When I Took Back My Beloved Child Who Had Been Taken From Me, My Husband's Obsessive Love Began. Why? - Episode 51

That night.

Lucienne, who just couldn’t bring herself to sleep in her own room, decided to sleep in Leoldo’s bedroom as she used to.

I knew that more guards than usual had been deployed due to Craig’s arrangements, but I still couldn’t shake off my anxiety.

Perhaps because Leoldo had taken a good nap, or maybe due to his excitement, he had a hard time falling asleep, but finally, as he drifted off into slumber, he felt a sense of relief.

Feeling a faint presence of someone from the living room, Lucienne felt tense.

However, realizing that it was Craig, she let out a sigh of relief, and Lucienne quietly stood up and entered the living room.

“Lucienne, where’s Leoldo?”

“It’s okay. They seemed a bit excited, but now they’re sound asleep.”

“I see…”

Lucienne was happy that Craig prioritized worrying about Leoldo.

However, Craig quickly returned to a stern expression, concerned for Lucienne.

“Lucienne, are you okay? There doesn’t seem to be any disturbance in your magic power, but are you feeling tired?”

“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just that I can’t seem to calm down no matter what…”

Lucienne answered Craig’s question honestly.

Not feeling tired or anything is probably because I’m still on high alert.

This time, Namia lured Leoldo and guided him to go out alone to the courtyard, but it was also possible to take more forceful measures.

“Lucienne, this time it was my carelessness that caused it. I’m sorry.”

“N-no! …Then I’m the same. I knew I shouldn’t have trusted Namia too much, so I should have fired her earlier.”

Craig had begun to investigate and capture most of the traitors, including the Marquess of Arment.

It seems they pretended to negotiate and summoned an envoy from the Tranji Kingdom to set a trap.

However, while I had anticipated that they would try to escape from the palace, I never imagined they would audaciously plot to kidnap Leoldo.

From the moment he was born, protective magic was cast on Leoldo to prevent any harm from coming to him, and there were multiple layers of defensive magic set up within the imperial palace, so he must have unknowingly let his guard down.

Therefore, I had completely forgotten that Claudine had been free to come and go in the courtyard since her time as a candidate for the position of consort.

Even if we couldn’t directly harm Leoldo, if he had been taken away by Claudine as he was, not only would the rescue have been difficult, but there was also a possibility that he could have fled to the Tranji Kingdom.

Somehow, I had become arrogant about my own abilities…

It wasn’t just Leoldo. Craig was now terrified at the thought that Lucienne could have been taken away at any moment as well.

When I think about it, it was fortunate that I had made the public believe that there was still a rift between Lucienne and me.

“Lucienne, we both have our shortcomings. I particularly lack words and consideration. If possible, let’s make up for each other’s deficiencies… No, I might end up relying on you too much, but even so, I want to be with you, Lucienne, forever. And if possible, I want to continue to seek your love.”

“Craig…”

Craig suddenly kneels at her feet, begging Lucienne for love once again, surprising her.

Seeing that figure, Lucienne could no longer suppress the emotions she had been holding back.

There are still many problems to tackle, and both Craig and Lucienne have a lot to do.

Even so, if we can support each other as Craig says—if we can help each other, then that’s all that matters.

Just as I wanted Leoldo to have as little hardship as possible in the future and to be happy, I felt the same way about Craig.

I’ve always felt this way…

Lucienne’s heart, which she had been avoiding seeing just because she didn’t want to get hurt.

That is the feeling that above all else, Leoldo and Craig are the most important.

Lucienne took Craig’s hand, which was placed on his chest, gently encouraged him to stand up, and stood up herself.

In those softly smiling eyes, tears are welling up.

“I like you too. I’ve liked you for a long, long time.”

“Lucienne…”

After hearing Lucienne’s heartfelt confession, Craig pulled her hand closer and embraced her.

“I’ve always liked you too. I just realized it late, and even after realizing it, I was too scared of being rejected to say anything. Because of that, I wasted a lot of time, but I intend to make up for it from now on, so be prepared.”

“That’s the same for me. Craig, you should be prepared too.”

If Lucienne can express her feelings in words from now on, it will require quite a bit of time and words.

Craig looked at Lucienne, who was laughing mischievously, with a fond gaze.

Noticing the warm gaze, Lucienne stopped smiling, and in the silence, the distance between the two naturally closed even further—then suddenly, she halted.

When Lucienne turned her gaze to the door leading to the bedroom, she saw Leoldo standing there with a happy smile on his face.

