When I Took Back My Beloved Child Who Had Been Taken From Me, My Husband's Obsessive Love Began. Why? - Episode 37

That night.

After putting Leoldo to bed, Lucienne was about to go to sleep herself when she was anxiously informed by Rite about Craig’s visit.

“Your Majesty?”

“Yes. I absolutely must meet Lucienne-sama…”

Lucienne, who had already changed into her nightclothes, hesitated but put on a thick robe and headed to the living room.

I thought it was pointless to be embarrassed now.

Regarding manners, it was Craig who was more rude for visiting at this hour, so I didn’t mind.

“Your Majesty, what has happened to you?”

When Lucienne entered the living room, Craig, who had been looking at the painting by Leoldo hanging on the wall, quickly turned around.

There is no anger visible on that face.

I thought for sure that Claudine had spread some more rumors, but it seems that’s not the case.

Craig stares intently at Lucienne without answering her question.

After a moment of silence, when Lucienne unconsciously adjusted the front of her gown, Craig blinked a few times as if startled.

“Uh… I’m sorry for bothering you at this hour. It’s just…”

It was unusual for Craig to seem so uncomfortable, and Lucienne found it strange.

Even though they came at such an unreasonable hour, it seems like they’re hesitating to say something.

“Is there something urgent that needs to be addressed?”

“……I’m sorry.”

“No, that’s fine, but…”

If it wasn’t something urgent, Lucienne wondered even more what it could be.

Anyway, I recommend a seat and order herbal tea for Rite.

It was more because Craig looked quite tired than for my own sake before bed.

“Your Majesty, you seem quite exhausted. It would be better if you took a little rest…”

You look much worse than when I saw you during the day.

Craig stared intently at Lucienne, who was worried, and then sighed.

“Your Majesty?”

“I heard the story from Claudine.”

“I see…”

Half in disbelief at what she had been told this time, Lucienne replied.

No matter what I talk about with Claudine, she interprets it however she likes, skillfully weaving together lies and truths to spread the story.

Even if Craig isn’t angry, he must have heard something concerning enough to come over at this hour.

Lucienne waited nervously.

“You… said that you don’t care about me, didn’t you?”

“Yes?”

For a moment, Lucienne didn’t understand the meaning, but she quickly recalled the words.

Lucienne slowly shakes her head.

“I did not say that. To be precise, when Claudine asked me, ‘Don’t you care about His Majesty?’ I raised my voice, so I just didn’t answer the question to avoid waking Leoldo.”

“……So, could you answer me now?”

“Yes?”

To Lucienne, who explained calmly, Craig prompted with a somewhat restless demeanor.

Even though she was surprised by the unexpected words, Lucienne thought about how she should respond.

I don’t know what the right answer is.

Even so, Craig was strangely confident that he wouldn’t separate Leoldo from Lucienne, no matter how Lucienne answered.

“I do not think of you as unimportant. Seeing your face looking so pale now worries me, and if there is anything I can do to help, I would like you to feel free to tell me.”

“Then…”

Having said that, Craig turned his gaze towards the bedroom.

Lucienne also looks over there, influenced by the others.

There are no signs that Leoldo has woken up.

“I think Leoldo has calmed down quite a bit.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then, wouldn’t it be fine if you weren’t always sticking by my side like you are now?”

“Are you telling me to stay away from Leoldo?”

Did Claudine tell such a terrible lie—like saying Lucienne is just using Leoldo? Lucienne clenched her trembling hands tightly and asked.

To Lucienne, who fears being separated from Leoldo again, Craig hurriedly denies it.

“That’s not it! That’s not it…”

Because he inadvertently raised his voice, Craig looked towards the bedroom again, searching for any signs, and repeated in a low voice.

The reason Leo doesn’t show any signs of waking up is probably because Craig isn’t emitting his anger magic like he did back then.

Rather, Lucienne felt Craig’s magical power to be weak and furrowed her brow in suspicion.

“Your Majesty, you seem to be tired after all. Shall we call the doctor—Aman?”

