Chapter 127 - Ren's Anniversay Gift

"War is terrible," said Ren, nodding in agreement. "I also really hate it. That's why I support all efforts made by the governments in the world to promote peace. Luckily, we haven't experienced war in this world for quite a while ..."

Fae nodded weakly. Somehow her mind seemed hazy. Why did she think nonsense?

"What are you thinking? It seems like something is bothering you," said Ren attentively.

Fae shook her head. "It's nothing. I just felt weird when we talked about war earlier. I remember my father hated war, but it doesn't make sense, right? There hasn't been any war for decades. So, which war did he hate? I really don't understand."

"Hmm ..." Ren spread his gaze around them. "Is there anything you remember from Romania? You said it seems like you often spent time in Italy and Romania when your parents were alive. That's why you speak the language fluently. Now that we are here ... do you remember anything?"

Fae shook her head sadly. "I don't remember anything. I only remember the language."

"Oh." Ren nodded. "Don't think about it. You can't remember something if it is not important to you."

He put his arm around Fae's shoulder and invited her to stop by at a cafe. They sat on the cafe's terrace, watching the streets around them, which were filled with tourists. Autumn in Transylvania was very beautiful, not inferior to Almstad.

After Transylvania, the couple continued their holiday to Targu Mures for three days and then stopped in Rome. After staying two days in Rome, Ren took Fae on a retreat at one of Tuscany's wineries. The spot he chose was on a hilltop with views of the valley filled with vineyards and olive groves, typical of the region.

Fae felt at home everywhere they went. She still couldn't remember her past, but the familiar feeling she felt when traveling and communicating with the locals using their languages really made her feel happy. It was as if there was something in her soul that had been missing and slowly coming back.

***

"I'm so sad because we have to go home tomorrow," complained Fae, packing her belongings into a suitcase.

Time flew by, and just like that... two weeks had passed. Now it was time for them to return home. She would return to her job at the Magnolia Café and her school at the Almstad Business School.

"Do you want to go on another vacation?" asked Ren with a smile. "I can make it happen."

"Really????" asked Fae enthusiastically. She stopped packing and immediately sat down beside Ren. "You promise?"

"I promise, but not now, okay?" said Ren, ruffling Fee's hair. "Later, after I step down from my position as the crown prince."

Fae sighed at her husband's words.

"It is four more years..." She looked dejected as she muttered her complaint.

"We don't know that. It might happen sooner. My cousin, Caroline, is currently trying to conceive. Once her son is born, I will ask to resign from my position for health reasons. Besides, the court already knows that I have bad health because of my sleeping problem. They would certainly understand. "

"I don't understand. Why don't the monarchy let your woman to be the heirs to the throne? That way, your cousin could replace you even though she's a woman? After all, she has a husband too, right? The British Empire has long had a queen as the ruler of the kingdom. So, why does Moravia still adhere to such ancient patriarchal traditions? " asked Fae in protest.

"Uhm ... the British empire is also patriarchal, Fee. They ONLY appointed women as the monarchs if there is absolutely no male descendant from the king's side. Do you remember, Queen Elizabeth only became queen because her father had no sons? Thus, there was absolutely no male heir. After Elizabeth came to the throne, her first son, Charles, was next in line, followed by Charles's sons, William and Harry," Ren explained. " In Moravia today, I am the oldest descendant of the royal family. If my cousin Heinrich did not die, he would have more rights than me to inherit the throne, even though he was younger because he was a male heir, produced by the king's son. I was born to a king's daughter, so my rank is below him. When Heinrich's younger sister gives birth to a son, I can claim that the child is more entitled than to the throne than me because he came from the male lineage."

"Don't you want to be king?" Fae asked Ren earnestly.

This was the first time she and Ren discussed that Ren would be the next king after King Gustave abdicated or passed away.

"Why? Do you want me to be king?" Ren asked in return. 

Fae was stunned when she was asked back like that by her husband. Her thoughts immediately drifted to the majestic royal palace in Almstad and how big was the gap in status between Ren and her.

In fact, she was afraid that if Ren wanted to become king, Fae's position would become very difficult. She could imagine how the court and the public would oppose their relationship completely.

"I ... it doesn't matter what I want," said Fae quietly. "I want to know what YOU want. Don't you have the slightest desire for power? To be a king?"

Ren looked at Fae for a long time and then smiled. "The title as a king in Moravia is only symbolic. It doesn't really have the power it used to. If I want power, I want the real one."

"For example?" asked Fae curiously. "What kind of power do you think can be categorized as real power?"

Ren looked up and stared at the night sky. It was turning orange through the large window of their room.

"Before returning to Moravia, I was the Director of Space Exploration at SpaceLab. I was more interested in having power in space. I want to go back into space exploration and put our mark of ownership out there."

"Will you be able to return to SpaceLab after you step down from the throne?" asked Fae.

"I hope so. I'll be patient until then," said Ren. He seemed to smile mysteriously and then patted Fee's hand softly. "Oh, by the way, I have a present for you ..."

"What present?" asked Fae in excitement.

"Wedding anniversary gift," said Ren. "You didn't prepare any gifts for me?"

Fae widened her eyes at Ren's words. "Ugh .. I almost forgot. I've prepared a present for you, really. I was going to give it after we got home."

She hurriedly took something from her suitcase and handed it to Ren. "Don't see the monetary value, please. I spent a week making it secretly when you weren't home."

Ren smiled broadly and nodded. He opened the gift box with a beautiful gift wrap which Fae put in his hand. "Thank you, Honey."

When he opened the gift, Ren chuckled several times. He seemed very fond of the new scarf Fae had knitted for him. This scarf was dark brown in a wool material, which is very soft and comfortable when it wrapped around his neck and shoulders.

"I hope you like it," said Fae shyly.

"I really like it." Ren pulled Fee into his arms and gave her a passionate kiss. After he let go of his wife's body, the man took something from his pocket and handed it to Fae. "This is my anniversary gift to you."

Fae looked at the photo in her hand with a frown. "This is a photo of Magnolia Cafe, right?"

"That's right," said Ren. "This cafe is now yours."

"What? I don't understand ..." said Fae, confused. "Why did you say Magnolia Café is mine?"

"I already bought it," explained Ren. "I know you are very sad that the position of assistant manager was canceled and not given to you, even though you worked hard for it. I also understand that you really want to work because you want to have your own business one day. Therefore, I think, it's time. You can take care of a small company like Magnolia Café. You can gain experience and learn while working. Plus .. since the cafe is now yours, you don't have to worry about meeting annoying people who will oppress you... "

Fae stared at Ren for a long time, unblinking. This was so shocking to her. She had no idea that Ren would buy Magnolia Café for her. On the one hand, she felt very happy because she can take care of the business as she pleased.

However, on the other hand...

What will her colleagues at Magnolia Café say?

"You can thank me by kissing me," Ren commented with a small smile.