The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 42 The Impact of the Play

Leticia comes to a tea show hosted by Charlotte. Not many nobles came to this event. Surely those nobles heard rumors about Charlotte that had something to do with Count Blaire. They protect their good name that may be tarnished as a result of being in contact with Charlotte.

Leticia will remember the people still at this tea show. These people were loyal supporters of Charlotte.

"I'm sorry to invite you. Count Blaire's case overwhelmed us. Isn't that right, Empress Leticia?" Charlotte casts her eyes on everyone and ends up on Leticia.

Leticia nodded. "Yes, Empress Charlotte. Lately there's been a lot of evil going on in the Empire."

One of the nobles chimed in, "You must have been very troubled because the case of Count Blaire dragged your name, Empress Charlotte."

Charlotte held one of her cheeks with her head slightly tilted while having a sad expression. "That's right, I don't know anything about Count Blaire's forbidden business. I just invest. Then, unfairly I was considered one of the users and dealers of the drugs as well."

The nobles who were there showed their concern to Charlotte. Leticia pretended to be concerned. 

"By the way you're lucky, Empress Leticia. I'm guessing you're investing in Count Blaire's business" Charlotte said. 

"I'm actually a little interested in Count Blaire's business. However, when the Countess invited me, she did not want to mention what kind of business her husband was running. I felt the Countess didn't believe me, so I didn't invest" Leticia replied half-truthfully, half-lying.

"so yeah. What about Princess Leticia's sword practice, Empress Leticia?" Charlotte deliberately raised this question in front of many nobles. He wanted Judith to be considered a Princess who acted at will. Surely Leticia who educated him would be considered as a mother who was not good at teaching her daughter.

Leticia realizes Charlotte's attack. The nobles whispered to each other. Their whispers were so loud that Leticia could hear them. 

"The Imperial Princess learned the sword, it's a strange thing."

"True, what would the Empire be if her own daughter acted disrespectfully."

"A Princess should be able to make tea, walk and look graceful. Not being a barbarian."

Leticia tried to keep her expression from looking upset. He tried to smile.

"Princess Judith is still excited and can take lessons well, Empress Charlotte. Then, learning to sword is not an act of dishonor and bar-bars. What about a knight? They also wield swords and are loyal to their Master. Are they also called dishonorable and bar-bars?" Leticia looked at the nobles who insulted her daughter one by one.

The nobles bowed. Charlotte was a little upset, usually Leticia received all the statements made to her. Maybe because of her daughter's concern, Leticia couldn't stay silent. 

Charlotte smiled trying to melt the atmosphere. "What Empress Leticia said, right. There is no harm in learning to sword, in the future Princess Judith can be a knight who protects the Empire."

Leticia loosened her hard-looking face earlier. The nobles there look relieved. Charlotte was discussing something else, making the person there start to forget about Leticia's anger. They started to talk relaxed again.

Leticia heard their meaningless babble. He sipped his tea while looking at Charlotte.

***

Leticia opened the drawer, picking up the magic stone that was twinkling. He lit the magic stone.

"You're alone, aren't you Leticia?" whispered the man who was there.

"Right, what's up, Dale?" ask Leticia.

"I've heard it from Rose that the temple has something to do with Count Blaire. Are you going to investigate, Leticia?"

"Right, I also asked Grand Duke Faust for help to investigate the temple. The Grand Duke will also go to the Marquis Rainster's residence to make the Rainster family be on their side."

"Are you not busy, Dale? I can't ask you to keep investigating." Leticia felt bad for Dale. He had asked Dale to investigate Count Blaire before. He knew that Dale's work must have piled up by now.

"It's okay, let me. Yesterday my investigation did not produce satisfactory results. You just rest in the palace and go for a walk with Judith and leave this to me, Leticia," said Dale excitedly.

Leticia was silent for a moment. If he often went out of the palace secretly there would be many people who were suspicious. Dale's idea was pretty good. "Well if you force it, Dale. You can ask Rose for the wine card to help with the investigation on the Temple."

"I asked for it."

"It turns out from the beginning you did intend to investigate the temple. Be careful, Dale," said Leticia.

"Of course, Empress."

Leticia's magic stone began to dim. He returned the magic stone to the drawer. He sat down on the bed, and intended to lay down his body.

Suddenly the door opened and someone came in. Leticia saw a figure in front of her bedroom door. He stood up with his eyes wide open.

'Why did that guy come here? He shouldn't have come here.'

The figure smiled as it approached Leticia.

"It's not the welcome I want, sweetie."

Leticia was silent hearing that. Braun was already standing right in front of him just a step away. 

"Why are you here, Braun?" ask Leticia while looking away.

"Am I not going to my wife's room?" goda Braun playing Leticia's hair.

Leticia avoided it, walking a little away. "You haven't come here at night since you married Charlotte."

"I'm sorry, honey. I need the heir to the throne from Charlotte. And since Charlotte can give it to me, I only reply to her with the right amount of attention. Then, I was also busy because of the problems in the Empire that were endless." Braun approached Leticia who was still turning her back. He hugged her from behind.

Leticia was disgusted by Braun's embrace. He wants to avoid this situation. However, if she rejected all her husband's deeds, Braun would be suspicious. 

"Every night I miss you, Leticia. I'm sorry, I should have come sooner" Braun whispered in Leticia's ear.

Leticia closed her eyes while clenching her hands tightly. Everything this man who hugged him said was a lie and he knew it all. It's just that he must remain theatrical to be an Empress who does not know the truth and is lulled at the falsity of the Emperor's love.

Leticia opened her eyes slowly. Then, nod.

Braun noticed Leticia's gesture. He brushed Leticia's hair with one hand, while the other still held Leticia's stomach. The First Empress' smooth neck is visible. He kissed Leticia's neck gently.

Leticia's fist was getting tighter. He had to hold it in order for his plan to go smoothly.

Braun's hand that brushed the hair earlier, now held the side of Leticia's face. He turned his wife's face to see her. Braun smiled.

Leticia tried to smile at the face of her husband who she no longer loved. Braun put his lips closer to Leticia's. Leticia closed her eyes, hoping that this long night would be over soon.