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

Chapter 9 – Part 8

“Although she lost a considerable amount of blood, fortunately, the wound seems to have grazed his vital organs, so there should be no harm to his life.”

The doctor spoke while nodding. Tenere covered her face and finally burst into tears.

Leonard embraced her and wiped her back.

“He will regain consciousness soon.”

“B-But he lost so much blood…”

When Tenere went to Leonard with the child, she must have been shocked when she saw Eric on a stretcher.

When she realized that the blood that dyed the snow red was her brother’s, she almost fainted on the spot.

If it weren’t for the child she was holding, she might have fainted right there.

“……Where are the intruders?”

“Those who were still breathing were restrained, and the deceased are being searched for identification by checking their belongings. Some of them had the insignia of the viscounts, but most likely they acquired or stole the lost items.”

“They wouldn’t have been able to sneak in so easily if someone hadn’t cooperated. Investigate thoroughly, including a person named Jacob.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After finishing the report, the general left, and Viscount Hale bowed his head as if guilty.

“I failed to manage my people properly. Please execute me, Your Majesty.”

According to the Viscount, a sudden riot occurred in the territory while the emperor and empress were absent.

Fearing that if the Emperor found out, he would be criticized for not managing the estate properly, he led soldiers and knights to secretly suppress the turmoil.

“Of course, if you have committed a crime, I will thoroughly investigate and take appropriate action.”

“I-I apologize.”

The viscount bowed deeply again. Without even looking at him, Leonard continued to comfort Tenere.

‘Who dared to target the crown prince? ’

The first person that came to mind was undoubtedly Duke Salvatore.

He understood that he could not treat him as his own father, so he generously told him to at least treat him as the empress’s father.

He can’t overlook the possibility that it was someone else, but it was him that he suspected right now.

‘If it’s his doing…’

No, no matter whose doing it was, he would never forgive them.

To dare target his child and harm the empress’s son would undoubtedly face the consequences.

“…Your Majesty.”

While he was lost in thought, Tenere raised her head. The voice was still immersed in tears.

Leonard looked back at her.

Tenere wiped away her tears and composed herself with a tired voice.

“I ask that you take into account the fact that the Viscount’s daughter, Lady Laura Hale, sacrificed herself to protect the prince.”

The viscount’s face flushed with color as he bowed his head at her plea. Leonard nodded slowly.

“Understood.”

“I-I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“You may leave.”

As Leonard ordered, the viscount deeply bowed and left the room.

Once the door closed, Leonard tightly held Tenere’s hand.

“This is my fault, Tenere.””

“…”

“I left Josie and did not properly ensure his safety, so…….”

“You only came after me, so how is that your fault?”

It was Tenere who regretted it. What was so important about a mother she would never see again?

She had left Joshua in the care of his brother to satisfy her own greed. But it didn’t matter what she said to herself.

These were the people who had tried to harm her child, and there was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen again.

“…… Are they the same people as before?”

“…….”

“Can you tell me…… too?”

She asked cautiously, but Leonard didn’t answer.

Why didn’t he say anything? Tenere did not take her eyes off him.

“These are the men who tried to harm my child, so why won’t you tell me anything…….”

“Nothing is certain yet, Tenere.”

“You said you loved me.”

It was she who had said she didn’t believe in that love, but, funnily enough, it was the one thing she could cling to the most now.

“Even if it’s not a lie, if you really think I’m the Empress, couldn’t you at least give me one small clue?”

Despite having already experienced one murder attempt in the past, Tenere had never asked about them. It was because of her faith in Leonard.

She trusted him to protect her son Joshua, the prince, and herself, the empress, whether he loved her or not.

But even in this estate protected by the imperial guard, the same thing happened.

And unlike the last time, when no one was hurt, this time her brother was gravely injured.

So she couldn’t help but ask.

“Is it Duke Salvatore?”

“…….”

“Did he do this to get rid of me and Joshua and make her daughter an empress?”

She asked, half-convinced. Leonard still had no answer.

“You said Lady Alaina has no intention of becoming Empress, so who…… is there another person I don’t know?”

“Tenere.”

“Since I’ll be returning to the palace soon, shouldn’t I know who I need to watch out for?”

“You don’t have to.”

Leonard spoke up, his hand cupping Tenere’s cheek gently.

“I can have his hands and feet tied before we reach the palace. I won’t let this happen again, trust me…….”

