When I Took Back My Beloved Child Who Had Been Taken From Me, My Husband's Obsessive Love Began. Why? - Episode 31

A few days after receiving the report that Lucienne had regained consciousness.

Craig was still frustrated that he had not been allowed any visits.

To ensure that Lucienne is not affected, I can suppress my own magical power.

Nevertheless, as soon as Craig returned to the palace and reunited with Lucienne after a long time, he unleashed his magical power out of jealousy.

When I think back to that time, even though I was confident in my magic control, I couldn’t say for sure that everything would be alright when Lucienne was involved.

Because Craig lost control of his magical power, Leoldo’s magic went out of control, and Lucienne ended up teetering on the brink of life and death.

That’s right, that was jealousy…

After learning that Aman is a woman, Craig also became quite calm and was able to recognize his past mistakes.

Frustration over Lucienne not treating me the way she used to.

I somehow wanted Lucienne to notice me, so I made a special effort to get close to Claudine.

Recalling that childish behavior, Craig held his head in his hands.

Even so, I was happy when I was able to get married.

However, no matter what, the fact that the late Empress—my mother—left the royal estate to Lucienne, combined with the correspondence I had heard about from Claudine, made me feel like I was the only one being excluded, and I continued to harbor resentment.

For that reason, I couldn’t interact honestly, couldn’t get too close unnecessarily, and could only spend the nights as if they were an obligation.

I really wanted to see the smile from the past.

Since getting married, Lucienne has always been tense, and the face I saw after a long time was twisted in fear.

Craig let out a deep sigh over his own foolishness and lifted his head.

There are many things I have to do.

One of them included an investigation into the accident that led to the death of the previous Marquess and Marchioness of Arment.

The late Earl Arment was quite powerful in magic, so it is unnatural for him to have died from something as trivial as a carriage accident.

On the mountain road heading urgently to the territory, it was said that the carriage fell off a cliff, but with the marquis’s power, he should have been able to deploy a protective spell to safeguard not only himself but also the horses.

Something that couldn’t be done――.

Upon re-investigating in secret, Craig found that since the death of the late Marquess Arment, corruption had become even more rampant in the national government.

Bribery became rampant, wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, and heavy taxes were imposed on the people.

Moreover, rare minerals are being illegally smuggled to the neighboring country of the Tranji Kingdom, and individuals with unclear backgrounds are being appointed to important positions within the imperial palace.

Nevertheless, Craig’s father remained indifferent, indulging only in his own pleasures.

If Craig were to express an opinion, he would become furious and even try to strip him of his authority as the crown prince.

Perhaps, if there were any other children besides Craig, they would have been made the crown prince, even if they were inferior in magical power.

Perhaps my father, like the rest of society, thought that I wanted Claudine…?

If that’s the case, it explains why they kept Claudine as a final candidate as a way to annoy Aurelia, who wants Lucienne to be her son’s wife.

Also, even after Aurelia’s death, didn’t you remain silent when Lucienne was chosen as the queen as a form of harassment towards Craig, who desired Claudine?

In fact, upon learning of Aurelia’s will, Craig harbored a fleeting anger towards Lucienne.

That was probably because he felt strongly betrayed…

Craig, after reanalyzing his feelings at the time, realized how much he had been manipulated by the intentions of those around him and felt ashamed.

It wasn’t just my father Bertrand; perhaps it was also Claudine and the current Duke of Arment behind her schemes—grasping for power and trying to further line their own pockets, and I hadn’t even noticed.

To be honest, I don’t want to believe that Claudine had any ill intentions when we first met.

It was actually enjoyable to spend time with Claudine while Lucienne was in mourning.

Craig believed it was friendship, but for Claudine, it was probably different.

If I recall each of Claudine’s past words, as time goes by, Lucienne’s tone when talking about her recent situation gradually becomes tinged with malice.

Looking back now, there were many strange things, but at the time, I didn’t notice and just went with my emotions, which is quite pathetic.

Even though they should know about Craig’s relationship with his mother, they have repeatedly mentioned the correspondence between the late empress and Lucienne.

It might seem like thoughtless behavior, but within those words, it was as if they were saying, “It’s sealed with magic so that only the person can open it,” and “It disappears with magic once read,” as if there was a secret between the two that they didn’t want anyone to know.

That is nothing more than evidence of attempting to open it and sneak a peek at the letter.

If Claudine truly cared for Lucienne, she would have tried to somehow cover up the rumors about her unusual relationship with Aman.

However, together with the Marquess and Marchioness of Arment, they kept feeding Craig stories that seemed to show evidence of Lucienne’s infidelity.

Well, I was foolish to believe that so readily…

I should have been more supportive of Lucienne, who is suffering during her pregnancy, but I neglected to do so just because I believed the rumors about Aman and was turned away once when I tried to visit.

After giving birth and moving to the detached palace, I got angry believing Claudine’s words that I was neglecting the child.

Furthermore, unable to wait any longer for Lucienne, who was taking a long time to return after giving birth, I stormed into the detached palace and ended up berating her.

At that time, I think I unleashed my magic out of anger even more than the other day.

So, Lucienne must have fallen ill again.

Because of that, Lucienne might not be able to meet and hug her son, Leoldo.

It is dangerous for Lucienne, his mother, to come into contact with Leoldo, who possesses such immense magical power at just two years old, while his internal magic remains unstable.

If Aman, the doctor of the Lester family, were to make that decision, he would not have allowed contact with Leoldo until Lucienne’s magical power was fully restored.

The more he thought about it, the more Craig regretted his foolish actions over the years, and feeling utterly helpless, he left the office.

A few years after Craig’s ascension to the throne.

I have dealt with the corrupt officials, but there is still much more to be done.

Even if we deal with those who commit fraud, they are just the foot soldiers, and we still cannot reach the core of the corrupt Ministry of Internal Affairs—the insiders of the Kingdom of Tranji.

Even so, right now I can’t help but think about Lucienne.

And before he knew it, Craig had arrived in front of Leoldo’s room.

Although permission for the visit had not yet been granted, the guard recognized Craig and, without any reprimand, easily opened the door.

Even if I can’t meet Lucienne, I can still meet Leoldo.

Although he had received reports that he had fully recovered, Craig had not seen Leoldo since then, so he entered the room while suppressing his magical power as much as possible.

“……Tōshama?”

At the sudden appearance of the emperor, the caretaker who was by Leoldo’s side—Namia—seemed flustered.

However, Leoldo, appearing calm, cast a puzzled glance at his father.

Ignoring Namia, who was bowing her head beside Leoldo, and the maids deeply kneeling in the corner of the room, Craig waved his hand dismissively.

In response, the other maids, except for Namia, leave the room.

Craig asked Namia, who kept her eyes downcast.

How’s Leoldo doing?

“Yes. As I reported, you have completely recovered.”

“Is it playtime now?”

“Indeed, it is.”

“Well then, sorry, but could you leave us alone for a while? I’ll deal with Leoldo.”

“Understood.”

Namia glanced briefly towards the bedroom where Lucienne was sleeping, but immediately followed Craig’s words.

Listening silently to their exchange, Leoldo was staring intently at Craig.