Those Who Received Her Love (5)

The response he heard was strangely anticlimactic, considering the tension that had preceded it. For a moment, Leonard doubted his own ears. He knew it couldn’t be true, but he still found himself asking.

“…Is that all you want?”

“Oh, don’t worry. I dare not ask for more.”

The Duke’s face showed genuine contentment. In contrast, Leonard felt puzzled. He knew this person wasn’t like that. There was definitely something hidden beneath the surface. Leonard remained vigilant until the moment he rose from his seat, but the Duke didn’t ask for anything else.

“I believe Your Majesty has understood this old man’s words well enough, so I shall take my leave now.”

Leonard felt disappointed by the expression on the Duke’s face, which appeared to be relieved. It seemed that she had been discarded. Leonard had prepared for every worst-case scenario when preparing to meet him. Yet, none of those scenarios had this unexpected outcome.

No, on the contrary, what he had hoped for had been an easy resolution, which seemed to be a futile delusion. However, it seemed his futile fantasy had become a reality. He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and tried to organize his thoughts.

What he wanted was for Kilianerisa’s tarnished reputation not to harm their family. Even if he hadn’t explicitly mentioned it, it was a matter of honor to help someone who had helped him. However, he had allowed rumors to spread until now in the hope that she would realize something through those rumors.

Ultimately, nothing had changed.

‘So, does this mean I no longer need to worry about her?’

While it couldn’t be solely judged by such a brief incident, Leonard felt that one of the many shackles binding him had loosened slightly. It was probably because he had invested quite a bit of energy in dealing with her affairs over time.

Suddenly, a mirthless laugh escaped his lips. Perhaps it was due to the current situation being somewhat amusing or the realization that their relationship was truly just a matter of mutual self-interest.

However, on the other hand, he also felt a strange sense of pity for her.

But that feeling didn’t last long. Her actions were more than enough to erase any lingering sympathy he might briefly felt.

“How much longer will you keep doing this?”

Leonard sighed, looking exhausted, and Kilianerisa only responded ambiguously.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

Looking at the woman who acted like she genuinely knew nothing, it felt like he was having a conversation with a wall. He felt the urge to shout in frustration without even realizing it. In that moment, the conversation with Duke Hameln came to mind. As the memory of his casual words resurfaced, his slightly parted lips closed again.

He had thought he didn’t really care much about it, but strangely, was it bothering him? He couldn’t treat her as coldly as he had before. It was quite odd.

His actions, which were nothing more than petty sympathy, had unexpected consequences. Her malicious behavior, which had been severe for a while, had decreased compared to before. Of course, it could have been because she herself was tired, but it was undoubtedly a fortunate turn of events.

While her wicked deeds had not completely stopped, Leonard had a feeling that trying to intervene further would only lead to negative consequences. He took care to avoid running into her by chance, and even if they did cross paths, he didn’t berate her as he had done before.

At first, it was like having an untamed tiger nearby, making him anxious and fearful. However, as the tiger showed little interest in them, he gradually grew accustomed to the situation.

Her malicious deeds neither increased nor decreased, and this precarious situation continued for several years.

Occasionally, rumors would surface that she had committed misdeeds, but she never crossed a certain line, and it was clear that she wouldn’t in the future.

Perhaps Leonard had unconsciously trusted her to some extent. He believed that she wasn’t as wicked as some had portrayed her.

But what had gone wrong?

Had he become complacent in an unsolvable situation, settling for minor acts of violence?

Or was it that he hadn’t worried about his lover’s well-being as much as usual?

Leonard, who was processing documents as usual, dropped the pen he was holding when he heard the news his aide delivered. Before the pen even hit the floor, he had forgotten all the decorum expected of an emperor and scrambled out of his seat.

He dashed away as if he were possessed by something, his face filled with distraught. The backdrop was rapidly changing, but one thing his secretary had said continued to echo in his ears like the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings.

The news he had heard was that Lerian, who had drunk the tea given by Kilianerisa, had collapsed. At first, Lerian’s face came to mind, and then the thought of the child in her womb came next.

His mind went blank as if someone had poured white paint inside his head. It was as if he had become a puppet, unable to think properly. He just ran. He ran on pure instinct, without even realizing where he was going.

It seemed like time had stopped for everyone except him. The sensation felt surreal.

Unaware of his own exhaustion, he ran until he reached Lerian’s residence. Soldiers guarded the entrance to her residence. However, what was the use of them being there? None of them had protected her.

Of course, he knew it was an impossible situation, but even knowing that, he still couldn’t think rationally. All he could do was push aside the soldiers with a wrong judgment before venting his anger on someone. Leonard panted heavily and spoke harshly.

“Everyone, leave.”

The soldiers, unsure of what to do, looked at each other for a moment before quickly leaving.