Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 4- Part 3

Chapter 4 – Part 3

“Before winter passes, it’s scheduled to be completed. Even if delayed, it should be ready by next spring…”

James Paul, the capable manager of the imperial estate, had been extremely busy.

Since most educational institutions, including academies, were directly established by the imperial family, he had been in the Duke’s Travell territory for some time now.

“What about the tuition fees?”

“Is the academy only for residents of the territory?”

Parents with children couldn’t hide their expectations when they saw the large building.

James, with a calm and polite attitude, answered each of their questions.

“Since educational institutions fall under the jurisdiction of the imperial family rather than the territory, anyone from the empire can enroll. However, residents of the territory will receive some financial support for tuition, making it less burdensome.”

The northern territory had many refugees who had fled due to the plundering of the former lord. Duke Travell was making efforts to bring them back to the territory.

Seeing the relief in the eyes of the mothers, James, feeling proud though he had nothing to do with building the academy, smiled internally.

“Even if you’re not a resident of the territory, there is a scholarship system, so don’t worry too much. And…”

It was at that moment, as he eagerly explained, that a woman entered the room.

James paused for a moment.

“Is that……?

A woman with wheat-colored hair neatly tied up in a bun caught his eye.

Dressed in a modest dress with no puffed skirt and a thick fur coat, she held a baby close.

“Someday, Josie, you’ll go there.”

The child was too small to understand the words, let alone go to the academy, but the woman who spoke them seemed amused.

‘She looks like the former Empress.’

James narrowed his eyes. There was no way the Empress, who was supposed to be in her mansion in the Isles, would be in the North dressed like that.

“They can’t be sisters, can they?

Her mother was said to live in the northern forests, so perhaps she had a half-sister here.

There were rumors in the capital that she had left the marquis’s manor and disappeared somewhere, but the busy James knew nothing of it.

He could only assume that the woman looked like the empress.

“There…….”

“And what?”

James had just finished speaking to the woman when the room filled up with people waiting to hear his story.

James realized they were waiting for him to explain, and he quickly opened his mouth.

“There are dormitories, and if you do well enough, regardless of your status, you can even get a job as an imperial official.”

As he finished with a smile on his face, they began to ask other questions.

By the time James had answered all of their questions and turned away, the woman was gone.

***

The Imperial Advisor, Delus Cyan, swallowed a tense breath. It was a recurring event every time he had to report on the whereabouts of the empress.

Originally, Delus’ life was neither exhausting nor particularly demanding. The current emperor, unlike his predecessor, was humane and kind to everyone, making the task of serving him not too challenging.

However, after the disappearance of the empress, a shadow began to cast over his peaceful routine. Every time he reported on the empress’s actions, or lack thereof, he felt as if he were walking on thin ice.

“…still not found her?”

Leonard asked, putting the envelope he had been holding into a drawer after revealing Salvatore’s involvement, causing him to sink even deeper into contemplation.

Delus lowered his head as if admitting guilt. “I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“She is quite adept at hiding, it seems.”

Leonard muttered with a hint of sarcasm. It had been two years since the empress disappeared. Although there were reports that Marquis Salvatore, through Alaina, was also unable to locate Tenere, the unease continued to grow.

“It seems she has assumed a false identity and is hiding. We have dispatched agents to various regions and are prioritizing those with mismatched identities.”

“What about the minority groups or rebels?”

Due to the conquest wars of the previous emperor, there were still unassimilated minority groups scattered throughout the empire. As long as they did not pose a significant threat or violate imperial laws, they were left untouched.

However, Delus knew exactly which minority group Leonard was referring to.

“As you mentioned before, we sent a letter to Duke Travell to inquire, but Lady Tasha has long left the northern forest.”

Tasha, Teneer’s mother, had grown up in the northern forest. Despite initially being taken in by Evan Marquis due to her beauty, she eventually could not adapt to the noble society and returned to the forest.

Considering she fled with a child, it was likely she was relying on her mother. The order was given based on the assumption that she might be depending on her mother.

However, contemplating the fact that Tenere never spoke about her mother even when she was in the imperial palace, Leonard began to doubt whether there was any lingering affection for her mother.

“Continue the pursuit,” Leonard ordered.

“Yes, Your Majesty. And soon, it will be time for your northern expedition.”

Delus trailed off, glancing at the emperor. Leonard’s forehead creased slightly.

“Come to think of it, it’s time for the northern expedition.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Considering the already cold climate in that region, this year’s winter is reported to be exceptionally severe.”

“We’ll have a hard time.”

Leonard said it briefly. Although the northern regions were relatively temperate from spring to autumn, the winters were extremely harsh. Therefore, the imperial family occasionally selected the coldest period to undertake expeditions.

This was to warn the lords and to give the locals the impression that the emperor was looking out for them.

Leonard had traveled with the Emperor himself seven years earlier, though he didn’t make it every year.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We have prepared everything so that we can depart immediately.”

“Good. I will depart sometime this week.”

As Delus bowed and left the emperor’s office, Leonard put down his pen and belatedly wiped his face. A stifled sigh escaped him.

“Where on earth are you, Tenere?”

She shouldn’t have been able to escape so quickly, but it had already been a second winter since she left.

It would have been easier to trace her if she had sold her imperial gifts; they were still stored in the marquis’s mansion.

Did it have to come to this?

Without even discussing the matter once, did she have to leave, abandoning everything he gave her like it was nothing?

Every time he thought of her, Leonard felt his breath catch in his throat.

Even though he knew she was avoiding being brought to the imperial palace, he still harbored resentment toward her for hiding like this.

“If only I could see you again.”

Then everything would be resolved.

He could make her empress again after she gave birth to an imperial son.

Everything would go back to the way it should be, and he was willing to say as many words of love as she wanted.

Leonard opened a drawer. Inside was an old envelope given by Marquis Salvatore.

“I am cherishing the letters and gifts sent by Her Majesty, including this empty envelope.”

He said mockingly as he handed it over, but it was empty.

Yet, the traces of the years on the worn envelope and the handwriting on the surface were enough to shake him.

“I was going to dispose of them if my daughter became empress, but I’m worried it’s taking too long.”

It had been two years since the empress’s position had been vacant.

Even though time passed, Salvatore, in his increasingly blatant provocations, still held more evidence.

He should have killed him earlier.

Leonard gritted his teeth. He shouldn’t be relieved that Alaina is gone.

He shouldn’t be relieved that she is gone, nor should he be weakened by the thought that he might be her father.

Then it wouldn’t have mattered. I wouldn’t have lost you.

“……Tenere.”

Leonhard muttered softly. A faint smile was still on his face.

“If only you were here, I could tell you everything.”

“Would you have wrapped your tiny arms around me and comforted me? ”

For a long time, Leonard thought about the futility of it all.

Even though he knew nothing would be resolved by doing so,.