Chapter 348: For Our Daughter’s Future (1)
Azul felt as though a heavy burden on his shoulders had suddenly disappeared as he melted into Roxanna’s embrace.
He had only just woken from his deep sleep, but the warmth of her arms made his eyelids grow heavy again.
"Azul," Roxanna called his name softly. For some reason, there was something different in her voice. It was filled with sadness, as though she had been thinking about something that hurt her heart.
"Yes?" Azul replied. He lifted his face and looked at her with eyes filled with wonder. "What’s wrong?"
Roxanna took a slow breath before speaking. "Your mother told me that since she’s already tied her soul to this land, she can’t come with us to the Vixeria Settlement."
She took another deep breath before continuing, "And she said... she might need two or three months to make sure Azura’s respiratory organs can function properly."
Azul’s expression softened. He gently cupped Roxanna’s face with both hands.
"Azul..." she whispered. "I can’t stay away from the Vixeria Settlement for that long." She leaned her cheek into his palm. "They need me too."
If danger returned to the Vixeria Tribe while Roxanna was gone, there would be no one to heal the wounded and they would be doomed.
"I know," Azul replied at last. He tilted his head and pressed a soft kiss against her lips. It was so gentle that Roxanna felt as though her lips had brushed against a soft cloud.
"I can stay here that long," he said, gently stroking the corner of her lips with his thumb. "I should take care of this kingdom first and make sure there’s someone who can become the next King, because I can’t stay here forever."
Roxanna lowered her eyes. "But you’re the only one who has the right to the throne."
"I am," Azul admitted softly. He lowered his head because looking into Roxanna’s eyes hurt more than he could bear.
"But what’s the point of a throne if my family can’t be with me?" he asked.
"Azul..."
"Ever since the day we got married, I made a promise to myself," Azul said softly. "No matter what happens, I’ll always stay by your side."
Before Roxanna could respond, he quickly shook his head. "I mean... the day you gave me the wedding ring," he corrected with a small, awkward smile. "Not the day I first married the other Roxanna."
Roxanna let out a soft chuckle. "I know what you meant." She smiled warmly at him before adding, "And I’ll forget that you were ever married to the other Roxanna too."
Azul smiled helplessly before pulling her into another hug. "Thank you," he whispered.
The two of them stayed like that for a while, quietly enjoying each other’s warmth. Outside the window, the soft sound of the waves filled the room, creating a peaceful silence that neither of them wanted to break.
After a long moment, Roxanna finally spoke. "So... what should we do now?"
Azul rested his forehead against hers. "You should go back."
Roxanna froze. "But—"
He gently placed a finger against her lips. "The Vixeria Tribe needs its leader. They’ve already waited long enough for you to come home." He looked at her with gentle eyes. "And I don’t want you staying here while worrying about them every single day."
"Meanwhile, Azura and I will stay here until she’s fully recovered," Azul continued. "Besides, I think I should make sure Mera is alright before leaving him here. Or maybe... I’ll bring him back with me when I return to the Vixeria Settlement."
Roxanna slowly reached for his hands and held them tightly as she said, "Two or three months is such a long time."
"It is," Azul admitted with a small smile. "I’m really going to miss you."
Roxanna wrapped her arms around his neck. "Me too."
She truly didn’t want to be separated from Azul, but she couldn’t leave the Vixeria Settlement for that long. In the end, she couldn’t have everything she wanted.
"But what about my breast milk?" Roxanna asked. "Azura probably won’t be able to nurse from me."
"I remember my mother often taught the mermaids how to make baby food from several sea plants," Azul replied. "It won’t be exactly the same as breast milk, but it’s still much better than nothing."
[Host! Host! You can buy a magical breast pump and magical storage containers from the System Market!] Pinky suddenly said.
Roxanna pulled back slightly and answered in her mind.
[Really? You have something that can keep breast milk fresh underwater? But... I’ll probably be going home in about a week. Do you think that’s enough time to store at least a month’s worth of breast milk?]
[Don’t worry, Host!] Pinky replied confidently. [The magical breast pump can collect milk much faster than a normal one, and the storage containers keep it fresh for up to a year! As long as you use them, Baby Azura will still be able to drink your milk after you return home.]
Roxanna let out a soft sigh of relief because that was a huge help.
After the stored breast milk was gone, Azura could drink the baby food prepared by Maristella instead. That way, she would still have enough nutrition while waiting for the day she could finally reunite with her mother.
Azul noticed the relief on Roxanna’s face and immediately said, "I think... my mother also knows a recipe that can help increase your breast milk. I can ask her to make it for you."
Roxanna quickly nodded, her eyes lighting up. "That would be wonderful!"
After resting for a while longer, Azul finally gathered enough strength to leave the room. The soldiers waiting outside immediately became excited when they saw that he was awake, but he needed to find his mother first, so he didn’t stay to talk with them for long.
Meanwhile, Roxanna turned her attention to the System. "Show me the items you were talking about."
[Right away, Host!]
While Azul had been asleep, Roxanna had completed her side mission about becoming friends with the shark beastmen. They had finally accepted her as one of their own after realizing how important she had been to Azul’s growth.
Without Roxanna, he might have stayed trapped in his guilt and regret, blaming himself instead of finding the strength to protect his homeland.