When I Took Back My Beloved Child Who Had Been Taken From Me, My Husband's Obsessive Love Began. Why? - Episode 42

“I gave up on my father a long time ago. It was my father who constantly got in the way when I began to take my role as crown prince seriously and strive to address the deeply corrupt domestic affairs.”

Rather than giving up, Craig spoke about Bertrand in a mocking tone this time.

Although Lucienne also knew about it, hearing it again from Craig’s mouth is painful.

However, Craig just shrugged slightly, as if to say he was fine.

“My father was a shallow and mean person. This is an objective evaluation, not a grudge or anything.”

I don’t want to speak ill of the deceased, but Lucienne had no choice but to agree with this.

Aurelia often said that too. “He is not fit to be an emperor. He was just lucky to be born into the royal family.”

Therefore, Lucienne silently nodded to Craig’s words without saying anything.

“I’ll look into the fact that Claudine knew about the late Empress’s—our mother’s—last will. Now that I mention it, my father cheerfully told me before the wedding, ‘It’s a shame you couldn’t marry Claudine,’ with a loud laugh.”

“Such a thing…”

“Furthermore, he claimed that he was the one who influenced the temple to prevent me from marrying Claudine. I knew that my father didn’t have that much influence over the temple, so I ignored it, but I never expected him to go so far as to meddle with Lucienne as well… I’m sorry.”

“Craig doesn’t need to apologize. I was aware of the previous king’s… malice as well. Yet, I took those words at face value and believed that Craig married me only to reclaim the royal heritage, and I didn’t try to bridge the gap.”

“No, then it was indeed my fault. I knew the rumors about Claudine. But out of foolish pride and the hope that you might be jealous, and also because of the comfort of being able to marry you, I didn’t confess my feelings.”

In the futile situation of once again venting their regrets and apologizing to each other, Lucienne and Craig suddenly realized and exchanged glances, then burst out laughing.

It’s not really the time to be laughing, but this warm and peaceful moment is also endearing.

At the same time, Lucienne felt her suppressed feelings of love growing to an unmanageable size.

“For now, let’s stop apologizing to each other for the past. Otherwise, we won’t be able to move forward with the conversation.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Lucienne immediately agreed to Craig’s proposal.

Even though there are many things I want to redo in the past, there’s nothing I can do about it.

Right now, we have no choice but to move forward.

“Very few people know about the late Empress Dowager’s will. Therefore, those who leaked its contents to Claudine can be narrowed down.”

“—In these three years, the staff within the imperial palace has changed quite a bit. I thought it was simply because Claudine was preparing to become the mistress as she envisioned…”

Lucienne understood what Craig wanted to say and expressed her own thoughts.

I think there’s no doubt that Claudine likes Craig.

Craig must be thinking that it’s not just that; there must be someone behind Claudine.

“From the time I was Crown Prince to my ascension as Emperor, there were naturally many who opposed and obstructed my efforts to promote domestic reforms. For the bureaucrats who lined their pockets with bribes and embezzlement, my presence must have been quite a nuisance. I have gradually exposed and dealt with those who committed wrongdoing, but I could never quite identify the mastermind behind it all.”

“No way…”

Lucienne, having guessed the conclusion that Craig must have reached, couldn’t help but murmur.

This matter is entirely separate from Lucienne and Claudine’s emotions; it is of such great importance that it could shake the very foundations of this empire.

“My father’s— the late emperor’s persistent interference has finally ceased, and only recently have we been able to identify the person leaking information to the neighboring Tranji Kingdom. That person is likely— no, undoubtedly connected to Marquis Arment.”

Lucienne’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Craig.

Indeed, the Marquis of Arment—my uncle is ambitious, but I don’t think he has the capacity to do something as audacious as being in league with a neighboring country.

However, deciding to trust Craig, Lucienne slowly exhaled to calm her feelings.

“I think it will be a tough story for Lucienne, but…”

“I don’t mind.”

