosena.
“Please choose.”
Soon after, a gentle voice sank down Rosena’s neckline.
“Whether to leave here and the child alone…”
The golden eyelashes, which had been slightly lowered, rose, and the shining eyes turned to Rosena.
“Or will you marry me and stay with the child?”
Remaining in the empty room, Rosena stared at the blanket on the chair.
It was handed over by Yerhan.
At that moment, the memory of that day flashed before Rosena’s eyes.
It was the memory of when she used a shabby blanket together with Yerhan.
Rosena shook her head.
However, despite constant efforts, the only thoughts that filled her mind were related to Yerhan.
Rosena recalled what Yerhan said earlier.
– Are you still gonna say that he’s not my son after all of this?
Rosena couldn’t answer the question.
It was because she knew that it was meaningless to deny anymore.
But Yerhan did not force an answer.
While waiting for Rosena’s answer, he ended up leaving the room without saying a word.
Rosena, who was left alone with Illian, looked at the kid for a long time.
A more relaxed breath quietly filled the room.
Rosena touched Illian’s soft blond hair, she looked down at him, who was sleeping soundly.
The voice of her father, who passed away a long time ago, came to her.
– If you happen to meet the royal family, run away.
– Promise me, Rosena.
‘Did father know something?’
It reminded her of a father who was no longer in this world.
Now, guilt was flooding in.
Not only did she meet the royal family, but she also gave birth to a child of the royal family.
In the end, she couldn’t keep her promise with her father.
Feeling gloomy, Rosena turned her head and looked at the tightly closed door.
Yerhan said Illian would regain his consciousness in two days.
“What should I do…”
Yerhan seemed convinced that Illian was his child.
Illian, who inherited the blood of the imperial family, couldn’t be released.
He didn’t seem to have told anyone about Illian’s existence yet, so she had to talk it out with him.
If having a conversation could not solve the problem, she had to consider running away.
Rosena bit the inside of her lips in bitterness.
Back then, she was sad to have to run away, but that didn’t mean she wanted to give up Illian.
There was nothing left in Rosena’s life if she gave up Illian.
First of all, the palace was in a remote area, so there would be a hole for the two to get out.
She memorized the geography of the Imperial Palace until Illian recovered…..
“Engggh….”
“Illian?”
At the whining sound in his sleep, Rosena hurriedly lifted herself up.
However, Illian had yet to wake up, merely letting out a shallow breath.
Still, she was very relieved to be able to hear Illian’s voice after a long time.
Touching his small hand, Rosena raised her head and stared out of the window.
The surroundings were dim as if there were curtains in the sky.
Maybe she should sleep here today.
Rosena, who gave Illian all the blankets, couldn’t stand the chill and eventually covered herself with a blanket together with Illian.
It was just a blanket and it was warm and cozy.
Rosena fell asleep like that.
***
The next morning, Rosena, who woke up slowly, checked Illian’s condition.
Fortunately, he looked much better. In a little while, maybe he’d open his eyes and call her, mom.
Rosena lifted herself up from the chair and hung around the door.
She thought someone would come by once, but it was too quiet.
As she slowly got hungry, Rosena hesitated.
She couldn’t leave Illian alone in this strange place.
Rosena was thinking about what to do, but someone knocked on the door.
Surprised, Rosena took a step back and looked at the door.
“May I come in?”
The soft voice belonged to Yerhan.
Instead of answering, Rosena grabbed the doorknob and turned it lightly.
The handle turned with a stiff sound because it was not properly greased.
When the door opened, Yerhan strode inside.
Unlike yesterday, he was dressed in neat casual clothes, not in uniform.
As she lowered her eyes slightly, she noticed a tray full of food.
As soon as she recognized it, the room was filled with a delicious smell.
“I brought you something to eat.”
Rosena looked at Yerhan with a slightly surprised look.
She didn’t expect him to bring the food himself.
“Why didn’t you ask the servants…”
Yerhan had a subtle look at Rosena’s murmur.
He answered quietly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t have any servants, so I came by myself.”
He doesn’t have servants?
