Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 10 - Part 7

Chapter 10 – Part 7

“Because I wanted you to come back.”
 
Leonard sat down beside her. Tenere turned her head away, but she could feel his eyes on her.
 
“Thank you for coming back, Tenere.”
 
“…….”
 
“You don’t know what a relief it is to have you by my side again.”
 
A large hand closed around the back of her hand and squeezed. Tenere didn’t shy away, but she didn’t immediately believe his words either.
 
He said nothing.
 
A pent-up frustration rose to the surface.
 
She shouldn’t have bothered; she shouldn’t have expected anything.
 
Why did she even think he might be sincere?
 
“I left the annex untouched, too. You can check it out here: …….”
 
“Your Majesty.”
 
Tenere found herself unconsciously grabbing onto Leonard’s sleeve as he attempted to rise.
 
He turned his head as if to ask what was wrong. Meeting his good eyes, Tenere swallowed dryly.
 
Maybe she should ask first.
 
Maybe he’s just hesitating because he doesn’t know how to say it first.
 
Isn’t it strange that so much meaning is attached to asking questions like this?
 
Whether he was in love with her or not, she was the empress, so that was enough.
 
“I heard there are bad rumors going around.”
 
“…….”
 
“Are you okay……?”
 
Did she say something unnecessary? Maybe she should have waited a little longer.
 
He hesitated for a moment.
 
“If I tell you I’m not okay, will you comfort me?”
 
A large hand reached up and swept a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
 
His voice sounded soothing, but it was an illusion.
 
“Of course I would. Why haven’t you said anything to me until now…….”
 
“You shouldn’t have said that in the bedroom, in case I took it the wrong way.”
 
A mischievous smile appeared on his face. The rigid expression seemed to be a lie.
 
He chuckled low and leaned his head against her shoulder before she could chastise him for not understanding.
 
Tenere paused for a moment but held still, offering him her arms.
 
“I was hoping you wouldn’t hear.”
 
“It seems like everyone in the imperial palace knows the rumor, so why should I be the only one who doesn’t know?”
 
“I didn’t want to bother you unnecessarily.”
 
Tenere could not see Leonard’s expression.
 
But it was a relief to have him confide in her, so she didn’t bother to check his face.
 
Instead, she slowly reached out and stroked his back.
 
“It’s just a rumor anyway.”
 
“Well.”
 
Leonard paused.
 
“It was my mother who carried and gave birth to me, so how would I know who my father is?”
 
“Your Majesty, that is not what…….”
 
“Didn’t you say the same thing? How do I know Joshua is my child?”
 
Tenere was silent for a moment, feeling a little hot under the collar. Leonard gave a small laugh.
 
“I was speechless, even though I knew Joshua looked like me, but I bear no resemblance to my father.”
 
“You shouldn’t say things like that.”
 
“…….”
 
“Doubting your lineage is like doubting her Majesty’s infidelity. It’s just a ploy by a marquis who’s cornered, so it’s not even worth worrying about.”
 
Just because she chose not to believe in his love did not mean she hated him.
 
She was worried when his complexion was not good, and she wanted to comfort him when he showed signs of weakness.
 
She couldn’t be sure if it was silent love or merely affection or friendship.
 
“You should trust her, Your Majesty.”
 
With affectionate words, she continued to stroke his back, and with a relieved smile, Leonard responded.
 
“……Yes, you’re right.”
 
The affirmation made Tenere feel a little better.
 
But Leonard was still burying his face in her shoulder, so she couldn’t see his expression.
 
“If I had known that you were weak to cruelty, I would have told you a long time ago.”
 
Leonard playfully brushed his forehead against her. Knowing it was meant to reassure her, Tenere didn’t stop her caressing hand.
 
“Tenere.”
 
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
 
“Is it too much to hope that you still love me?”
 
Tenere’s mouth fell open at the sudden question, and the hand that had been stroking his back paused.
 
It was a conversation that neither of them had initiated since that day.
 
Part of her wanted to put off answering, and part of him was afraid of being rejected again, so they pretended it hadn’t happened.
 
But now that he brought it up again, she had to answer.
 
“…Whatever my feelings may be, as the Empress, I will not leave Your Majesty’s side.”
 
Tenere said it politely. Leonard made no reply.
 
After a short silence, he spoke again.
 
