When I Took Back My Beloved Child Who Had Been Taken From Me, My Husband's Obsessive Love Began. Why? - Episode 5

The wedding with Crown Prince Craig was scheduled for six months later.

Lucienne was being sidelined by her uncle and aunt, as well as Claudine, despite it being her own wedding.

The reason my uncle is motivated, though not as much as my daughter Claudine, is probably because having his niece become an empress is no different from gaining honor and power.

And it seemed that Claudine wanted to deny everything.

“Mom, I want to use that veil design for my wedding, so let’s choose a different one. And I’ll be using that dress design too. If we start preparing an all-embroidered dress now, it should be ready in time for my wedding, right?”

“That’s true. Well then, Lucienne, this will be fine here.”

The craftsmen are exchanging surprised glances as they overhear the conversation between Claudine and her aunt in front of the tailor shop.

It was as if the content already implied that Claudine’s wedding had been decided, but no one mentioned it.

Even so, Lucienne suppressed her anxiety and smiled silently.

It’s okay. I haven’t heard anything about the two consorts being recognized.

Even Lucienne, who is quite out of touch with the world, would inevitably hear about the temple’s approval of the long-whispered idea of having “two consorts.”

I’ve tried to forget and give up on my first love many times, but if I spend time with Craig, he might eventually notice me.

Lucienne might even smile back at you.

Lucienne couldn’t help but harbor such a fleeting hope.

And three days before the wedding.

Lucienne, who had moved to the palace, felt relieved to be away from Claudine and her uncle and aunt.

In preparation for our upcoming married life, the only servant brought from the marquis’s residence is the maid, Rite.

Since the deceased Aurelia’s maids also became Lucienne’s attendants, there were no worries regarding daily life.

If only I could get even a little closer to Craig…

Not telling Aurelia about her illness has always remained a lingering regret in my heart.

Even if I regret it, it’s too late, and I don’t even want Craig to forgive me.

If only you would acknowledge me as a consort…

Lucienne’s hopes, wishing for that, were shattered by the emperor.

Finally, the day before the ceremony arrived, and I unexpectedly received a response from Emperor Bertrand, who had previously denied me an audience, saying that I could meet him.

Craig seemed to be busy, so they couldn’t be together, but Lucienne steeled herself and went to meet Bertrand.

Bertrand, whom I had only met once when I was a child, left nothing but a frightening impression.

But, since His Majesty is famous for being difficult, children would find him scary, right?

I tell myself that and wait for Bertrand in the designated room.

Bertrand, who arrived quite late compared to the promised time, glanced at Lucienne, who was bowing her head and kneeling, and snorted.

I plopped myself down on the sofa just like that, but I didn’t tell Lucienne to make herself comfortable.

Therefore, Lucienne remained in a kneeling position.

“She was a spiteful woman…”

Without being surprised by Bertrand’s sudden words, Lucienne listened without raising her face.

What Bertrand means by “that” is probably the deceased Aurelia.

I knew their relationship had completely soured, but I never thought Bertrand would still speak ill of Aurelia even after her death.

Perhaps Bertrand also dislikes Lucienne, who was being favored by Aurelia.

Lucienne, trying to suppress the rising tension, swallowed while looking down.

“When the empress consort ascends to that position, she is granted a portion of the jewelry passed down through the generations of the royal family and a certain amount of property. Successive empress consorts—my mother was no exception—would naturally pass on not only the jewelry but also the property to the next empress consort through a will, ensuring they remained within the royal family.”

Lucienne, suppressing her thoughts of “No way,” listened in silence, wondering where this story would lead.

However, with Bertrand’s continued words, Lucienne realized that her worst fears had come true.

“That is, in his will, he bequeathed the jewelry to the next empress, but for the estate, he left half to Craig and the other half to you.”

“Ah――!”

Lucienne, who was about to cry out in surprise, managed to hold it in somehow.

If you speak without permission, you will surely incur Bertrand’s displeasure.

Since she kept her face down, she felt dizzy, but Lucienne somehow endured it.

Seeing that figure, Bertrand smiles with satisfaction, but in the room where he has only one attendant standing behind him, there is no one to see his face.

“That dead palace is also yours.”

“……”

“Therefore, this marriage is for the purpose of reclaiming the royal property, and the temple’s intentions are irrelevant. Craig must marry you to prevent the royal property from being dispersed. Truly, she was a cold woman who showed no affection to her own child, even as a mother.”

Lucienne was trembling all over, but she still gritted her teeth and endured.

Lucienne wanted to argue that it was His Majesty who did not have any affection for her child.

It is well-known that Berutoran despises his son Craig, who possesses significantly greater magical power than himself.

Craig had once lost control of his magical powers when he was a child.

Since then, everyone has become even more afraid of Craig, avoiding him unnecessarily and intensifying his loneliness.

Even though Aurelia had always regretted not being able to comfort him as a mother, her pride got in the way, preventing her from apologizing or even making excuses to Craig.

Lucienne, while sympathizing with Aurelia, was also angry.

There is no reason to leave a child hurt just because of petty pride or position.

How painful and difficult it must have been for Lucienne when her parents passed away, and she too was shunned by her uncle and aunt.

I was grateful that Aurelia cared about Lucienne like that, but I never imagined she would leave such a misguided will.

Aurelia had noticed that Lucienne had always liked Craig.

They might have been trying to bridge the gap, but it’s just too awful.

Now, I finally understand the meaning of Craig’s words at Aurelia’s funeral.

The angry words “Of course!” regarding hiding Aurelia’s illness were probably spat out because they thought Lucienne already knew in advance that she would inherit the fortune.

If that’s the case, then why didn’t you tell me about the inheritance back then?

That… I would have gladly given up on it…

In Lucienne’s ears, who closed her eyes with a heavy heart, Bertrand’s cheerful voice could be heard.

“Oh, right, right. Regarding the will, it said that until Craig gets married, you must not inform Lucienne. It’s a day early, but well, whatever. By the way, it also said that you cannot pass on that inheritance to anyone until you die. So, from now on, you should be careful about your surroundings.”

Bertrand, upon saying that, burst into laughter.

And then, as if to say he was done, he stood up and left the room, still laughing persistently.

Lucienne, left alone, finally managed to lift her face, but was struck by dizziness, bracing herself against the back of a nearby chair to somehow support her body.

If Lucienne were to die now, I don’t know what would happen to her inheritance, but after getting married, if there is no will, all her property would be left to her husband.

The last words Bertrand threw out seemed to be warning that Craig would come after him after the marriage.

No way, that can’t be…

Lucienne sat down in disbelief, tightly closing her eyes as if to escape from reality.