Craig seemed surprised by Lucienne’s immediate response, but he nodded without saying anything.

However, Craig grips Lucienne’s hand firmly again, as if to encourage her before continuing.

“I don’t know how involved Claudine is. Perhaps, when we were children—at least until we got married—she didn’t know about the marquis’s misdeeds. But now, I don’t know. Now that Lucienne has returned like this, I don’t know what the marquis, feeling a sense of crisis, will say to his daughter Claudine or what he will make her do.”

“However, my uncle must love Claudine. Yet, would he involve her in his wrongdoing?”

“The marquis must also be cornered. If that’s the case, we don’t know what kind of measures he might take. So it’s better not to act openly for now. After all, he…”

Craig, who had started to say something, suddenly caught himself and swallowed his words.

Lucienne was suspicious of his unusual behavior.

“Craig, what’s going on? It’s okay, please tell me properly.”

“However…”

“Craig, please.”

Lucienne urged him, but Craig still hesitated to speak.

At this point, Lucienne, uncharacteristically, stood her ground.

Then, Craig, still holding hands, turned directly to Lucienne and began to speak, staring intently at her anxious face as if he couldn’t take his eyes off her for even a moment.

“There is still no certainty. But perhaps… the Marquess Arment is involved in the accident of Lucienne’s parents, the previous Marquess.”

“……Huh?”

“At the time, I thought it was a tragic accident without giving it much thought. However, after I started feeling uneasy about Claudine, I began to wonder why she remained a candidate for so long. Her magical power as a candidate was too weak. If she hadn’t been the daughter of the current Marquess of Arment, she wouldn’t have even been considered. I—probably the temple too—didn’t even recognize her existence until she came to the palace as the daughter of the current Mar

Lucienne was so shocked by Craig’s words that her mind went completely blank.

Now, realizing that my parents’ accident might have been intentional—perhaps they were murdered—I’m confused.

“The previous marquis was a person of great magical power. Even if an accident were to occur, he should have been able to protect himself and his wife. Yet… Lucienne?”

“…Yes?”

“Are you okay?”

Noticing Lucienne’s agitation, Craig let go of her hand and grabbed her slender shoulders with both hands.

I gently hold you as you are.

Lucienne, finally realizing that she had been trembling, let out a sigh of relief, comforted by Craig’s warmth.

Thank you very much. I feel calm now.

“Um… if possible, could you stay like this for just a little longer?”

“――Yes”

Lucienne thanked him, but Craig didn’t let go.

On the contrary, Lucienne decided to indulge in the kindness of being continuously embraced.

I have a strong desire to hear the rest of the story quickly, but this gentle silence gives Lucienne time to organize her thoughts.

That day—the day my parents had the accident—Lucienne was originally supposed to ride in the carriage as well.

However, on the day of the event, Lucienne developed a fever and had to cancel her return to the estate.

My parents promised to return from the territory soon and hurriedly set off for the territory.

But why were they in such a hurry? They usually return to their territory with more planning…

Lucienne also recalled that day and furrowed her brows.

Because of that, Craig’s body tensed up, and he gently stepped back, peering into Lucienne’s face with a worried expression.

Craig’s face is right next to me.

Holding her pounding heart with her hand, Lucienne spoke of what she remembered.

“That day, my parents had to return to the estate on short notice. I believe it was because they received a letter from my uncle.”

“I see…”

“…If it had been the way it was supposed to be, I would have gone with them too. We always acted together—not just my parents, but me as well. But that morning, I came down with a fever… so I stayed behind at the mansion in the capital, saying I would return soon.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

As Lucienne’s voice trembled and tears welled up while she spoke, Craig embraced her again to comfort her.

I confessed my regrets from that day to Craig during my parents’ funeral.

Craig hugged and comforted Lucienne, who was extremely distraught and couldn’t stop crying, and he held her hand the entire time at the funeral where everyone had gathered.

Craig, with his much stronger body than back then, continued to hold Lucienne, who had started crying uncontrollably, and comforted her silently.