The Queen Who Shares Love
S2 Chapter 27 Request

"So you admit that you are a subordinate of Marquis Loid?" Judith smiled mockingly. He did not expect Leonard would confess so easily.

"I just want to make sure my life is safe. He tried to kill me with you on the way back to your residence. Such a person does not deserve to be my master." 

Leonard looked at Judith intently. Cold sweat ran down his temple. He bets on the possibility that the Duchess will spare his life, albeit very little. 

"There's no guarantee your words are right. You easily moved sir. You could have betrayed me or this is your way of gaining my trust." Judith snapped, watching every change in Leonard's expression. 

Leonard clenched his hands, exhaling a long breath. Given his presumptuous attitude towards the Duchess, he deserves suspicion. 

"Marquis threatened to kill me for killing his slave who intended to attack Ariana during the last uprising. I had no choice but to obey his orders because my life was a bet" Leonard assured Judith.

There was no lie inside that emanated from Leonard's eyes. If true, he could not blame completely, because without Leonard, Ariana might not have survived. However, he feels Leonard has not revealed everything.

"I don't think security is all you expect. What did he offer you? Money?"

"Not only that, he'll grant my request if the plan succeeds."

"What request?"

"I haven't thought about it."

Leonard gulped his saliva. The Duchess continued to shower her with various questions. Fortunately, he answered it well. 

Judith tapped her fingers. Despite Leonard's disrespectful attitude, Judith was always helped by the former mercenary. At least he wanted to give Leonard a chance.

"For the time being we're working together. If you betray me, I won't forgive you."

Leonard breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, Duchess."

Judith was chin-backed, hiding her fluffy smile.

***

The next day.

The temple construction is complete. All workers are happy because they do not have to work hard anymore. The Pope thanked them one by one. 

Judith stared at the meeting building that was built better than before. He looked at his younger brothers who took part in this development. Both of them are growing up, he does not need to worry about Ariana and Arion.

All the people there were bowed to a figure approaching the new temple building. Judith's smile suddenly saw her mother coming. Ariana and Arion.

Leticia greeted the Pope and congratulated him on the new temple building.

"I am replacing the Emperor to come today, Pope."

This was the first time Leonard had seen the Empress directly. The Empress's face was very similar to the Duchess's, the difference was that it only looked older. 

The Duchess kept smiling until Leonard couldn't look at her. He turned away from Judith. His heart seemed to want to come out while he was near Duchess Hillbright. Since coming out of the cave with the Duchess, his heart could not be cooperated with.

"We go home, you must be tired" said Judith who was suddenly beside Leonard.

Leonard with a bead holding his chest. An annoyed snort came out of his mouth. "Don't surprise me like that."

"It is your fault that is daydreaming."

"Didn't you want to see your mother?"

"I can meet him at the palace. Here we meet as Duchess and Empress, work and personal affairs must be distinguished." 

It was hard to live as nobles, they had to hold back in order to look wise. However, not all nobles are like that. There are some nobles who seem to be spoiled and continue to joke. There were also those who oppressed commoners for their own sake, but there were good nobles who gave support to the orphans.

Leonard realized that all this time he had misjudged a noble. He cannot generalize everything. Leonard followed the Duchess to the horse-drawn carriage.

Silence enveloped them on the way to the Hillbright House. Leonard smiled wryly towards the Duchess.

"I forgot something, what I'd get if I were your spy."

Judith clucking. "So you want to change your master again?" 

"No, I just want to take advantage of the benefits I get from having the master of a Duchess and the Imperial Princess." 

"What's your request?"

"Make me a noble."

Judith widened her eyes. His laughter broke upon hearing Leonard's words. He did not expect Leonard to be that low.

Leonard paid no heed to Judith's taunts. He knew his request was very sad. However, he needed the title of nobility to gain the heart of the noble girl that was in front of him.

Judith's laughter disappeared. He stared at Leonard. "Can I know why?"

"You'll know the reason when I become a noble." Without fear Leonard kept staring at Judith.

"Alright, after Marquis Loid has been successfully brought down, I will speak to the Emperor."

"Thank you, Duchess." Leonard.

Judith turned her eyes to the window. His clenched hands tightly covered his disappointment at Leonard. He expected more from the former mercenary.