When I Took Back My Beloved Child Who Had Been Taken From Me, My Husband's Obsessive Love Began. Why? - Episode 27

“—Lucienne seemed to dislike me, but she must love Leoldo.”

“Yes?”

Aman was surprised by Craig’s words, which he had muttered softly.

What on earth could be misunderstood to the point of concluding that Lucienne dislikes Craig?

Then, all of a sudden, I remembered Claudine.

Even just from what Aman knows, she is pure malice.

It was probably Claudine who spread the rumors about Lucienne’s infidelity and other malicious gossip.

Without a doubt, he spread both truths and lies to Craig, driving a wedge between him and Lucienne.

“Lucienne-sama is――”

Trying to convey that he didn’t dislike Craig, Aman closed his mouth.

I can’t just convey Lucienne’s feelings without her permission.

In the first place, Aman doesn’t even know how Lucienne feels about Craig right now.

Even without actually seeing the two of them, it was clear that Lucienne had feelings for Craig during her time as a candidate for the throne.

When I was called to the imperial palace after becoming pregnant, I also learned that Lucienne’s feelings had not changed.

However, when asked about Lucienne lately, I can’t answer.

“What’s wrong with Lucienne?”

As if impatient with Aman, who had started to speak but then closed his mouth, Craig urged him on.

If Lucienne truly cares for Craig, I want to bring the two of them together, even now.

However, since I don’t understand Lucienne’s feelings right now, I decided that it’s best not to do anything unnecessary.

Even though I don’t understand Craig’s feelings, there is one thing I can definitely do.

“…I believe you are aware that there are rumors circulating within the palace about an inappropriate relationship between Lady Lucienne and myself.”

“—Yeah.”

At one point, there were even malicious rumors circulating that the child in the empress’s womb was actually the chief physician, Aman.

Even though Lucienne had never met Aman once from the time she got married until she became pregnant.

Of course, that rumor disappeared the moment Leoldo was born.

“What did Your Majesty think about that rumor?”

Knowing it was disrespectful, Aman asked a rather probing question.

If I can’t get an honest answer from this, then there’s no need for me to speak honestly either.

If Aman steeled himself and waited, Craig finally opened his heavy mouth.

“I have never once thought that Lucienne committed infidelity. However, I cannot bind her heart. Lucienne has fulfilled her duties as a queen splendidly. Therefore, there is nothing I can say.”

“…Out of duty? Are you saying that Madame Lucienne gave birth to His Highness just out of duty?”

“No! That’s not what I mean. I… I no longer have any reason to ask Lucienne for anything.”

Aman felt a surge of anger at Craig’s answer for a moment, but he gradually regained his composure with the subsequent words.

Now, Craig has essentially made an important confession.

The person was unaware of it, and the one who should have heard it was still unconscious, but for Aman, it was meaningful words.

“……Lady Lucienne has been persuading the former Empress to confide her illness to His Majesty.”

“Lucienne is…”

“Yes. However, it seems that the former empress was unable to apologize because her pride, which she had cultivated over the years, kept getting in the way.”

The fact that Lucienne had been persuading him repeatedly was something I had heard directly from Aurelia herself.

So Aman decided that it would be okay to tell.

“The former empress said, ‘I’m afraid of being rejected if I confess to Craig now.’ Indeed, being rejected is very painful and would hurt your pride. However, don’t you think it’s much more painful to live with regret?”

Listening to Aman’s story, Craig was already regretting it.

The words that the late empress—my mother—threw at Lucienne when she passed away come back to me.

Lucienne had suggested not only writing a letter to Aurelia but also to Craig, and even visiting him.

I prioritized my pride and feared rejection, forever losing the chance to reconcile with my mother, and ended up taking out that sadness on Lucienne…

Regarding my mother’s will, I was angry at the time, but later I thought it might actually be convenient.

That too is just an excuse born from the fear of being rejected by Lucienne.

Craig stared at Lucienne, who was still breathing heavily with her eyes closed.

Then, she shifts her gaze to her child, whom Lucienne tried to protect with her life.

Leoldo’s breathing is steady; he seems to be just sleeping.

Craig was relieved, but at the same time, he was shocked to realize that he even envied his son for receiving such deep affection from Lucienne.

“If you have even the slightest regret, Your Majesty… when Lucienne awakens, why not convey those feelings to her? Even if you don’t have such feelings, for the sake of Your Highness, it would be appreciated if you could reach out to Lucienne.”

“……Aman, why do you go so far to support Lucienne?”

Aman’s words hit Craig where it hurt.

Even though he was fed up with himself for still prioritizing his pride at this point, Craig waited for Aman’s response.

Aman lets out a sigh that sounds like a snort at Craig’s question.

“Taking sides, you say? That’s a strange thing to say. I am a doctor. It is only natural to do my utmost for my patients.”

“Has it been passed down from parent to child for two generations?”

“My father and I want to use the power that manifests in our family line for those who need it. My brother feels the same way.”

“But, didn’t my brother refuse my request?”

“That’s because I already knew I would be in Lady Lucienne’s presence. The child born into the royal family will need the strength of our lineage the most.”

“That’s right. I have received help from you and your child, yet I spoke in a spiteful manner. I’m sorry.”

While talking with Aman, Craig realized he was being petty and jealous, and he apologized.

Then, Aman opened his eyes wide in surprise.

The emperor apologizing to a subordinate—someone like Aman, who is merely the empress’s physician—is something that should never happen.

It must be proof that they are suppressing their pride to that extent.

“――Are you not going to get married?”

Aman was unsure how to respond to Craig’s sudden question.

A brief silence passed, and Aman, glancing at Craig, realized that this question would significantly impact the future of Lucienne and the other person.

Pretending to be nonchalant, Craig’s hands are tightly clenched.

Aman, who thought it was best to answer honestly, opened his mouth, pondering how to convey his thoughts.

“Originally… I should have had children and passed this power on to my descendants. However, I apologize, but I have entrusted that matter to my brother.”

“Your elder brother indeed has three children. But why do you not wish to marry yourself?”

“I am…”

Is it really okay to open up after just this short conversation?

Aman’s inner conflict continued, but by casting a desperate glance at Lucienne, it seemed to have caused Craig to misunderstand even more.

The magic emanating from Craig intensified significantly and was directed towards Aman, causing him to curse his own recklessness.

But this is also Craig’s answer.

Craig’s feelings of cherishing Leoldo and the feelings he must have for Lucienne are clearly expressed.

Aman finally resolved to muster his courage and answer this time.

“I am… a woman.”

“What did you say?”

“I work as a doctor, but my gender is female.”

“No way…”

Craig’s eyes widened in disbelief at Aman’s confession, and he seemed at a loss for words.