Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 8 - Part 9

Chapter 8 – Part 9

Leonard gritted his teeth.

He kicked the horse’s back repeatedly whenever the tired animal slowed down.

He knew she wasn’t the kind of woman to abandon her child, but his breath caught in his throat with impatience.

What if those words were lies? What if she left with her mother somewhere?

What if they were attacked on their way?

As the destination approached, unease tightened around his throat.

It took a whole day before the white-sand beach came into view.

He hadn’t eaten and hadn’t slept, yet hunger and fatigue didn’t bother him.

He was just looking for the person who was supposed to be there.

A small ship was anchored not far from the visible pier. The ship’s horn, announcing departure, echoed loudly.

The moment he saw the departing ship, Leonard tightened the reins and urged the horse again.

His vision blurred with the persistent anxiety.

“Tenere!”

The loud shout was drowned out by the sound of the ship’s horn.

Droplets fell on the white sand, darkening it. It seemed like rain was coming.

Leonard ran towards the departing ship. No, he tried to.

If it weren’t for the familiar figure clearly visible before him,.

“Tenere.”

Tenere stood there as if in a lie.

Gripping the reins tightly, she wore a scarf he hadn’t seen before.

She stood there calmly, just watching the departing ship, as if bidding farewell to someone she missed.

“…Tenere.”

Leonard murmured her name as he watched her back.

But it seemed like Tenere couldn’t hear his voice.

What could she be thinking now? Was she regretting not boarding that ship?

Leonard, who had dismounted, approached her, who was still holding the reins tightly.

With each step, she came closer.

When did this feeling start? He was anxious that she might leave and that he’d wake up and find himself looking for her.

Was it since he realize she ran away with his child? Was it when she confessed her love to him that night? Or was it when she embraced him after his mother’s death?

Maybe it was when he found comfort in seeing her smile in front of him. Tenere, who had been watching the departing ship, slowly turned her head.

Her face, pale and cold, seemed like it could burst into tears at any moment.

“…Your Majesty.”

And at the moment their eyes met—the moment she called him softly—Leonard finally realized.

From the first moment he saw her smile, from the moment she stood out among many people, his love had already been decided.

From the time he first saw her, all the time spent together, missing her, it was all love.

“How did you get here?”

Confusion flickered in her wet eyes. Tenere looked at him as if she couldn’t believe it.

Leonard approached her just like that.

He tugged at her shoulder, and she pulled away without resistance.

Raindrops fell from the cloudy sky.

Leonard tightened his embrace around her.

Whether she didn’t leave or couldn’t leave, it didn’t matter.

She was right here, and he wouldn’t let her go again.

* * *

Tenere slowly blinks her eyes. A large body was hugging her so tightly that it felt suffocating.

With every exhale he took, her chest fluttered, and he tightened his grip.

“I thought you said you weren’t going anywhere.”

“…”

“You said you’d stay by my side…”

The voice from above was more desperate than ever before.

Tenere looked up blankly. Thin streams of water flowed down his cheeks.

Surprised, she opened her mouth, and a droplet fell on her cheek.

“It’s raining…”

Raindrops were falling from the sky. However, Leonard did not loosen his hold.

Was he angry because she came without saying anything and because of how she had gotten here?

Tenere hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Why did you come alone without your knights?”

“Is that all you have to say now?”

His voice flowed out low and locked. Though he didn’t raise his voice, the unsettled tone was evident.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I didn’t intend to leave, but I was anxious. If I didn’t come now, I might not be able to see her again.”

“You should have brought guards with you.”

“…”

“You could have at least told me about hearing such news.”

If he had known about his mother’s situation beforehand, he could have sent knights to bring her back or arranged a meeting with her.

In response to her words, Tenere bowed her head.

“I made a mistake.”

She spoke softly, but Leonard remained silent. He just tightened his embrace.

With her face buried in his chest, Tenere continued, “If you want to punish me, I’ll accept it gracefully. It won’t happen again.”

“Who would punish you?”

“…”

“How could I punish you?”

It was a familiar phrase. He’d said the same thing when he found her in the north.

As if Tenere were a special person.

Why did he treat her like this when he claimed not to love her? Why did he embrace her like this? Why did he come himself when he could have sent an escort to bring her back?

‘Why do you do this every time I need warmth? … “

“I said hello to my mom.”

“…”

“I also asked her to come with me.”

The raindrops were getting stronger. The streams of water running down his face looked like tears.

It seemed as if he was crying for her, and even though she knew it wasn’t true, she couldn’t help but be moved.

Tenere hugged him in return. The hand gripping his clothes trembled.

It was fortunate that the sound of rain covered the sound of her sobbing.