Since the door was slightly ajar so that I could rush to Leoldo’s aid if anything happened, it seems there was no sound.

Of course, Craig noticed as well, and he let out a small sigh before asking.

“Leoldo, can’t you sleep?”

“I was sleeping. But it was so fluffy and warm, and I felt so happy, so I woke up.”

Leoldo’s face, speaking in a more childlike manner than usual, looks very happy indeed.

Thinking that he must have had a pleasant dream, Lucienne decided to go to Leoldo’s place.

Then, Leoldo shakes his head vigorously.

“No! Mom and Dad, you mustn’t be apart!”

“Leoldo?”

“I asked the fairy today! To make sure that Mom and Dad get along really well! I’m already fine on my own.”

With a snort and heavy breathing, Leoldo complained, then turned on his heel and disappeared through the gap in the door.

Lucienne was surprised by Leoldo’s claim, but she suddenly came to her senses, exchanged glances with Craig, and then followed.

Of course, Craig continues as well.

“Mother? Father too?”

Leoldo, who was climbing onto the bed by himself, seemed surprised to see his parents.

Craig helped Leoldo, and when Lucienne covered him with a blanket, Leoldo smiled happily.

“Did Leoldo ask the fairy’s droplet to help Father and Mother get along?”

“Yes!”

When Craig sat down by the bedside and asked, Leoldo answered happily.

But soon, he becomes dejected.

“But, that caused you worry.”

“That’s true. Sneaking out of my room without permission was wrong. But I’m glad you asked for it for Father and Mother. Thank you, Leoldo.”

“That’s right. Since Father was able to get along with Mother like this, I am grateful. However, we must reflect on the fact that we worried everyone and caused trouble for many people, and we must be careful to ensure that such things do not happen again, okay? Do you understand, Leoldo?”

“Yes…”

Seeing that Leoldo seemed to be genuinely remorseful, Lucienne and Craig didn’t say anything strongly to him either.

I just say the necessary words, gently stroke the dejected Leoldo, and kiss his soft cheek.

“Leoldo, both Mother and Father love you. Even if you’re a little troublemaker. So, sleep peacefully.”

“That’s right, Leoldo. Because you were there, Father didn’t have to lose Mother. Leoldo, thank you. I love you.”

Following Lucienne, when Craig gently professed his love, Leoldo broke into a broad smile.

That smile is full of happiness.

“I love you too, Mom and Dad. Good night.”

Leoldo, speaking quickly and bashfully, pulled up the cover and hid his face.

The sight was both cute and endearing, and Lucienne gently stroked the soft golden hair peeking out from under the cover.

Then, a delighted voice saying “Hehe” was heard, and Craig chuckled next to me.

It was rare for Craig to laugh like that, and when Lucienne widened her eyes and looked next to her, she met a warm gaze.

Those eyes were very similar to Leoldo’s, and Craig gently kissed Lucienne’s lips, who couldn’t help but smile.

Lucienne’s eyes widened even more, and this time Craig smiled mischievously.

“We took quite a detour. So, we decided not to hold back anymore.”

Lucienne, who had been absentmindedly listening to Craig’s words, suddenly came to her senses and hurriedly looked down at her son.

Leoldo still had the blanket over him, and even when Lucienne gently peeked at his face, he didn’t open his eyes, and a gentle breathing could be heard.

Thinking that perhaps they were still half-asleep earlier, I quietly arranged the bedding so as not to wake them.

“……Leoldo is important, but you need to make an effort to spend a little more time with me.”

Lucienne chuckled softly at Craig, who was speaking a bit sulkily.

I know that, like Lucienne, Craig will be the first to think of Leoldo if anything happens.

On top of that, I was able to believe that you truly care for Lucienne.

“As Craig said, Leoldo brought us together. I don’t think it will take long before this child grows up and no longer needs us.”

“But I can’t wait until then.”

Saying that, Craig kissed Lucienne again.

Deeper than before.

Eventually, as their lips parted, Lucienne chuckled softly, and Craig raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

“I can’t wait either.”

Lucienne, who murmured as if to answer Craig’s question, returned the kiss just like that.

This time, Craig seemed surprised, but he responded to the kiss right away.

“—It’s so happy…”

The two who suddenly pulled away at the voice that interrupted them quickly relaxed their cheeks at the sight of their beloved son, still mumbling with his eyes closed.

And then, they looked at each other and giggled, filled with happiness just as Leoldo had said.