Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 7 - Part 8

Chapter 7 – Part 8

“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.

“I spoke words that should not have been spoken and harbored resentment towards Her Majesty in my foolish days. I treated you impurely when you came here due to personal concerns, and I confused matters with inappropriate attire during the banquet.”

Her voice, confessing each mistake, sounded pitiful.

Tenere remained silent. In the long silence, faint footsteps echoed.

Then, a fern-like hand clumsily patted her shoulder.

“No, Josie.”

“Euiing.”

Tenere held Joshua back and quickly embraced him. A whining voice echoed above Laura’s head.

“Get up, Lady Hale. It doesn’t seem appropriate for a child to see you like this.”

In response to those words, Laura raised her head slowly.

The prince, who was looking at her in his mother’s arms, smiled and clapped his hands.

Feeling unnecessary embarrassment at his innocent look, Laura looked at Tenere, whose face seemed lost in thought.

It wasn’t a look of hatred, so she felt somewhat relieved. On the other hand, she wondered if this person might harbor ill intentions or anger towards someone.

“Wearing clothes is your freedom, so I don’t think it’s something to be angry about. If it’s something you said when you were immature… … Are you talking about my mother?”

After a brief silence, Tenere opened her mouth, but Laura couldn’t respond. It had an affirmative meaning.

A short sigh was heard.

“I don’t think it’s a mistake big enough to come and kneel like this, Lady Hale. Don’t you think so too?”

“…Yes?”

Laura, who had been briefly relieved by the gentle voice, raised her head in confusion at the words that followed.

Tenere calmly spoke while holding the child.

“If you really think you did something wrong to me, I think you would have apologized long ago, but you couldn’t do so because I was no longer in the palace, and you wouldn’t have shown that attitude when I first came here.”

The touch of her hand caressing the child and her voice were consistently gentle. However, as Laura listened to Tenere’s words, her fingertips gradually stiffened.

After a moment of silence, Tenere opened her mouth again.

“What is your real purpose for coming to see me?”

“…”

“Is it related to the ‘personal concerns’ you mentioned just now?”

It was a story that there might be hidden circumstances behind her sudden change in attitude from the bad demeanor she showed when she first came to their territory.

“Your Majesty.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t appreciate apologies that aren’t sincere. I have no intention of dwelling on the past, so if you have something you want from me, just speak. As the empress, I won’t mix personal matters with my duties.”

As the empress, she couldn’t turn a blind eye to the difficulties faced by a noble daughter, so she meant that she would at least not ignore them. However, on the other side, it also implied she has no intention of helping beyond the obligatory aspects.

Even in her anxiety, Laura couldn’t help but find it amusing how much the couple resembled each other.

Laura, who had circled around Leonard, knew that his kindness stemmed from a sense of obligation.

It seemed finite, and if she got too close, he drew a line.

However, Laura knew that she had no one else to cling to but the Empress.

“Please… make me your servant, Your Majesty.”

Laura blurted out as if vomiting. Tenere raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised.

She knew it was an unreasonable request.

After all, would anyone want to make someone who had insulted and mocked her mother into a close confidante?

So, some discomfort in her reaction was expected.

“Thank you, but I prefer to surround myself with trustworthy people. If you want to become a servant, I’ll check if there are any noble families in the palace looking for one.”

Tenere spoke as if compromising, but Laura knew her parents and brother wouldn’t allow that.

Becoming a palace servant by the empress’s order might be one thing, but her family would likely consider selling her to a wealthy family before she got too old, a more profitable option.

“I’ll be of great help if you keep me by your side!”

Laura cried desperately.

“I will become Her Majesty’s hand and foot. You will never, ever regret it. If I disobey Her Majesty the Empress again, you can kick me out at any time. Please think again.”

“I’ve never needed Lady Hale’s help so far, and it’ll likely remain the same in the future.”

“But Lady Alaina Salvatore has returned!”

Though Tenere casually mentioned it, she hesitated a bit at Laura’s final outcry. Laura didn’t miss that moment.

“How much she meddled with the Emperor when Your Majesty was absent! There are rumors that she’s spreading about getting engaged to the Emperor again!”

Laura believed firmly that Alaina Salvatore would hate Tenere.

She was someone who was born and raised as the future empress.

In the past, she may have taken pity on the quiet Marquis’ daughter and tried to accept her, but in the end, there was no way she would just leave Tenere alone, who had taken her place.

“Until that incident, I was close to Lady Salvatore. So, surely, someday, I’ll be of use.”

When Laura spoke up to that point, she noticed her sighing and touching her forehead.

There were faint wrinkles between her neat eyebrows.

“I don’t know what Lady Salvatore thinks of me, but it is clear that Lady Hale hates me and tried to insult me ​​by talking about my mother.”

“…”

“Are you saying that I should keep someone who hates me around to keep in check an opponent I may or may not be wary of?”

“I really regret it. I was too young back then…”

“Lady Hale.”

Laura hurriedly protested, but Tenere didn’t listen to her words.

“I’d like to rest now. If you don’t have anything else to say, please leave.”

It was a straightforward dismissal. Laura stood there, unsure of what to do, faced with a more resolute refusal than expected.

Tenere didn’t avert her gaze, seemingly waiting for her to leave.

Laura had to make a choice. Whether to leave this room now or prove her usefulness immediately.

“I know Patrona’s whereabouts.”

“What…?”

Tenere’s expression changed in that instant.

Laura had a hunch. Despite deciding not to look for her due to various reasons, deep down, there were still lingering feelings for her mother.

“She’s heading to Albalero. It seems she even purchased a ship. She’ll leave in two days at the earliest, three days at the latest.”

“Why are you saying that?”

“I heard it from a reliable information guild. If we depart now, we should be able to arrive in time.”

“Lady Hale.”

“Do you not want to meet your mother? But securing a ship indicates the intention to leave the empire. Perhaps this might be your last chance…”

“Laura Hale!”

Laura’s shoulders trembled at the raised voice. Laura raised her head. Tenere’s habitual smile disappeared, and her face became colder than ever.

“I’m sorry, but now I think there’s one more reason not to make you my maid.”

“…”

“I clearly told you to leave this room. Do you understand how rude your actions are as someone who considers me the empress?”

“Mom. Mommy.”

The child, sensing the discomfort of her mother, spoke hesitantly. As their eyes met, she tried to smile, trying to ease the atmosphere.

Tenere glanced at the child and smiled gently, but the moment she looked back at Laura, her expression hardened.

“You decide whether you will leave by yourself or be dragged out by the imperial guard. Of course, the actions of the imperial guard will be fully reported to the Emperor. Please, make a wise choice for yourself and for your family.”

Tenere spoke calmly as if giving a final warning, and Laura knew it was time to retreat.

“…I understand. If you change your mind, please call me.”

Laura bowed her knees and left. Tenere closed the door without saying a word.