As usual, the party didn’t end until late at night.

Most of the time, the host of the party would stay until all the guests had left, so, even Tenere, who was fond of sleep, couldn’t fall asleep until late at night on party days.

After leaving the balcony, Leonard stuck close to Tenere’s side the entire time. He may have been relieved when he didn’t realize it, but once he realized she was drunk, he couldn’t leave her alone. It was gossiped that the Emperor could not take his eyes off her for a moment, and they were not wrong.

But despite the worries, Tenere was indeed sober enough to serve the guests and finish the party. It’s hard to imagine how someone so drunk could do that.

“Laura, you also had a hard time. Tomorrow I will ask the maids to take care of the prince, so get some rest. Don’t worry too much about trivial matters.”

So, when someone’s drunk, they usually get flushed or stumble, right? Somehow, except for occasionally being absent-minded, she behaved perfectly fine. It made him wonder if he was mistaken.

“Thank you, Empress.”

Laura bowed quickly. Tenere instructed the maids to clean up, and then she and Leonard ascended the stairs.

“……Thank you for your efforts, Tenere. The response was much better than last year’s party.”

“It’s been a long time since we had a big event, so I was worried, but thankfully.”

Tenere smiled. When they arrived in front of the Empress’s bedroom, Leonard took her hand and kissed it lightly.

“Then, have sweet dreams, my love.”

“……Where are you going?”

As he waved goodbye wistfully, Tenere grabbed him. Leonard paused and looked up.

Tenere was staring at him, bewildered.

“You promised to make a second one.”

The calm voice was followed by a collective gasp and covering of mouths of the servants. Leonard looked at Tenere in surprise, and Tenere looked back at him, still nonchalant.

“……Tenere, you’ve had a lot to drink today, and I’m sure you’re tired…….”

“As long as we’re not on the balcony, it’s fine, Leon.”

Leonard swore in the name of the Empire that he had no desire to make love on the balcony, but the way she said it made it sound as if he had been flirting with the balcony and had been rebuffed. Somehow, understanding his bewildered expression, Tenere looked at him with a serious face and then said, with great determination.

“If you prefer the balcony, then…”

“No, no. Let’s go inside.”

Leonard quickly hugged Tenere before she could continue speaking. The sharp-witted servants quickly opened the door. As they stepped into the bedroom, the wide-open door closed silently.

“……Leon.”

As Leonard’s hand pulled her, Tenere’s body trembled. Like the night they first confessed their love, Tenere embraced Leonard’s neck and kissed him. Their soft lips met without hesitation.

They hadn’t kissed in nearly a week. The scent of her body and the deepness of her breath instantly made him dizzy. Leonard forgot what he was trying to do and he returned the kiss with a gasp.

Tenere pulled her lips away, breathless, but Leonard didn’t let go. He wrapped his arms around her waist and hips and held her still. Her small body seemed so light.

How could she give birth to a child with a body like this?

It was ridiculous, and so was the idea of a second child.

But Leonard was not a very patient man in the bedroom. And since he hadn’t even kissed her in a week, he was more impatient than Tenere.

“……Tenere.”

Leonard sat her down on the bed and kissed her again. Small hands undid his buttons. His jacket draped over the edge of the bed, then fell to the floor.

“Tenere…….”

The touch that approached eagerly was so lovely. The anticipation on his blushing cheeks was youthful.

“I love you, Tenere.”

The words came out as naturally as breathing now. Heated eyes softened at his words.

“I love you, too, Leon.”

The answer came without hesitation. Leonard kissed her frantically, hastily releasing Kravat. Her rapid breathing urged him on.

His crumpled jacket fell to the floor, one by one. Wherever their lips touched, red marks were left like rose petals. Tenere laughed ticklishly, and then hugged him.

“Come on, huh?”

Her words were overly sweet. Leonard complied willingly.

He knew what it looked like to have a calm face flush with pleasure. He knew what it looked like to have a face disheveled and distorted with joy. It was a look he’d never seen on anyone before—a look he knew all too well.

Lost hands clutched at the sheets and at the pillows. Leonard caught her hand quickly and squeezed it tightly. Her loose hair danced in his hand. It had been a long night.

* * * *

It was past noon when Tenere opened her eyes. Lying beside her was Leonard, of course.

“……Leon?”

“Are you awake?”

“Why are you here…….”

Her hoarse voice scraped against her throat. The scene was eerily familiar. Her whole body screamed a familiar scream, and she woke up with a jolt from a frantic night’s sleep.

“Would you like some water?”

“Yes…… but why are you here…….”

Tenere trailed off as she accepted the glass from Leonard. Leonard looked at her, puzzled.

“Don’t you remember what happened yesterday?”

“Yesterday…”

Tenere mumbled bewilderedly, then jerked up as if something had suddenly occurred to her. The water in her cup spilled out in a gush.

“That…….”

“Do you remember?”

“……No.”

Tenere quickly turned her head to avoid his gaze. But she couldn’t hide the blush on her cheeks. Leonard leaned toward her.

“Really?”

“…….”

Tenere wasn’t particularly good at lying, whether now or before. Knowing it was obvious, she coughed softly as if to hide it.

“I seem to remember that we had decided to make a second child…….”

“Yes. You said the balcony wasn’t suitable.”

“…….”

“No one knows who might see; there’s no soundproofing, and the flying insects…….”

