"Counting the time you spent in the Surface World, you've been away for more than two months now..." Catherine sighed as she looked at the Twin Moons overhead. "It's time to go back."
Chen Rui smiled. "My Empress, now that I'm no longer useful, are you planning to tear down the bridge after crossing the river? Your strength still hasn't fully..."
"Don't you miss them?" Catherine looked into his eyes. "Don't tell me that when you were spacing out a few days ago, you were thinking about me."
Chen Rui froze, then lowered his head. "I'm sorry. Right now, I feel like I'm a complete bastard."
"On that point, I have a different opinion." Catherine shook her head solemnly. "Not 'right now.' You've always been a bastard."
Chen Rui gave a bitter smile. "I admit it."
"It's just that there's a foolish woman who can no longer leave this bastard." Catherine kissed his cheek. "After all, this bastard is her man, and her daughter's father."
"Catherine..."
"And I'm not the only foolish woman. Am I right, Your Highness the Prince Consort, who ought to be puffed up with pride?" Catherine smiled faintly. "But right now, the most important thing is for you to stay by Athena's side. She's the woman who needs you most. I know you miss her, and miss all of them. I'm a little jealous, but I can imagine that when I'm not by your side, you think of me the same way. That makes me feel a little more balanced."
Chen Rui nodded and gently wrapped an arm around the Shadow Empress's waist. "I'm sorry. Back when you needed me most, there was an ignorant, clueless bastard who wasn't by your side."
He was referring to when Catherine had been pregnant. Back then, he had had