Chapter 13 – Part 9

“Your Majesty, Lady Alaina Salvatore, wishes to see you.”

The chamberlain who opened the door said it politely.

Leonard was a little surprised to hear that she had not yet returned to the Marquis residence, but he nodded his head in acknowledgment.

Soon afterward, Alaina entered the room, looking surprisingly relaxed.

“Alaina Salvator, greetings to the Emperor, Lord of the Empire.”

Leonard nodded, a polite greeting he hadn’t seen lately, and though it made him feel a little awkward, he offered her a few words of comfort.

“……I’m sorry to hear about this.”

“…….”

“I didn’t realize the Marquis was truly infertile.”

It was a bit of a revelation. Who would have thought that his theory was actually true.

“…Although it has come to this, I don’t think Your Majesty will deny that I have cooperated with you all along.”

Alaina said, her voice calm. Leonard looked at her as if to say, continue.

“As you know, I have stood by your side ever since I returned to the capital, not only in this matter, but I have helped to collect the palace’s taxes and locate the Empress’s whereabouts; I have reported my father’s suspicious behavior as soon as I saw it; and I have kept other young women from coveting the empress’s position.”

Alaina rambled on and on about how she had helped him. It was her habit to want something.

“So, you need a reward?”

“Yes.”

“I see you want something.”

Leonard spoke, and Alaina hesitated unusually.

After a long pause, she spoke.

“I came to ask for mercy from my father.”

“So now… … .”

Leonard quirked one eyebrow.

“……which father are you referring to?”

“…….”

“I don’t mean to tease.”

Leonard added, seeing her blush.

Alaina narrowed her eyes and sighed.

“My biological…… father.”

“Ah.”

“Even though my father was in prison… … No, uncle… … Marquis… … .”

Alaina rambled on and then scratched her forehead, as if she hadn’t gotten her titles straightened out yet.

Leonard, seeing how complicated it all seemed, spoke up.

“If you speak in a simple way, I will understand.”

“….Thank you. Anyway… although he moved like a puppet instead of the imprisoned man, it was not that His Majesty had any malice… In the end, the matter was resolved smoothly thanks to his confession.”

“Indeed.”

“So I hope you’ll take that into consideration, and also, seeing as how I’ve been so cooperative with His Majesty all these years…… I’d like to ask you to spare my father’s life.”

Alaina spoke politely, and Leonard tilted his head.

“Didn’t you dislike him?”

“No, I didn’t dislike him, he was always good to me; he even told me that he considered me like a daughter…… and this is just as bad as if I had been tricked by him.”

“I heard you’ve been close recently, have you grown fond of him? “

Leonard’s question made Alaina pause. But instead of denying it, she nodded.

“……I think so.”

“…….”

“And…… when my father said he was going to denounce me, he covered for me.”

Although Callian hadn’t kept his mouth shut as Isaac intended, he was still the one who readily protected her without hesitation at the mention of denouncing Alaina.

It was true that Callian had made things difficult by meddling in his father’s affairs, but Alaina didn’t want to let him die for trying to help her.

“First of all, I have no intention of killing him.”

Leonard opened his mouth, and Alaina looked up in surprise.

“Really?”

“If he had insisted that you are not his daughter, I would have killed him in the Duchess’s chambers under the guise of suicide.”

Now that Callian had admitted to being Alaina’s father, killing him would have aroused unnecessary suspicion.

So a mild reprimand for knowing and allowing it to happen would be in order.

Of course, there was a small retaliation planned for the noble faction that collaborated with Isaac Salvatore.

At Leonard’s words, Alaina patted her chest in relief.

“I am deeply grateful for your merciful disposition, Your Majesty.”

“I, for one, will not forget your cooperation.”

Leonard said, offering his hand to shake. Alaina shook his hand and gave a small smile.

Now that the tension was gone, she looked a little wistful.

“I guess I can’t be your little sister …… anymore.”

“If you wish, I can arrange a marriage for you as a final act of kindness.”

“Do you really think I should leave the matchmaking to a man who is so desperate for work?”

When Alaina declined, Leonard nodded without further suggestion.

