Chapter 14 – Part 1

The Marquis’s mansion was well-organized enough for Tenere to come and stay.

The wedding preparations had been finalized, and now all she had to do was return to the marquis’s mansion for the Emperor to collect the marriage proposal.

“…Don’t worry too much about what the Marquis said.”

Leonard said with a pale face. Tenere laughed and shook her head.

“His Majesty has never doubted me, so why should I care what a worthless man says?”

Her voice and content were both affectionate, but he knew there was no more emotion in those words than that.

Still, it was tempting to put a little hope in those words, so Leonard smiled a little.

“Then… am I… someone of value to you?”

“Of course.”

Tenere nodded without hesitation.

But that was all. She didn’t specify whether that value was merely as a child’s father, or something more.

Even though he wanted to say something, seeing her calm smile made it impossible for him to speak.

He’s afraid of himself and can’t help but say the right things.

‘As Eric said, I was wondering if I was measuring when it would seem plausible to whisper love because I was afraid.’

“I will go to the Marquisate tomorrow.”

Tenere spoke up. Leonard nodded slowly.

“Then I will send you a letter of marriage as soon as you arrive at the manor.”

Following her desire not to be away from her child for long, Tenere planned to return to the palace immediately after receiving the wedding invitation.

Leonard gently touched Tenere’s hand.

“After the wedding, you and Joshua are welcome to stay at the marquis’s estate. I’ve already informed Lord Evan, so don’t worry about that part.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The two of them walked slowly.

The child’s laughter grew louder as they neared the Rose Palace.

Now that the weather had warmed up, Laura would often take the child out in the garden when the sun was shining.

Joshua, who was becoming more active as he grew older, enjoyed running around in the garden.

He was at the age where he would try to do things on his own rather than be held in his mother’s arms.

At mealtimes, his tiny hands would grasp spoons and forks in a frenzy, and when it came time to drink water, he would hold his own cup.

When in the garden, he enjoyed dipping his hands into the small pond or playing with a ball on his own.

“Oh, have you arrived?”

Laura, who was squatting and playing in the mud with the child, stood up abruptly when she saw Tenere and Leonard.

Joshua, who was holding a small model shovel, also giggled when he spotted his mom and dad.

“Mommy! Daddy!”

“Josie, did you have fun?”

“Yeah!”

“You should say ‘yes’.”

“Nyeh!”

Joshua replied cheerfully. Laura brushed the dirt off his hands and clothes.

“It seems to be getting dark, so let’s go inside now.”

“Okay. Let’s go in, Josie.”

“No.”

Joshua gripped the dirt-covered shovel tightly and shoveled hard.

As he couldn’t articulate his dislike properly yet, he often expressed his intentions with ‘Yeah’ and ‘No’.

Tenere smiled and approached the child.

“Let’s go inside and have some chocolate.”

“Choco?”

Joshua looked interested in Tenere’s words.

“Yep. You like chocolate, don’t you?”

“Yeah!”

“You should say ‘Yes,’ Your Highness.”

“Nyeh!”

Joshua answered quickly. Tenere patted him on the head.

“Then, Josie, shall we go inside for some chocolate?”

“Yeah!”

“You should say ‘Yes’.”

“Nyeh!”

“Shall we go inside?”

“Yeah!”

Even after several repetitions, his initial response was always ‘Yeah’, so Tenere eventually burst into laughter.

Leonard looked into her eyes, which were curved like a crescent moon. They were the eyes of the one he loved most.

A gaze so full of love and affection, it was the same gaze she’d once directed at him.

They say there’s nothing worse than a father who’s jealous of his own child, but he can’t help but feel like he’s been robbed of his.

And every time he felt this way, he couldn’t help but think of the words Eric left behind.

He asked Leonard sarcastically if he loved the child.

“Tenere.”

Leonard spoke just after Laura had taken the child into her arms.

Tenere looked back at him with a smile on her face.

Leonard’s breath caught in his throat as he watched the smile fade to an afterimage.

