Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 6 - Part 8

Chapter 6 – Part 8

They arrived at Viscount Hale’s estate the next afternoon.

The Viscount welcomed the emperor with great enthusiasm.

“It is an honor to have Your Majesty visit such a humble place. We have prepared banquets and dinners in anticipation of Your Majesty’s arrival, so please make yourself comfortable and stay for a long time.”

The Viscount clasped his hands together and bowed very respectfully. Tenere stood beside Leonard and looked around at them.

Although Viscount Hale’s estate was significantly smaller than the imperial palace or Duke Travell’s estate, the number of family members was overwhelming.

Lord Hale and his wife, their heir and his family, two Hale sons, and five Hale daughters.

Among them, Laura Hale was the most extravagantly dressed.

“Lord Hale has… quite a few children. About eight?”

“One son and three daughters, all married, so twelve in all, Your Majesty.”

Lord Hale spoke with a somewhat triumphant face. At the mention of twelve children, both Tenere and Erich’s eyes widened.

“Are they human?”

Eric mumbled quietly into Tenere’s ear.

Tenere, too, was surprised that Lady Hale had given birth to twelve children.

With curiosity in her eyes, she looked towards Lady Hale.

“Your wife must have had a hard time.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. But it is a virtue of being a hostess to have many heirs.”

The lady’s gaze swept over her daughters.

“My daughters are likely to resemble me and give birth to many children. Sending them out in marriage to prestigious families will be of great help…”

“Well, well, well, come on in, it’s cold outside. I have a room for you to rest in.”

The Viscount patted the smiling lady on the back and led them into the castle. Tenere, holding the curious Josie, followed.

She looked up, and she saw Laura Hale staring at her.

“…….”

“…….”

The gazes of the two women met. Sensing something amiss, Leonard turned to look at Tenere.

“Tenere?”

Leonard followed Tenere’s gaze. As his head turned, Laura smiled gently, as she always did.

“Your Majesty, Marquis Evan, Lady Evan”

Her voice was bright, welcoming the familiar faces. Her approaching steps were cheerful.

“It’s been a while. How have you been? I was so surprised to hear that you disappeared from the Marquis’s estate.”

Laura, if it weren’t for Josie, would have embraced Tenere immediately, as if she were a close friend.

However, Tenere quickly realized that Laura was addressing her not as the empress but as Lady Evan.

“It’s been a while, Lady Hale. As Her Majesty seems tired from taking care of the prince personally, would you please show her to the room first?”

The correction in titles came from Leonard. Though her attitude seemed calm, Laura, for a moment, stiffened her expression.

However, it was brief, and she soon smiled again, as if nothing had happened.

“Oh my, meeting the Empress after so long has made me a bit too excited. Please come in. I’ll guide you.”

Laura looked at Josie in Tenere’s arms briefly and then spoke.

Leonard was guided by Lord Hale’s Eldest Son, and Eric followed. While Laura walked ahead, Tenere nodded politely to them and walked in the opposite direction.

Laura, who had been chattering beside them, fell silent when Leonhardt disappeared.

Whether it was intentional or not, Tenere’s room and Leonard’s room were situated almost at opposite ends of the corridor.

“Has Lady Hale been staying at the estate all this time?”

After a long silence, Tenere spoke. She didn’t know much about her as she hadn’t shown much interest before, but naturally, she assumed that Laura would be in the capital.

“Is it any of your business?”

The voice that followed was somewhat sharp. The maids walking behind them gasped in surprise at the sound.

Tenere closed her mouth for a moment, then spoke.

“If it was a sensitive question, I apologize.”

Tenere spoke without any signs of discomfort. Laura, for a moment, seemed taken aback but quickly smiled as if nothing had happened.

“You’re welcome to use this room. I’ve set up a crib, so you shouldn’t be too uncomfortable.”

“Thank you, Lady Hale.”

Tenere spoke favorably, but Laura still didn’t look happy. Tenere had just entered the room.

“Her Majesty calls you his empress.”

“Yes.”

Tenere nodded coolly. Leonard still called her by her first name when he addressed her, but when addressing others, he would say Empress. It meant she was to be treated accordingly.

