Chapter 10 – Part 12

‘Alaina Salvatore.’

She was Isaac Salvatore’s daughter, though for some reason she still claimed to be cooperating with his side.

She could have been sneaking evidence behind his back while pretending to be on his side.

Perhaps she’d scream human distrust if she knew, but it’s what it is.

“Keep an eye on the nobles.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Also, have another newspaper mention the Marquis’s delusions.”

Leonard gave Delus a few instructions, then pondered for a moment.

Regardless of whose actions they took, if they had secured evidence first, they would need to come up with a different strategy.

Purchasing loyalists, ordering new articles to be written, increasing surveillance on the Marquis’s household and associates…

Leonard looked out the window as nightfall approached.

In the distance, he could see the Rose Palace, where Tenere was staying.

‘I wonder if she’s finished with her dress.’

Leonard looked at the illuminated Rose Palace and remembered the day’s events.

The sight of Tenere, dazzling in a pure white dress, looking at him.

It wasn’t just her beauty that left him speechless.

It was because seeing her in her wedding dress made him realize that they were getting married again.

He was overwhelmed with the realization that after the ceremony, she would be his wife again, undeniably his.

But what was Tenere’s reaction?

‘I’m sorry. I…… had other things on my mind for a moment.’

Leonard remembered the awkward laugh and the blank look on her face, as if she were lost in other thoughts.

She said she hadn’t been able to sleep because of her excitement, but he couldn’t help but be conscious of the stares she was getting.

‘Do you really want to go back? ‘

The more he thought about it, the more Leonard felt like he had become a ruthless person.

It was like being forced into an unwanted marriage, with a child as a hostage.

‘With no intention of letting her go.’

It was funny how he felt so unreasonably guilty after deciding that he would keep her by his side and make her love him again.

Even if she was smiling, he couldn’t be sure it was genuine.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.

As he opened the door, the servant entered and bowed his head.

“Your Majesty, the Empress requests an audience.”

“The Empress?”

He asked again, wondering if he had misheard, but the servant did not deny it and bowed his head.

He wondered if he’d misheard, but the servant didn’t deny it.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Shall I bring some tea? ”

“Yes.”

The servant didn’t even seem to think that the emperor would refuse the empress’s unexpected visit.

Leonard had no intention of refusing either.

Leonard nodded, and a moment later, Tenere slowly entered the room.

She lifted her skirts slightly and bowed politely.

“Your Majesty,” she said.

“Come in.”

Leonard quickly ushered Tenere to the couch.

Soon, a servant came with tea and refreshments.

“What can I do for you?”

As they sat down to chat, Leonard tried to ask casually, but the words came out rushed.

Leonard saw Tenere’s eyes widen in surprise, and he added quickly.

“I’m just glad you came to me first.”

“Ah…….”

Tenere nodded in understanding.

Leonard thought of her in the North, watching her hesitate as if she were about to tell a difficult story. Holding the child tightly, she had come, saying she just wanted to see him. She doesn’t pay attention to him and doesn’t act politely like a subordinate.

“I came because I wanted to ask you something.”

Even after she said that, Tenere fiddled with the handle of her teacup.

Leonard waited, with some trepidation, for her to speak.

After a long pause, she carefully parted her lips.

“After the ceremony… do you have any intention of having a new prince?”

“…What?”

Leonard replied in genuine confusion.

What had he just heard? Have more children? All of a sudden?

His resolve not to put the small person who barely reached his chin through such an ordeal seemed to fade away as he thought about Tenere’s words.

Was he dreaming? Was she changing her mind about remarrying, saying she didn’t want to love him again, only to change her mind again?

The anticipation that came with just that one word.

“Why are you suddenly…….”

“I was listening to Ms. Laura earlier, and she said that sometimes children can skip generations and take after their grandparents.”

Still cautious, Leonard was speechless.

Yes, it was strange that it didn’t bother her.

Besides, the problem of blood would be passed on to the child, and she would want to fix it in a hurry.

When Leonard didn’t answer, Tenere spoke up, somewhat embarrassed.

