Chapter 13 – Part 10

He said he truly loved her.

‘It’s quite complicated’

What’s the point of leaning on his heart when she hasn’t even answered him yet?

Still, she couldn’t bring herself to whisper love to him.

‘It’s not like I’m trying to be difficult.’

She knew he was watching her from time to time, and she knew he would get excited if she gave him the slightest hint.

She knew he tried to hide his disappointment when he told her about his love for her, but she didn’t respond.

But knowing all that, why couldn’t she give him a clear answer?

What exactly was she hoping for?

“Human hearts are complicated.”

At Tenere’s words, Laura looked at her as if she didn’t understand.

But when she didn’t continue, she nodded slowly.

“It is.”

The maid knocked on the door, and Laura quickly brought in a tray with tea on it.

Tenere accepted the warm mug and leaned her head back against the window.

“Some things better be done sooner rather than later, don’t you think?”

It was a question with a predetermined answer.

She was going to be Empress again, after all, and it would be good to reassure him as soon as possible.

Laura didn’t nod.

“Unless it’s urgent, I don’t see why it’s necessary.”

“…….”

“You don’t eat bread today for tomorrow, you procrastinate for a reason.”

At that remark, Tenere’s hand holding the cup paused. Laura, sensing it wasn’t a significant comment, didn’t say anything else and brought the cup to her lips.

“Aah…”

“Careful, it’s hot.”

Fortunately, it didn’t seem too hot, and Laura smiled awkwardly as she tapped her lips.

Tenere lifted her head and looked up at the sky. It was an unusually starry night.

* * *

The day of Isaac Salvatore’s beheading came not long after his trial.

He should have been executed immediately for treason, but they spared him because he might be the Emperor’s father.

Leonard insisted that Tenere did not need to come, but she left the child in Laura’s care and went to prison.

She wanted to see the end of the man who had tried to harm her child.

“I thought I wouldn’t come because of your leg.”

Eric, now able to walk without crutches, chuckled as he entered the execution chamber.

Leonard smirked at the sound of his voice, but when Tenere turned to look at him, he coughed and quickly composed himself.

Isaac, back in prison after only a few days, was in worse shape than on the day of his trial.

A bushy beard that hadn’t been trimmed in time and hair that was split from grease.

His jutting cheekbones and sunken eyes, his dirty prison uniform stained with food and smelling unpleasantly, and the bruises that showed through.

The guards showed him no mercy, as he was about to be beheaded.

Not only did they refuse to give him a towel, but they were not afraid to use force when he became unruly.

Isaac, accustomed to being bossed around as an imperial Marquis, was quite shocked by the change in the guards’ demeanor.

Even as he was being led away with his wrists cuffed, he kept his head down and muttered something to himself.

“The criminal, Isaac Salvatore, is hereby condemned to death by beheading for trespassing on private property, blasphemy against the Crown, attempted murder of a royal family member, and treason.”

Leonard said, rising to his feet.

Isaac still did not raise his head. His dry, peeling lips moved slowly.

“No, no. No…… I can’t be incapacitated…….”

“…….”

“It’s all a ploy to frame me. I, I…….”

“Do you have any last words?”

Leonard asked as he mumbled like a madman.

Isaac’s head snapped up at the words. A pair of wide eyes flashed at him.

“You, you think you’re any different!”

Isaac screamed as if it were his last act of agony, though his cracked lips were torn and blood shone through.

“Do you really think that the child you believe to be yours is yours, and how do you know that your dead and dying Empress could have been in love with a man who looks like you…… ugh!”

The guards hastily gagged Isaac’s mouth again.

“I will hear no more.”

Leonard raised his hands.

He could have ordered the blade to be blunted to give him a painful death, but Tenere was in front of him. He didn’t want to make a mess.

“Execute.”

At the Emperor’s command, the executioner raised the beheading blade.

Isaac’s face fell in horror at the sight of the great blade, and he tried to pull back, but the guards held him firmly.

After a long silence, the sentence was carried out.

The great sword was swung without hesitation.

Tenere tightened her grip on Leonard’s hand, but never took her eyes off until Isaac’s head fell to the ground.

With a thud.

Isaac’s head hit the floor, and Tenere squeezed her eyes shut.

Leonard wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her toward him.

“It’s over, Tenere.”

At the sound of his soothing voice, Tenere nodded.

A few guards collected the severed head for display. Eric looked at the decapitated body and sneered sarcastically.

“Well, now you’re seedless and neckless.”

His voice was not small, but no one laughed.

Leonard gripped Tenere’s hand tightly and slowly pulled her up.