Chapter 2 – Part 9

The news of the Empress Father’s attempt at treason quickly spread.

The story he shouted before being executed was posted on the notice board, but it couldn’t prevent the discreet exchange of words.

Some lamented that the empress ignored her father when he visited, while others speculated that the Marquis had not been a good father to begin with.

Whether from one side or the other, the rumors quickly dissipated. The bigger problem was the other words left by the Marquis.

“The empress is barren. She will not be able to conceive an imperial son in the future.”

The curse left by Marquis Evan became a spark that ignited rumors about the empress’s infertility.

The Emperor’s effort in making sure to strengthen the Empress’s position seems to be shaken because of the rumors and discussions about her infertility.

The prevailing sentiment was that it might be time to depose the Empress and bring in a new one, preferably from a loyal and respected family. Despite sympathetic glances towards the innocent Empress, there were more individuals eyeing the position for themselves.

Tenere listened to the circulating rumors and discussions in her office. Those who had been supportive of her tried to shield her from the harsh words, but the content remained unchanged.

“They are talking about who should be the next Empress, Your Majesty.”

Tenere maintained her usual smile, and despite the calm tone of her voice, her advisors, including Lady Deferac, remained silent.

“Is there any other news?”

“There is talk of the Marquis’s succession to the title.”

Despite the traitorous nature of the act, rather than revoking Evan Marquis’s title, the Emperor had decided to pass it on to Eric, the younger Marquis. The fact that the son of a rebel inherited the title raised concerns among some.

“Some say it’s excessively biased. Perhaps because of the family’s history…”

Or that he is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was blinded by love.

The concerned voices were targeting an obvious issue. Tenere’s hand paused.

“This isn’t going to go down easy, is it?”

There was no response to the straightforward question. Tenere, with a regretful expression, merely smiled.

* * *

After finishing his duties, Leonard continued to visit the Empress’s palace.

His affectionate demeanor seemed unchanged, but the kisses felt more urgent than usual. Perhaps he knew that half of the criticism against the Empress was due to her father’s rebellion, and the other half was because of the lack of an heir.
So, if she were to conceive an imperial son now, it might silence the critics.

His impatience was both appreciated, exciting, and at the same time, shameful.

What would happen if she couldn’t conceive until the end? Tenere felt anxious throughout their time together.

“Shall we make time to visit the villa soon?”

Tenere raised her head, putting on her clothes. Leonard, still buttoning his shirt, continued,

“We might need some leisurely time.”

While it was customary to have a mourning period for someone’s death, there was no such thing was allowed for the traitor’s death. His throat was cut, and his body became a beast’s meal.

Still, he wanted to give her family time to process what had happened to them.

“It’s okay.”

“The palace is quite extensive. Wouldn’t you feel stifled staying only here?”

“It’s so vast that there are still many places I haven’t seen.”

In reality, rather than places she hadn’t seen, it was more accurate to say places she hadn’t bothered to visit.

The palace was large enough to not make Tenere feel cramped, but she appreciated the thoughtfulness.

He was always a consistent person.

The kind of person who made you feel loved in a way that made it seem unfair for him to say you shouldn’t expect love.

“I’m supposed to be helping you, but…… I seem to be causing you trouble every time.”

“You’re already being helpful enough.”

“I hear there’s a lot of talk about me lately.”

Tenere smiled faintly. Leonard’s face hardened a little at the mention of a topic he hadn’t wanted to bring up.

“I told you, I would not allow you and the brother to be penalized.”

“……”

“I have no intention of abandoning you.”

He was the one who informed her first, knowing that such a situation would arise. Leonard didn’t want to betray that trust. His hand wrapped around Tenere’s shoulder.

“I know things are difficult now, but… it will surely fade with time.”

“But…”

Tenere hesitated a bit. Even if time passed, her father being a traitor wouldn’t change. And if a child still didn’t come…

Seeing her uncertainty, Leonard spoke up.

“I will protect you, so can you trust me? Can you endure a little longer?”

It was a gentle but firm voice. She didn’t want to foster unnecessary expectations with such words.

She knows that he is affectionate to everyone, yet she wants to delude herself for no reason.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Tenere nodded slowly. There was a glimmer of hope that maybe it could really happen.

By pretending not to hear or see, perhaps the talk about her father and the lack of a royal heir could fade away.

* * *

Time passed, but the situation did not flow like Tenere’s wishes.

The change in stance from Salvatore, who had supported Tenere so far, requesting her abdication, was one reason.

