Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 5 - Part 8

Chapter 5 – Part 8

Josie was sound asleep. Tenere carefully laid the sleeping child in the crib. Despite the confusion, the sleeping child was incredibly lovable.

Looking back calmly, there were more than one or two strange things. When she claimed not to know who the child’s father was, it seemed a bit absurd, and when she said she gave birth to a child whose father’s identity was unknown, she was treated as the Empress, as a matter of course.

When she belatedly confessed that the child was an imperial son, he didn’t seem greatly surprised. He just expressed gratitude for giving him an heir and later said he loved her.

“I feel like an idiot.”

His belated confession of love made her happy and excited, covering all the lingering doubts. She didn’t want to doubt him, and she didn’t want to lose the happiness she had finally found.

How ridiculous it must have been. Acting so delighted just because he threw a few words of love as if he were in a dream.

Her heart fluttered, and everything that seemed suspicious was covered with a blanket of love. She didn’t want to believe that his whispers of love, affectionate touches, and everything else were just to deceive her.

“Baby, Josie.”

Tenere’s hand gently stroked Josie’s belly. She knew that if she undid what had happened today, Leonard would pretend to love her for quite some time. He was always an affectionate person, and as the mother of the imperial son and Empress, he was expected to treat her well.

So, as he said, no one would suffer any loss. Leonard would inherit the throne, Josie would regain his position as the imperial prince, Brother would continue the family line, and she would…

“I’ll become the Empress again.”

She could stay by his side without losing her child. It was just a momentary misery, and with time, it would become dull, and she wouldn’t care.

He would pretend to love her, and she would pretend to fall for it. Wasn’t it somewhat fair?

Was it unfair to feel a little unjust? No, wasn’t it a fairly equitable relationship where they deceived each other?

Tenere let out a bitter laugh. There was no other choice, and pretending to choose was somewhat amusing.

In the end, everything would go as he planned. From a person who had never loved her and never would.

She heard his footsteps at that moment. Though she heard the sound of the door opening, Tenere didn’t turn around. Footsteps approached from behind.

“Tenere.”

The voice that reached her sounded affectionate, and his cold words of pretending were hard to believe.

“Are you not sleeping yet?”

“I’m going to sleep now.”

Tenere forced a smile again.

Not turning around until the end might have been a childish attempt to show that she wasn’t okay. His calm footsteps gradually came closer. A large shadow covered her. His familiar warmth gently enveloped her shoulders.

“Your body is cold, Tenere.”

“… “

“Shall we buy a few more coats before returning to the capital? The winters in the north are cold, and there are many good and warm fabrics.”

Tenere still didn’t look at Leonard. Her lack of response caused his brow to slightly furrow. He buried his face in her neck.

When she felt his breath on her exposed skin, Tenere unconsciously twisted her body to push him away.

“Tenere…?”

“Ah…”

It was the first time she refused in this way, so Leonard looked a little surprised.

Tenere, too, was taken aback and quickly averted her gaze.

“Is it because I’m late? Are you angry?”

The voice that reached her was as affectionate as usual. Tenere didn’t answer. She didn’t want to say anything.

“Tenere.”

“… “

“Don’t you want to talk to me?”

“I don’t feel like it.”

Tenere finally looked up, but she didn’t meet his eyes for long.

“I’m listening, so you can talk.”

“Tenere, my love.”

Leonard pulled Tenere’s hand a few times, like a lover trying to comfort an angry partner. He looked more like a young man in love than the Emperor.

However, knowing that this appearance was false, Tenere felt even more miserable.

“If I’ve done something wrong, please tell me. Don’t torture me.”

What a strange situation. Who’s the one burning with longing?

Tenere swallowed a bitter laugh. After a long silence, she finally spoke.

“You don’t have to force yourself.”

The corners of his mouth lifted like a habit. Tenere was not interested in seeing Leonard’s expression. She didn’t want to hear what he had to say. She simply wanted to rest quietly with her child without thinking about anything.

“What… are you talking about?” There was confusion in the voice that reached her ears. Tenere opened her mouth quietly.

“I didn’t intentionally eavesdrop.”

“…”

“Lately, you seem to be pushing yourself too hard. It’s late, so if it’s not urgent, I wanted to suggest continuing this conversation tomorrow.”

At those words, Leonard paused for a moment. He understood immediately what she meant. Anxiously, he began to speak.

“I will… I will explain everything. What you heard…”

Tenere, looking at his bewildered face, anticipated what excuses he might come up with. In reality, whatever he said wouldn’t matter. After all, wasn’t this a predetermined conversation? He would make excuses, and she had to accept them as if she understood.

“I’m not sure where you heard it from, but I only said those things to reassure the Duke.”

“It’s not deception. I truly love you, and I only tried to comfort the Duke’s concerns.”

The answers were not far off from what Tenere had expected. Tenere stood still, waiting for this conversation to end.

“You’ve heard about my ancestors, right?” he said, “and the Duke brought it up out of his worry about me.”

As he continued speaking, Tenere felt her blood turning cold. Leonard, looking at her with cold eyes, hastily continued.

“I haven’t… I haven’t had an engagement all this time because I’ve been looking for you. Why would I leave the Empress’s position empty for so long if it wasn’t for love?”

Tenere knew what he couldn’t bring himself to say. If he were a rational emperor, he wouldn’t have engaged in the absurd act of searching for a woman called the “Stone Witch,” the daughter of a traitor, for two years. The only emotion that justified such irrational actions was love.

“About Josie, do you not know about him?”

Her tightly closed lips moved slowly. Tenere raised her head again and faced Leonard. A confused expression appeared on his face.

“You didn’t hear anything from the maid? Or… do you not know anything about the maid’s background?”

After the maid who had been questioned died, it would be inconceivable not to investigate further. If he had been searching for her for two years, he surely would have checked with the doctor who treated her. Even if the doctor had a heavy tongue, she couldn’t have refused to confirm the pregnancy. As soon as he sobered up a little, he should have figured out the things that were clear to him now. Could one be so obtuse?

“I didn’t hear anything from the maid. About her background, I have some guesses, but I’m not sure.”

“Was it not because of the child, but because you love me?”

Tenere waited for Leonard to speak, unable to make up his mind.

Tenere asked a question she didn’t want to bring up. In one part of her heart, she hoped for an honest answer, while in another part, she wished he would continue lying. She wished he would make up something plausible.

Tenel spoke, hoping he would be honest.

“Yes.”

“…”

“I came searching for you because I love you.”

His answer ended there, as if he were about to make excuses. It was a moment of impending defeat. Regardless of whether the truth was revealed or not, all Tenere could do was accept his excuses and go along with the rhythm.

But was it not unfair? To accept so easily the lies that were so blatantly visible.
But isn’t it unfair to be forced to accept a blatant lie?

“I must have been mistaken.”

Tenere spoke, her voice lacking vitality. Leonard cautiously approached her, as if he didn’t understand her words.

“I’m sorry for causing you unnecessary misunderstanding. I truly love you, so please…”

“From what I’ve seen so far, the person I loved wasn’t like this. Even if you were to say you’re sorry for not responding to my feelings, you wouldn’t try to use me like this.”