Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 7 - Part 3

Chapter 7 – Part 3

So, seven years ago, when the Emperor was still alive and Alaina was the fiancee of Crown Prince Leonard.

Nineteen-year-old Tenere, as always, was waiting for the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Alaina according to her father’s orders.

A quiet, reserved woman who prefers to keep a low profile, Tenere always found Alaina’s presence at the center of attention difficult, but for fear of her father’s disapproval, she always forced herself to speak to her.

There were many who tried to make friends with Alaina, the future empress. Alaina did not push away those who approached her in that way.

Moreover, Tenere, as the daughter of a marquis, was more inclined to be friendly than others.

However, Laura Hale, one of her group, did not like Tenere very much.

“Oh, Lady Evan, you’re here again. What brings you here today?”

Having risen from a countryside estate, Laura, who joined Alaina’s group, fit in well with Alaina’s tastes. However, she often took issue with those who approached Alaina in a new way.

Even if she became enthusiastic about entering the group of the future empress, she didn’t bother with the daughter of a marquis, like Tenere. But Laura wanted to put Tenere down and was dissatisfied.

“I want to talk to Lady Salvatore.”

Tenere pretended not to know and answered. Laura let out a sarcastic laugh. It was an obvious mockery. It was something she was used to, so it didn’t make her angry.

“Oh, really? But Lady Salvatore is a bit busy today.”

“Is that so? Then, another time…”

Tenere smiled awkwardly and turned to leave.

She should be used to this kind of stare, thanks to her father, but it wasn’t pleasant.

“By the way, Lady Evan.”

Laura stopped Tenere as he turned to leave.

“I heard the other day that Lady Evan’s mother was a patrona?”

The cheerfulness in her voice froze Tenere’s feet in place. Laura was smiling innocently, but she was not unaware of her intentions.

Patrona, the one who left the forest to become Marquis Evan’s wife and the same one who eventually ran away when she couldn’t fit into society,.

It was meant to mock her for having such a mother.

The only good thing was that, unlike her father, she didn’t outright call her a ‘low-born’.

Tenere nodded in silence.

“That’s right.”

“Oh, my God.”

Laura squinted and covered her mouth, as if she hadn’t really expected it. She could feel the stares around her.

“My God, the Marquis is such a romantic.”

“Is he?”

“Yes. I envy Lady Evan’s mother so much, and I wish I could find someone who loved me for who I am, even if I had nothing.”

She laughed, but there was no mistaking the fact that she was mocking her mother, a patrona with no title and no fortune.

Moreover, by calling her “Patrona” rather than Marchioness, she meant to mock her for returning to the forest.

Tenere lifted her head and looked around. Several people looked at her with trepidation, while others seemed to be gauging Alayna’s reaction.

She could feel Alaina, who was talking to someone else, looking at her.

She wants to run away.

Tenere squeezed her eyes shut.

She didn’t like to be seen, especially if it was a fight or conflict of some sort.

If her father saw this, he would scream at her again as soon as she got back to the manor.

“I hope Lady Hale’s wishes come true.”

After a short pause, Tenere opened his mouth. No matter who was arguing, it wouldn’t be a fight if she didn’t fight back.

Tenere spoke, wanting to finish the conversation quickly and find a quiet place.

“I hope Lady Hale finds a good person too.”

With a familiar smile, Laura seemed a bit surprised this time.

She ended the conversation by thanking Tenere and left somewhat embarrassed.

Tenere sighed with relief and was about to turn around. If it weren’t for the sudden voice, she would have done just that.

“So, does Lady Evan like archery?”

The one who unexpectedly approached was none other than Alaina Salvatore. Her flowing red hair and vivid green eyes were striking.

“I heard everyone in the Marquisate is skilled in archery.”

Tenere, surprised by Alaina initiating the conversation, soon realized that it was a sign of favor.

Bringing up archery was also a way of saying that she had no negative thoughts about Tenere’s mother or the Patrona.

“I’m not very skilled, but… I do enjoy it.”

“Then, would you like to go hunting together?”

At the sudden question, Tenere blinked in surprise, and Laura twisted her face.

Tenere hesitated before stuttering.

“Hunting… with you?”

“Of course, if Lady Evan is not busy.”

Alaina covered her mouth with a fan and smiled, her eyes narrowing.

Tenere thought of his father and how he’d scolded her for showing her blood every time she took up her bow.

But since he hoped she would become friends with Alaina, he probably wouldn’t be too harsh.

“Thank you for the invitation, but I’ve never been hunting before, so I don’t know if I’ll be much help.”

“Don’t be hard on yourself; it’s just entertainment.”

As Tenere nodded, Alaina smiled widely. Only then did Tenere relax a bit.