The succession of Eric’s title also faced opposition.

Leonard didn’t say anything, but the weariness on his face became more apparent over time. Every time she saw that Tenere felt nothing but guilt.

“Isn’t this shameless?”

Tenere, walking in the garden, stopped at the sound of voices.

A few nobles who had visited the palace were talking not far away.

“She can’t even bear a royal child, and she’s the daughter of a traitor. Even if His Majesty protects her, if she has a conscience she should step down on her own.”

“His Majesty should consider it too. No matter how deep his feelings are, he couldn’t take the traitor’s daughter. I’m afraid he would follow the footsteps of his ancestors”

“Oh, be careful with your words.”

“Isn’t it true? If it were the late Emperor, he would have surely not hesitated to cast her aside.”

Tenere stood frozen in place, listening to them. Her handmaidens examined her complexion.

“Your Majesty, are you sure you don’t want to…….”

“No.”

Tenere shook her head and walked toward them. Their heads snapped up in surprise at the sight of the Empress.

“Hua, Your Majesty!!.” the ladies greeted in surprise

“There are many eyes in the palace. The garden is not a suitable place for saying things others shouldn’t hear. And…”

Tenere calmly scanned the nobles in front of her. Those who met her gaze flinched.

Even though they might gossip, being the Empress who received the Emperor’s favor, she didn’t appear as confident as she should have in front of them.

And Tenere, too, felt undignified.

She knew that she had been hiding behind Leonard all this time.

“Don’t worry too much. I also share the same thoughts as the nobles.”

A few maids were surprised at those words.

Without adding more, Tenere turned away.

She headed straight for Leonard’s office. Her walking speed varied irregularly, sometimes speeding up, then slowing down. She took a deep breath.

“Don’t demand love.”

The words she had heard a long time ago felt vivid as if she had just heard them.

“I wished for someone without greed.”

Tenere stopped her steps. Greed. Yes, she had been greedy all along.

Even after hearing that he might follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, she just wanted to stay by his side.

Leonard had just returned to his office after finishing a meeting. His face was worn out, but when their eyes met, a smile appeared.

“Welcome, Empress.”

Because of this smile, she hesitated for a long time. She didn’t want to give up this warmth and had been dragging it along.

However, Tenere knew. Regardless of who became the Empress, he would have shared the same warmth.

He was a warm and affectionate person, but she also had never heard him call her name once.

“I’ve come to say that I might not be able to endure it.”

Suddenly uttering those words, Leonard slowly blinked. Tenere, with a bewildered expression, calmly spoke.

“Please let me go.”

The oppressive feeling inside her finally eased after she blurted out those words.

Yes, it would have been enough to just say this. This is the right path for both you and me.

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

Leonard asked in a low voice. Tenere lowered her head.

“It means exactly what it says. Please let me go.”

“Am I not enough for you?”

A large hand covered her cheek. It was a familiar warmth.

Little did you know, this warmth changed me. It made me love you, desire you, and eventually give you up.

Tenere slowly removed Leonard’s hand.

“It’s because I’m tired, I don’t think I can endure it anymore.”

“…”

“I apologize.”

Leonard remained silent. He stared intently at Tenere, who had lowered her head just as she did before and then spoke.

“Do you mean what you say?”

“Yes.”

The answer was short. Even though she could feel his gaze on her head, Tenere did not raise it.

What expression he had, what thoughts he had—she was curious, but she didn’t want to know.

“All right.”

At the sound of his voice, Tenere unknowingly lifted her head. But he turned away more quickly than she could confirm his expression.

“I’ll do as you wish.”

After saying that, Leonard returned to his seat.

Tenere stayed alone on the balcony for a while, gazing at the empty space where he had disappeared.

The plain response echoed in her ears. A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

“What did I expect?”

Did she want him to hold on to her, or did she want to see a bit of affection from him? Even though she knew it was unlikely.

That night, Leonard did not come to Tenere’s room.

It was so obvious, yet the spacious bed felt strangely empty.

Did I do something unnecessary? Should I have pretended not to notice? Maybe I should have waited for everything to calm down, as he had said.

But it was who Leonard was.

The longer she stayed here, the louder the voices comparing him to the former emperor would become. She needed to step down for him and the empire as soon as possible.

“Let’s not be greedy.”

Tenere repeated it to herself several times. Hadn’t she given up countless times already?

She was doing something familiar again, but now it felt different.