Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 10 - Part 1 (Volume 4)

Chapter 10 – Part 1

The emperor, who had completed his journey, returned to the capital. He was accompanied by the disappeared empress and the estranged crown prince she had borne.
 
In normal circumstances, just that alone should have caused a commotion throughout the entire capital.
 
The empress was a former rebel’s daughter who had not successfully produced an heir for four years during her reign and had asked for her own abdication. After that, she spent two years in seclusion.
 
Therefore, all attention should have been focused on the returning empress, crown prince, and the emperor’s favor towards them.
 
However, there was already a bigger scandal spreading in the capital.
 
Rumors circulated that Alaina Salvatore, the emperor’s former fiancée, was his half-sibling. Furthermore, it was said that the emperor planned to falsely accuse his father of eliminating him to conceal this fact.
 
“Be careful not to let unnecessary words about the empress spread.”
 
The emperor knew he couldn’t keep it a secret forever, but he didn’t want to cause unnecessary worry to Tenere, who had just returned to the capital.
 
Thanks to Leonard’s strict control over the information, Tenere entered the imperial palace without hearing any news.
 
The imperial palace, seen after a long time, was as grand and majestic as ever.
 
“Since the crown prince is here, the ceremony should be more grandiose than before, but it will take time to prepare, so I think you can stay in the private palace in the meantime.”
Eric tried to fulfill the rest of his treatment at the Marquis’s mansion, but there was no way he could expect the occupants of the ownerless mansion to remain.
 
It would take time for the old butler to return and for a new butler and doctor to be chosen, so Eric would stay in the palace until he was fully recovered.
 
Laura stood by Tenere’s side, holding Joshua’s hand tightly.
 
She hadn’t been lying when she said she was good with children, and in the few days of traveling by carriage, she had quickly bonded with Joshua.
 
He was already following her around; ‘nanny, nanny’, it seemed that experience couldn’t be easily surpassed.
 
“For now, I suggest you rest up, and tomorrow, when you’re a little less tired, we’ll take a tour of the palace, and I’ll show you around.”
 
Leonard seemed to be on to something.
 
In truth, the palace had been Tenere’s home for four years, so she didn’t need a guide, but she wondered if something had changed while she was gone.
 
“Yes, Your Majesty, I will wait.”
 
The short answer was met with a flushed face.
 
Tenere was a little puzzled by it but didn’t bother to comment.
 
“Well, then, I’ll take my leave.”
 
Tenere quickly composed herself and turned on her heel.
 
Leonard quickly grabbed her hand. When she turned her head in surprise, he had a wry smile on his face.
 
“I would like to escort you.”
 
“…….”
 
“May I have your permission?”
 
The thick fingers slipped between hers. Tenere nodded obediently, a little surprised, but still obedient.
 
Laura shook her head at the sight of them but followed with the child.
 
Outside the Rose Palace, familiar faces awaited Tenere.
 
They were the Empress’s maids, and they all greeted her politely, their faces beaming with delight.
 
“Welcome back, Empress.”
 
“It is a pleasure to serve you again.”
 
Tenere took each of their hands in hers and returned the greeting.
 
Some of them had tears in their eyes or were sobbing, and she had to reassure them quickly.
 
“This is Joshua. This is his nanny, Laura Hale.”
 
Tenere introduced them, and Laura exchanged a few awkward glances with the maids.
 
Tenere lifted Joshua’s hand and waved it in greeting to the maids. The child chuckled softly.
 
“I’ve heard that he looks like the Emperor, and it’s true.”
 
“I’m very happy to hear it, Your Majesty.”
 
They had been together in the Empress’s palace for four years.
 
The handmaidens the Empress had handpicked for the new Empress during her time were truly sorry to see Tenere leave the palace due to her father’s treason and barrenness.
 
But now, their joy knew no bounds as Tenere returned with a crown prince who looked like the emperor himself.
 
Tenere exchanged pleasantries with the maids and looked back at Leonard. A few faces were out of sight.
 
Leonard brought his mouth to her ear.
 
“Those who had even the slightest connection to Marquis Salvatore have been investigated and disposed of.”
 
There had been people of the Marquis’s among the handmaidens.
 
She felt her stomach turn, even though she knew there was someone in the palace who had been interfering with her meetings with the emperor.
 
Tenere nodded slightly at his words, and Leonard straightened up.
 