Rosena parted her lips unconsciously.
Even the count’s mansion where Rosena used to live at, had quite a few servants.
Even after things became difficult for her family, there were several servants. What more about the royal family, who are above the aristocrats?
Come to think of it, this palace was a bit strange. It’s shabby exterior, and the interior didn’t look like a place for humans to live in.
There is only a little furniture, a clearly peeled off wall, a room full of cold air.
What the hell was Yerhan’s existence like in the Imperial Family?
An imperial family worthy of such treatment might be the one who was hated by the emperor.
Rosena received the tray that Yerhan was holding after a short silence.
“Thank you.”
He slowly raised his head when Rosena thanked him.
She just showed her gratitude, but Yerhan was smiling lightly.
The tail of his eyes that curved slightly downward drew a soft line.
It was like a beautiful picture.
With a bewitching smile. Rosena turned her head only belatedly.
Yerhan hesitated after handing over the tray to Rosena.
He looked like a guest, not a palace owner.
After a while, Yerhan opened his mouth.
“May I check the child’s condition?”
Rosena nodded, and Yerhan approached the bed.
He bent low and looked at Illian.
Then he took a glass bottle out of his arms and dropped a couple of drops of the cure on Illian’s lips.
“He’ll open his eyes as early as tomorrow.”
At the words, Rosena swept her chest and looked relieved.
For a moment there was a brief silence between the two.
Yerhan stood opposite Rosena, blinking slowly.
She waited for him to leave, but Yerhan just kept standing there pretending not to know.
After a moment of hesitation, Rosena eventually pointed to the only chair.
She thought she’d settle the matter about Illian.
“Have a seat.”
“Ah, no need.”
Yerhan shook his head. It was an attitude that showed he could not take Rosena’s place.
Rosena put the tray down on the desk without recommending it twice.
Facing him again, Rosena touched her finger.
When she tried to bring it up, her voice didn’t pop out right away.
“I know it’s embarrassing to say this but… I want to ask you a favor.”
“Please speak.”
Rosena looked straight at Yerhan and opened her mouth.
“Let me raise Illian.”
“…….”
Yerhan’s eyes became slightly distorted. Perhaps it wasn’t what he expected, but bitterness passed over his blue eyes.
“Does that mean…. you’re going to leave?”
Rosena nodded in silence.
If only Yerhan remained silent about the existence of Illian, Rosena could return to the Kingdom of Astania and live happily with her kid.
After a moment of thought, his eyes turned cold, but Rosena didn’t see it.
“It’s gonna be difficult.”
Upon his answer, Rosena clenched her lips with a stiff face.
She was trying to come up with a reasonable agreement, but Yerhan then added.
“When we entered the palace yesterday, you and the child’s existences were known to the royal family.”
It had only been a day, but she couldn’t believe the royal family had already found out…
Once they learned of Illian’s existence as one with royal blood, it was clear that Illian would not be handed over to her.
Yerhan looked down at the agitated Rosena and whispered in a low tone.
“You can get out of the Imperial Palace if you want. But…. the child can’t go out.”
Every single word made her feel as if the strength in her feet had deaden.
From now on, everyone in the Imperial Palace would be interested in and monitor Illian’s whereabouts.
Even if they were lucky enough to get out of here, how long would they be able to escape?
It was clear that she would be a wanted person in the entire empire, and that they would be captured before even reaching the Kingdom of Astania.
Seeing her complexion deteriorating greatly, Yerhan dug into Rosena’s weak spot.
“And if you leave alone, this child will be my illegitimate child.”
Rosena couldn’t say anything.
Rosena was well aware of the treatment of illegitimate children in the empire.
It was difficult to be treated as a human being, as well as not being crowned.
Looking at Rosena’s eyes shaking without focus, Yerhan lifted himself up.
He stopped just two short distances from Rosena.
“Please choose.”
Soon after, a gentle voice sank down Rosena’s neckline.
“Whether to leave here and the child alone…”
The golden eyelashes, which had been slightly lowered, rose, and the shining eyes turned to Rosena.
“Or will you marry me and stay with the child?”
