Chapter 2 – Part 4

From that day, Tenere seemed to have changed a little.

She didn’t become a different person, just a little less afraid.

It was unclear whether it was because the Dowager Empress embraced her and she felt a sense of camaraderie with her or perhaps it was because her father didn’t visit as often after that day.

The maids offered words of comfort, saying that the Marquis seemed quite busy, but strangely, Tenere found relief in the fact that her father didn’t come looking for her.

“…Is this acceptable?”

There was still a sense of guilt regarding her father, but Tenere felt more gratitude towards Beatrice and Leonard.

When she was with them, Tenere felt like she was more valuable than anyone else.

She wanted to repay them for the kindness they showed her, to become a better person, and to be a better Empress.

It was not her father’s wish but Tenere’s own determination. She didn’t want to lose the warmth she had just discovered, and she wanted to be someone who deserved the position they had trusted her.

Tenere remained quiet and reserved, but she didn’t shrink back as before.

If she was curious about something, she would ask without worrying about reprimands, and instead of being vigilant for mistakes, she sought ways to handle them.

If there was more to study, she stayed up late into the night poring over various books and old documents.

Beatrice and Leonard were pleased with her transformation, but they also worried that she might push herself too hard.

Leonard found her in her room on a non-communion day when she had been carrying her study materials into her bedroom for days. When he saw her eyes widen in surprise, he laughed softly.

“There’s nothing wrong with a healthy marriage.”

“……??”

“If you kick me out, I’ll go back, though it’ll be a lonely way back.”

Leonard was always sweet, but sometimes he could be a prick like this.

Whenever he was being intimate with her, She had to focus not to misinterpret it.

“Come in, Your Majesty.”

“It seems like you have a lot to do.”

He pulled up a chair as if he wanted to sit next to her and help. Tenere extended her hand eagerly.

“No, it’s not that urgent…”

“Shall we go to bed early then?”

Leonard, with a smiling face, guided Tenere to the bed.

It was difficult to perceive it as forceful; his touch was gentle, yet his determination to lay beside her seemed firm.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes.”

“If you sleep first… I’ll also join you after a while…”

“Alone in an unoccupied bed?”

“…”

“It’s lonely.”

At those words, Tenere ultimately abandoned her feeble resistance and obediently lay down. Leonard, with a satisfied expression, settled down next to her.

Leonard often visited her room on days when it was not their designated union day to ensure Tenere had some company.

However, on non-designated days, they merely exchanged a few words before she fell asleep.

As a result, Tenere found herself losing sleep whenever he visited. Lately, her eyes seemed even sleepier than usual from staying up late for several nights.

‘Should I read a little more and then sleep…’

Tenere’s mind was racing with the upcoming arrival of a series of envoys from the northern continent.

If she were to be disrespectful because of her lack of knowledge of the culture of another country, she could be a liability to not only herself but to the imperial family.

Tenere sneakily glanced at her side. Leonard was sleeping with his eyes closed. His steady breaths raised and lowered his robust chest.

Quietly, she reached out to shake him a few times. His closed eyes showed no sign of movement.

“…Your Majesty.”

Although she whispered softly, Leonard didn’t respond. Tenere carefully lifted the blanket and got up from the bed. She tiptoed out to avoid making any noise.

After lighting a candle, she sat back in her chair. Despite the soft carpet covering the floor, she took precautions not to make any noise with the chair. As soon as she reopened the book, a voice came from behind her.

“…Empress.”

“….!”

The voice behind her startled her, and she spun around to find Leonard staring at her with his arms crossed.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving me so alone and lonely.”

“…”

“Mother would be upset if you pushed yourself like this.”

“Your Majesty, I couldn’t sleep.”

Tenere whispered in defense, but Leonard’s gaze did not waver. Eventually, she reluctantly closed her eyes.

Though they were not a passionately loving couple, Leonard knew what Tenere was weakest at.

As much as Beatrice cared for Tenere, Tenere cared for her.

“…Okay, I will sleep.”

“A very good idea, Empress.”

With a somewhat pleased expression, Leonard laid Tenere back down on the bed. Then, he lay down beside her, holding her hand.

Feeling the warmth of his large hand, Tenere was taken aback. When she looked at him, he was already sound asleep.

“Your Majesty?”

There was no response.

“Are you going to run away again?”

Leonard whispered with his eyes closed.

Leonard tightened his grip on her hand and spoke lightly. Tenere, with the hand not held, covered her face for a moment and then looked at him resentfully.

“But… I really can’t sleep.”

“Shall I put you to sleep, then?”

Before Tenere could answer, Leonard’s hand moved to her abdomen. His comforting touch on the blanket made her face flush for no apparent reason.