“…Then you should have nothing to worry about now. There will be no issues with your lineage, and once my father is executed, you will soon regain your position.”

“I see.”

“Have you decided on the wedding gift?”

“I am planning to give a tiara and necklace adorned with roselet sapphires, violets, and diamonds, as well as a castle by the Landrof Beach.”

Usually, even if it was a wedding gift, the couple would accessorize with jewelry that suited their taste.

Giving a tiara along with a castle by the beach seemed a bit excessive, but Alaina didn’t point it out.

“If it’s a violet sapphire, did you match it to the color of Her Majesty’s eyes? I’m sure the Empress will like it.”

“I hope so.”

Leonard smiled bitterly.

He wonders if she’ll actually like it and if she’ll smile with pleasure.

‘She’s not being mean to me; she smiles at me, but why is it that the last time I saw her smile seems like a distant memory? ’

She talks to him casually and holds his hand, but when she turns her back, he feels thirsty.

“…Do you have any concerns?”

Alaina asks, sensing that Leonard’s face is not quite right.

Leonard shook his head.

“No.”

“I’m not sure if you need my opinion, but… what you’ve mentioned doesn’t seem lacking. Unless Her Majesty desires something different.”

“……Yes.”

Leonard nodded dryly.

It was what Tenere wanted, and since what she wanted most was the safety of her child, he had effectively granted it. Other than that…….

“It seems like Her Majesty expects something difficult.”

Alaina spoke up, her eyes narrowing.

It wasn’t an incorrect statement. The only thing she asked of him was that she be sent away with her child.

No matter what she says, he won’t be able to erase the thought that she once said that she wanted to take her child away.

Looking at Leonard’s unresponsive face, Alaina spoke up.

“It doesn’t seem like she’s asking for the impossible.”

“…….”

“In any case, I must return, Your Majesty, and thank you again for your mercy.”

Alaina bent her knees and bowed respectfully.

Leonard nodded slowly.

He sat there for a long time after the door closed.

‘The problem is that the only thing she hopes for is impossible.’

It would have been easier if she had asked for something materialistic.

If she had grown attached to the village in the north, and if she asked for it, he could give her not only that village but the entire northern forest.

Or, if she wanted to leave because she hated him for deceiving her, he could understand that.

He might not let her go, but he could apologize a hundred times, a thousand times, promising never to do it again.

But what could he do to someone who smiled without a hint of anger, even after admitting his mistake?

Should he tell her not to smile meaninglessly? Should he command her to put on a facade so he can feel reassured?

Leonard rose to his feet, unable to come to any conclusion.

Soon, the Rose Palace lit up outside the darkened window.

* * *

Tenere stared out the window, dazed. In the distance, she could see the main palace lit up.

The great palace was where Leonard was staying, and where she would be staying after the wedding.

It was strange to realize that the palace, which she had once thought of as too big for her, was now a place she could return to.

“……Are you worried?”

Laura asked cautiously as she entered Tenere’s room after putting the child to bed.

“Not much; now get some rest; you must have been tired today.”

As the prince’s nanny, Laura lives in the Rose Palace with him, and in addition to caring for the child, she is also her confidante.

Her diligence is sometimes a wonder to behold, as she seems to study in and out of the library.

“Would you like to have tea with me?”

“Sure.”

Laura replied quickly, asking her maid to bring the tea, then grabbed a shawl from the bed and brought it to Tenere.

“It’s still chilly at night, so please put this on. You’ve been feeling the cold a lot lately…”

“Thanks.”

Tenere perched on the window sill and draped the shawl over her shoulders.

Laura sat down next to her.

“Is it because of that?”

Tenere turned her head at the cautious question. Laura looked her over.

“Lady Tasha is said to have possession of such an herb. So, um… I was wondering if you were worried about something else.”

She said it softly, but it sounded like she was worried that Tenere might not also be of Marquis Evan’s blood.

Tenere shook her head.

“Not really.”

Even if she was not really Ludwig Evan’s blood, she had given birth to the crown prince.

Besides, Leonard had told her it was all right, so what was there to worry about?

He said he truly loved her.