When I Took Back My Beloved Child Who Had Been Taken From Me, My Husband's Obsessive Love Began. Why? - Episode 16

“Mother?”

“Yes. Good morning, Leoldo.”

“Ah, good morning!”

The next morning.

Lucienne, who always asked Namiya what time to wake up, gently called out to Leoldo to wake him up instead.

Leoldo slowly opened his eyelids and called out to Lucienne in a daze.

When Lucienne smiled and greeted, perhaps her mind cleared up, and she quickly sat up and bowed her head.

“Leoldo, don’t wake up so suddenly――!”

Lucienne was taken aback by the politeness that was hard to believe for a two-year-old, and as she tried to admonish, “You shouldn’t suddenly get up,” her words trailed off.

When Leoldo looked up, he suddenly smiled and rushed towards Lucienne.

That behavior was childlike, and Lucienne hugged Leoldo, forgetting all caution.

Then, it feels like my body is being gently warmed in a mysterious way.

“Mother, it’s warm.”

“Really. I wonder if it’s so warm because Leoldo is in good spirits?”

Lucienne placed her hand on Leoldo’s forehead while still holding him in her arms.

It seems like there is no fever.

Lucienne had already been examined by Aman, and it was said that she had no fever and her magical power was stable.

Yesterday, I must have been affected by Leoldo’s magic intoxication after all.

It would be good if Leoldo’s condition stabilizes as it is, but according to Aman’s prediction, as he grows, his magical power will further amplify, and the symptoms of magical intoxication are likely to worsen.

But, I’m prepared for that.

To ensure that Leoldo doesn’t have to go through the same suffering that Craig endured in his childhood, he spent these two years restoring himself to perfect health.

Even if there were aftereffects, even if the worst outcome occurred, Lucienne intended to prioritize Leoldo once again.

“Come on, let’s get ready for the morning and have breakfast together?”

“Would you like some more, Mother?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Lunch?”

“Together for lunch and dinner too.”

To the hesitant question from Leoldo, Lucienne answered clearly.

Suddenly, Leoldo’s face lights up.

“Well… well, what about tomorrow?”

“Together again tomorrow.”

“What’s next?”

“The day after tomorrow—let’s have meals together. But it’s not just meals. When Leoldo plays, when we go for walks, even when we study, we’ll do it together. Wouldn’t that be a bit much?”

“I don’t want to! I want to be with you forever, Mom!”

Saying that, Leoldo hugged Lucienne.

Lucienne gently hugged back and stroked their back without saying anything.

Even if it was impossible to be together forever from now on, Lucienne wanted to be by Leoldo’s side as much as possible until he grew up and no longer needed his mother.

I’m also worried about what to do if Craig scolds me.

Even so, Lucienne felt she had the courage to confront Craig now.

Even yesterday, I was able to properly stand up to Claudine.

Remembering that time, Lucienne felt that she had truly become stronger.

Lucienne looked down at her son, who fit perfectly in her arms, and smiled gently before starting to tickle his small body.

Then, Leoldo looked up with wide eyes, seemingly surprised, but then twisted his body as if he couldn’t bear it any longer.

“Mo-mother! W-what are you… hehehe…!”

“I’m tickling Leoldo with forceful measures because I want him to laugh more! Are you ticklish?”

“Hehe…? It tickles, deshu…!”

It seemed that this was the first time Leoldo had ever been tickled, as he looked completely bewildered, but gradually he started to giggle and laugh.

Startled by the voice, Namia peeked into the bedroom.

“Namia, could you help get Leoldo ready?”

“Y-yes, understood.”

Namiya’s timid attitude is concerning, but it’s probably because she’s caught between Lucienne and Claudine.

However, it was clear from yesterday’s interview that Namia had been taking good care of Leoldo.

It seems that Claudine was constantly meddling, making it difficult for her as a seasoned caretaker.

However, that Claudine is a typical case of someone who talks a lot but doesn’t take action, and it seems she only comes around when she feels like it; she hasn’t even visited the room in the past few days.

It was something that was skillfully elicited from Namiya, who spoke while being considerate.

However, yesterday, he persistently caused a scene in front of the room, demanding to see Leoldo
do over and over again.

As a temporary measure, Lucienne had stationed the guards she brought from the detached palace at the door, so there was no time for anyone to intrude into the room, but by this morning, it seems she was already being rumored within the palace as the cruel empress who unjustly separated Claudine, who had been like a mother to Leoldo.

For Lucienne, the only concern was whether Leoldo was frightened by yesterday’s commotion or if he was feeling lonely not being able to see Claudine, rather than any rumors.

However, fortunately, there is no sign of concern in Leoldo.

Even if Claudine hated me, I thought she cared about Leoldo.

Last night, after putting Leo to bed, who was excited by his mother’s presence, Lucienne entered the playroom, convinced that Claudine and the others had been spreading rumors to suit their convenience.

Originally, it would be better to separate the playroom and the study room, but Lucienne thought that for young children, learning could still be an extension of play, so she kept them in the same room.

However, the playroom had not a single toy, only a few picture books, and the rest were all books that seemed too difficult for children.

There is just a study desk and a high-seated chair there.

The toys and dolls that Lucienne had prepared before giving birth, the cute pictures, the low-seated sofa, and the children’s table were all gone.

According to Namiya’s story, it seems that Leoldo didn’t voluntarily wish to become a teacher.

One day, out of the blue, a teacher sent by Claudine came and changed the playtime with Namiya into study time.

However, because Leoldo did not complain and was able to study diligently, it was not a problem.

“Leoldo, what do you want to do today?”

“What…?”

While eating breakfast together, when I asked Leoldo sitting next to me, he looked as if he didn’t understand the meaning.

With those big eyes and that bewildered expression, it’s too cute, but it’s not the time to be internally flustered.

Lucienne felt that she wanted to ensure Leoldo could express himself properly while talking with Namia.

He’s only two years old. He could be more spoiled… but then again, that might just be Leo’s personality, so we have to take it slow and steady…

I decided to spend as much time as possible together for a while, not to lump him together just because he’s a two-year-old, but to get to know Leoldo thoroughly.

Fortunately, Lucienne has no duties as an empress, so she has plenty of time.

However, thinking that it might be until Craig returns, Lucienne couldn’t spare even a moment.