"Will he be alright?" I asked, my voice shaking as I glanced at the sleeping and unconscious body on the bed.

Arashi nodded at me, pointing out the jug, "The leaves I used are for clearing the toxic elements from the body but it takes time and needs to be consumed continuously."

His eyes fell on his grandfather and he muttered, "I need someone to watch over him and give him only the herb water I have prepared. No normal water."

"Should I?" I wanted to suggest it myself but wasn't certain if that would be a good idea. First, because they didn't know me and nobody would let a stranger stay with the emperor and second, only maids and the royal physician were allowed in this chamber other than some people. I knew no one would allow any person in that room unless they had earned a great position in their eyes.

His eyes fell over me and he nodded, "That would be a good plan but they will try to pester you or belittle you. Are you sure you can handle that?"

I blinked and the corners of his lips curled up at my expression. He asked, "Are you nervous?"

I nodded, "I am. I feel scared that if I do something wrong or any mistakes, you will have to lose your grandfather..."

He came closer and patted my head, "I know you wouldn't make any mistakes."

I looked up at him and pouted, "How can you be so sure?"

"Because you are the only person I trust with my eyes closed after my grandparents and Rei." He said and my heart thumped loudly against my chest. Heat spread across my cheeks as I moved my eyes away from him.

"Um... Should we clean the table and pack your bag?" I asked, pretending to be cleaning but my heart was jumping around inside my chest.

"Yes. Wrap them up and put them inside my bag while I make some other herb pills for him." He said and I started to work as usual.

I cleaned up all the equipment and shoved it inside his bag as Arashi went to the door. As he opened it, his grandmother and the others entered immediately who were waiting outside impatiently. They had worried faces and looked at the emperor with cautious eyes.

I went to Arashi's side and stood there as his grandmother asked in a shaky voice, "How is he? What were you doing? Should I call the royal physician?"

Arashi said, "Yes, but not today. Please ask him to come tomorrow while we take care of him today."

The empress didn't ask anything and told her maids and attendee to follow Arashi's orders. The woman, Akio came closer to Arashi and snuggled to him as she cried and sniffed.

"Brother Arashi, where have you been?" She asked and Arashi stepped back a little before she could get herself attached to him.

I blinked. Why did he avoid her if she was his sister as well? He didn't do that kind of treatment with Rei. And more importantly, I heard Rei calling him Brother Rian, even the empress called him Rian but Akio didn't. Why was that?

"I was away on important work. Anyways, Bianka will take care of father emperor from now on." He declared as everyone's eyes fell on me and I stiffened. I wasn't accustomed to getting so many eyes on me all at once.

"But Rian, who is she? And how will we trust her?" Mother emperor asked as her eyes washed over me from tip to toe. I got overwhelmed as I fiddled with my sleeves and realized the yukata I was wearing might be not really expensive for them and couldn't be listed on their standards. But I loved it since Arashi bought me those. And I was wearing the purple one.

Finally I noticed that everyone was wearing very expensive and sophisticated clothes but not me. They even had jewelry and ornaments. On the other hand, I only had the hair ornament Arashi had given me.

Arashi said, "She is my wife."

And as it bought a faint blush on my cheeks, their eyes bulged out from their sockets.

"What?!" Akio and the empress both exclaimed and while the old woman looked at Arashi for answers, Akio looked like she had swallowed sand. Her face twisted and I found anger dancing on her face.

He nodded. "She is Bianka and my wife."

"When did you marry?" The empress asked with a shocked voice and the others looked between Arashi and me eagerly.

"Around winter." He said and I bowed to her shyly. Although I stayed close to Arashi. My nervousness crawled inside my belly.

"What family does she belong to?" The empress asked, her eyes still lingered on me.

"She doesn't belong to any kings' or queens' family if that's what you want to know..." Arashi said, his voice was calm but the edginess was clearly visible.

The empress looked at him with round eyes and nodded. Although she didn't say anything, it was clear she didn't like me as her grandson's wife. They might want someone with higher status and even though my father had a good reputation, I didn't think it would be a good decision to disclose them about my family. I practically came from their enemy country. Now I know why Arashi never told anyone in Kosaki about himself.

"We will talk about it later then. First, go take a rest. You must be tired." She said to Arashi.

He nodded, "Yes, we both are. Please excuse us."

"No. Wait," the empress said as we both were about to leave. "She has no right to live with you..."

Arashi and my body became tense but it was released once she said, "Because your marriage didn't happen before our god and us, so stay apart unless we hold your marriage ceremony."

My eyes bulged out from my sockets as I blinked at her. A marriage ceremony?!

My belly flattered as I remembered about my cousin's wedding. Would we have a wedding like that too?! I released a sigh and smiled. I was happy that she had accepted our marriage at least.

"But we are living together-" Arashi was cut off by the empress and she said, "I don't want to hear any excuses. It was my dream to see my grand children's marriages with my own two eyes."

Arashi huffed as there was nothing he could do if his grandmother was requesting him a small thing. He took a deep breath and nodded, "Alright... But she doesn't know anyone here. Also she needs to be taught our cultures. She isn't familiar with it."

"Ah! I can arrange that." His grandmother said.

"How about I teach her instead?" Akio suggested with a musical voice.

"That would be-"

"Rei can do that instead." Arashi said cutting his grandmother's words and added, "Bianka is good at handling children as well. While she teaches her, Bianka can handle her son."

Arashi's suggestion was to the point that no one could say a word. Why was he avoiding Akio? It felt more like he didn't want me to get entangled with her.

"Then it is settled." The empress said. "The faster she could adapt to our cultures, the faster you get to see each other."

Arashi and I both looked at her with wide mouths. What?! We weren't allowed to see each other?!

"What does that even mean?" Arashi's brows were knitted on his forehead, creating lines.

"That means, we will follow our culture like we do before marriages. Both of you won't see each other until the day of your marriage."

"But we are already married," Arashi's voice sounded almost like a hissing.

The empress gave a tight lipped smile and said, "Don't be impatient, I will arrange your marriage as soon as your grandfather opens his eyes. I want him to see his favorite grandson and his wife..."

"I am not impatient..." he mumbled as I got flustered beside him.

Arashi added as he gave a dark aura that came out of him as if he took the challenge and said, "Then I should make father emperor strong in just a few days..."

Both of them stood there with domineering auras but no one was faltering back. The tension around the room intensified as the rest of our eyes moved between them.

At that moment, I just knew that Arashi certainly was this lady's grandson by how both of their behaviors matched perfectly.

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A/n:

With the school teacher job, I am getting too much tired. Also, now a viral fever is going around so, I caught a fever again. Hahaha

I may not be able to update everyday like before but I will try to update after each one-two-three days... XD

Hope you understand...

And Thank you once again for reading this book. It means a lot to me.

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15th July, 22
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