“Enough.”

Tenere quickly reached out and covered Leonard’s mouth with her hand, and the blanket that had been covering her slid off. Tenere was about to pull it back when a voice called out.

“Tenere.”

A large, callused hand grabbed her hand. Tenere turned her head again, her gaze as clear as day.

“The blanket is wet.”

“Yes, it is. The blanket…”

“If you stay wet, you might catch a cold.”

“…….”

“Tenere. I was thinking.”

Leonard took the cup of water Tenere was holding and set it on the shelf.

“It’s unlikely that just once will result in a child.”

“Once… It wasn’t just once…”

Besides, Joshua wasn’t conceived in just one night, was he? Tenere wanted to refute, but she couldn’t when Leonard kept approaching. As her back touched the pillow, a large shadow covered her face.

“Besides, we…… have to go to an official…….”

“It’s urgent; didn’t you get it all done before the Harvest Festival? And besides, no one would think you had more important things to do than make a second royal child.”

Of course, it was Tenere who had boldly said in front of the servants that they had decided to make a second one, so it wasn’t Leonard’s fault. But seeing him approaching with such determination made her think she had touched on something wrong.

* * *

News of the Emperor and Empress’ reconciliation spread quickly. So did the news that they were planning a second imperial child. Everyone had expected this, but it was new to Eric who had been away from the capital.

“Hey, what are you two doing arguing when I’m not around? If you’re going to fight in the future, call me first. Let me watch.”

Eric chuckled, as if he’d missed out on a good view. Tenere’s cheeks flushed red at the thought of her brother teasing her whenever he could, but she didn’t let it stop her.

“And you’re the one who’s not making progress with Laura? Someone seems to be trying to send a marriage proposal again.”

“…….”

It was a remark thrown expecting him to make a fuss as usual. However, Eric didn’t respond. Tenere looked at him with a puzzled expression. Eric, who saw her widened eyes, suddenly shouted in frustration.

“What’s with the expression!”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s an expression of interest. It seems like you caught something, like you caught a big fish.”

“Does it show that much?”

“Then how wouldn’t it? Look at your eyes twinkling. I thought you had discovered a treasure.”

“Such remarks should be made to Laura.”

“You really…”

Eric cringed, but then shut up. Tenere watched him carefully, then spoke up.

“Brother, is there something…… bothering you?”

“No. It’s not that.”

Eric hesitated a moment, uncharacteristically, and then let out a short sigh.

“Yeah, honestly… It’s not like I don’t have a heart, right?”

“Oh.”

Tenere’s eyes narrowed. He hadn’t expected his brother, who had always insisted that he had no interest in Laura, to say that. Eric coughed softly.

“No, I mean, I kind of hated her at first, but I think she’s grown on me, and I think she’s kind of… cute.”

“……I see.”

‘Where is she cute? How is she cute? When did you start thinking that? ‘She wanted to ask right away, but seeing Ericr’s blushing cheeks, she pretended to be casual. Eric paused for a moment and scratched the back of his neck.

“But, anyway… she’s too young, isn’t she?”

“Six years isn’t that big of a difference.”

“Oh, she’s younger than me, and besides, marriage is a union between family and family, and it would be better…… to marry into a family with as much power as possible.”

“…….”

Tenere looked at Eric wordlessly. She knew why her brother, who had no great desire for power, was saying this.

But Eric was the man who had given up everything for her, the man who had left her, the man who had protected Joshua with his life. Tenere didn’t want him to sacrifice any more for her.

“Then…… I suppose you can do as you say, marry into an arranged marriage with a powerful family, and keep Laura as a mistress.”

“……What?”

“Isn’t that right? Marriage is between helpful families, and… enjoying it like that.”

Eric’s mouth dropped open, unable to hide his bewilderment, as if he hadn’t expected Tenere to say such a thing. After a long pause, he finally managed to speak.

“Are you… serious?”

Eric looked very shocked, but Tenere did not relent. If he didn’t say something, Eric would not bend.

“What about you, brother?”

Eric could not answer. Tenere continued.

“You said that before. Even though I want to leave His Majesty, if I stay because of the child….Think about how Josie will feel about that when he grows up.”

“…….”

“So do I, brother, and I think it would break my heart…… to see you spend the rest of your life with someone you don’t even care about because of me.”

Eric clenched his jaw and turned his head away. He still looked troubled. Tenere slowly reached out and took his hand in hers.

“If you really care about me, please don’t make me feel guilty, brother.”

Eric grimaced slightly at her words. Then he quickly withdrew his hand that was held.

“Ugh, why are you holding my hand, you disgusting little thing. Go and hold the Emperor’s hand.”

“After all, there’s no one else to hold your hand right now.”

“Oh, attacking me like this, huh?”

Eric sounded exhilarated, but he couldn’t hide the corner of his mouth twitching upward. Tenere pushed herself to her feet.

“I think I should return to my quarters, brother. Laura is with Josie.”

“Okay.”

Eric nodded obediently, her intentions clear. As he rose from his seat to follow Tenere, he looked up as if suddenly remembering something.

“Oh, by the way, about Miss Laura. She lied before.”

“What?”

“The day before your wedding, she said she didn’t remember what happened, but she remembered it quite accurately.”

“Oh my.”

Tenere’s eyes widened in disbelief. Eric said nothing more and left the parlor.