I JUST WANT A PEACEFUL LIFE

"So, you think your father is in love with Duchess Amberblaze?" asked Angus after hearing Jayna's story.

"Well, I am not sure. But, I am certain of his expression that time is certainly the expression of longing for someone. I also never see Father having that kind of expression with Mother. No, wait.. I don't think Father loves Mother."

"They do not even share the same bedroom and hardly ever meet each other. They are also only seen together during the grand ceremony. Even then, they never talked to each other, especially since Father always had a cold glare that could frighten people to death." explained Jayna.

"If I didn't fall in love with you during our academy years, I probably would have thought it is the proper way for a husband and wife. I also don't think Mother loves Father since she always shows uncomfortable behavior when met Father." added Jayna.

"Wait for a second.. If they didn't love each other, how could there be a lot of princes and princesses? I couldn't imagine making love many times and even giving birth to many kids without loving each other." added Angus.

"Hmm… from what I hear, they only did it during Mother's fertile period." said Jayna.

In Firuman, because of the existence of mana that grants high body resistance and immune system, powerful beings like seventh-grade combatants are harder to conceive a child. However, there are times when a female being could definitely get pregnant when she is making love.

This kind of phenomenon is called the fertile period. Up to this date, no one could explain the reason behind the fertile period. Some women could experience it many times a year, but some could only experience it once in their entire life.

Fortunately, fertile periods could be predicted using the combination of complicated ancient spells, runes, and special tools. However, this prediction could only read the fertile period for the next two or three years.

Therefore, people needed to do the prediction every two or three years, especially the married nobles.

"Urgh.. fertile period. I don't really like that concept, but it is also part of the natural phenomenon to keep the world balanced. So, did you also do your fertile period reading?" commented Angus.

"I also didn't like it since it makes us women like breeding tools. But, I also did my fertile period prediction a few months ago. Actually, we noble girls are obligated to keep track of our fertile period after we have our first menstruation." explained Jayna.

"Hee.. So, did you know when your fertile period is?" asked Angus teasingly.

"Angus.. It is very rude to ask about the girl's fertile period." said Jayna.

"Ehh.. but I want to know. Maybe we could have one or two children in the next few years?" said Angus while caressing Jayna.

"C-Child… D-Don't you think it is too early? Still, It's impolite to ask a lady like that. Besides, I don't know about my fertile period." said Jayna, blushing.

"You don't know? Didn't you say you did the prediction?" asked Angus confusedly.

"Well, how do I say it? It seems Fire Phoenix didn't like my fertile period getting predicted. So, she always burns the whole room, the runes, and tools during the ritual. The fire even almost kills the magician who did the spells." explained Jayna.

"This always happens every time my fertile period gets predicted. When did I ask Fire Phoenix about it? She always said it is a barbaric way and very un-lady to know our fertile period."

"She also said phoenixes are the embodiment of life. We don't need this kind of barbaric way to get a child." added Jayna.

"Ehh.. Did Fire Phoenix have kids before?" asked Angus curiously.

"According to her memories, she doesn't have a child even after making love a lot of times with the Forgotten King. But, I am not sure if she hides some of her memories since most of the memories about their relationship are very vague and blurry." said Jayna.

"Hee?? Then, isn't it better to know your fertile period? In a case like you want to have a child? Or did she not like kids?" asked Angus as he found Fire Phoenix's behavior weird.

"I don't think so. You may not know this, but she never harms a child, much less a newborn baby. Even in her mad state, she never harms children and always leaves them behind." said Jayna.

"That's certainly weird. But, since she is gone, you could now predict your fertile period without her interference, right?" asked Angus.

"That's what you are wrong. Fire Phoenix never went away. How do I explain this… to put it simply, Fire Phoenix is me and I am her. So, if I try the prediction ritual, my fire will react instinctively to burn everything down during the prediction process."

"You could say we really hate the fertile period prediction to the core. I feel like I'd rather die than get my fertile period predicted. If it is not because of Mother's insistence, I will never try to do it in the first place." explained Jayna.

"A-Aren't that too extreme?" replied Angus.

"Well, that's just how I feel. Anyway, I think Father loves Duchess Amberblaze. I never see Father look like that when talking about someone." said Jayna as she diverted the topic.

"So, is it an affair?" asked Angus.

"I am not sure either. Maybe there is some kind of circumstance in their relationship? You know Father is a seventh-grade combatant. There are not many things that could restrict him in this world if he wants to have an affair or get as many wives as he wants." said Jayna.

"You are right. Still, I find it weird." said Angus.

"Weird?" asked Jayna.

"I just don't like this kind of relationship. Your father and mother clearly don't like each other. Yet, they still have many children. Not that I complain about it too much since I could meet you because of them." said Angus while kissing Jayna.

After sharing some passionate kisses, "I think they love each other so much." said Angus, hugging Jayna like a body pillow.

"You mean Father and Mother?" asked Jayna.

"No, I mean King Leon and Duchess Amberblaze." said Angus.

"Hmm… How did you know? Certainly, Father may have feelings for her. But, how did you know the Duchess also loves Father?" asked Jayna.

"Because he still has feelings for her even after being married for a long time. A man such as your Father may be categorized as a stubborn person. But, they are not fools. I believe your Father also knows the Duchess' feelings."

"He would not bury his love deep into his heart for years if he didn't know the Duchess still has feelings for him. In normal cases, this feeling should be gone as time goes on. However, something must keep his love alive despite this year." explained Angus.

"Since King Leon realized the Duchess's feelings, he couldn't help but have hope to express his love. As Fire Phoenix, I think you know better than I about how such complex emotions like love could affect people, especially strong ones like your father."

"Rather than disappear, I think their love became deeper and more intense. I bet if they get a single small moment to prove their feelings, they may become an inseparable couple." added Angus.

"Hmm… You really awfully know a lot of this. But, you are right. Among all the other emotions, love is one of the most complex emotions. One of the most troublesome aspects of nature is it could affect someone's subconscious."

"People could be affected by love and couldn't escape it without their knowledge. This is also the primary cause why Fire Phoenix enters into a mad state despite losing all her memory about the Forgotten King." explained Jayna.

"Still, I am surprised you know Father even better than I do." added Jayna.

"Because I kind of hate people like your Father. They have everything and even power. But, they could never be true to themself. Rather than hate, maybe I feel pity and respect for them simultaneously."

"They buried their feelings despite the pain. Hoping it would go away and be buried. However, they will only hurt themselves more than getting healed as time goes on." said Angus.

"Angus…" said Jayna while still Angus's arm.

She could feel Angus become quite emotional at this moment through their bond.

After being silent for a moment, "Your father… King Leon is a man with strong will and conviction. Yet, all of them are only facades. Behind that stoic and cold expression, there is loneliness and solitude." said Angus.

"Hmm.. Weird?! How come you know about this? I don't think you are this close with Father after almost killing you. Did you secretly meet him and talk to each other?" asked Jayna curiously.

"When you reach a certain strength, all you need is to exchange blows to get to know each other rather than speak thousands of words. Like I convey my true feeling about you through my attack, King Leon also carries his will and conviction when we fight."

"During our last battle, I could feel that his reason to fight is not for himself or others. But, because he needs to fight. It is like he forced himself to fight. There is a difference between forcing yourself to fight and fighting with your own will." explained Angus.