* * *

Leonard remained silent for a moment, looking embarrassed, as if he’d snitched on something so trivial.

It was strange that Alaina invited Tenere, who wasn’t that close to her in the first place, to go hunting. Perhaps that was the reason.

“That’s when I found out that Lady Hale didn’t like me, and when His Majesty asked me to dance, she glared at me. It didn’t happen after I became Empress, so I thought it was better to keep it buried, so I didn’t say anything about it, but it seems that Lady Hale still has feelings for you.”

“…”

“She seemed to want you to take her as your concubine.”

Leonard had vaguely sensed it as well. Perhaps not only Laura Hale but the entire Hale family had such intentions.

“What are your thoughts on that matter?”

Whatever Tenere’s thoughts, he had no intention of getting a concubine. But he asked because he wanted to hear the answer.

“It’s not my place to meddle in that matter.”

But Tenere didn’t give Leonard the answer he wanted, and for some reason, it made him feel disappointed.

“For the two years you were absent, I haven’t embraced any woman.”
“…”

“Of course, even before I met you.”

Leonard’s words were an absolute truth with no lies.

He had never had a deep relationship with any woman other than Tenere, and he had no intention of doing so in the future.

He knew that he was spilling out an unsolicited story, but he anxiously awaited her reaction.

“Thank you for your honesty, Your Majesty.”

Tenere smiled gently. Leonard felt relieved, but at the same time, he wondered if her reaction was genuine.

However, Tenere remained calm.

“…Then I’ll take my leave now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He felt that if he stayed here any longer, he would only blurt out foolish words.

As Leonard got up from his seat, Tenere also stood up to see him off.

Just as they were about to head towards the door together…

“Daddy!”

Joshua, who was playing with a rubber ball, ran towards Leonard. To be accurate, he staggered rather than ran.

“Say goodbye to Daddy, Josie.”

Tenere waved, and Joshua quickly grabbed Leonard’s pants.

He had been playing alone until now, but now that his dad was leaving, he seemed disappointed.

“Josie, Daddy has to go to sleep now.”

“Nnnoo.”

Although Tenere tried to stop him, Joshua didn’t let go of the hem of Leonard’s pants. Tenere bent down to take the child’s hand away.

“Daddy will see you again tomorrow.”

“Tenere.”

Tener raised her head at the sound of a voice coming from above her head. Joshua had taken advantage of the opportunity to snuggle back into Leonard’s lap.

Somehow, Tenere felt like she knew what Leonard was going to say.

“Why don’t you just…… and let me sleep over?”

“…….”

“Don’t you want Josie?

Leonard quickly picked Josie up in his arms. He kissed his forehead a couple times as he hugged his neck.

He could hear him giggling.

Perhaps because it was a place where many children were raised, the owner of the self-made castle adjusted the temperature to a comfortable level for washing without being told.

The young maid filled a small tub with water and submerged Joshua in it. A model of a duck made of bathtub rubber floated in the water.

“Daddy. This. This.”

The child giggled and splashed. The maid watched and laughed with him.

“Your Highness, this is a duck. a duck.”

“Cucumber.”

“Duck.”

“Duckie?”

“Duck. It quacks and cries, and it floats on the water like this.”

“Doodoo.”

“That’s right, round and round like this.”

Joshua clapped his hands in delight as the maid took the duck model and floated it back into the tub.

Tenere found it a little odd that a maid who looked so young could take such good care of a child.

“Do you have a younger brother? ”

“Yes?”

The maid seemed surprised, as if she didn’t expect Tenere to start a conversation. However, she quickly composed herself and responded politely.

“Oh, Your Majesty the Empress.”

“You seem skilled in taking care of the child.”

“Well, I’ve taken care of many young ladies and young masters. Actually, Lady Flare or Lady Laura are more skilled than I am. They have raised their own younger siblings.”

The maid spoke happily, her cheeks slightly flushed, as she poured water gently over the child’s body.

“Don’t they have a nurse to take care of them?”

“Well, Mrs. Frances is an excellent nurse, but there were so many people to take care of. That is why we took care of them all together.”

“…I see.”

With twelve siblings, including those who were married, having a child alone would have been challenging for a nurse.

Tenere nodded, silently watching the maid wash Joshua with a soft sponge.

“Bua. Bu-bu-bu.”

“It seems our Crown Prince is in a good mood. He keeps laughing.”

“He looks happy because you take good care of him.”

With Tenere’s praise, the maid blushed, focusing on washing the child.

After the child was fully bathed, she skillfully dried and massaged him, applying moisturizer.

Tenere and Leonard both enjoyed watching the cheerful child and occasionally exchanged smiles.