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

Chapter 7 – Part 7

“…Empress’s mother?”

Norten mumbled. The maid nodded quickly.

“Yes, that’s what he said. They even have the same name, and they look alike. Moreover, they are a group of hunters, so there is a high possibility that they are Patona.”

“Where did he see it?”

“In Ferdan. I heard it at an inn called ‘Dancing Cat,’ but I don’t know where they went.”

The maid, who had been listening by the door recounted the story she had overheard to Norten and Laura in the reception room.

Laura stiffened, and Norten,, like someone deep in thought, absentmindedly touched his chin.

“They’ll track them down soon.”

“Uh, about that…”

The maid spoke quickly.

“It seems like they don’t intend to search for them.”

“What? After going to the north to find the empress’s mother?”

“I’m not sure about that… It seems like it’s been a long time, and they think it might be best for Her Majesty.”

“We need to find out where they went as soon as possible.”

Laura was the one to open her mouth. Norten glanced briefly at her.

“Why, to exploit the empress’s weakness?”

“…I don’t know.”

Well, if it were widely known that the empress’s mother was Partona, could her presence be a weakness?

Laura remained expressionless, hiding her inner thoughts.

‘Let’s see what happens.’

Laura Hale was no longer the naive seventeen-year-old girl who entered society with grand dreams.

She knew that if anyone attempted to attack the empress or the imperial family in any way, the emperor, and even Marquis Evan, would not stand idly by.

From being Lady Evan to becoming the empress, she had never personally punished or scolded Laura, even when she was hostile towards her.

During their stay in Hale Territory, if one didn’t provoke her first, she was treated as if nothing happened.

She was surprisingly lenient, so it might be better to turn to her side rather than unnecessarily turn her into an enemy.

She might unexpectedly accept it with gratitude.

“Bribing, perhaps.”

“Why, do you intend to ask her to bring you as the imperial concubine?”

Norten asked sarcastically, but Laura didn’t respond.

She saw Tenere walking in the garden through the window. Laura bit her lip, seeing Tenere’s happy face.

***

It was an unexpected horseback ride.

James, who did not give Hans an easy ride, eagerly lowered his back when Tenere wanted to ride.

Hans looked quite hurt at that, and Eric, who seemed to be whispering strange jokes to Joshua, looked on.

Tenere fastened her coat firmly, rode for a while, and then returned.

The knights suggested riding outside the castle since it might be stuffy inside, but they decided to postpone that for later.

“Why, are you afraid I’ll eat Joshua?”

“That’s right.”

Tenere laughed gently and took Joshua from Eric. Joshua, in response to Tenere, patted the back of the horse and called out, “Jetty, Jetty.”

“If only our Joshua could talk.”

“It’s too early. He needs to be five years old at least.”

In noble families, it was common to present a good breed of foal as a gift when a child reached ten years old, or sometimes as early as five.

Rather than for serious riding, it was more of a plaything, an opportunity for the child to develop a bond with the horse.

“It would be nice if Joshua could talk when he gains a horse.”

“Already? Still, it’s better to learn riding quickly.”

“Josh is my child. He’ll definitely learn horseback riding quickly.”

“You’re quite persistent too.”

In response to her brother’s sarcasm, Tenere smiled awkwardly. Both of her cheeks were red from the chilly wind.

Eric, watching the scene, spoke up.

“… But wouldn’t it be good to find out?”

Although he didn’t explicitly mention the subject, Tenere knew what he was referring to.

“It might not be my mother.”

“Well, we should confirm. You went through all that trouble to find her. If you tell His Majesty, he’ll surely help.”

One way or another, Eric agreed that Leonard was not a heartless person.

Despite manipulating his sister’s feelings, he was an ideal fiancé, treating Tenere without any shortcomings.

So, if Tenere claimed she might have found her mother, Leonard would probably arrange to bring her back immediately.

This might be her chance to meet Tasha.

However, Tenere shook her head as if everything was fine.

“Actually… I’ve been thinking about it while in the north.”

“What?”

“My mother has never tried to find me until now.”

Eric remained silent at Tenere’s calm voice. She gently stroked the edges of her horse.

It was quite a significant issue that a daughter with Patrona’s blood had risen to the position of Empress.

Even the villagers, who were slow to receive news, knew about her ascension and deposition.

Therefore, it was unthinkable that her mother didn’t know about it.

“I didn’t know about my mother’s whereabouts, but she must have known. I think she never tried to find me because she doesn’t want to meet me.”

“Oh, well…”

“I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. She seems to be doing well. I’m satisfied just knowing she’s alive.”

Eric seemed to want to refute her words, but in the end, he couldn’t say anything.

He agreed with Tenere’s thoughts.

If Tasha was afraid to come because of Ludwig Evan, couldn’t she come after he died?

Tenere held on to the position of empress for a year even after her father was executed.

“If I tell His Majesty, he will surely try to find my mother. I don’t want to bother him unnecessarily or trouble the imperial knights. I’m satisfied just hearing the news.”

“…”

“As long as I have Josie, I’m fine, brother.”

Tenere kissed the child’s cheek. Joshua imitated her, pretending to kiss back.

His lips, like a small beak, were adorable.

* * *

The contact from the Information Guild came the next afternoon.

Having received the maid’s report, Laura sighed briefly and headed to Tenere’s room.

It might be a futile effort, but it was better than doing nothing.

Leonard, who had gone on an inspection with the Lord Hale, hadn’t returned yet.

Although her brother suggested sneaking into the Emperor’s bedroom, since he returned to Tenere’s room, attempting that was impossible.

It was fortunate for Laura.

‘It was a plan that wouldn’t succeed from the beginning. It’s better not to be mistaken for an assassin.’

Laura knew that Leonard had no rational interest in her.

The only person he had eyes for was Tenere.

Rather than focusing on the impossible, she decided to bet on something that had even a slight chance.

Laura stood in front of Tenere’s room. The guards standing by the room informed Tenere of her visit.

Although it was a sudden visit, Tenere opened the door quite willingly.

“Come in, Lady Hale.”

“I greet Her Majesty the Empress.”

Initially, Tenere, who met Laura again after a long time, was uncomfortable and responded impurely. However, once her purpose was determined, there was no way to go against her intentions.

Laura quickly greeted her politely, showing proper manners.

The child, holding a toy tightly, looked at her with wide eyes.

“Your Highness, hello,” she said with a smile.

“Baah,” he replied.

Smiling back, the child followed her lead and laughed with squinted eyes. The child had black hair in golden braids, resembling Leonard closely.

When first seen, the child resembled the emperor so much that everyone in the Hale faimly was left speechless.

“What’s the matter?” she asked.

“…That.”

Laura hesitated a bit and glance at the child again. Joshua continued to observe her with curious eyes.

“I’ve come to apologize to Her Majesty the Empress,” Laura said, lowering her gaze and bending her stiff waist.

She wanted to see Tenere’s expression, but her head was lowered, making it impossible to see her face.

“For what?”

The inquiring voice was calm. Laura hesitated for a moment, unsure of where to start.

“I have behaved impurely towards you.”

“I have never been angry with Lady Hale before… What are you talking about?”

Although her voice was composed, Laura sensed that Tenere remembered all of her rudeness.

Not because she forgot or failed to notice all the bad intentions, but simply because she did not respond at the time.

“I apologize, Your Majesty”

Laura quickly knelt. Despite the pain shooting through her knees and hitting the floor, she didn’t mind and brought her forehead to the ground.