Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 5 - Part 7

Chapter 5 – Part 7

Despite everything going well, there were still uneasy days. Tenere stared blankly out the dark window.

“Your Majesty is late.”

“Dada?”

Josie seemed to know that his father was called ‘Your Majesty’ by others. Whether it was usual for someone his age to understand or whether her child was unusually intelligent, she didn’t know. But secretly, she hoped for the latter.

“Yes, Josh. Daddy seems to be very busy.”

Tenere replied while organizing Josie’s pajamas. Josie squatted down and poured out the coins from the bottle again, as if he understood Tenere’s answer. His small hands tightly grasped the coins, searching for the mouth of the bottle.

“It’s time to sleep, Josh.”

“Hmm.”

Tenere tried to lay him down, but Josie stubbornly resisted. She picked him up.

“Don’t you want to sleep because Daddy is not here?”

“Uh-uh.”

The child replied obediently. At times like this, Tenere missed Leonard even more. She wished he could be here, comforting Josie and putting him to sleep.

“Dad’s going to be a little late; do you want to wait?”

“Uh-huh.”

Josie nodded, still snuggled in Tenere’s arms.

After a moment’s hesitation, Tenere called for a servant in the hallway and asked if Eric was sleeping already. Eric was not yet asleep. Tenere picked up the child and headed to her brother’s room. He looked a little surprised, but he took Josie in.

“I’m sorry, brother. I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t be sorry for letting me look for my nephew; we’re very comfortable with each other.”

“Right, Josie? “Eric asked, and Josie nodded again.

Tenere smiled and stroked his cheek.

“Okay, Josh, go play with your uncle. Dad and I will be right back.”

Tenere waved to the child and turned away.

It was already bedtime, and the lights in the hallway were going out one by one. It was cold, and she wondered if she was pushing herself too hard.
He’d been working nonstop, eager to take Josie to the palace as soon as possible, and he wanted to give him a little more rest. Descending a long flight of stairs, she made her way to the garden the servants had told her about.

The northern winter nights were still flesh-crushingly cold, but compared to the village, it was a welcome change.

Maybe she shouldn’t complain about the cold. She imagined him holding her hand or wrapping her in a warm embrace. Maybe he would take off his coat and drape it over her shoulders.

‘…a bit childish.’

It was the kind of foolishness that comes with love. Tenere shook her head and slowed her steps. Through the trees of the garden, two figures came into view. Leonard and Samuel were discussing something with serious faces.

She stepped cautiously, not wanting to interrupt the important conversation.

She had just lowered her gaze when…

“I heard that you bring flowers to the Empress every day.”

Samuel’s voice caught her attention. Tenere quickly closed her mouth and stood still.

“Lord Evan also seeks exoneration.”

“She is my Empress and the one who gave birth to my child. There is no reason to treat her harshly.”

“I don’t mean harshly, Your Majesty.”

Unconsciously, Tenere swallowed hard. Samuel Travell, with his imposing stature and quiet demeanor, exuded an intimidating presence. Yet his laughter bore a resemblance to that of Beatrice and Leonard, earning him her favor. It was inevitable to feel tense when such a person spoke about themselves.

Although the timing seemed off, it was too late to do anything about it now.

“It’s too much now. Regardless of how you feel, you should be careful in front of others.”

Apart from the discomfort, his words were not entirely incorrect. They hadn’t even fully restored their positions, yet they spent time together every day, bringing flowers, discovering and providing favorite foods, and even openly exchanging kisses in front of the servants.

While the Emperor and Empress’s close relationship wasn’t a bad thing, considering the events of the past, it had the potential to provoke unnecessary concerns.

‘I should have told him to restrain himself in public.’

She hadn’t even considered stopping him from whispering love to her. Thinking about it now, she feels embarrassed and awkward.

Tenere unknowingly hid behind a tree, waiting for their conversation to end. Disappointed laughter reached her ears.

“If you felt the same way about the Emperor, it wouldn’t be so hard on my grandfather.”

The following words were about the deceased Empress. She already knew half of the story, but hearing resentful words felt like listening to something she shouldn’t.

The two alternated between raising their voices and falling into silence. Should she just go back? Or wait a little longer? Tenere looked back at the path she had taken.

Maybe it would be embarrassing if she were caught, but it seemed better than continuing to eavesdrop here.

“It’s the best way, isn’t it? Since love is something you can’t see or touch, you just need to make her feel that way.”

Just as she was about to turn away, those words stopped her in her tracks. Her body reacted faster than her mind. In the silence, her heart sank alone.

“Are you deceiving her?”

Samuel’s voice sounded like it was coming from a distant place. Tenere anxiously waited for Leonard’s response, hoping she had misunderstood.

In the cold, with her ears and head frozen, what she heard was entirely different from what he had said.

“I gained an imperial son who shares my blood, and she is getting what she desires as well. In the end, no one will lose.”

His calm voice dragged her back to reality. She couldn’t believe the words she heard.

He had said he loved her. Was it all a lie?

‘Is it too late for me to say that I love you now? ‘

She didn’t want to believe that every touch, gaze, and word from him was just a means to deceive her.

“Since I didn’t treat her so dearly before, there won’t be any difficulty in pretending to be lovers now.”

Having heard enough, Tenere turned her body. Her legs felt weak, and she stumbled.

How she managed to leave the garden, she couldn’t remember. She just wanted to escape.

Walking, running, collapsing, and standing up again.

When she regained her senses, Tenere found herself in front of his brother’s room.

As she knocked, Eric opened the door after a while.

“Hush, he’s asleep. He insisted he wouldn’t sleep, and now…”

Looking at the peacefully sleeping child, Eric chuckled. However, when there was no response, he looked up.

Tenere remained silent.

“Tenere.”

“…”

“Look up.”

Tenere scrambled to his feet and reached out to pick up the sleeping child. But Eric wouldn’t let her go.

“Lift your head, Tenere.”

“I’m not crying.”

“I know. I know, but how can I give him to you without seeing her face?”

“…….”

“Just show me your face. I just want to see if you’re my sister.”

At those words, Tenere barely raised her head, but she didn’t look at his brother’s face for long.
Erich’s mouth was set in a hard line.

“You don’t want to tell me?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it?”

Tenere dropped his head in disbelief.

“It’s just…… no big deal.”

Her voice was small, but it caught in her throat. Erich handed her the sleeping child.

“It’s not dangerous, is it?”

Eric’s voice was softer.

Tener took the child and nodded quickly. His brother’s hand rested firmly on the top of his head.

“That’s right. Then there’s no need to say it now.”

“…”

“When you want to talk, say it. I won’t go anywhere.”

It had a very affectionate tone. Tenere simply held the child without saying a word.