Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 4- Part 6

Chapter 4- Part 6

It took about a month from the capital to the northern region.

Typically, royal processions served the dual purpose of relieving the emperor’s boredom, which often lingered in the palace for a long time, and enjoying the surrounding scenery while moving at a leisurely pace.

However, Leonard chose to move quickly, not wanting to waste any time unnecessarily.

“Your Majesty, we have arrived at the territory of Duke Travell.”

“Good.”

Leonard nodded nonchalantly and looked out the window.

Duke Travell’s territory was the maternal family of the late empress, making them Leonard’s relatives.

They were tasked with governing the challenging northern region, teeming with exiled people and immigrants, according to the orders of the previous emperor.

“I greet Your Imperial Majesty.”

Samuel Travell, the elder duke of the House of Travell, bowed respectfully to Leonard.

In return, Leonard nodded lightly.

“It’s been a while, Grandfather. Have you been well?”

While the use of formal language was reserved for the imperial family, Duke Travell treated Leonard with more courtesy than other dukes, given their familial relationship. They quietly lived in their territory without succumbing to unnecessary greed, a favor that came with its own set of responsibilities.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s care, I have been well without any shortcomings.”

The Duke of Travell was one of those who chose to remain on his barren northern estate, not knowing what his only grandson, Leonard, would become.

He had originally intended to pass on his titles and estates to his only grandson, Leonard, so that he could make a small contribution to the imperial family, but Leonhard insisted that he keep them.

“Since you have traveled so far, I hope you will enjoy a little leisure. I am concerned that you are not in good spirits, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you, grandfather.”

Duke Travel, Samuel Travel, looked at Leonard with a kind face.

He held Leonard in high regard, seeing him as someone resembling his daughter.

Leonard, too, felt a bit more at ease meeting his grandfather after a long time.

“Are you still searching for the empress?”

Samuel Travell asked cautiously. Leonard nodded in response.

The disappearance of the empress was already a widely known story. The servants managing the unoccupied mansion had left one by one, leaving only the guards to protect the vacant mansion.

Some said she had run off with a young butler, knight, or even her half-brother, and that the emperor had taken pity on her fear of attention and secretly relocated her elsewhere. Or, even more absurdly, that she had disappeared and was in the emperor’s chambers.

“I’ve heard the news, and I’ve been searching the north, including the estates, but I’m having a hard time because there are a lot of outsiders coming and going.”

While there were some people in the north who lived outside of the estate and often stopped by Avila to buy and sell goods, there were also many who lived in hiding with no interaction with the estate at all.

It would take time to survey all the villages outside the estate.

Nodding, Leonard spoke up.

“I have brought some of the Marquis’s spies with me.”

After Tenere left, with Alaina’s help, Leonard identified the network of the Marquis Salvatore within the palace.

Servants, maids, administrators, and knights—some were expelled early on, while others were left untouched, as there was no harm in using them as if they were still present.

Since he planned to bring in new individuals anyway, he thought it wouldn’t hurt to keep them around and exploit their presence.

“I will inform you as soon as anything suspicious comes up.”

Samuel nodded, understanding Leonard’s intentions.

The young emperor was not yet thirty. A man who had been groomed from childhood to be a future emperor.

It would have been easy for him to slip away with the burden, but Leonard was carrying on with the Emperor’s responsibility without a hitch.

Samuel was proud of him and saddened that such a man should bear the sins of his mother alone.

“The queen’s mother was a Patrona.”

Samuel opened his mouth.

“Now that she fled the capital, she’ll have to make a living somehow, and if she’s Patrona’s daughter, isn’t it possible that she could be a hunter or a watchman?”

Patrona’s bloodline were the best hunters; they were natural archers, and the easiest way to earn a living was with a bow.

But Leonard thought for a moment and shook his head.

Leonard opened his mouth after a moment of contemplation.

“She had never even caught a rabbit. She said she didn’t like to shoot live things, and she had a child, so maybe if she did work, it would be in embroidery rather than hunting.”

The thought of the former empress, who had been a queen and the daughter of a Marquis before, struggling to make a living with her child made him feel uneasy.

As time passed without finding Tenere, the anxiety grew. How could someone so delicate and fragile survive outside the palace?

“Then, I will prioritize searching in that direction. Also, the academy in Avila is nearing completion. Perhaps you would like to visit during your stay?”

