Esther’s mind was in chaos as she was worried about disappointing the people who loved her and protected her.

When Prince Theron came to her bedchamber that night, he saw her nightgown-clad body standing by the window, immersed in deep thoughts. She didn’t even realize his presence in the room, which meant she was worrying about something she could not easily solve.

“May I know what my lovely wife is thinking about?” Prince Theron asked as he went towards her. “It deeply hurts her husband to be ignored on such a cold night.”

His voice pulled her out of her thoughts and she looked at him. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear the door. I just..It’s nothing…”

He stood in front of her and looked deep into her eyes. “If the crease on your forehead is real, then I don’t think it’s nothing. Tell me, what is it? Maybe I can help?”

Under his gentle urging, Esther could no longer hide it from him and told him what happened in the royal harem in the morning.

“Hmm, you should learn to ignore such people. Once you become queen, you have to protect yourself on your own. Don’t think much about it. Mother is right. There is no need to rush. Why are they so impatient? We are both young and healthy. I am sure we will have beautiful babies together,” he consoled.

“We are trying…but…I wonder why I am not yet….”

“It’s fine…”

The gaze she gave him was watery. “I-I am worried about disappointing you and Mother. What if I cannot—”

“Shhh!” he interrupted her. “I won’t be disappointed at all. We are happy together, even if it’s just the two of us, and I think we can live our life perfectly without a third one. We are a family even if it’s just us.”

“But the royal family needs an heir and—”

He chuckled. “You are thinking too much over a simple thing. So what if we don’t have children? I can still become the next king. As for what happens afterwards, I have half-brothers and cousins and nephews, and though they are less competent than me, they will do just fine being the Crown Prince of Megaris. Afterwards, I can just retire and pass the crown to them, then we two can live our life without anyone disturbing us. Isn’t such a future good too? I want to keep my wife only for myself.”

There was not a tinge of hesitation on his face when he said those words.

She turned silent for a while. “Don’t you wish to have kids?”

Prince Theron sighed. He reached out for her soft hands and gently squeezed them. “I will be lying if I say I don’t want kids, but I believe in cherishing what I have with me at the moment over those who are not even in my life yet. You are the greatest gift I have ever received in my life, Esther. I shouldn’t be greedy and ask for more. I am happy to spend the rest of my life with my wife.”

Esther’s eyes turned moist and she hugged him with her face buried in his chest. “Why are you so good to me? I don’t deserve you.”

He hugged her back. “No one but you deserves me.”

—–

It had been more than a year since the Crown Prince married Esther,  yet things were still the same. Although she kept a strong facade in front of others, Esther was terribly disappointed in herself and didn’t know what to do.

Other than her concern over her infertility, there was another problem that was plaguing the royal palace. King Esteban’s health started to deteriorate, and Queen Theodora and Prince Theron decided to share the workload to somehow ease the older man’s burden. However, the subtle balance broke on the day the King collapsed.

King Esteban could not attend the royal court, and in his absence, Prince Theron had to handle his responsibilities of ruling the kingdom as regent.

After several weeks, the still weak King Esteban took the decision of passing on his throne to his son and finally retiring from his royal duties.

“Father, you will recover as long as your body has enough rest. You don’t have to make this decision. Till you get better, I will handle everything.”

“My son, it’s time for me to spend my days with my wife.” King Esteban had a sickly pale expression as he tried to sit up on the bed. “I might have been a decent king, but I am a shameful husband to have neglected her most of the time. This is a good opportunity for me to make up to Theodora. Won’t you let me do so?”

“Father…”

“I wish to retire to the Crystal Palace and spend my remaining time with your mother.”

“Don’t talk like this, Father. The Head Royal Physician said you will be fine, and that it’s only due to overworking that you collapsed due to fatigue.”

“Then, isn’t that better? Once I get healthy, I can spend more time with your mother and we can travel around the kingdom.” The older man smiled as he patted his son’s hand. “Theron, I want to retire from my duties. This body is old now and I wish to not trouble it more. Won’t you let me spend my last moments peacefully?”

Prince Theron could not deny this request and wish of his father, “I will arrange for you to shift to the Crystal Palace.” He said with a heavy heart.

“Thank you, my son. I know you will be a better king than me to this kingdom and to the people,” the King said with a smile.

As the king had decided to retire from his duties, now it was the turn of Prince Theron to take the throne and be a king of Megaris.

Queen Theodora was also in favour of her husband’s decision as she wished her husband to rest while she could take care of him.

Though King Esteban had several concubines, in his heart, his first wife, Queen Theodora always held a special place in his heart and wished to spend his rest days with her only.

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