Chapter 2 – Part 2

In the afternoon, she met the governesses, but the events of the day wouldn’t leave her mind. Even as she sat in the bathtub, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of emptiness.

“My father came but…..”

Tenere sighed softly, sitting in the tub, feeling a bit deflated.

With her mind adrift all day, she had used the excuse of being busy to avoid meeting her father. Perhaps, when they meet next, he’ll unleash his frustration like a raging fire.

Amidst her apprehension, affectionate words kept coming to her mind—gentle touches, laughter, compliments, and the warmth of a hand on her back.

Warm things she had never experienced before kept shaking her heart.

“…I heard she is close to Marquis Salvatore.”

She remembered her brother’s advice. Despite being as sweet as the candies she used to give her, there were many people in society who were not what they seemed.

Even Laura Hail, who used to dislike her, visited her after she became empress, claiming that embroidery was her hobby.

“I shouldn’t let my guard down too much.”

It was a renewed determination, a promise she made to herself every time she felt her heart loosening. Even though there might be nothing she could do to ease her mind.

“Your Majesty, the Dowager Empress has sent a gift, may I come in for a moment?”

The voice from outside interrupted Tenere’s contemplation.

Granting permission, a maid entered the bathroom with a basket in hand.

Upon seeing its contents, Tenner’s eyes widened slightly.

“Roses?”

“She heard you admired the beauty of roses in the palace and sent them as a gift. Would you like us to pluck the petals and scatter them in the bath?”

The roses in the basket were all in full bloom, without a single flaw.

Tenere couldn’t help but let out a sigh of admiration and nodded slightly.

Several maids plucked the petals and scattered them on the water’s surface.

As warm water flowed, the scent of roses filled the air. Adding a bit of rose essence intensified the fragrance.

Breathing in the rich aroma, Tenere closed her eyes.

It felt as if she were back in the palace. A garden with vibrant red roses, the affectionate touch of a hand…

“If the Empress were to visit, it would be soothing to share such tranquility.”

“If you do well next time, I’ll give you strawberry-flavored ones.”

Her voice echoed in her ears. Somehow, her heart trembled, and Tenere sank deeper into the water covered in rose petals.

As she bathed in the fragrant water, she couldn’t help but wonder why she found comfort in the unfamiliar affection.

* * *

After finishing her bath, Tenere changed into her clothes and headed to the Emperor’s chamber. Leonard seemed a bit surprised, but he welcomed her with a smile.

“Welcome, Empress.”

He didn’t ask why she came when it wasn’t time for shared quarters. Instead, he simply had a servant bring them tea and they engaged in casual conversation, just as she did with the Dowager earlier.

About the weather and food, about the troupe scheduled to perform at the palace, about a book they had enjoyed reading.

As the Emperor’s chamber had a similar atmosphere to the Empress’s, Tenere felt relatively comfortable sharing stories.

“How was your life at Marquis Evan’s estate?”

Leonard asked. When Tenere seemed a bit taken aback, he quickly added, “I don’t seem to know much about you.”

Tenere was in a similar position. They had never had a proper conversation or even a proper meeting.

At most, they exchanged greetings while passing through the corridor or occasionally had meals together. The attendants in the palace never delved into personal matters.

“My life there was quite boring .. I’ve mainly been doing embroidery or reading books.”

“You seem skilled in horseback riding as well.”

“Claudia often invited me to their estate from time to time to ride together.”

She didn’t mention that when the Marquis left his mansion, Eric would open the stable doors for her, and that was left unspoken. Allowing Marquis’s daughter to engage in horseback riding was a risk her father couldn’t afford to take.

“You enjoy archery, don’t you?”

Tenere knew the Emperor was referring to last year’s incident at the hunting grounds.

She hesitated for a moment but decided it was no use hiding it anymore.

“I enjoy shooting at targets, but… I didn’t like hitting living things just for fun.”

There was a snarl in her voice as she spat out the words. Stuffy, pathetic, low-blooded words that reminded her of her mother.

However, Leonard didn’t show any anger or disdain. He simply listened.

“I see.”

That was his only response.

Tenere unconsciously tightened her grip on the teacup in her hand.

Just that response made her heart flutter for some reason. Thump, thump, the sound of her heart echoed.

“I came to speak with you because…”

Her previously sealed lips began to move hesitantly. Leonard patiently waited for her words.

“Today’s incident… it was my mistake. Even though the Dowager Empress covered for me…”

“I know.”

Her words came to a halt at his response. Leonard continued to look at her with the same smiling face.

“Because you had this look on your face earlier.”