“The reason I follow you is because I believe that you will protect me, Joshua, and my brother.”

Tenere said, avoiding his eyes. It meant there was no point in staying by his side if he couldn’t ensure their safety.

His heart sank at the words.

“However, if you don’t tell me who and why someone is targeting my child, how can I continue to trust you?”

A short silence descended. Leonhard stroked his face angrily.

“It is true that I am suspicious of Duke Salvatore. I just haven’t found the proof yet.”

“Your Majesty may have good reason to be suspicious, but if the Lady Alaina has no intention of becoming empress, why does he keep targeting me and my child?”

“…….”

“Is there something I shouldn’t know?”

Leonard fell silent at the pointed question, and the silence was enough to make Tenere slowly shake her head.

“I think… I may have asked something presumptuous.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Then why…….”

Tenere lowered her head. But Leonard could not speak.

Where to begin, where to end.

How to tell her why Isaac Salvatore was trying to push her daughter as Empress and why he had been so lukewarm in his refusal to reject him outright. How would he tell her, who must have so much faith in his mother?

He didn’t want to give her even the slightest hint of suspicion.

If she doesn’t know about it, she can just ignore it. Because it will end up like nothing happened anyway.

Tenere glanced at Leonard, who was lost in thought. After a long moment of silence, she spoke.

“These are people who have tried to harm the prince. I beg you to deal with them sternly.”

Leonard knew why Tenere dared to call Joshua the prince.

She would no longer say that she would take the child elsewhere, and as a prince, he should guarantee his safety.

His eyes held resignation or regret.

Leonard slowly reached out to take her hand.

“Click.”

A sudden knock on the door made them both look up.

It was his aide, Delus Cyan, who opened the door.

“Your Majesty, there was a knight from the Salvatore estate among the intruders!”

The Emperor’s counselor, Delus Cyan, knew of Leonard’s dislike for Duke Salvatore.

He knew that the emperor’s mood was uncomfortable whenever he visited, and he knew that the duke had something to do with Tenere’s dethronement in the imperial court.

Therefore, the fact that the intruders had uncovered Duke Salvatore’s involvement was a significant achievement.

In his report, Leonard abruptly stood up from his seat.

Startled by the sound of the chair falling, Joshua, in his mother’s arms, whimpered softly.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. They were recognized by the Imperial Guard.”

It was a moment when a vague premonition turned into certainty. Leonard trembled with renewed anger.

He dared to harm the imperial heir, his child.

And the reason he could send knights to openly do such a thing was likely due to his confidence that he wouldn’t face official punishment. He’s probably thinking he’ll try to assassinate him again, so he’s beefing up security at the official residence.

Originally, it would have been right to lull him into complacency and handle the matter quietly.

If cornered, he would likely spew nonsense, so he had to either send assassins discreetly or disguise the incident to take his life. He had to be patient and take his chances.

But how long could he endure against someone who tried to harm his child and make his love weep?

Leonard no longer wanted to tolerate him. It was even more so because of Tenere’s gaze upon him.

“Arrest Isaac Salvatore.”

Leonard commanded firmly. The person who claimed to love him, and the same person who doubted his love, were looking at him with a desperate expression.

It was as if she hadn’t asked to take their child away.

“Yes, Your Majesty. The charges…”

Harming a noble’s child and attempting to harm an imperial heir carried different weights of guilt.

Although Leonard treated Joshua as a prince, officially, he was an illegitimate. He wasn’t even registered, so the severity of the punishment would depend on Leonard’s decision.

“For intruding with impure intentions into the territory of another and disturbing the security of the estate, causing harm to a powerless viscount’s daughter and a marquis. Furthermore…”

Leonard paused for a moment and looked at Tenere. Her eyes were filled with tearful gazes.

He knew that she would not be able to listen to him after uttering these words.

It would be hypocritical of him to hesitate when he had no intention of listening to her in the first place.

“Although the prince is still young, he is the sole imperial heir who will succeed the throne in the future. Any attempt to harm the sole succession of the imperial family, threatening its foundation and security, will be punished as treason.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Delus bowed without delay. Tenere, upon his command, finally smiled as if relieved.

Leonard, too, raised the corners of his mouth, looking at her expression.

It was hard to believe that he had dragged on such a trivial matter until now.

To be able to make her smile so easily.