“Very well.”

Leonard nodded slowly. Samuel respectfully bowed and left the room.

***

Leonard’s expectations were half right and half wrong.

Tenere managed to find a balance between embroidery and hunting during her free time. She sold the embroidered items and leather from the animals she caught, earning some extra income. Traders, for a small commission, sold her goods in her absence. Tenere’s products were popular due to her skilled embroidery and high-quality leather.

Although some initially tried to haggle over prices, Tenere’s eloquence and the quality of her goods eventually earned her fair compensation.

“I still have enough for living expenses, so I’ll sell just this much for now.”

Eric commented while placing Josie on the ground. Since there was still no news of the emperor’s arrival in the northern region, they planned to buy what they needed quickly and spend some time in the village.

“How about buying some toys for Josie? The doll I made for him last time is too worn out…”

“Sure. Let’s get you some new shoes as well.”

Eric counted the money in his pocket.

In reality, they had brought plenty of gold coins and jewels from the mansion before leaving. There was no need to sell embroidery or leather. However, doing so was a way to avoid suspicion from the villagers and to be prepared for another escape.

Since they mostly relied on the village for food, the three of them always had enough money left over for other needs. Buying a new pair of shoes or even a dress was not a problem.

Eric’s gaze fell on a pair of women’s shoes with a sleek pointed toe.

“Look at this, Tenere. This…”

Eric held up the shoes, but was surprised to see that Tenere had picked up a similar pair of leather shoes that she was already wearing.

“You’re buying those again?”

Eric asked incredulously.

Tenere looked back at him questioningly, and when she saw what he held in his hand, a small laugh escaped her lips.

“It won’t suit the clothes I’m wearing now.”

Tenere was wearing an old, dark green dress. It was a simple garment without extravagant decorations or a puffy skirt. Even though their outing to Avila was a kind of leisure, Tenere’s clothing was exceptionally plain.

“Then, let’s buy some new clothes—something that matches the shoes.”

Even though she had been on the run, she had once been a marquise and once an empress. Eric found it uncomfortable to see her in a dress similar to what rural women wore.

“But you won’t have a chance to wear it now.”

Nevertheless, Tenere smiled and shook her head. Then she looked at the merchant.

“May I try them on?”

“Of course.”

Tenere put Josie down. Eric tried to pick him up, but the child resisted, wanting to walk.

“Why, Josie? Do you want to walk?”

“This… snow.”

Josie pointed at the frozen puddle on the ground. The water had turned into ice, creating a fascinating sight.

“That’s not snow; it’s ice. Ice.”

“Uh-huh.”

“That’s right. Snow is over there…”

“Ah, will you buy it or not? If you’re not buying, put them down.”

The irritated merchant interrupted. Eric realized he was still holding the shoes in his hand.

“Oh, sorry…”

“I’ve seen people like you sneakily not pay after trying on shoes more than once.”

Although Eric put the shoes back on display, the merchant continued to express annoyance.

Eric’s forehead wrinkled slightly.

He thought he had become accustomed to life in the north, but he had been the successor of Marquis Evan. Accustomed to being treated well wherever he went in the capital, he found it unfamiliar to receive such a scolding over a cheap pair of shoes.

However, as a person hiding, he couldn’t cause trouble over such a matter. Eric glanced around, then turned his head.

“How much is this?”

He picked up another pair of shoes from the adjacent display. It was a simple pair, similar to the ones he had just put down.

“Five copper coins for each pair from here to here.”

“And this one?”

“That’s a bit expensive. Twelve coins. It’s the most expensive one here.”

Eric asked for the price of seven pairs of shoes. The merchant grimaced, but even the total cost of the selected shoes did not come close to the price of the heels of the shoes he wore in the capital.

“May I try them on?”

“Y-yes.”

Eric glanced at the merchant next to the display, raising one corner of his mouth slightly.

“I want to buy all of these.”

“Uh… yes?”
Eric glanced at the vendor at the next stall, one corner of his mouth quirking upward.

“I want to buy some more, but my younger sister is quite frugal.”

The merchant’s face contorted, and Tenere turned to look at him.

“…Brother?”

Tenere’s gaze shifted from Eric to the shoes in his hands. Eric quickly apologized.

“No, this is fine, right? Let’s buy a few new dresses for the outing and…”

“What about Josie?”

“Uh?”