Castle in the Sky.

In a faraway place.

"Sir."

"What is it." A man replied with his eyes closed.

"They have an army prepared it seems." The servant bowed.

"I know you, idiot, find other relevant information."

"Their security is too tight. Other than the time you snuck in during the festival, we don't have any other opportunities."

"We should also prepare our men." The man sat in the chair lazily. "And you should join, you are slacking off on doing your work properly."

"...sir." The servant reluctantly replied. They have not made any major moves yet. Is even he taking it seriously?

The thoughts the servant wanted to ask but could not voice hurriedly disappeared before he makes his master angry.

After he left, the man turned to the window.

Far in the distance, lays a piece of land carrying a castle in the sky. The lights emitted such a mystical feeling. The greens that laid on the outer rims showed its country prosperity.

No one knows what he thought, but he stared at it expressionlessly for a long time.

In the next minute, the man then headed towards a room at the end of the hallway. When he opened the door, smoke slowly floated outwards. Once he stepped in, he heard a musky voice.

"This is getting rather boring. We'll spice things up a little soon."

He gave the man inside a stunned expression, but quickly regained his composure and proceeded to close the door. "I thought you wanted to wait a little more until everything is set in stone."

"We're just testing the waters first."

The man bowed. "Then as you wish."

——————-

In the afternoon, Yifei sat in the lounge to wait for Chen. A maid came in and said Anne was still feeling unwell and rejected her visit. Yifei abruptly pulled her shaking hand behind her back.

"Okay. It's fine." Yifei smiled.

It seems I pried too deep.

"I'm sorry milady." The servant coward.

Yifei patted her back. "I told you it's fine, isn't it? Are your injuries okay?"

"Y-yes, all thanks to you. I'll be sure to pay you back, the full amount."

Yesterday, the maid had injured herself from the rubble resulted in Anne's mess. Yifei had offered her hand in bandaging her injury.

"Silly girl, it's fine. Take it as a thank you gift for making my time here pleasant. Now hurry along to your work."

After a long conversation, the maid closed the door.

Yifei finally relaxed and pulled out her hands. She frowned at her wrists and slowly touched the side of her neck.

"Why, why is this still here?"

—————-

Taking the papers from the king's hand, Chen stood up straight and finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Now that settles most of the paperwork. Your workload has reduced a lot. You've also decided that the goddess won?"

The king leaned back from his chair. "Yes! Finally. I'm free!"

"No, you're not. Yif-Lily gave me a letter for you. She thought it would be best this way."

The king took it and shook his head just from thinking of another problem. "I can't thank you guys enough. Is there any way to repay her?"

"Then don't bother us for a while," Chen replied sternly.

"That's quite an easy task to fulfill."

Chen raised his eyes from his papers. "Is it really?"

The king averted his eyes. "Y-yes."

"I've been thinking of doing just a private wedding afterall."

"That's very much like you."

"It won't be difficult right?" Chen hesitated.

With his position, his actions affect his majesty, it's hard to do certain things and feels restricting.

"No not really, but your marriage won't get out there. What if some other man tries to woo her?" He mischievously poked.

"I'll kill him before that happens." Chen sported a death glare.

"It's fine, you can invite some of the ones you have good relations to spread the word."

The king leaned his head on his hand and gave him almost a fatherly smile.

"You really like her huh."

"You're creeping me out with that face."

"C'mon you don't have to be shy!" The king laughed. "Really, that's good for you."

At least something is going right for one of us.

—————

When Chen opened the door in the next room, he saw Yifei staring at her hand.

She didn't notice him entering and continued to daydream.

"What's wrong with your hands?!" Chen grabbed her hands immediately.

They were a deep crimson red and her wrists had a lined bruising. He immediately scanned her entire body with his eyes in a matter of seconds.

Before he could say any further, Yifei laughed. "Oh, Chen! This is...I guess I bruised it a little too hard after playing in the garden with the maids hahaha."

Taking her word, he looked back at her hands. He gently took them into his and massaged them to stimulate the blood pressure.

"What were you thinking that you ignored this?" He asked her gently.

"Just this and that. Are you done already?"

"En."

"Then are we leaving?"

"En. I'll be back another day for some other matters. Other than that, we're free to leave."

"Then let's hurry home!" Yifei grabbed his hand and rushed for the door.

"You should relax now. We have a big day of planning tomorrow." Chen laughed as he followed behind her.

He looked at her back deeply.

Spring is almost over, it would be best if we could have the wedding around the time that I first met you.

————-

Later that day a knocked sounded the room.

"Come in" Anne voices listlessly as she laid in bed.

The king entered personally with a tray of warm milk and sweets.

He took a glance at the book opened next to her and tried to read the mood.

"How are you feeling?" He asked softly, taking a seat beside her.

"Good." She replied plainly.

"I heard about what's on your mind." He patted her before continuing. "You know, you believe in me right? Who cares what those old geezers say."

You don't know how I feel. Anne scrunched her brows as her back still faces him.

"But it's true. I'm aging so fast but it looks like you, Chen, and even Lily look like they haven't in a day. And worse, we don't have kids."

"Kids or not, Isn't it enough that we're together?"

He solemnly asked.

"Did you forget, you're a king? You need an heir!" Anne sat up and looked at him in the eyes. "I've finally thought things through and decided," She looked up at him seriously.

"It's time to fill the harem."

"Why would I do that!" The king immediately stood up.

"It's because of my heritage. It just takes time, it would be the same for Chen too! My ancestors had this problem too and look I'm here!" The king was angered. "Isn't that proof?"

"Cecr-your majesty, it's the best choice we have. I can't offer you a family!"

"Stop this nonsense. If I wanted an heir I wouldn't have married you so easily. You must be tired. Let's rest early." The king stood up and turned around.

He hid his expression, but his drooped shoulders told her everything.

She has a hint of what he was thinking.

Anne looks down and hid her teary eyes, her hands gripped tightly.

If it's not you, then there's something wrong me?