Exactly as Imperial Physician Kale had predicted, General Aquila woke up the next day.
Crown Princess Pica, who was sitting by the side of his bed, was immediately alert.
"Aqi?" she called softly.
General Aquila blinked in confusion, and stared at her face for quite some time. Then a smile bloomed on his handsome face. "Pica…?" he asked hoarsely. "Are you really here? Am I…am I dreaming?"
Crown Princess Pica immediately threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. She burst into tears.
General Aquila patted her back with familiar movements. The two of them had grown up together, and they had always been the best of friends even before they got married to each other. It was nothing new for General Aquila to soothe an upset Crown Princess Pica.
"What's wrong?" he asked quietly.