Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 7 - Part 4

Chapter 7 – Part 4

Lady Laura Hale sat on the bed. The pink dress she wore during dinner was carelessly crumpled on the floor, and her sparkling necklace and earrings were scattered on the bed.

“…This is annoying.”

No matter how many times she threw the pillow, the events of the dinner wouldn’t disappear.

“Who cares about what someone wants to wear?”

She had once admired the young and handsome unmarried emperor, but now he was a married man and even had a child.

If not for the scandal with her family, she wouldn’t have played such a deceitful trick.

“The dress is truly beautiful, as if you came to a royal ball.”

It had a gentle appearance without malice, but it was a mocking comment.

However, who would be most offended by the idea that she, her daughter, was offered up as eye candy for the emperor?

The Empress, who was flustered; the young Marquis, who was disgusted; and the Emperor, who demanded to know if her dressing up had anything to do with him.

Laura was so embarrassed and upset that she could have gone home, and the Emperor was…….

‘I went to find my mother; I heard she was in the north…….’

When asked how she got along with her brother, she wondered why she suddenly brought up her mother.

The fact that she looked at herself after saying that meant that she was holding onto the past.

She nervously bit her nails with unease.

“Lady, Lord Norten has arrived.”

The voice from outside made Laura’s face suddenly stiffen.

The door had been opened, as usual, by her brother, Lord Norten, without permission.

“Why are you here?”

“Your room looks like a mess…”

Norten clicked his tongue as he glanced at the crumpled dress on the floor.

“Do you know how expensive this dress is?”

Norten raised his voice. However, Laura didn’t lose either.

“I told you it wouldn’t work!”

Norten had urged her to take this opportunity to dress up and win the Emperor’s heart, since the Empress was so modest.

He was also the one who burst out laughing when the emperor made a joke on such a topic that didn’t even seem like a joke

“The Empress has given birth to a child, and it’s obviously the Emperor’s child, and the Emperor himself calls her Empress, so how can…….”

“That’s right. Because she has a child, that makes her the empress, you idiot.”

Norten said, as if she didn’t know that. Laura arched an eyebrow.

“A traitor’s daughter becomes empress again because she has the emperor’s child, and if you have one, I’m sure he’ll give you a concubine position.”

“…….”

“Will I have a child alone? The Emperor has no intention of doing so. Just look at the way he looks at the empress.”

Laura shot back, but Norten only licked his tongue.

“Men are different from women, Laura.”

“What’s that supposed to mean…?”

“Men are creatures where love and desire are separate entities.”

“… “

“In other words, Laura, men can have a child with a woman they don’t love.”

Norten said that as if he were boasting. Laura raised her eyebrows.

“Do you think His Majesty will be any different? It’s a good opportunity since they also have separate rooms. No matter how much His Majesty loves the Empress, he won’t just stay still if a young lady comes to his bedroom at night.”

“How about the Marquis of Evans?”

Laura asked in an uncertain voice. Norten snorted.

“Then what are you going to do?”

“……”

“The Marquess of Evan is a traitor now, and there’s no succession. He’ll probably have to be pardoned sooner or later, but I doubt he’ll have the same power after a two-year hiatus. You’ll never have an opportunity like now.”

In other words, Marquis Evan still needed to establish himself in the emperor’s government before he could regain his power in aristocratic society.

“There are many ways to recoup the investment we’ve made in you. Becoming the Emperor’s mistress is good for you and good for us, but if you don’t want to…… , the only way is to find a family that will pay you as much as possible before your good looks fade.”

“That’s not what…….”

“At least show some effort, Laura. I’m sure you’ve learned something from going to social parties and stuff like that.”

Norten smiled affectionately and stroked Laura’s head.

After he left the room, Laura couldn’t lift her head for a while.

* * *

Dreaming of a rise in status from a humble aristocratic family was not uncommon in conservative social circles.

This desire was especially directed towards a daughter who possessed a particularly charming appearance.

Laura Hale was a daughter who resembled only the beautiful aspects of her parents.

With honey-like blonde hair, delicate skin, and large, bright eyes reminiscent of her mother, along with finely chiseled features.

Lord and Lady Hale, who believed that beauty was all it took to be chosen by a good man, were excited to see Laura.

“Even your aunt, who has only half of your beauty, was able to catch the eyes of Count Ingrid and become the countess. You are much prettier than your aunt, so you will surely meet a much better man.”

Despite the consistent words from both parents and relatives, Laura couldn’t truly embrace the role of a lady.

Laura was expected to help her only nanny care for her younger siblings, or, like any young lady on a country estate, wear simple clothes and get her hands dirty during the farming season.

However, amidst her parents’ expectations, the servants’ flattery, and envy and disdain from her siblings, Laura dreamed of escaping this monotonous life once she entered society.

At the age of seventeen, with the full support of her parents, Laura made her debut in society.

However, her girlhood dreams crumbled in the face of reality.

“Viscount Hale, I can’t believe he has such a lovely lady.”

“We shouldn’t stay here; should we move to another spot? The balcony seems empty.”

The most beautiful girl in the countryside estate turned out to be just one of the pretty young ladies in society.

Moreover, those who tried to spend a night with a naive girl from the countryside were surprisingly numerous.

“Everyone thinks I’m a fool, Auntie. I have no intention of getting married, and I think I can get away with saying a few nice words.”

“Then you’re stupid. Just like your parents.”

Laura’s aunt, Countess Ingrid, scoffed at Laura’s complaining.

