The Queen Who Shares Love
S2 Chapter 22 Determination

Palace 3 years ago

"Greetings to Princess Judith" said Marquis Loid.

Judith was on her way to her room to change clothes as her body was drenched in sweat after training with Arion. He recalled the day that a meeting of nobles was held that discussed rebellion. It was not strange to cross paths with a Marquis.

"What is the Marquis?" ask Judith.

"There's something I want to talk about, Princess."

"Alright, wait a minute, Marquis. Take the Marquis to the parlor" Judith orders one of her servants.

Marquis Loid headed for the living room, while Judith quickly changed her training clothes with a dress. He did not get to dress up, because he did not want his guests to wait long.

Judith reached the living room sitting opposite the smiling Marquis Loid. "Sorry to have waited, Marquis."

"It's okay, Princess."

"So what do you want to talk about, Marquis?"

"I'm a loyal follower of your birth father. Me and the other followers will help you become the next Emperor, Princess," Marquis Loid bargained.

Judith tried not to look surprised. He clenched his hands tightly. 

"I have no interest in becoming Emperor, Marquis," Judith replied.

"Only you deserve to be Emperor, Princess. Prince Arion is not as good as you.  We're ready to be pawns, as long as you become Emperor."

Judith got up from her seat. Talking to Marquis Loid ignited his anger. If he continues he will hit the Marquis. What Marquis Loid wanted was power after Judith became Emperor, not proving his loyalty. The proof was that the Marquis did not help the previous Emperor during the Gerald rebellion. All he needed was an Emperor who could be utilized. 

Before Judith walked out of the living room, Marquis Loid continued his words. "Our offer is valid for good, Princess."

"I won't accept your offer, Marquis." 

***

At the dinner table, Judith didn't touch the food. Leticia and Gerald look at each other at Judith's strange bum. 

"What's Judith?" ask Leticia.

Judith jerks. He looked at his family in turn, then bowed back.

"Can't the rule about the Emperor having the male gender come back again?" 

Gerald had changed the Emperor's sex rules. Anyone can be Emperor even if they are female. He changed it before Leticia became pregnant, the goal of course was for Judith to become Emperor. Many nobles were against him but he did not care. However, if he changed it once more, he would be considered an Emperor who could not make a wise decision.

"The nobles will question the father's next decision, if it changes him, Judith," Gerald explained as gently as possible.

"Why would you want that rule back? Didn't you promise me you'd compete with me to determine the next Emperor?" asked Arion knowing what her brother was thinking. Judith wants Arion to be the emperor.

Judith looked towards her sister. He did not want to fight for the throne with his brother. Moreover, nobles like the Marquis continued to come to Judith a few days ago, they certainly did not hesitate to use a sneaky way to take down Arion.

"I don't want Brother to give up on me" continued Arion.

"Have it done, let Father decide which of you will be the Emperor" said Gerald pacifying his sons.

Judith clasped her fork and knife tightly. He wanted to bring up the blood flowing through his body, but Leticia and Gerald must have been angry. There were other ways to avoid bloodshed in the palace family.

"I will join in the suppression of the rebellion" Judith said suddenly.

Leticia shook her head slowly. "That's very dangerous, Judith."

"I can easily beat everything, Mother. Trust me."

Leticia almost defies Gerald, but her husband clasps her hand tightly. Gerald gestured to listen to Judith's reason. Leticia finally complied. 

Leticia, Judith and Gerald went to the Emperor's study. Gerald let out a long sigh as the three of them were already inside. She pulled her hair and looked at Judith.

"I wouldn't have agreed to it, if you had gone only to die Judith" Gerald said. Despite having no blood ties, he felt there was a similar part of Judith to him.

Judith widened her eyes. He did not expect Gerald to guess his thoughts correctly. 

Leticia looked at her daughter. "Is that true Judith?"

"I don't want bloodshed because of the usurpation of the throne, Father, Mother. The nobles supporting the previous Emperor began to approach me to get rid of Rion." Judith looked down slowly.

Gerald relaxed his face. "You don't have to sacrifice yourself, Judith." 

"As long as I live, they'll keep coming to me, Dad. I'm afraid that one day they'll be seduced."

Leticia calmed her daughter who was about to cry. He rubbed Judith's head. 

"We believe in you Judith. You're not the one who's gonna hurt your sister."

"Thank you, Mother. But, to be honest I have no interest in becoming Emperor. From the beginning I did want Rion to be the Emperor while I always protected him behind the scenes."

Leticia looked at her daughter's teary eyes. He stroked Judith's cheek. "Do you want to be Duchess and give up your daughter's title?"

Gerald looked at his wife. They've talked about this before. If Judith were to become Emperor, they would confer the title on Arion Grand Duke Faust and Ariana, Duchess Hillbright. If Arion becomes Emperor, Judith will become Duchess Hillbright and Ariana will be Grand Duchess Faust. However, since Ariana went on to become a priest, only Judith and Arion were knighted.

"If it will free me from those nobles, I will." 

Judith's tears were spilled, meaning she had to part with her father and mother sooner. However, it was better than having to fight with his sister. 

"To make it easier to inherit titles, you can go beat the rebels and be a hero, Judith," Gerald suggested.

Leticia hugged her daughter. "Mother will allow it, if you promise to return safely, Judith."

Judith nodded slowly. "I promise, Mother."

Gerald embraced and kissed the tops of their heads both. Without them noticing, Arion eavesdropped outside clenching his hands. He promised not to waste his brother's sacrifice. They are far apart but will protect each other. Arion steps into his room, writes a letter to Flint to become Judith's aide.

***

Present-day

Judith opened her eyes. She dreamed of becoming Duchess. His whole body hurts. Two hands are wrapped around his shoulders and stomach. He looked up to find Leonard's face bleeding.

Judith recalled the incident before she fainted. His horse-drawn carriage was hit by a rock. He opened the horse-drawn carriage door and pulled Leonard out so as not to be hit by stones. Their lives are still threatened by falling from a height. Judith prepared to use her aura to protect herself, but Leonard instead embraced her. Forced to channel his aura to Leonard. Then there was the sound of the body hitting the ground. That's Judith's memory.

'Why did he save me?' inner Judith.

Judith took off Leonard's arms. He patted the bodyguard. "Wake up."

Leonard's eyes remained closed. Judith checked Leonard's pulse. Normal. Leonard just didn't wake up because he fell. 

Judith sustained the body of the former mercenary. Leonard's shoulder was injured for protecting him. Judith bit her lip, feeling guilty. He held Leonard's hand around his neck, carrying the mercenary on his back. 

He sharpened his eyesight with aura. There is a cave not too far away. Judith immediately set her foot towards there. His damaged heels he threw away because they only prevented him from walking on slippery land due to rain.

She did not care about her dirty and torn dress everywhere. The most important thing for him was to find shelter. 

Judith's move stopped. The cave was in sight but there was a rushing river blocking it. Breaking through the river with Leonard, not a good idea. They will be carried away by the flow.