The winter break was still up ahead and Eli still had time to carefully finish the books passed by the High Priest for her to read.
Due to its gravity, the High Priest made them commit to keep the matter of Eli being the Subject to the Oracle to anyone other than the Emperor, who had already known everything in advance.
The High Priest also allowed Eli to officially become part of the investigation team for the captors, as this would allow her to gain lot of information about the curses.
"The spiritual connection to the heavens could be cultivated by meditating the scriptures, reciting proverbs and psalms…" Eli studied the books while also verifying its contents from the book of knowledge.
This was because she knew that the book of knowledge was better and more reliable than the books that were given. The magical book also helped her point out the misinformation on the books that were provided to her.
This process of reading and counterchecking slowed her progress by three-fold. However, Eli did not mind because the better her grasp on the nature of her spiritual powers, the stronger she would be in resisting and fighting the curse magic.
While she was buried on the pile of books and notes on her study table, she felt a whiff of a sweet decadent scent coming from her side.
"Take a break, Little Han misses you already.." Leon's magnetic voice gently reached Eli's ears. She looked up to see him holding a cup of hot cocoa, with a worried yet indulgent smile on his face.
"I'm sorry, I was so engrossed in this study.." Eli reached to receive the hot cocoa and apologetically looked at Leon.
She failed to notice that it was already late in the evening, Leon had already arrived from his duty at the palace and even on his secret trip to the Temple's dungeon.
This also meant that she was not able to spend time with Little Han today. Apart from occasionally breastfeeding him, she was no longer able to play with him during the day.
"It has been going like this for a week already. Sigh… I've really become a bad parent to Little Han." Eli dejectedly mumbled as she took a light sip on the hot cocoa.
The sweetness and warmth traveled through her mouth, the subtle aroma of nutmeg enhanced the flavor of the chocolate. It gave her fatigued body some relief and relaxation.
Leon also pulled a chair beside Eli and enjoyed his very own cup of cocoa, this has been their habit for the past week.
Both busy and working hard just to get a higher chance of countering the curse magic, the two could almost not be considered as lovers because they basically had no time to enjoy each other's presence.
In another perspective, their situation seemed to have temporarily reverted back to when they only considered each other as co-parents to Little Han.
"I'm worried about our baby…" Eli lamented, guilt flowed from the very tone of her voice.
"Our son has to grow like this too. He is a member of the Imperial Family, let's just try our best to make up for him when we can." Leon comforted Eli.
As a member of the Imperial Family, the conditions he and his brothers grew up with were far more bleak and strict as compared to Little Han.
In their infancy years, they would immediately be taken from their mother's care and be raised by a royal wet nurse. That was because, unlike normal mothers, the nobles and the Imperial family placed great care on the mother's recovery. So much that they would not allow them to do 'strenuous' work like breastfeeding their child.
Fortunately Queen Tehila insisted that she would personally care for Leon during his weaning period. However, Leon was still taken away immediately after that period to be raised on his own conferred castle.
"But our son, he's not like the others." Eli protested, but there was more of helplessness rather than anger in her tone.
"Yes, he's not like the others… However, we can't divide ourselves into two." Leon reminded her. He paused to think of a solution to their predicament.
"Let's try again tomorrow, managing the small time that we have is a challenge… But we'll make it work!" He looked at Eli and held her hand. He gave her an assuring smile.
"Uhn.. let's make this work." Eli nodded in response.
After finishing their cup of cocoa, Eli started to tidy up her study and prepare for the night, while Leon looked after the already sleeping Little Han.
"Urghh.." Little Han whimpered in uneasiness.
Little Han was already 8 months old and he could now sleep in his own crib. He wiggled on his comfortable bed, tossing and turning, seemingly trying to find out what position would be comfortable for him.
"Sushhh.." Leon patted his tiny bum as he tried to ease Little Han's discomfort through his presence. But Little Han seemed to be really uncomfortable in his crib.
Suddenly thinking of an idea, he gently scooped his son out of the crib, along with his beddings.
He walked slowly towards Eli's bed, which was slightly wider than his, because it was previously made to accommodate the infant Little Han.
Gently laying him down to Eli's bed, Leon looked at his son with a loving gaze.
His son, who was painstakingly brought to life by two incredible women.
One tried her best to protect him with her own life, one traveled from another world to give him a chance to live.
"Son.. you are blessed and special." He whispered as he soothed his son's furrowed face.
"We may fall short as parents, but know that we love you from the bottom of our hearts.
Mommy and Daddy were just working hard to give you a safer place.
Please do not be angry at your Mommy ok? You can just be angry with me for not being capable enough to shield both of you and Mommy.."
Eli witnessed this scene as she slowly came out from the shower.
It was such a loving yet heartbreaking sight to behold. She couldn't help but let her tears roll onto her face as she listened to Leon's words.
He continued to whisper loving and assuring words, professing his affection and commitment not only to Little Han but also to Eli.
Seemingly hearing and fully understanding his father's words, Little Han's frowning face slowly relaxed. His face became more peaceful, finally falling into his little dreamland.
Leon smiled as he saw his son cutely drifting away to his sleep. As he straightened his body to go to his own bed, he felt someone warmly hugging him from behind, albeit shivering from crying.
He gently turned around to see Eli's face, silently whimpering in tears.
As she just came from the shower, Leon could smell the scent of rose water from her body, sparking a fire in his heart. However, he trembled upon seeing the tears rolling from her fair face.
Eli, to other people, was a tough nut to crack and an intimidating woman to get along with because of her brilliance. But to the people dear to her, she was actually genuine, caring and happy go lucky.
It was very rare for her to show this vulnerable side of her, but when she does, Leon's heart would ache so much as if it would explode in any second.
He lifted his hand and gently wiped away the tears in Eli's eyes.
Eli's midnight eyes were so beautiful, especially under the glow of the moonlight. Like a beautiful piece of polished obsidian, dark, beautiful and shining.
Everytime he looked at it closely, he would feel like his soul would be captured by it, making him unable to turn away from its charm.
He pulled Eli's body close, wrapping his arms over her trembling body, trying to absorb the emotions she had, kissing the top of her head while comforting her with words he would only say to her and no other woman.
Eli let her body feel Leon's warmth and assurance. She understood that in this world, only in Leon's arms she would feel safe and protected.
To Leon, she was very open in showing her vulnerabilities and weaknesses, this showed how deep her trust towards him was.
To Leon, she was willing to tear down her walls and let him see the kind of person she really was no matter how ugly or messy it would be.
For she knows that Leon had long loved her soul deeply. He loved her for who she is, not for what she is capable of.
Finally calming down the emotions that invaded her being, she lifted her head and met Leon's crystal blue eyes.
The most captivating eyes she has ever seen, at the same time, it was the eyes that looked at her with love and kindness.
"I love you, Leon." She declared, facing him without any signs of running away.
Hearing those words, Leon's mind was blown away. It was like something in him awakened!
He could only witness his own body pulling Eli closer.
Without letting his crystal blue eyes look away from her deep obsidian eyes,
He leaned his head closer to her face and pressed his lips against hers.
