.forty two.

The teenage couple walked back hand in hand--per Eun's suggestion, as he claimed it would help her balance so she wouldn't end up falling down. Minji agreed, biting her lip nervously and unsurely. Her husband was starting to grow an interest in her and she didn't want to lead him on by making him think that she felt something more than friendship for him. Though, as a wife, she knew she at least owed him that. They talked about amusing things that had happened during breakfast with their siblings.

They had a good time, unlike when they had breakfast at the palace recently. At the palace, Minji could feel the glares and the hostility. The King and two of Eun's brother's didn't much like her. It was their very public desire for her to sit at breakfast with the servants instead of with them. The only reason why she was begrudgingly accepted at the table was per Eun's acceptance. Eun threatened that he would not eat at the table with them if his wife wasn't allowed to do so. The king was quick to please him because he was son, and also to avoid the servants spreading rumors around the kingdom. He could imagine the kind of backlash he would receive. Making his teenage soon, and his young wife eat with the servants. It would be a big scandal.

Minji had been talking when a light gust of wind hit them, just enough to blow her hair into her face. Minji let out a light laugh, trying to spit out the strands of hair that had landed in her mouth. She pulled her hand from Eun's hold and tried to push her hair out of her face. 

Eun stopped walking and turned towards her and moved her hands away. "Let me help you." He told her, his fingers gently moving to touch her face.

A smile spread onto Minji's lips and she closed her eyes, though it did no difference to her. She tilted her head closer to his touch and she could feel how his fingers trembled nervously and he began to clumsily push the stray strands from her face. It took him a few seconds before he unexpectedly leaned in and gave her a small kiss on the lips, cupping her face in his hands. 

Minji couldn't help but giggle against his lips. She knew that she was in love with Jung. They had been through so much together, but her life had been intertwined with Eun's from the start as well. They had been through so much together, including getting over their mutual dislike for one another. Now it was like they were old friends, spending the rest of their lives together. From what she remembered of him, his image still vivid and fresh in his mind, he was cute and maybe also handsome. But he was a nice guy and she thought he didn't give enough credit to himself. Any woman would be lucky to have him. 

As he turned and took her hand again shyly, they continued on their way back to their house. When they arrived, Eun stopped in his tracks, Minji stopping by his side, though not understanding why they weren't going into the house already.

"What's wrong, Eun?" She wondered.

Eun gulped when he saw his father, the king, waiting for them. There was a warm smile for one of his youngest sons. But for Minji there was still only disdain. 

Eun let go of Minji's hand quickly and bowed his head out of respect, offering his father a greeting fit for his title. "Your majesty." At the mention of him, Minji tensed by her husband's side and lowered her head in respect. Though, if she had to be completely honest, it was more out of fear. She knew he didn't like her and would never accept her now. But she didn't need his approval as long as Eun wanted her. Still, he was the ultimate ruler of the country and that was intimidating to Minji who was at her most vulnerable now that she was unable to see. "What brings you here to visit us?" 

After his greeting, he used his arm to gently help Minji behind him. He held her hand again, holding it behind his back as he waited for the king to reply to his question. Whatever he wanted, Eun wanted to get it over with quick so that he would leave.

"Eun-ah," The King started warmly, "I came over to have breakfast with you. You haven't visited me at the palace recently."

At that, he shot Minji a glare that she was completely oblivious to.

Still, the animosity was there and she felt it.

"I'm sorry." Eun offered a half hearted apology. "My wife and I already had breakfast with Han and Soon Deok this morning. So if that was all..." He trailed off, telling him to leave without exactly saying it to him.

Minji reached forward and tugged on the sleeve of his gown. "Love, don't say that to your father. You have to be nice to him. Why don't you invite him in for some tea?" She said to him in a whisper. She understood that he was being cold towards him because of the way the King had treated her previously at the palace. Minji appreciated the gesture, and found it endearing. But she knew it would only make the king dislike her more. He would surely blame her for Eun's behavior and probably treat her worse.

The King had heard her suggestion and spoke up, uncaring that his words would make the situation worse instead of helping it. "Well, at least she can think enough to make a smart suggestion for once."

Eun's hand, the one that had been locked with hers, balled up in anger. 

"Hey--" Eun started to protest, unable to control his emotions.

But Minji stopped him by stepping forward and throwing her arms around him from behind. she was just tall enough to reach his ear as she got on her tip toes, whispering words to calm him down. "Eun don't fight with him. I've already accepted that he doesn't like me and it doesn't bother me anymore. But he's your father and you shouldn't fight with him."

