When I Took Back My Beloved Child Who Had Been Taken From Me, My Husband's Obsessive Love Began. Why? - Episode 34

Lucienne was quite perplexed.

To be honest, I was starting to doubt whether the world had changed.

Because, as soon as he recovered from the magical power rampage incident, Craig started visiting frequently, but he looked so different that it was like he was a completely different person.

When I spend time with Leoldo, I always have a smile on my face.

Even with Lucienne, they always check on her health and whether she has any inconveniences living in the palace.

What on earth happened? Lucienne tried to recall the recent events.

Lucienne enjoyed a little time with Leoldo while leisurely spending some time in bed after waking up.

I knew that Craig wanted to meet, but I had to decline as per Aman’s instructions, as my condition—my magical power—was still unstable.

In fact, Lucienne was also not yet prepared to face Craig, so she was grateful for Aman’s decision.

Certainly, Craig must feel guilty…

Because of his own anger, he emitted enough magical power to affect his surroundings, disrupting Lucienne’s magic as well, and even causing Leoldo’s magic to go out of control.

Craig has always been thought of as cold, but he just doesn’t show his emotions much; in reality, he is a sincere and principled person.

That’s why, even though he was in love with Claudine, he did not neglect Lucienne, the bride chosen by the temple, and fulfilled his own duties as well.

Well, I wasn’t exactly neglected, but I was left alone except for obligations…

Recalling her past marriage, Lucienne gave a wry smile.

Even so, thanks to Craig fulfilling his duties as a husband and as an emperor, we were able to conceive Leoldo.

Just that made me feel like I could forgive Craig for everything.

However, even a month after the incident of Leoldo’s magic rampage, Craig still wanted to meet Lucienne.

Until then, Craig had been coming to see Leoldo, but Lucienne didn’t have the courage to face him and never left her bedroom, as if hiding.

You’re acting just like a coward…

It’s about time I face Craig as well.

I understand it in my head, but if I were told that I couldn’t even meet with Leoldo, let alone spend time with him—just thinking about it scared me.

I thought so, but――.

After getting out of bed and recovering enough to have a meal with Leoldo, Lucienne, having resolved to stop running away, was taken aback during her meeting with Craig.

As soon as Craig met Lucienne, he bowed his head.

“—I’m sorry.”

“…Huh?”

“I know that mere words like these are not enough to make up for all my past actions and apologies. But, if possible, could you allow me to make amends from now on?”

“Atonement?”

“Ah. I can’t erase the fact that I’ve hurt you until now. But if there’s anything I can do to heal even a little of that pain, please tell me. Just…”

“Just?”

Lucienne could only repeat Craig’s words in a daze.

However, I brace myself upon realizing that Craig’s so-called “atonement” seems to come with conditions.

I thought that perhaps they would ask me to acknowledge my relationship with Claudine.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t promise to never show my face again. From now on, as Leoldo’s parent, I hope to be able to cooperate.”

However, the conditions presented were unexpected, and above all, they just wanted to cooperate as Leoldo’s parents.

In that case, there’s no reason not to take it.

Lucienne finally came to a conclusion with her now-active mind and nodded vigorously.

“Of course. If I can raise Leoldo together with Your Majesty, there is nothing more reassuring and delightful. Leoldo will surely be happy too.”

Thinking to herself that she had answered quite well, Lucienne smiled.

Your smile should probably look natural too.

Nevertheless, Craig, for some reason, lost the momentum he had just moments ago and smiled weakly.

“……Thank you, Lucienne.”

Lucienne concluded that Craig had probably forced a smile.

Thinking that even just raising the corners of my mouth into a smile for Claudine made me look gentle, my heart aches.

But that too was a memory of the past—probably because I remembered the feelings I had when I liked Craig.

Lucienne forcefully concealed her chest pain, saying for the time being it was an agreement for Leoldo—an act of reconciliation—and since then, she had never refused Craig’s visits.

However, although I had heard that Craig would come to see Leoldo at most once every ten days, he had started coming every day, even if only for a short time.

There’s no doubt that Craig is busy.

Since his ascension to the throne, Craig has been introducing new policies one after another, and I hear that many nobles are opposing him, with some even finding it quite difficult.

“Your Majesty, um, Leo is very happy that you come to see him every day, but is your time alright?”

“Don’t worry. If you can’t take care of your family, you can’t take care of the country, right?”

“Yes, indeed…”

Having been told something reasonable, Lucienne could only nod.

If I spend this much time on Leoldo, I won’t have any time left for Claudine.

I heard that you stay in the office quite late every night.

Therefore, Craig’s secretaries were increased in number and put on a shift system.

However, even if there are substitutes for the secretary, there is no substitute for Craig, the emperor.

Lucienne, worried about whether he was really okay, secretly peeked at Craig, whom she had deliberately avoided looking at.

If the rumors are true, he must be getting very little sleep.

However, he showed no signs of fatigue and his complexion was exceptionally good.

When Lucienne recovered and met Craig for the first time in a long while, her complexion was much worse.

On the contrary, I was oozing fatigue from every pore, but now I seem to be brimming with vitality.

Perhaps the magical power is sufficient.

Lately, there haven’t been any incidents that disturb the magical power, and above all, maybe it’s because Leoldo is stable…

Since Leoldo does not show symptoms of magic intoxication, Craig does not need to use magic to stabilize it.

Even with an immense amount of magical power like Craig possesses, as long as he maintains mental stability, he won’t fall ill or let his magic run amok.

“I am happy every day because my mom and dad are by my side.”

Startled by Leoldo’s voice, Lucienne panicked.

Even though I was spending time with my beloved son, I was too distracted by Craig.

Lucienne hugged Leoldo tightly, squeezing him firmly.

Suddenly, Leoldo let out a joyful scream.

“I’m happy too. We get to play together like this every day.”

Speaking her true feelings, Lucienne glanced at Craig, who was smiling gently.

It was a smile so bright that Lucienne had never seen it before—even when he was with Claudine—and she couldn’t help but stare at Craig.

Craig also stared back, deepening his smile even more.

My heart jumps with a start.

Lucienne hurriedly averted her gaze from Craig and looked down at Leoldo in her arms.

Then, Leoldo smiled knowingly, not at all like a two-year-old.

“I’m going to take a nap now. Today, I’m going to sleep with Namia, so please stay here with me, Mom.”

“Huh?”

“Toshama and Kaashama get along well so that Kaashama doesn’t feel lonely.”

“Leoldo――”

“Understood. Thank you, Leoldo.”

Lucienne was about to say that Craig was busy, but Craig himself interrupted her.

Even though Lucienne looked on with concern, wondering if that was okay, Craig was saying goodnight to Leoldo as if there were no issues at all.

Lucienne had no choice but to entrust Leoldo to the waiting Namia and watch as he entered the bedroom.