The Emperor and the Knightess

Poliana trusted Lucius the First, and Lucius the First trusted Poliana as well. They spent 10 years together in a war. What they went through together… Their love and respect for one another weren’t going to change very easily.

Yesterday, Lucius the First’s sudden love confession upset Poliana greatly. When Poliana declared that she didn’t love the emperor and she never wanted his baby, this hurt the emperor greatly. They were both very wounded and there was no point in figuring out who was hurt the most.

Poliana glanced at the emperor nervously. When she heard Lucius the First’s confession yesterday, she reacted very emotionally, which was unusual for her. Was it because she hasn’t been able to sleep well from taking care of the newborn? Poliana knew that what she said to the emperor yesterday was extremely rude and unreasonable. Perhaps she was overly tired. At least last night, the wet nurse took care of Dog Stew while Poliana got a full night’s sleep. Now, she felt much better and calmer.

Poliana offered her apology first, “Your highness, I believe that how I acted towards you yesterday was horrendous. What I did yesterday was much worse than running away from you.”

Lucius the First shook his head and replied, “I heard that after childbirth, a woman can become very emotional and sensitive, so I understand. You look much more relaxed today, Sir Pol, so I think you were just very tired yesterday.”

“I wasn’t thinking clearly. I should’ve blamed myself for the crimes I committed, yet all I thought yesterday was how to rely on you, your highness. Please punish me for my wrongdoings, your highness.”

“No, Pol, it was I who did not think of you and how you must feel. I was so happy at the prospect of marrying you that I wasn’t thinking clearly. I told you how I felt about you, and by doing so, I have hurt you with my impatience, I’m sorry. All I ever want is to make you happy, but it seems that I keep doing the wrong things and end up apologizing to you.”

For the next half an hour, the two continued to apologize and confess their mistakes. After about 30 minutes, Poliana finally asked the question that has been bothering her all night.

“Your highness, are you sure your eyesight is ok? Could it be that it has been deteriorating since the end of the war?”

Lucius the First replied solemnly, “My vision is perfectly fine, Pol.”

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but it seemed that this morning’s breakfast was made up of all the foods that were known to be good for eye health. Lucius the First knew his eyesight was fine. He added firmly, “Sir Pol, you are very cute.”

“Your highness, how many fingers am I holding right now?”

“Three.”

“I read in one of the medical books that there is an illness where although a person can see, he cannot recognize facial features. Could it be that you have this sickness…”

“People do not fall in love purely based on one’s look. If this is the case, you, Sir Pol, should’ve fallen madly in love with me, right?”

His heartfelt love was rejected yesterday. Lucius the First looked at her with a lonely smile, which made him look even more gorgeous than usual. Poliana became speechless at both his logic and his beauty. She knew he was right.

There were many things they needed to discuss together. What should they do next? Should they really get married? They needed to figure out both public and personal aspects of this situation, yet none of them brought up this subject.

After breakfast, Poliana stood up to feed her baby and Lucius the First followed her. Looking at his son who resembled him so much… The emperor couldn’t help but smile.

“Pol, may I try holding him?”

“Of course.”

Watching the most beautiful man in the kingdom holding such a beautiful angelic baby… It was quite a sight. Poliana was used to seeing one of them at a time, but watching them together felt very different. She was truly impressed. She said to him, “I guess in this case, it would’ve been impossible for me to hide who the father is.”

“Don’t you think he resembles only me too much? I wish he would’ve looked like you a bit too.”

Dog Stew looked just like when Lucius the First was younger. The emperor held him gently and expertly. He had some experience taking care of Princess Luminae, which made him more comfortable around newborns.

Unlike his daughter, his son was very healthy. Lucius the First smiled happily.

“Did you name him yet?”

“How would I dare? For now, we have been calling him little master.”

Poliana could never tell him that she nicknamed the baby Dog Stew! When she kept quiet, Lucius the First signed and asked, “This isn’t just my son. It is your child as well, Pol. Are you sure you didn’t even have a nickname for him?”

“…dog…”

“Hmm?”

“…stew…”

“I can’t hear you. Can you say that again?”

“When I was pregnant, the only food I could tolerate was the dog stew, so I nicknamed him Dog Stew.”

“…”

A long silence fell. Feeling guilty and embarrassed, Poliana kept her head down. The emperor felt upset that she had to go through such a bad morning sickness, but he also wondered why of all names, she would name him Dog Stew.

In the end, Lucius the First felt that it was necessary to object.

Only

“He is our firstborn son, so I really don’t think Dog Stew is an appropriate name for him.”

“I sincerely apologize, your highness. By the time he was born, the name just stuck. You’re here now, so please name him.”

Lucius the First examined his son, who looked just like him. Such a healthy baby… The emperor smiled again and replied, “Haha, he is still so young, yet he is very sturdy. I heard his cries roaring as well. Look at his eyes! Such intelligence! He will make an excellent general!”

With another smile, the emperor added, “Gerald. Let’s call him Gerald.”

“That is an excellent choice, your highness.”

Any name would’ve been better than Dog Stew. Now that he was named, Gerald was being recognized by Lucius the First as his own. It was obvious that the emperor enjoyed having a son. He already had a daughter, Princess Luminae, but having a son was a different matter. He was especially overjoyed because the mother, the woman he loved, survived the childbirth.

It was wonderful to see the father and son together. Those working for Poliana in Sitrin, who have been petrified that they were going to be punished, were greatly relieved. Seeing the emperor so happy meant that they were now safe.