“I’ll be back in the evening, then.”
 
“In the evening?”
 
“We should have a meal together, including Josie.”
 
With a soft tone, his lips lightly touched her hand.
 
The words made it seem so real to be back at the palace.
 
* * *
 
Before mealtime, Tenere bathed in warm water.
 
Her handmaidens carefully washed her battered body.
 
The roses hadn’t bloomed yet, so they couldn’t float petals, but when they poured the thick rose water into the tub, the nostalgic scent filled the bathroom.
 
“If only the Empress were here.”
 
Tenere muttered as she leaned back in the tub.
 
The handmaidens glanced at each other, knowing the gruesome rumors, but Tenere’s eyes were too closed to notice.
 
“After I finish taking a bath, I want to go to the temple. Is that okay?”
 
“……Yes. You two are the masters of the palace; you can do whatever you want. But will you please tilt your heads back while I wash your hair?”
 
“Yes.”
 
Tenere leaned back against the tub’s backrest and tilted her head back. Gentle hands washed her hair thoroughly.
 
The touch on her scalp was so skillful, it made her whole body feel languid. Her tired eyes squeezed shut.
 
The smell, the warm water, the gentle touch, the long journey.
 
It would be strange if drowsiness didn’t overwhelm her.
 
Tenere had fallen asleep. She didn’t even hear the voice calling to her.
 
* * *
“Did she fall asleep?”
 
Leonard, who had come to fetch Tenere, stopped in his tracks after hearing the maid’s report.
 
“It seems she’s exhausted and tired. She’s asleep deeply.”
 
The maid bowed her head to the emperor. It was a question of whether to wake her up or let her sleep.
 
Considering the long journey and the added fatigue of bringing a child, it was understandable that she would be tired. Leonard didn’t hesitate and replied.
 
“She must be tired, so let her sleep in peace.”
 
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
 
The maid replied politely and turned to go back to the bathroom. But Leonard called her back.
 
“Has the Empress fallen asleep in the bathroom?”
 
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
 
“…….”
 
Leonard stroked his chin as if he were thinking about something. The maid clasped her hands together and waited for his instructions.
 
“I will carry her myself, so you can clean her body and put a towel on it.”
 
He didn’t want to wake the sleeping empress, and he couldn’t order the weaker maids to move her.
 
It might seem odd to insist on covering her body between a husband and wife, but as they hadn’t had a ceremony yet, the maid understood well enough.
 
While the maids drained the tub and cleaned Tenere’s body, Leonard looked around the bedroom.
 
It was his mother’s room.
 
It symbolized the emperor’s fondness, but he hadn’t given it to her and had almost shut it down.
 
After the Emperor’s death, he renovated the Rose Palace and gave it to the Empress Dowager as a consolation prize for his mother and an act of rebellion against his father.
 
 ‘It was because she was lonely.’
Leonard didn’t blame Beatrice for it. If his father hadn’t neglected his mother like that, such a thing wouldn’t have happened.
 
But even thinking that way, he didn’t give this palace to Tenere.
 
He willingly entrusted the management to her when she expressed her desire after his mother’s death, but it wasn’t her possession. Perhaps he was uneasy, worried that he might step into the footsteps of his grandfather, as warned by his father.
 
But after the ceremony, this palace will be given to Tenere.
 
Maybe he should trust her a little. Maybe she would be happy, even for a short while.
 
Will she smile as broadly as she did then, just for a moment?
 
It was the voice of a maid who called him out of his daze.
 
“Your Majesty, the preparations are complete.”
 
She meant that the Empress was ready to be moved. Leonard nodded and slowly stepped into the damp bathroom.
 
Tenere was still fast asleep.
 
She hadn’t woken up when the maids drained the tub and scrubbed her down, so she must have been pretty tired.
 
‘Perhaps I pushed her too hard…’
 
Leonard carefully observed her as they finished bathing. Despite being wiped dry, her body still retained the moisture from the bath.
 
Leonard swallowed dryly as he watched the wet lips part slightly.
 
‘What am I thinking, looking at a sleeping person?’
 
Leonard shook his head inwardly, then carefully picked her up.
 
Even in his arms, Tenere did not stir.
 
If she knew what he was thinking, she wouldn’t be so defenselessly asleep.
 
Leonard chuckled softly and set her down on the bed. Her less dry hair brushed lightly against his arm.