“Ah…”

“Did you come to tell me this?”

Tenere’s face turned a bit red.

He knew everything. The reason she came here was why she had been blabbering all this time.

Her heart pounded rapidly. The embarrassment of exposure and the awkwardness of pretending not to know intertwined, making her cheeks burn.

When she hesitated for a while, Leonard chuckled softly.

“It seems Marquis was quite strict.”

For Tenere, it was a question that was difficult to answer positively or negatively. If she said no, it would be like lying to the Emperor, and if she said yes, it would be like criticizing her father.

“He was concerned because I was lacking compared to Lady Salvatore… he was only worried about my shortcomings.”

Tenere smiled bitterly. It was true, this position was completely unsuitable for her, as her father had pointed out.

If it had been Alaina, she would have undoubtedly become a perfect empress right after the wedding. Perhaps she would have become a perfect lover for the Emperor as well. She wouldn’t have made such a foolish mistake today.

The head that she had been holding up with effort dropped again.

Just when she was about to be immersed in warm thoughts, reality always caught up with her.

This isn’t all yours, all of this was supposed to be Alaina’s, someone seemed to whisper.

“I would never compare you to Lady Salvatore.”

As Tenere was about to respond to the faint voice, Leonard looked at her with a familiar smile. However, the smile felt a bit different, perhaps due to her mood.

“And I hope you don’t compare yourself either.”

“But Lady Salvatore…”

“Empress.”

Leonard’s voice slightly sank. The laughter disappeared from his voice, and Tenere felt a bit uneasy.

“I’d rather we didn’t talk about her.”

“…”

“Regardless of what kind of person Lady Salvatore was, the current Empress is you, isn’t it?”

A hint of tenderness was added to the emotionless voice.

Tenere realized that Leonard didn’t mention Alaina’s name, but whether it was important or not, she couldn’t distinguish.

“It’s late.”

The Emperor glanced at the clock. It was already time to go to bed. Tenere quickly got up from her seat.

She was about to say goodbye and return to her room.

“Are you just going to leave?”

“Yes?”

“Let us sleep together.”

“…”

Tenere’s eyes blinked very slowly.

What does he mean?

When she couldn’t answer, Leonard made a sound as if he had realized something.

“…Not with impure intentions.”

“…”

“I’m saying this because if I send the Empress who came to visit during our honeymoon back in the middle of the night, people might think I mistreat you.”

Leonard scratched his cheek with a slightly embarrassed expression. It was somewhat amusing that there was such awkwardness between a couple who had just consummated their marriage. Of course, Tenere felt embarrassed too.

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

Tenere nodded her head. Even if she heard the advice not to expect love, outwardly, it was better to appear as a well-matched couple for the sake of the imperial dignity and Tenere’s position.

After the attendants tidied up the table, the two lay side by side on the bed.

The bed was large enough, so even though they weren’t lovers, there was no significant discomfort.

“Empress.”

In the darkened bedroom, Leonard spoke softly. Tenere turned to look at him.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You are the Empress.”

“…”

With a sudden request, Tenere was taken aback, but soon she nodded slowly.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Tenere knew that her appearance didn’t suit the role of the Empress, and the discomfort she felt towards the Emperor and Dowager Empress’s affection was solely due to her inadequacies.

So, she had to become a perfect Empress. Not just for her family or the imperial court but for herself.

To prevent such incidents from happening again

Leonard took her hand wordlessly, and Tenere was stunned. His golden eyes, never frowning, looked at her fondly.

“I’m your friend,” he said, “……So if you’re ever in trouble, just tell me. I’ll be happy to help.”

“…….”

“We may not be lovers, but we are a couple.”

I could feel the warmth of his clasped hand. My body stiffened with tension. It was a different kind of tension than the one I’d felt the first night.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Tenere replied quickly as if trying to erase the confusion from her mind. He stroked the back of her hand a few times, then withdrew it.

“Sweet dreams, then, Empress.”

“You too, Your Majesty”

Tenere swallowed dryly and replied. Her hand felt empty without the warmth. Turning her head slightly, she caught sight of a handsome side face.

The long black lashes beneath his closed eyes, the upturned nose, the straight set of his mouth, and the curve of his nape beneath his strong jawline were clearly visible in the darkness.

‘Oh…….’

No!

Tenere touched the back of her hand, which was empty. He’d done so much more than just hold her hand. Why was he suddenly…….

Thump, thump. The sound of her heartbeat resonated loudly. Tenere tried to press down the pounding in her chest by holding it with her hand.

But even as time passed, her flushed face remained burning.

She couldn’t sleep.