Laura found that quite offensive.

“You’re not officially the Empress yet, are you?”

Laura said it with a fat face. Tenere held her close and studied her expression.

“Do you not like that?”

“Shouldn’t you be the one to stop him, even if your Majesty calls you that? You haven’t even had a proper ceremony, so why are you already…….”

“My lady”

Tenere called out, and Laura fell silent once more. Her gaze fell on the child, who looked exactly like Leonard. Tenere didn’t miss the hint of despair in her eyes.

“You were aiming for the emperor.”

Tenere remembered the first time Leonard had asked her to dance. The way Laura’s cheeks had flushed and her expression had twisted. Perhaps she had seen the fact that Leonard hadn’t asked her out after her abdication and the return of Alaina as an opportunity. And now that she was standing by his side, holding his imperial hand…….

“I understand your feelings.”

She understands her feelings, but she can’t allow herself to be distracted by Laura’s sudden appearance. These things will continue to happen, and as Empress, she cannot be seen as a weak person.

Tenere opened her mouth, thinking of the things she had learned from Beatrice so many times.

“There are many ears to hear, are you sure that what I am about to say will not reach His Majesty?”

The calm question startled Laura, and she turned around. Spotting the imperial bodyguard standing guard at the door, she stammered an excuse.

“Well, it’s just that I was worried. I thought there might be some…… behind-the-scenes stuff going on, and I was worried about His Majesty the Emperor and His Royal Highness…….”

“Thank you for your concern, Lady Hale.”

The child looked at Laura with wide eyes. Tenere smiled gently at the child, then shook her head.

“But rather than interfere with His Majesty’s decision, would it not be more honorable to follow His Majesty’s word, so that you may not be misled?”

In her time at the imperial court, no one dared to challenge the Empress, who was the favorite of both the Emperor and Empress.

The only time she had ever spoken like this was with her father. So she couldn’t help but feel awkward about acting this way now. She knew she shouldn’t be condescending to protect her child, but she felt a little embarrassed that she was imitating Beatrice.

“Pardon the rudeness, Your Majesty.”

Luckily, Laura bent down and apologized before Tenere could embarrass her further.

It was a little surprising how quickly she mellowed.
***

When mealtime arrived, Tenere descended to the dining room with Leonard. The small dining room quickly filled up as twelve members of the Hale family, including Tenere, gathered. Lord Hale scratched his head awkwardly.

“I’m not sure you’ll be comfortable in such a small estate, and I wonder if your room is too small…….”

“I came here on short notice, so I must thank you for your gracious hospitality.”

In fact, it was more of a cowardly attitude than a gracious one. Leonard did not like this attitude. He didn’t like this kind of demeanor because it often meant something more sinister.

Without realizing it, Leonard pushed Joshua into the high chair. Although the highchair was taller than other chairs, the small table attached to it prevented the child from wriggling and falling.

“It’s fortunate that there are many useful things for the children, considering the worries of the Crown Prince. Josie seems to have everything he needs.”

Tenere instructed the servants to move Josie’s chair to her side. It was the seat next to Leonard, who was seated in the highest position.

The child, sitting between his mother and father, smiled happily. Or maybe it was because of his uncle, who made funny faces to avoid the gaze of others.

Eric stuck out his tongue, making baby noises, but quickly turned away when he met Leonard’s gaze.

“The items used by many children are worn out, aren’t they, My Lady? They might not be suitable for the Crown Prince.”

“Don’t say that, sir. They may be precious items filled with many memories.”

Unlike Laura’s somewhat trembling reaction, Lord Hale’s treatment exceeded expectations. An appropriately sized crib for Josie, toys, storybooks, and even small dishes were prepared.

Tenere checked if Josie’s bib was securely fastened and turned her head.

“Has Lady Laura not arrived yet?”

“Oh, Laura… She’s probably on her way.”

Lord Hale replied, and at that moment, the door opened.

“Sorry for being late.”

With a cheerful voice, Laura Hale walked in with graceful steps. Tenere’s eyes widened.