The tenth prince turned in her arms, eyebrows furrowed in frustration that he had to sit and spend time with someone who loved him, but did not like his wife.

Minji was able to convince her husband and they went into the house. Minji knew the king didn't want her present, so she instructed the servants to brew some tea for them and then she made her way to their room. Eun didn't want to let her go, practically begged her to stay. But she insisted that they would have a better conversation if she left them alone. Eun finally gave in and let her go, feeling empty sitting alone in the living room without her. 

"I don't quite like her, and I think she's a huge waste of space in your life." The king admitted with disdain as they watched her leave. "But I have to admit she's beautiful. In that aspect, you have found yourself a good wife, Eun-ah."

Eun's lips tightened into a firm line. 

He didn't like the way he was talking about her, like all that mattered was the way she looked. Eun thought she was definitely pretty, that much they could agree on, but she was much more than just that. His wife was smart, and brave, and she had overcome her disability. She wasn't letting it rule her life. She was able to continue and make the most of what she still had. Eun admired that about her. 

"It must be a burden on you to have a useless wife like her." The king continued with a sigh. "She's blind and can't do much. You probably have to help her with everything."

Eun gave a shake of his head. "Actually, your majesty, she hardly needs my help at all."

The King's eyebrows roused in surprise.

The tenth prince continued, his voice serious and not at all childish like it was when he was talking with his wife. "I am lucky to have her, and you should be more grateful to her for accepting to marry me. Let's be honest, you and I both knew no one would have me. You had to force someone so that I could get married."

The king remained silent, giving his answer. Instead, he changed the subject altogether after a moment of awkward silence. By now, the servants had come in and served them tea. They bowed their heads before leaving the room, once again leaving the two alone. 

"That's not the reason why I'm here." He informed his son. Then he went onto explain, "I'm here to ask if you two have started trying for a baby. There are rumors floating around the palace that you two don't even sleep in the same bed. Others say that you are incompetent. Eun, I want to put those rumors to rest. Also, if your little wife isn't able to provide you with sons, I can bring in a second one for you--"

Eun quickly refused with a shake of his head. "I don't want anyone else."

"Eun-ah..." His father tried to persuade him. 

But his son would have none of it. "I will not accept anyone else. You also don't have to worry about us. We sleep in the same bed every night, and she will be giving me children very soon."

The king wasn't satisfied by that answer, but he didn't press any further. The two finished their tea and the King left the house. Before he even made his exit, Eun left the room and went to find his wife in their bedroom. Minji was sitting on their bed, hands in her lap as she waited patiently for him. She sometimes found it difficult living in a world without technology. She often found herself with a lot of free time, and she also sometimes found herself moving her thumbs as though she had a phone in her hand. Eun always thought it was funny and strange and asked her what she was doing, but she always said it was a little nervous habit that she had, which wasn't entirely a lie. 

Eun sat down by her side, the bed dipping gently under his weight. 

"What did he talk to you about?" Minji wondered, leaning her head on his shoulder.

She could already hear the burden in his breathing before he even started talking. "He wants us to start having children because he says people are talking about us."

"Hm..." Minji hummed quietly. "And how do you feel about that? Do you feel like you want to start already?"

He looked to her anxiously, swallowing the lump in his throat. He was still a bit worked up over the king barging into his home unannounced and then mistreating his wife. But even after that, he wanted to go and pressure them into having children already. It was unfair. 

"Don't do it because everyone else wants us to." Minji continued calmly, her voice low and soft. 

She linked arms with him and intertwined their fingers together.

Eun was so inexperienced in everything that had to do with love and dating. All of his firsts were with Minji and she wanted to take things slow. Han had been joking when he said it, but she thought he might actually faint if they got started already. It would be overwhelming for him. 

"Would you want to have children with me?" He asked her bluntly. 

Minji thought about it a bit longer than expected. It wasn't about him that she was having doubts, but rather that she thought about Jung. Ever since arriving in Goryeo, she had liked Jung and they had talked about kids when they made their engagement official. Now she had to throw all those plans out the window and make new ones with Eun, the one who was her husband in the end instead of Jung. 

-

im not sure, but i think in the next two chapters will be the infamous baby making scene. i don't knonw if i should go into detail because im not a smut writer. also, they are so young, so idk if i would be comfortable writing it. but i mean, they are married and allowed to do their thing.

also, idk if you all want a very detailed chapter. let me know what you think in the comments. i will take it into consideration.

one more thing, i kind of want to write a book about han and soon deok. 

would you all read it?

let me know.

-clary