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

Chapter 8 – Part 7

There were times when long-buried memories suddenly resurfaced.

Things she thought she had forgotten, or wanted to forget, would always pop up without warning.

Even though the weather had cleared, the hand holding the reins was stiff.

Tenere stopped the running horse. As she breathed heavily, her shoulders and chest rose and fell.

“I… I said that.”

She had deliberately spoken those words to her mother, who looked at her with disdain as she spoke of adult matters.

Even if her father got angry, she told her not to fight back but to bend and ask for forgiveness.

Did she think her father wouldn’t hit her mother anymore if she did that?

Or was it a delusion?

Was it so long ago that the memories had become mixed with others, creating a misunderstanding?

The more she tried to deny it, the clearer the once blurry memories became.

Her mother’s face, holding back tears, and herself, not knowing what she had done wrong, begged for forgiveness.

After that incident, Tasha left the mansion not long after.

She put everyone to bed with sleeping incense and took her horse, who hadn’t run in a long time.

Was it because she couldn’t stand Ludwig Evan anymore, or was it because…

“Because of me…”

Under the hazy sky, a distant blue sea came into view. Tenere was still standing there.

‘What if she really left because she hated me? ’

‘What if she didn’t come back because she was sick of seeing me?’

Even going to Leonard seemed like a lie.

She wondered what good it would do to hesitate now, but she also wondered if it would be better to give up and go back now.

She was about to make a decision.

“Kina?”

At the sudden sound of a voice, Tenere turned her head. The man called Kina had a visibly surprised expression when he saw Tenere’s turn.

“Who…?”

Tenere was also surprised. It was because of the appearance of the man and the people around him.

The same dark hair and violet eyes as her, regardless of age or gender, slender and delicate figures carrying bows.

Although their facial features were all different, it was clear who they were without asking.

Moreover, the horses also had tangled, mane-like black hair, similar to James’.

“Are you… the Patronas?”

Tenare asked. The man who spoke to her glanced at his companions and nodded. Someone exclaimed as if shouting.

“Oh my God, isn’t that Tasha’s daughter?”

“What?”

At the woman’s words, the group of Patrona started buzzing, looking at each other.

Then, a middle-aged woman emerged from the group and quickly approached Tenere.

Tenere could only stare in bewilderment as she gripped the reins tightly.

“It’s true. You look exactly like Tasha when she was younger.”

“Let me see. Huh?”

The older ones rushed towards Tenere, examining her face, while the younger ones whispered among themselves, eyeing her.

Tenere was simply taken aback.

“You’re here to see Tasha, aren’t you?”

“Yes, yes?”

“Hey, if she’s Tasha’s daughter, isn’t she the Empress? You should show some respect.”

“I, I don’t know anything about that; how do I do that?”

“Like this, pull up your skirt like this. Greet the esteemed Empress with respect.”

“That’s a greeting we used to do in the Aspen Kingdom 20 years ago.”

The Patronas seemed uncertain about how to address the Empress. Tenere wasn’t one to demand strict etiquette from wandering tribes.

“It’s okay; you can speak freely.”

Although, in normal circumstances, Tenere should have acted more imperiously, she didn’t want to treat her mother’s comrades that way when she wasn’t here as the Empress.

The Patronas exchanged glances at Tenere’s words. Then one of them quickly approached Tenere.

“If you say so, we’re grateful. We’re glad you’re here. Tasha missed you so much, even if she didn’t say it.”

“You’re just in time. We should be leaving soon.”

“Let’s go quickly, okay?”

Tasha wanted to see her. Ironically, as soon as she heard that, a sudden doubt arose in her mind.

Perhaps these people were bribed by Laura Hale.

Luring her with people who resemble Patronas, easing her tension, making her hear what she wants to hear, and attempting to kidnap her in her bewildered state.

But it was nothing but an absurd delusion.

Similar-looking con artists couldn’t be gathered in just a few days.

Tenere nodded, still holding the bow.

The woman who called her mother glanced at her and lifted an arrow.

Without hesitation, she strung the bow, and as she pulled the arrow back, the bowstring tightened.

Two arrows flew into the air. Two birds flying in the sky fell to the ground.

At the sudden action, Tenere was surprised again, and the woman shrugged playfully.

“Now, do you believe us?”

Tenere nodded, and the woman quickly ran towards where the birds fell.

The others rode toward the docks, calling out to Tenere as they went.

* * *

A ship was already afloat near the dock. It was quite large, as if they were planning to go to a completely different continent.

“…Why are you leaving?”

Tenere asked. The man answered.

“We originally travel to unfamiliar lands—places we’ve never been to—new places. Sometimes we settle down for a while if we have to, but…”

“There doesn’t have to be a significant meaning to the journey, right?”

Creaking laughter mixed with the sound of waves.

Tenere stared at the large ship.

“Oh, Tasha, there she is.”

“She hasn’t gone in yet. It must be cold.”

At the voice, Tenere turned her head.

A woman in a white shawl was trotting her horse in the distance.

As she approached, Tenere felt excited as if she were dreaming, yet at the same time, she wanted to run away.

But the dot-like woman didn’t wait for her to make up her mind.

As the hooves struck the sandy beach, the woman’s figure became more distinct.

“…Mother.”

Even though he hadn’t seen her in over twenty years, Tenere knew at once that she was her mother.

She looked just like her, as others had said.

She was convinced she would look like that when she was older.

“It’s been a long time, Tenere.”

It seemed to be mutual. Tasha also had no hesitation in calling her that.

However, that was all there was to it. There was no overflowing talk of longing or resentment in this plain reunion.

They just looked at each other, and there were no tears of joy or awkward greetings.

“…Have you been well?”

Tenere was the first to open her mouth. Tasha nodded.

“Yeah. Have you been well?”

“Yes, Mother.”

Tenere felt like she would have a million stories to tell once they met, but now that she saw her mother, she was speechless.

Seeing the mother and daughter in silence, the Patronas began to disperse, as if rushing to leave them alone.

Tasha turned her gaze back to Tenere after seeing them off.

“Are you coming with us?”

“…”