Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 6 - Part 7

Chapter 6 – Part 7

The royal carriage, carrying the emperor and his entourage, sometimes stopped at luxurious hotels and, at other times, at rather humble inns not quite suitable for aristocrats.

Josie would fall asleep quickly after a few trips up and down the hall in his arms, but after a week or so, he would wake up and whine whenever he was put down.

Tenere moved slowly, holding Josie. She caressed his back, kissed his mouth, and sang lullabies until the child fell asleep with his head on his mother’s shoulder.

“Thank you for your hard work at this late hour, Morrell and Whistler.”

Perial Morrell and Allen Whistler were the knights assigned by Leonard. Although it occurred to her that they were probably being watched, she didn’t feel uncomfortable since she had no intention of escaping.

Perial and Allen politely bowed respectfully upon seeing the sleeping child in Tenere’s arms.

“It is our duty as knights.”

“Your Majesty must be tired, so please rest inside. We will guard the outside.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

Tenere replied with a smile. While they rotated at regular intervals, standing outside all night was not an easy task. However, since there had been an attack, they couldn’t just tell the guards to rest comfortably.

She’ll have to reward them when they get back to the palace, she thought.

“Tenere”

Her steps halted at the sudden voice. The knights turned in the direction of the voice and bowed in unison.

“I greet His Majesty, the Emperor.”

Tenere slowly turned her head. Leonard approached her confidently.

“Are you having trouble sleeping again today?”

“Your Majesty must be exhausted; please rest.”

Tenere replied with a worried expression. This was the man who came to her every night to tell her that he would be the one to put Josie to sleep during his restless night. Every time she saw him, she thought that maybe this was better than fiery love.

A fiery love, no matter how hot it is, will eventually turn to ashes and cool to black, but this man, who cares and thinks about her even though he doesn’t love her, will always be like this.

“Can we take a walk?”

Leonard said, holding out his hand. Tenere handed the sleeping child over to him with ease. The knights walked at a familiar distance from them. Perhaps winter was already passing, and the cold weather seemed to ease a bit as they headed for the islands.

Still, it was too cold to stroll outside with a small child in tow, so they walked through empty corridors.

“Do you have someone in mind as a nursemaid?”

Leonard asked straightforwardly. If she had someone in mind, he would send for them as soon as possible, as soon as the day broke.

Tenere thought of the young woman she had been close to during her time in Avila, but she shook her head.

“I’m not sure. I don’t know if there is anyone reliable.”

“Didn’t you frequently meet people like Lady Duferac and Lady Oberon??”

“Those people are friends of Lady Salvatore. I can’t be sure if they are trustworthy.”

Janice Duperrac and Dahlia Oberon were close friends of Alaina. Even though Tenere didn’t know why they showed kindness to her, she couldn’t be sure they would be suitable people to entrust her son to.

“They are good people, but at this moment, I’m not sure if I can trust them to take care of Josie.”

“…”

“Anyway, when we return to the palace, I won’t be able to be with Josie all the time. Since he is a gentle child who has never experienced any difficulties, putting him to sleep like this is a good experience and memory. So, please don’t worry.”

If she still believed in his love, Tenere would have said that she was happy to be able to take a walk with him. No, if she hadn’t realized that she was being deceived, she might still be sharing a room with him. Now, she had to accept that he would never love her, but Tenere still pondered over that day.

If she hadn’t gone to look for Leonard that day, if she hadn’t heard that conversation, she might still be lingering in sweet dreams.

“How about I take care of Joshua?”

Leonard’s words made Tenere look up. A worried face was in front of her.

“If you don’t feel like it, there’s nothing we can do, but aren’t you taking care of Joshua alone every time he wakes up?”

“It’s not something you should do, Your Majesty. Besides…”

Tenere stopped speaking and looked at Josie in his arms.

“Even now, Your Majesty is looking after him.”

Ever since Leonard had known that Tenere was staying up late to watch Josie, he had been strolling the halls every night, waiting for her.

At first, she thought it was a coincidence, but when they met again the next day and the day after that, she realized that he was deliberately coming out for her.

There wasn’t much that happened after the encounter. Leonard held the child instead of Tenere, and when Josie woke up and whimpered, he caressed him and put him back to sleep. After Josie fell asleep, they walked side by side.

He would ask if the journey was difficult, if the bed was comfortable, if there was anything they needed, and occasionally talk about past and future events.

After the child fell deeply asleep, Tenere took him to her room.

“If I have to, I’ll ask my brother to do it, so don’t worry too much.”

Tenere smiled and said, But when the name was mentioned, Leonard’s eyebrows seemed to show a hint of dissatisfaction.

“Josie is my child, isn’t he?”

“Your Majesty? “

Tenere looked up at the gravelly voice. When Leonard met her eyes, he lifted the corners of his mouth ever so slightly.

“Sir Evan is not a nanny, so shouldn’t you entrust Josie to me, his father?”

As always, it was a gentle voice. Tenere closed her mouth and observed his expression.

Leonard was caressing the child’s back. He appeared calm and showed no signs of discomfort.

“Are you… upset?”

At the cautious question, Leonard’s hand paused. Tenere quickly spoke up.

“I was just expressing concern about Your Majesty being tired. After all, my brother has been taking care of Josie since he was born, so he might be more accustomed to looking after the child.”

“…”

“Josie is Your Majesty’s child. I did not mean to deny that.”

Tenere spoke very politely. He had received the answer he wanted, but his mood still seemed a bit unsettled.

Whether it was because he felt embarrassed about revealing his petty jealousy or maybe it was the fact that she had been so polite the whole time,.

“I… I’m not angry.”

Leonard spoke as if he were trying to reassure Tenere. However, she remained as serene as ever.

“I was just a little bothered that your brother would have spent more time with Josie than I did.”

“…”

Leonard said it honestly and opened his mouth to apologize again before Tenere could stop him.

“And I don’t think Alaina Salvatore’s friends harbor ill feelings towards you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Alaina Salvatore said she didn’t dislike you. She has no intention of becoming an empress, either.”

Leonard’s words made Tenere slightly puzzled. But he didn’t elaborate further.

So, all Tenere could say was, “I see.”

The two walked slowly until Josie fell into a deep sleep. They stopped in front of Tenere’s room.

“Perhaps tomorrow we can reach Viscount Hale’s castle, and since Josie seems to find it difficult to change his bed so often, I think we should stay there for a week or so.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Tenere nodded gently. Leonard lightly kissed her hand and handed Josie over to her.

“Have a sweet dreams, Tenere.”

“You too, Your Majesty.”

As always, it was a peaceful farewell. A light kiss on the back of her hand was something even friends could do, and it was better to show such familiarity in front of the knights.

Tenere nodded to the knights who stood guard at the door and entered the room.

Josie was sleeping deeply, not waking up even when placed on the bed.

“Viscount Hale……….”

A mumbled whisper echoed softly. It was not a particularly endearing name.

It was because of Laura Hale, the woman who had glared at her when Leonard suddenly invited her to the first dance before becoming empress.

After becoming empress, Laura had flirtatiously teased her, asking when that had ever happened, but Tenere knew that Laura didn’t like her.

What Laura had said about enjoying embroidery when she came to visit was just flattery, and Laura hated her for taking the position of empress.

“It’ll be okay.”

Tenere stared at the deeply sleeping Josie, then covered him with the blanket up to his neck. The rustling sound was lovely.

“Sleep well, Josie.”

Yes, it would be fine. Leonard would undoubtedly protect both her and Josie, and he wouldn’t separate her from his son.