“Even if it is not necessarily for that reason, having many royal descendants is a good thing for the stability of the imperial family, and I think it would be good for Josie to have younger siblings.”

Tenere finished, but Leonard was not sure he wanted to agree.

Firstly, he had never planned to have a prince, and if the child born were to resemble his grandfather, whether that would be fortunate or unfortunate was uncertain.

“I am grateful that you gave birth to Josie healthy, but why would I let you go through the pain of childbirth again? ”

Leonard smiled as he replied, partially truthful.

“I’m happy that you cared, but you don’t have to worry about this.”

It was a nice thing to say to someone who hadn’t really said anything to him.

Even though it wasn’t love, wasn’t it still grateful to have someone who tried to help in any way they could?

Leonard changed the subject, somehow pleased.

“More importantly, about the earlier conversation, have you ever met Lady Alaina before? You said you might not remember…”

“….I shouldn’t worry about it?”

Leonard’s head snapped up at the stern voice. The smile was gone from his face.

Leonard blurted it out quickly.

“I didn’t mean that. I just wanted to…….”

“You know why I brought it up, don’t you?”

“…….”

“Even if we haven’t had the ceremony yet, I’m the Empress, and I’m the mother of a prince. How could I not care?”

“Tenere.”

At Leonard’s call, Tenere was silent for a moment, as if to give him a chance to excuse himself.

But when he said nothing, she parted her lips again.

“I heard rumors in the North… that you were considering remarrying the Marquis daughter. It seemed quite frequent. And you danced the first dance with her at every social party.”

“…….”

“Did I get any of that wrong?”

Tenere asked, but Leonard didn’t answer this time. Because everything she said was true.

He didn’t know where to begin or where to stop.

He knew she was frustrated, but he didn’t know what else to say.

Didn’t she hold his hand tightly and talk about it just yesterday?

‘Your Majesty should trust her.’

She was someone who did not believe in the Marquis’s lies unwaveringly. What could he say to such a person?

To the person who followed the Empress Dowager to the extent of considering her as her mother.

“I did it to deceive the Marquis.”

“….”

“Salvatore pressured the lady who didn’t want to marry me and brought her here. When she returned to the palace, she was quite… intimidated. I didn’t want to marry her either, but it seemed necessary to deceive him.”

Leonard chose a few truths from the facts.

Tenere seemed to want to ask more questions.

Like why the deception was necessary and why he couldn’t just say no.

Like someone who didn’t even consider the possibility that Beatrice might be cheating.

“You said there were things I shouldn’t know.”

“…….”

“I thought it was unavoidable… but now I’m starting to doubt whether you really see me as the Empress.”

Tenere lowered her eyes. After a long moment of silence, she pursed her lips.

“At least in the north…… I never thought I was worthless.”

After saying that, Tenere stood up before Leonard could say anything. Just like when she came in, she politely greeted him and turned her head suddenly.

“I met Lady Salvatore briefly before my debut.”

“…….”

“Nothing special happened, and we were so young…… I don’t think she remembers it either.”

* * *

A day had passed since her visit to the main palace, but Tenere received no news from anyone.

She had neither the desire to meet someone nor the eagerness to focus on something new.

She simply toyed with the needle as if trying to erase her thoughts.

The picture was coming together on the embroidery frame, but her mind would not calm down.

“……Did you fight with the Emperor?”

Laura asked, and Tenere finally looked up.

The needle pricked her finger sharply.

“……aah.”

“Ouch!”

When a drop of blood appeared where she was pricked, Laura was startled and stood up from her seat.

Joshua, playing with a rubber ball, looked over.

“Mom.”

Joshua threw down the rubber ball he was holding and ran to his mom.

Tenere quickly wiped the blood off with her handkerchief, but the cut was deeper than she thought, and the blood came back up through the gash.

“Mama. Ouch.”

Joshua cried out at the sight of the blood.

He clung to his mother, stroking her hand and blowing on it, as Laura called for the maid to get some medicine.

Tenere couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, her fingertips stinging, but her child’s behavior was more important than her own.

“Thanks to our Josie, I’m all better now.”