“I should warn you, if we do have an heir and you decide to take a consort, you’d better start practicing your lullabies so our baby can sleep early.”

The heat on her face subsided with his affectionate tone. Tenere turned her head. She saw his golden eyes looking at her.

“…Consort?”

“Do you have someone in mind?”

The conversation felt almost cruel for two people lying side by side in one bed.

Tenere turned her surprised face away, and Leonard smiled gently, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Since I cannot offer love, it’s only natural. It might be difficult to permit now without an heir, but if there’s someone you like in the future, I will make a place for them.”

Tenere couldn’t respond. The excited feeling settled into calmness.

What kind of response was appropriate? Was it okay? Thank you for your consideration? She didn’t want to say any of those words.

“Does Your Majesty have a concubine?”

Tenere asked cautiously. Leonard smiled faintly.

“If there’s no heir in the future, we can’t help it… but I don’t have any intention of having one.”

Tenere fell silent again in response to his calm answer.

The words she’d forgotten came back to her, “Don’t ask me for love”

* * *

The fact that Leonard didn’t love her wasn’t particularly painful.

She knew it from their first night of marriage, and couples in arranged marriages often got along well, enjoying their own affairs of the heart.

So it wasn’t painful, it was just something that shouldn’t happen.

Leonard treating her kindly was merely for the sake of the Empress’s dignity and poise.

She shouldn’t mistake it for love.

‘…He would treat any Empress the same way.’

But even though she tried not to, her heart was drawn to him.

Like discovering clothes soaked with morning dew too late, or realizing that spring had come only after seeing fully bloomed forsythias.

Tenere realized her gaze was directed at Leonard.

The confusion was brief but the recognition was quick. Tenere was in love with Leonard.

She didn’t know when her love had begun, but she couldn’t deny the feelings she realized so clearly.

But she didn’t want to burden Leonard, who had told her not to expect love. Tenere tried to act as usual. Leonardt was giving her a lot even if she didn’t ask for it.

“Your Majesty is treating me well, so there are fewer people to keep me in check.

The nobles didn’t bother to show their dislike for the favored empress. Even Marquis Salvatore, Alaina’s father, always treated her with respect.

Her brother’s warning sometimes came back to her when she encountered him, but she tried to forget it. She didn’t want to doubt the Emperor or Beatrice. Even if her brother’s fears were true, she preferred Beatrice, who loved her outwardly, to her father, who despised her inwardly.

The day Tenere had said that Eric had scratched his head irritably, not quite sure himself. But he didn’t scold her too much.

“Be careful, though”

That was all Eric could say. Contrary to Eric’s fears, Beatrice continued to care for Tenere over time.

The voices of concern that compared her to Alaina Salvatore faded away.

Instead, she felt that she was a good fit for the calm and gentle atmosphere of the imperial court. Tenere was genuinely grateful for her life.

She was happy to have a new family with people who cared about her. She hoped this tranquility would last for a very long time.

But her hopes were not fulfilled.

Three years after Tenere became Empress, Empress Beatrice died in a sudden carriage accident.
* * *

The three years at the palace passed quickly.

She had become proficient in her duties, handling them without the help of the Empress.

The time passed quickly. Tenere organized events in the palace, including the New Year’s party, and welcomed foreign delegations.

“Now you can handle things well even without me.”

Beatrice looked satisfied as she watched Teneur.

“Thanks to your guidance, Your Majesty.”

“That’s true, but…”

Beatrice playfully raised an eyebrow.

“By the way, did anyone express the desire to join us for embroidery again?”

“Yes. Probably because the Emperor occasionally joins us.”

Leonard occasionally visited her room, usually when he had free time. Although he wasn’t particularly skilled in embroidery, he sat by her side, engaging in idle conversation. Tenere sometimes felt proud as if he was admiring something great.

“…If Your Majesty is okay with it, we could hold regular gatherings.”

Some nobles still wanted to join them for embroidery.

Tenere nodded slightly.

“Yes, I’ll choose people to join us.”

“Good.”

Beatrice smiled and gently stroked her cheek as if expressing satisfaction with Tenere’s growth.

“Now you hold your head high, do your work well, and even when I’m not here, you handle things well.”

“Please don’t say such things. It’s as if you’re about to leave…”

Tenere’s voice trailed off anxiously. Beatrice chuckled softly.

“I miss seeing the sea.”

“The sea?”

“I haven’t had many opportunities to travel since entering the palace.”

Travel was not prohibited, but as an empress, it was troublesome to be accompanied by various escorts and servants every time she went out. After giving birth to Leonard, she hadn’t traveled for more than twenty years.

“In that case…”

Tenere hesitated for a moment.

“How about taking a trip now? I’ll make all the preparations so that you can travel comfortably.”