The Most Troublesome Son

Exemplary Husband

"I've already informed your father about your wife's pregnancy," Queen Im revealed. "Now, you can start treating her with the care and consideration befitting a pregnant woman." She extended the invitation to her son following a tense encounter with her mother-in-law.

"I've always treated her as a pregnant woman," Yi Kang replied. His usually cold demeanor softened slightly whenever the topic of his wife arose.

"If you truly treat her as a pregnant woman, perhaps you won't be spending every night at her residence," Queen Im pointed out. She was well aware of her son's tendency to seek refuge in his wife's quarters, only returning to Donggung-jeon when his duties as crown prince demanded it. While rumors circulated about this behavior, Queen Im chose to feign ignorance, understanding that her pregnant daughter-in-law needed her husband by her side after the distressing misdiagnosis.

"Eoma-mama, we haven't engaged in any inappropriate behavior," Yi Kang earnestly assured his mother.

Queen Im let out a sigh, knowing well that her son would never do anything to harm his wife and their future child. "I understand, but leaving a man and woman who love each other alone in the same room can be a delicate situation. You're a young and healthy man, can you honestly assure me that you feel nothing when you share a bed with your wife?"

Yi Kang blushed, confirming his mother's concerns. "My responsibilities as the crown prince leave me with little time during the day. The night is the only time I can spare for her," he mumbled weakly.

"You could simply see her to her bed and then retire to your own quarters," Queen Im suggested.

Yi Kang lowered his head in acknowledgment.

Queen Im shook her head. "Is it really so challenging to sleep alone in your own chamber?"

Yi Kang remained silent, but Queen Im could sense his reluctance to leave his wife alone.

"Shall I begin considering the selection of a consort?" Queen Im offered.

"Eoma-mama!" Yi Kang exclaimed, his face turning pale.

"I understand that you may not have been concerned about your reputation before, but now that you are the crown prince, you cannot continue living in such a manner. Your reputation will be engraved in history, shaping the destiny of our nation. You wouldn't want to be remembered as a king ruled by lust, unable to control your desires, and forcing yourself upon your pregnant wife, would you?"

Yi Kang snorted. "I become a lustful person even though I have only one wife."

Queen Im smiled. "If you're not ready to discuss this with your wife, I could handle it for you."

Yi Kang shook his head. "No need, Eoma-mama. I will speak to my wife myself."

Queen Im nodded. "Very well, then."

Queen Im couldn't help but chuckle as she observed her son's reluctance to sleep in his own quarters. There was a time when she had worried about him becoming a loner. She knew that this particular son could only truly open up to his older brother. While he was also close to his younger siblings, he rarely shared his worries with them, always playing the role of the joyful and supportive older brother.

However, time had a way of changing things. All children eventually grew up and ventured out to create their own households with spouses. Yi Kang couldn't continue to spend his time as he had in the past. They would soon live separate lives, unable to meet daily as they did when they resided within the palace. Someone like Yi Kang, who cherished solitude and was cautious around strangers, might find it challenging to adapt to life with someone new. This was precisely why Queen Im had never actively sought a wife for him. Her husband had once proposed a match with one of the accomplished daughters of his trusted minister several days before Yi Kang's 20th birthday, but Queen Im had promptly declined. She had told her husband that after a decade of living apart from Yi Kang, she wanted to cherish more time together with her son.