“Your father thinks I’ve become Countess Ingrid with my face, but my husband isn’t so stupid. He keeps me around because he calculates that I’ll be useful, even if I’m of poor stock, and who knows, maybe when you’re useful as a wife, someone like him will come along.”

Before searching for a marriage partner, the countess advised Laura to first build friendships with young ladies and noble maidens.

She also added that she should avoid associating with men who are not in her league.

“People naturally spend time with their own kind. Go and engage in playful banter; try to win favor. Sometimes, offer a good man like a rare treasure. He might be beneath your standards, but for others, he would be more than worthy.”

Laura hesitated, but eventually nodded.

Her target was none other than Alaina Salvatore, also known as the prospective empress.

Even if the engagement went awry, wouldn’t she become the next duchess as the daughter of a duke?

Laura found out what Alaina liked: opera, fencing, favorite jewelers, salons, preferred travel destinations, weather, and types of flowers in the Duke’s garden. She memorized everything sweetly before attending every party Alaina participated in.

“We are planning a tea party in four days. Would you like to come?”

How happy she was when she heard those words.

Those who had scoffed at the idea of a poor country girl being friendly with the prospective empress quickly changed their attitude when they found out she had been invited to Alaina’s tea party.

Even respectable young ladies who had never paid attention to her approached her.

However, even though she had achieved part of her goal, Laura’s heart was not at ease.

Living a luxurious life with high-born noble maidens and getting her hands dirty with soil every harvest season didn’t seem to fit together.

Whenever she saw young ladies fawning over Alaina, Laura found it hard to conceal her anxiety about losing her position.

What annoyed her the most was none other than Tenere Evan.

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

There were two reasons why Laura didn’t particularly like Tenere.

Firstly, because she is the daughter of a Marquis, and secondly, because of Alaina’s attitude.

Alaina rarely spoke with Tenere.

It wasn’t insulting or snide, but Alaina only responded to questions and didn’t seem willing to continue the conversation.

But the awkwardness didn’t stop her from glancing over at Tenere when she went elsewhere.

‘She seems not to dislike her.’

The Alaina that Laura knew did not go out of her way to be polite to those outside her notice. She didn’t hesitate to ignore or turn away when someone approached her.

But Tenere’s words were always given some attention.

So Laura didn’t like Tenere approaching Alaina.

Since she is the daughter of a marquis, she will find a good husband even if she stays still. Why couldn’t she socialize with well-matched, quiet people instead?

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

Laura scoffed mockingly. She hoped Tenere would leave without causing a scene.

She hoped he would never wander this way again now that the foul-mouthed Laura Hale was here to stay.

But it was Alaina who crushed her hopes.

“So, does Lady Evan like archery?”

Alaina asked, even going so far as to invite Tenere to hunt with her.

Laura realized something was wrong, but it was too late.

Laura realized that her friends’ eyes were glaring at her.

“… What are you trying to do?”

“Oh, Alaina. You know it too. She approaches you with a purpose. It’s not out of pure intentions.”

“Isn’t it the same on your end?”

In response to Laura’s objection, Alaina chuckled softly. Disdainful glances were directed at Laura.

“You don’t think I didn’t know that? You approached me because you wanted something from me.”

“….”

“I thought it would be so bad, so I accepted it. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself for blabbering like a seven-year-old? Or is it that Lady Hale is of such a low level?”

Laura turned red at Alaina’s provocative words. She keenly felt the eyes of those around her who had changed their attitudes after hearing Alaina’s words.

“I’ve never complained about the background or circumstances of a young lady until now, but now I feel like that was a mistake.”

“I-I made a mistake, Alaina. I’m so sorry.”

“Who are you apologizing to now?”

Alaina raised her voice as if she found the situation ridiculous. She seemed genuinely angry.

Laura stammered but couldn’t say anything.

After staring at Laura for a while, Alaina turned around abruptly and left.

Laura Hale had been dumped by Alaina Salvator.

All the connections she had carefully built, all the gazes directed at her—everything reverted to zero.

It was clear that everything had gone wrong.

Alaina disappeared at the end of the party, and Laura, without a chance to explain, was left isolated.

Despite approaching the Emperor with the last hope in the party searching for the future Empress, Tenere ended up taking Alaina’s place.

“Wretched wench. What a waste of money on a dress.”

Her family did not warmly welcome Laura when she returned to the estate. Norten, who had squandered money on gambling, was the most vocal about it.

“Wouldn’t it have been better to return a bit earlier before it became worthless?”

Laura could not respond to the insulting words.

This was because she knew that her family had spent a lot of money on her during her years in the capital.

Her family sought a match that could fetch the highest price, and Laura quietly lived in a way that wouldn’t disturb their minds.

Her family only reached out to her again recently.

Her father, mother, and brother looked at her with the same expression as before she went to society.

And when they heard that the Emperor, who had gone on a pilgrimage, was coming to the Hale estate with the former queen, Laura realized that they were once again harboring futile dreams.

“Try to seduce His Majesty.”

“But he is with the Empress and the Crown Prince…”

“How do you know if that’s the Crown Prince or just a bastard who looks like the Emperor? Instead of just saying it’s impossible, why don’t you at least try?”

It was clear to her that the Emperor had no interest in her.

Besides, where would she fit in when he was taking back the Empress, whom he was supposed to love and cherish so dearly?

Although his brother was foolish and greedy, Laura didn’t want to waste any more time on an impossible task.

‘If I’m going to stick to someone…’

Laura grabbed the crumpled dress. Her pale lips were tightly pressed.