The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 4 Despair

Weeks have passed since the birth of Louis. Leticia's already given a present to Charlotte. He also expressed his joy at the birth of Louis. Charlotte accepted it with pleasure. Leticia tried to get along with Charlotte but there was a lingering feeling in her heart. Maybe because she still thinks of Charlotte as her husband's usurper. However, he actually felt a bad feeling when he was good friends with Charlotte. 

After Louis' birth, Braun never once set foot in Leticia's palace. While meeting in a meal together, Braun just stared at Charlotte. He asked Charlotte and Louis. He never asked Leticia.

Leticia feels that a speck of Braun's love for her is gone. He was trying to get close to Braun. However, it does not produce results.

Duke Hilbright came to visit the palace. Leticia welcomes her father in the garden of the first empress' palace. Judith greeted her grandfather.

"The heir to the throne is already born" Duke Hilbright said.

"Yes, Dad,"

"You must try harder to get descendants and love the emperor again."

Leticia tried to hold back her feelings. His father did not notice his feelings at all. His father was just crazy about power. Leticia and Braun's wedding was Duke Hilbright's plan.  Having a son-in-law of an emperor would elevate his father's reputation. This is what caused him to meet Braun. 

Leticia used to be grateful to meet Braun. Now, she felt tormented because her body did not support giving birth to the heir to the throne.

"Did you hear me, Leticia?" Duke Hilbright asked because Leticia was still deep in thought.

"Well, Dad will I do." 

Leticia was trying to comply with her father's request. Although it is actually difficult, there is still a possibility that Braun's love for him will return in the future.

"How was your daily life in the palace, Judith," Duke Hilbright asked Judith.

"I've started to learn about manners, imperial history, and much more, Grandfather," Judith replied proudly.

"Good, you must learn to be a great man like your father."

"Of course, Grandpa."

The words Hilbright can also mean don't be the person your mother is. Never once did Duke Hilbright praise Leticia. Young Judith did not understand the meaning behind her grandfather's words.

"I'll go home first. Next time, I'll stop by the palace again."

Duke Hilbright immediately disappeared from Leticia and Judith's sight. Judith said goodbye to her mother to go to the manners class.

Now Leticia's alone. 

It can only depend on expectations that may not be possible. Without hope, he might have given up. 

Leticia walked in the palace garden to refresh her mind. Just futile. His mind was too upset. 

In the end he walked into Braun's room. These few days, Leticia did just that in the hope that Braun would see her. However, in the end Braun was busy with his work. The conversation between them was short. Leticia feels foreign. All of their pasts were beautiful like dreams.

Braun's office door opened. There may be guests. Leticia wanted to see who the guests were coming. He gasped when he heard a voice he knew.

"I beg Your Majesty not to forget our agreement in the past." That's Duke Hilbright's voice.

His father had not yet returned, he was in Braun's study. What agreement are they talking about?

"Of course not, Duke. Without you I would not be Emperor." Braun's voice sounded.

"I've kept my word to you, Duke. I have married your daughter and made her empress." Braun responded calmly.

"But you took Marquis Nien's daughter as the second empress, Your Majesty."

"I can't do anything about it. I need an heir to the throne. Your daughter can't give it."

"There's still a chance Leticia could conceive, Your Honor."

"However, the possibility is only a little. You could say he was barren. I don't want to bet on something I'm less likely to win."

"If Leticia could give birth to a son, would you make the child the Crown Prince, Your Majesty?"

"I'll think. It all depends on the skill of the child. That's if the child was born."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm retreating."

Leticia immediately hid in the intersection that was in the hallway. Duke Hilbright came out of Braun's office. He grunted annoyed. Leticia peeked out from behind the wall. His father began to disappear from his sight.

Leticia's legs feel weak. His feet could not hold his body, he sat on the floor. It turns out that Braun and his father were the masterminds of the previous Emperor's assassination. It is possible that the disease suffered by the late Emperor was the work of Braun and Duke Hilbright. All of this was planned for Braun's ascension to the throne. 

More painfully, Leticia learns that Braun never loved her at all. All the attention Braun showed him was limited to the obligation to fulfill his father's request. He only needed an heir to the throne no more.

Leticia. He walked with an empty look. All the hope he held was gone. There was nothing he could hold anymore. There was no purpose in his life. He never got love forever. 

The servants who saw Leticia's miserable state, talked about it in the back. Leticia kept walking without paying attention to the ones around her. Without realizing it, he reached his room. 

Leticia entered his room. The room felt very foreign to him. Maybe he'll end up here pitifully, without anyone crying. He was tired of holding on to something that would be impossible. 

He took a knife in his room. He looked at the knife carefully. A sharp knife that can cut flesh. What would happen if the knife was scratched on her delicate skin? There will definitely be blood coming from the incision of the knife.

Leticia gripped the knife with both hands. Faced the tip of the knife into his neck. Both of his hands were shaking violently. Her tears are flooded. With this his suffering will be finished.

Brakk...

The door sounds open. Leticia immediately turned to look at the door. There was a girl standing there. Leticia's hand pulled the knife away from her neck, then put the knife on the table.

"Is mom okay? I've knocked many times but there's no answer." Judith approached Leticia.

"Have you been crying?" Her daughter looked at Leticia's face carefully.

"I'm sorry I came in all of a sudden. I'm afraid you're going to leave me alone to a faraway place." Judith started to lower her head. 

Leticia hugged her daughter tightly. She was crying so great.

"I'm sorry, son. I'm sorry, mother." Leticia kept apologizing.

Judith cried with her mother's sorrow.

Leticia feels like an idiot. There are still people who love him. His son. She wanted to leave her son alone without a mother. 

Leticia will always accompany her daughter who will grow up. He will make this daughter happy. He will live for his daughter.