When I Took Back My Beloved Child Who Had Been Taken From Me, My Husband's Obsessive Love Began. Why? - Episode 17

It’s only been two days, or a little over a day in total, but I could tell that Leoldo was starved for affection.

The expression might be a bit exaggerated, but it seems like Lucienne is watching every move, wondering if it’s okay to be spoiled.

Also, there were times when she wouldn’t even mention Claudine’s name and seemed on guard around the other servants besides Namia.

At the breakfast table, even when Lucienne was asked what she wanted to do, in the end, no answer was obtained.

Therefore, Lucienne decided to spend the day with Leoldo as usual to observe how things went.

Then, after a while following breakfast, the teacher came.

The lesson was no different from what a seven-year-old child would take, but Lucienne was surprised that Leoldo understood it so easily.

As expected, it seems that Leoldo has exceptional talent.

I felt it strongly even during the afternoon magic training.

But, I don’t have time to play.

According to what I heard from Namiya, it seems that he spends most of his day studying.

However, Leoldo didn’t seem particularly dissatisfied, and he looked happy when Lucienne was watching.

Since they are still only two years old, it would be better to reduce the class hours even more, right?

Since they have talent, I want to help them develop it.

If you become skilled at handling magic, you will also be able to manipulate the magical power within your body.

However, today’s teachers didn’t seem to be well-versed in that area.

It seems like the teachers were chosen by Claudine…

It is customary for mothers to choose caregivers and tutors for their children.

Considering that, I have no complaints about Claudine, who acted as a mother figure, choosing the teachers.

Perhaps Craig also entrusted it to Claudine without thinking too deeply.

But, Craig has also struggled with magic sickness since he was young.

Lucienne realized, thinking that if only they would consider Leoldo’s condition a bit more.

Regarding Leoldo, Dr. Harry has diagnosed him as having no issues, and his situation is almost the same as Craig’s own childhood.

Craig’s tutor was chosen by the late empress, and through that training, he was able to handle advanced magical techniques from an early age.

However, the former empress once quietly expressed her regret about that time.

That’s right. In that case――

Lucienne came up with an idea from the words of the former empress.

At that moment, Leoldo, who had just finished his bath, came running in happily.

“Mother!”

“Leoldo, you still haven’t dried your hair, have you? You’ll catch a cold.”

Catching the leaping Leoldo, Lucienne said in a scolding tone.

However, the arms that embrace are gentle, and they lightly kiss the round cheeks, so there’s no convincing power.

“Sorry”

Leoldo, while cutely apologizing, laughs happily with a gleeful “kyakya.”

Tightening her cheeks that had relaxed at his cuteness, Lucienne firmly restrained Leoldo and stood up.

“I won’t let you go until your hair is completely dry!”

“Well then, I won’t forgive you~”

At Lucienne’s words, Leoldo happily hugs tightly.

It wasn’t a punishment at all, but Lucienne hugged even tighter.

Then, Leoldo lets out a cute scream, “Kyaa!”

I approached Namiya, who had been anxiously standing by, and gave her a nod to dry my hair.

Namiya had also gotten quite used to Lucienne, and with a light nod, she gently dried Leoldo’s hair with wind magic.

Meanwhile, Leoldo continued to cling to Lucienne.

Because Leoldo had started to behave quite like a two-year-old, Lucienne was secretly relieved.

Yesterday, Leoldo was so frightened and hesitant that it was almost painful to see, but I’m glad that he has opened up to me so much in just one day.

According to Aman, it seems that there is indeed a special bond between a mother and child through magical power, which is why Leoldo is also at ease.

If I reduce the study time and magic training time a bit tomorrow, I should be able to make some time for play…

As Lucienne was contemplating the future while holding Leoldo, the door from the hallway suddenly opened, and Claudine entered with the palace guards.

“Lucienne! What are you doing to Leoldo!?”

“Claudine, it’s rude to just barge into a room without knocking.”

“Th-That’s not the time for this, is it!? I heard the prince’s scream! That’s why I rushed over to help!”

“Oh, thank you. You were worried about Leoldo, weren’t you? But it’s okay.”

Until Lucienne made her move, there were no guards at the entrance of the Crown Prince’s room.

Of course, he wasn’t inside either, and I was irritated by his carelessness, but I had heard from Rite that after Lucienne had a scuffle with Claudine, guards were stationed.

Since yesterday, Lucienne has not left Leoldo’s room and has not moved away from his side.

On the contrary, there were no other permanent servants besides Namia, and Aman and Rite were using the spare servant quarters.

And then Lucienne had a folding bed brought into Leoldo’s room and slept there.

“So, even though you said you were in a hurry, hasn’t quite a bit of time passed since Leoldo screamed?”

Lucienne tightly hugged Leoldo again as if to protect him, then turned her gaze towards the guards and asked.

If you heard Leoldo’s voice of enjoyment as a scream, why didn’t you come into the room right away?

Lucienne was angry, thinking that at the very least, they should have called out from outside to check on Leoldo’s safety, instead of reporting to Claudine so nonchalantly.

Moreover, Leoldo, who had been looking so cheerful until just now, is once again clinging to Lucienne in fear.

Regarding security, it is an urgent issue, but for the time being, Lucienne decided that they should settle the matter for Leoldo’s sake and turned to Claudine.

“Have you confirmed that Leoldo is safe? The voice earlier was just a bit too excited. It’s already Leoldo’s bedtime, so could you please leave?”

“Are you trying to kick me out again?”

“I’m the empress, and I’m asking you to leave.”

Lucienne, while smiling, fixed a strong gaze on Claudine.

Noticing that Claudine had slightly flinched, Lucienne deepened her smile and shifted her gaze to the guard.

Suddenly, they avert their gaze and look down.

“Oh, the only reason you can be so strong is because His Majesty will be back soon! I’ll make sure to report this properly.”

“Yes, go ahead. Well then, good night.”

Even in the face of Claudine’s words, which sounded like a bitter excuse, Lucienne did not waver.

I have already resigned myself to the fact that a confrontation with Craig is inevitable.

Claudine’s eyes widened in surprise when her threat didn’t work, but she quickly glared at him.

“I won’t care if you regret it.”

After seeing off Claudine and the others, who left with parting words, Lucienne immediately called out to Leoldo.

“Leoldo, you were surprised, weren’t you? But are you okay?”

“Because Mother is here, I’m okay.”

Leoldo had regained his composure more quickly than yesterday, and Lucienne let out a sigh of relief.

Even so, wanting to reassure her even more, I put Lucienne’s unwavering feelings into words.

“Yes, Mother will protect Leoldo with all her might. Leave it to me.”

“Yes!”

“Well then, shall we go to bed?”

“I’m still okay.”

When I told Leoldo, who responded cheerfully, to switch gears and go to bed, he shook his head in refusal.

It seems that he still prefers to spend time with his mother rather than sleeping.

I’m so happy that you’ve started to show such small whims through your attitude that I almost end up forgiving you.

“Well then… how about this: Mom wants to read a picture book in the bedroom, so could you tell me which book you like, Leoldo?”

“Picture books!? Is Mom going to read them?”

“That’s right. Will you read it together with Leoldo?”

“Yes!”

When I brought the cheerful Leoldo into the playroom, I let him choose from the few picture books that were lined up.

That picture book was something Lucienne loved when she was a child, and she read it over and over again.

Lucienne, feeling nostalgic, headed to the bedroom with Leoldo and the picture book.