“……Yesterday,  the lady came to me in secret.”
 
“What?”
 
Tenere’s head snapped up in surprise.
 
By lady, is he talking about Lady Alaina Salvatore? Why would she…?
 
“I was worried that she might be holding a grudge for capturing the Marquis, but it doesn’t seem like she will support the Marquis.”
 
“Is that all…… she came here to say?”
 
Tenere asked abruptly. No, maybe it would have been better not to say anything. She felt somewhat embarrassed because she seemed to have said something that clearly revealed her true feelings.
 
But Leonard’s next words were unexpected.
 
“I told her to let me meet you.”
 
“……me?”
 
“With all the attention on the Marquis right now, it would be a burden to formally request your presence. It seems she has been meaning to speak to you for some time.”
 
Leonard continued, but Tenere didn’t understand his words.
 
Alaina was calling her; why on earth?
 
“What did she say to me?”
 
“She didn’t say what she wanted, but she didn’t seem to have any ill intentions.”
 
“…….”
 
Why was he speaking so kindly about her? Why did he trust her so much?
 
She wanted to ask but held back due to her trivial pride.
 
There is no reason to be curious. She decided to have no expectations or disappointments from him.
 
Tenere raised the corners of her mouth familiarly, acting resolute.
 
“I may be busy with court affairs for a while, but… I’ll find time to meet her.”
 
***
“Open the door.”
 
Alaina Salvator stood in front of her father’s office with a stern face.
 
With her father absent, she was the only one allowed to enter her father’s study, being the sole daughter of the household.
 
But it wasn’t easy.
 
“There was an order from the master not to let anyone in.”
 
“Does the butler not know who I am?”
 
It was the mansion’s head butler who stopped Alaina.
 
A grouchy old man who always carried his head stiffly because he was favored by his father.
 
“Of course, My Lady, you are the daughter of Duke Salvatore. However, the master has instructed not to allow anyone into the study except those permitted.”
 
The butler spoke calmly. He was being polite, but Alaina knew full well that he didn’t really serve her.
 
In a very old-fashioned way, he was a man who thought it undesirable for a woman to take over as head of the household.
 
He also believed that a woman should focus on maintaining her beauty and managing the household as a wife.
 
While he had treated her respectfully during her engagement to Leonard, calling her the prince’s fiancée, his attitude has subtly shifted since the emperor’s death and her subsequent capture.
 
“My father has been imprisoned on charges of treason. There is no reason for me, the daughter of this house, not to be allowed entry.”
 
“I’m sorry, My Lady. The head of the household has told me not to allow you to enter his office either.”
 
The butler spoke as if soothing an unruly child. No wonder Alaina raised her eyebrows.
 
“Do you think you’ll come to your senses after being dragged like a dog by the knights?”
 
“…….”
 
“I am the daughter of the Marquis of Salvatore, and I have the authority and duty to act in his absence, which means I have the right to dismiss you.”
 
“My Lady, I’m sorry, but…… you don’t have the authority to do that.”
 
“Excuse me?”
 
Alaina didn’t miss the corner of the older butler’s mouth twitch upward.
 
It was when she turned her head towards the knights.
 
“That’s enough, Alaina.”
 
A gentle voice stopped her. The butler turned toward the voice and inclined his head politely.
 
“You’ve arrived, Lord Callian.”
 
“What?
 
Alaina whirled around, puzzled. Standing there was her uncle, Callian.
 
Looking just like her father, but with a softer face, he gently tugged on her shoulder.
 
“Uncle!”
 
“You look very ill; did you sleep well?”
 
“Uncle. What does this mean? I’m supposed to be the head of the marquisate in the absence of my father .”
 
“Alaina, you know…… that the head of the household decides who will take his place in his absence, and he decided to temporarily give his authority over the marquisate to me.”
 
Alaina’s face was colored with betrayal.
 
This was the uncle who had always told her she was like a daughter.
 
This was the man who had told her from a young age that she was exceptionally beautiful and who had promised her the Viscount Stuart title.
 
“Is this what you’ve been planning all along—to come to the Marquis’s house to inherit the title…….?”
 
“Everyone leave.”
 
Callian ordered, and the butler and the others left in unison.
 
Callian and Alaina were the only ones left in the empty hallway.
 
“……Calm down, Alaina.”
 
Callian soothed her.