She looked at him as if to ask what was wrong, but somehow his mouth didn’t fall open.

He should just say he was leaving now, or tell her to rest comfortably.

He wondered if he resented her for not smiling at him like she did to their son.

“Can’t you just love me again?”

The words spat out impulsively, and Tenere’s eyes widened in confusion.

Leonard looked at her surprised face without knowing what expression he was making.

What answer could he possibly receive that would bring him peace, yet why did he persist in seeking an answer?

He knew he was going to get in trouble if he kept saying it.

“……Go inside first with Josie, Laura.”

Tenere said quickly, wiping away her embarrassment.

Laura, who was standing there at a loss, quickly greeted them and hurriedly turned away.

Tenere waited until she was inside the palace before speaking.

“If you speak such words in front of others, it will damage the dignity of the royal family, Your Majesty.”

Tenere said sternly.

Leonard knew it, of course. How ridiculous it would look to have the Emperor begging the Empress for love.

But he couldn’t hide the anxiety that grew with each passing moment.

‘What if you never love me again?’

‘What if, as Eric said, you pretend to love me when you don’t, and pretend to be happy when you’re not.’

As if she knew what he was thinking, Tenere spoke cautiously.

“…Am I causing Your Majesty anxiety?”

Leonard shook his head slowly.

“I am not forcing you, am I?”

“No, Your Majesty. It’s my choice to stay by the child’s side.”

Tenere denied it, but Leonard knew it.

That as long as he kept her by his side like this, he would eventually get what he wanted.

Whether it was submission or sincerity, as long as the child was here, Tenere would eventually confess her love to him.

So this unease was not her fault. It was his fault for holding her hostage.

It was his fault for holding her hostage, for not allowing her to make other choices.

“…It won’t take long.”

“…….”

“I need time to sort out my feelings, so if you could just wait a little longer…”

Her voice seemed to be probing. It seemed difficult for her to handle a difficult situation.

Why was she being so cautious? What was she waiting for?

It was a wait with a predetermined ending from the beginning.

From the time he refused her request to let her go with the child.

‘No, from the moment I’d mentioned the child to her in her anger.’

Her inability to rebel against him was preordained.

“……I understand.”

He knew it was all his fault.

He deceived the one who truly loved him and went so far as to pressure her.

But even knowing this, he couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by emotion.

He could not bear to see her laughter and know that her love was false.

Because he couldn’t bear to taste the happiness that bloomed from her patience.

“You mean to say that all I have to do is wait, and all will be well; that if I hold on to Joshua, you will one day speak of a love that is not in your heart.”

“Your Majesty, is that what you mean…?”

“Then you are trying to lull me into a false sense of security with those words, and then run away?”

Tenere was visibly flustered. Leonard gently grasped her shoulder.

“Please, Tenere.”

Leonard bowed his head, his face distorted.

“What can I do for you?”

“…….”

“What can I do to make you love me again?”

She just didn’t want anything from him. Someone who didn’t want anything, as he had foolishly said on the first night.

So all he could do was beg.

‘Please love me. Forgive me. Please tell me what I should do.’

“……I don’t know.”

Tenere replied, not even looking at his face.

‘If that’s the case, shouldn’t you either smile at me or not? Shouldn’t you run to me and hold me tightly? Shouldn’t you stop misleading me?’

But in truth, he knew the answer.

He pretended not to know, afraid to hear the truth from her mouth, but he knew what the only thing she asked of him was, and he knew what he would have to give up.

“……I will do as you say.”

Leonard said heavily. Tenere looked up as if she didn’t understand.

“Didn’t you say you would take Joshua with you?”

“…….”

“If you still feel that way, I will do as you wish, so…….”

“……ah.”

Tenere gave a short sigh. Leonard stopped what he was about to say and looked at her.

After a moment of thought, Tenere spoke cautiously.

“I heard that you acquitted Alaina after the trial…”

“…….”

“Are you planning to appoint Alaina… as empress in my place?”