If you can adjust the magic, some fatigue will be recovered.

Recently, both Lucienne and Leoldo have relied less on Aman, so it should be possible to ask.

I thought about it and made the suggestion, but Craig silently shook his head.

“It’s okay. If I’m tired… it’s probably because I haven’t been sleeping well lately.”

“Then――”

As Lucienne was about to suggest that they should either see Aman or go to bed immediately, Craig raised a hand to stop her.

Staring straight into Lucienne’s eyes, who had remained silent, Craig took a deep breath and then spoke all at once.

“I want you to return to the empress’s room.”

“Yes?”

“Even if you can’t tonight, starting tomorrow… at least I want you to spend the nights in the empress’s room.”

Lucienne stared back at Craig in disbelief.

I wonder if “just for the night” means fulfilling our duties as a married couple.

As if he had read the thought, Craig strongly denied it.

“No. I… I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to. I just… I just want you to sleep in the next room.”

This time, without raising his voice, Craig spoke in a pleading and earnest manner.

I thought Lucienne was dreaming, but the pain of her nails digging into her clenched hand made her realize it was reality.

“But… Your Majesty, what about Claudine… Claudine?”

The fact that you came after hearing about it from Claudine might mean that Lucienne’s presence has caused a rift between the two of you.

Lucienne was lost in thought, asking questions with meaningless words.

However, Craig firmly answers.

“No matter what rumors the world spreads, there is nothing between Claude and me. Your return to the empress’s room has nothing to do with Claude. As for her now—no, I just want you—to come back to Lucienne.”

Lucienne was left speechless by Craig’s confession.

I can tell that Craig’s words about having nothing with Claudine are true.

I also know very well that the rumors in society are completely unreliable.

But now, more than anything else, I was surprised that Craig wanted Lucienne to come back, and I couldn’t respond.

“Is it really an impossible wish at this point?”

“N-no… that’s not what I meant…”

At Craig’s anxious words, Lucienne hurriedly denied it.

I’ve never seen Craig look so lacking in confidence before.

“Well… after all, today might be a bit much for Leoldo to handle, so if we can have a proper talk and he can be convinced, maybe starting from tomorrow…”

“Got it. Tomorrow, then. Thank you, Lucienne.”

Hearing Lucienne’s answer, who had given up on thinking deeply, Craig suddenly broke into a happy smile.

Lucienne was once again left speechless by that smile.

The smile directed at Claudine, whom I had envied many times before.

Lucienne’s heart tightened painfully at the smile that made everything else fade away.

Why is Craig…?

The question of whether Lucienne would be so happy just because she gets to sleep and wake up in the empress’s room gradually turns into anticipation.

From the words during the day, I thought it was for the sake of appearances.

Could it be that I’m mistaken? I can’t help but hope that Craig is thinking about Lucienne.

At this rate, the feelings I thought had disappeared for Craig—aren’t they igniting into a romantic flame?

“Well then, sorry for the late hour tonight. Well then, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Uh, um, yes”

Lucienne, who came to her senses when Craig stood up, could only stand up on the spot without properly seeing him off.

At the sound of the door quietly closing, Rite peeks into the living room with a worried expression.

“Lucienne-sama, are you alright?”

“Yeah… I’m fine. But…”

To calm her heart that was in turmoil with joy and confusion, Lucienne pressed her hand to her chest.

Misunderstanding the gesture, Rite hurriedly ran over.

Lucienne couldn’t help but hug Rite in surprise.

“Lucienne-sama?”

“I’m sorry, Rite. It’s just… I know that being so clingy to Leoldo like this isn’t good. But I feel lonely being apart. And I know I shouldn’t have expectations of His Majesty… what should I do?”

“It’s difficult, isn’t it…? Even though the heart is one’s own, it can’t be free.”

Rite answered like that, then hugged Lucienne back and gently stroked her back.

There are many things I need to prepare for starting tomorrow, and I also need to think about how to communicate with Leoldo.

Even so, now, Lucienne was being spoiled by Tite, who had always been by her side since she was little.