Whose Child Belongs to the Emperor - Chapter 9 - Part 3

Chapter 9 – Part 3

“I was wrong, Tenere.”

“…”

“I was so stupid that I didn’t realize it was love. I didn’t realize that I…….”

It was a truly desperate voice, as if he was trying to shake her heart even a little.

“Now, I’ve realized that I love you…”

‘Don’t fall for it. Don’t believe that voice and that expression to be genuine. Didn’t he behave as if he truly cared back then too? ’

He looked at her with such affection that she couldn’t help but wonder.

“Why are you suddenly acting like this towards me?”

“…”

“Aren’t I following His Majesty’s orders? Prince Joshua has been recognized, and I have been acting as the empress. If there’s anything more I need to do, I will gladly comply, so why are you saying such things again?”

A large hand grabbed the fabric again, and the clenched fist pulled her clothes. His head dropped onto her shoulder.

“Is it because I have frightened you?

“…”

“Am I pressuring you by using Joshua and the exoneration of the Marquis?”

Was it a mistake to utter those words about taking the child to the village?

I’d gotten uncharacteristically emotional at the thought of losing her again after barely getting her back.

All the comforting words, the acceptance, the response to the kiss—were they all just her submission to his intimidation?

None of what reassured him was born out of love.

“The child should grow up in the palace, as His Majesty said. Even if raised as a bastard in the Marquis’s house, if the Marquis is not exonerated, the child won’t even inherit the title. His Majesty was only to dissuade me from letting my emotions get the better of me.”

Her voice was clear, without a hint of sarcasm. However, her gentle face made him feel even more helpless.

Would it be better to get angry?

If she screamed at him, “Why are you saying that now?” he could apologize and soothe her over and over again.

But he was the one who didn’t even accept her anger when she expressed it for the first time, talking about her brother and Joshua.

He hadn’t even given her time to pour out her feelings and make her think about reality.

“Can’t you forgive me?”

That was what he insisted on when she accepted his apology.

He hadn’t realized that by scaring her into silence, he had forced her to take his hand.

He never wondered what she thought during those days she avoided him or why she accepted him so willingly.

He simply believed and found comfort in what was in front of him.

“Even if you hit me or get angry, can you trust me just one more time?”

“…”

“It’s not to deceive you. I can swear on my name. I truly love you.”

“Then, can you prove it?”

The voice that resonated was unexpected.

Leonard looked up in surprise. The clear eyes were fixed on him.

“Of course.”

Leonard quickly replied. He was relieved that she seemed to want something from him.

But as soon as she spoke, his face stiffened.

“Can you fulfill what you said that day?”

‘What was said that day’ meant sending Joshua back to his original place, to the Marquis’s house.

Tenere added, looking at his pale face.

“No matter what your Majesty says… I can’t help but think that you are doing this for the sake of succession.”

“…….”

“So if you’re really saying those things because you love me,…… whether I want you to recognize Joshua as a crown prince, raise him in the marquisate, or raise him in the village again, will you do it entirely according to my will?”

There was a short silence. Her words did not come to him easily. It probably would have been the same even if he was given more time to think.

Where would she raise Joshua?

Funnily enough, his first thought upon hearing that wasn’t the fatherhood crisis of having my child taken away from him.

‘So, does that mean she will leave the child and stay by my side? Otherwise… ‘

“Right now… are you saying you’ll take my child and leave?”

There was a short silence. Tenere did not deny his words.

Leonard looked at her with a bewildered face. There was no hatred or resentment on that face. It was just so frustratingly desperate.

“I can’t do that.”

“…”

“I can’t do that. How can I ask you to leave? How can you say such things?”

“Your Majesty.”

“Why don’t you just say you hate me? You’re saying this because you hate me, so you’re trying to hurt me.”

Just imagining it made him feel out of breath.

She wanted him to prove his love, yet she wanted to leave. How could she be so cruel?

Has her heart grown cold? Is it because she has fallen out of love with him and doesn’t want to be around him anymore?

That’s why she wanted to leave, because she’s sick of me.

“Alright…”

Tenere calmly responded,

“It’s okay if you don’t want to listen.”

She lowered her head with a composed face, as if she had expected his response.

“Even if I don’t believe in His Majesty’s love, it doesn’t change the fact that I am Joshua’s mother. I will fulfill my responsibilities as his mother and as your empress, so please don’t be angry with me.”

Leonard was left speechless by her consistently polite attitude.

Was she setting him up for rejection from the start? To give her an excuse not to believe me…….

Tap, tap, The sound of a crackling fire echoed in the room.

Leonard, who had been silently staring at her, slowly stood up.

“I’m sure you’re tired from your long ride, so I suggest you rest for the night.”

Maybe he hoped she’d wake up with a different answer after a good night’s sleep.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Then…”

Tenere tried to get up quickly, but Leonard grabbed her shoulders and gently pushed her back onto the bed.

“There’s no need to get up. Sleep here.”

“But Your Majesty…”

“There are plenty of blankets; I can sleep on them.”

Leonard pointed to the straw stacks piled against the wall. Tenere shook her head as if it were absurd.

“No, Your Majesty. I would rather…”

“Didn’t you say you would be punished for disappearing without a word?”

Leonard lifted the corners of his mouth slowly.

He’d told her he loved her, and now she wanted to return the favor.

Seeing the slightly confused expression on her calm face, he felt somewhat satisfied.

He patted the old bed.

“Sleep here tonight.”

“Your Majesty…”

“It’s a fitting punishment, since you seem to be uncomfortable.”

The words were not entirely incorrect, and Tenere looked quite awkward. Before she could say anything else, Leonard turned away.

The sound of rain was diminishing.