The Queen Who Shares Love
S2 Chapter 32 Facing the Candidate-in-Law

Leonard gulped his saliva. He was not ready to face the Empress. A cold sweat flooded his forehead as the Empress drew closer.

"How's the Duchess doing?" ask Leticia.

Relief filled Leonard's heart. She thought the Empress was suspicious of her relationship with Judith. 

"The Duchess is just exhausted after a fight with Marquis Loid, the Empress," Leonard replied slightly nervously. 

"Thank God he's okay. Take the Duchess to the room."

"Okay, Empress." 

Leonard immediately headed to the Duchess's room. He did not realize Leticia continued to stare at his back suspiciously. 

***

Judith opened her eyes slowly. The view of the ceiling of the room adorns his eyes. He turned his head to the side, Leticia clasping her hands expectantly. Ibunta smiled when Judith woke up.

"How are Rion and Ana, Mom?" Judith tried to get up.

"They were fine thanks to the Pope successfully neutralizing the effects of the poison."

Judith breathed a sigh of relief. "Have they returned to the palace and the temple?"

Leticia shakes. "They're waiting for you to wake up to say goodbye. They're already at the dining table with the Emperor."

Gerald came to the Hillbright residence last night after his affairs were completed. Seeing his son in pain, he almost headed to the Loid residence to help Judith finish off the Marquis. However, Leticia forbids him because Judith does not want to be helped.

"All right, I'll be there." Judith called the maid to help her clean up.

Leticia walked towards the door. "Mom will be waiting for you in the dining room. And, don't forget to introduce your lover."

Judith turned to look at her mother. "How did you know?"

"He's the one who brought you here. You never let yourself look weak in front of anyone but your loved ones."

"Mom will bless our relationship, won't you?" judith hesitated a little. 

Leticia did not dispute the status of Judith's lover who was a commoner, for her the nature of the man was more important. Judith told him a few days ago through a magic stone that she was in love with a commoner, but there was no mention of the man's name. Leticia suspects that the man Judith is referring to is her bodyguard. 

"Mom will decide later after seeing it," Leticia replied as she exited Judith's room.

Judith could not calm down thinking about her mother's words during the cleansing. No man has yet managed to meet the criteria of Leticia and Gerald to be lovers of their daughters. Princes from other kingdoms even they reject it outright. 

After getting dressed, Judith immediately headed for Leonard's room. His guard was asleep. Judith presses the temple, worried about her relationship with Leonard.

"Wake up, Leon!" scream Judith.

Leonard gasps. He rubbed his eyes. Both corners of his lips lifted up looking at Judith.

"I didn't expect you to wake me right away" Leonard replied in a teasing tone.

"No time, get dressed. You're invited to eat with my family." Judith is in a hurry to find a proper outfit for Leonard. 

Leonard's closet contained ordinary clothes. The expensive clothes Judith bought were torn apart. By force, Judith chooses the clothes she thinks are the best and throws them at Leonard.

Leonard is confused. He looked up after he understood Judith's intentions. The Emperor and Empress were already waiting to shower him with various questions.

***

Leonard's legs shook sitting in the dining room. He turned to Flint for help, but the Duchess' aide ignored him. 

The gripping atmosphere pierced Leonard's skin. The Emperor sometimes glanced at him as if he was going to kill him. Judith's sisters ate the food elegantly. Leonard who did not understand the manners of eating nobles could only look at his food.

"No, I'm not hungry, Empress." Leonard was downcast, his confidence blurred when faced with the two people with such a high position.

"How can you protect Judith if you don't eat?" scorn Gerald.

"Well, I'll eat, Emperor." Leonard stuffed the food into his mouth with trembling hands. His tongue felt nothing.

"Since when have Brother and Leonard been in a relationship?" ask Ariana curious. Ever since Leonard warned her about the drug, Ariana suspected that Leonard's concern for Judith was not as a bodyguard. He came to the Hillbright residence to tell his brother, one of the traitorous workers. Even though it's too late 

"Just yesterday."

Judith turned towards Leonard while pinching him. He did not expect Leonard to be honest without knowing the consequences. A suspicious look was thrown at Leonard.

"I don't want to waste time. Fight me if you want to continue your relationship, Leonard." Gerald finished his meal staring at Leonard.

"Dad, don't be. No one can beat Dad," whined Judith asking for some respite.

"I can't let a weak man marry my daughter" Gerald retorted.

Leonard clenched his hand. He will not give up on his relationship with Judith. 

"I accept your challenge, Emperor," Leonard said.

They have arrived at the training ground. Gerald and Leonard face each other. The fight begins sideways. The Emperor continued to suppress Judith's bodyguards without giving any loopholes to counterattack. Leonard fell, the fight was won by Gerald.

"It's over." Gerald sheathed his sword.

"Not yet." Leonard raised his sword to Gerald.

Gerald raised one of his eyebrows while pulling out his sword. Leonard. However, Gerald easily defeated him again and again.

Ariana closed her eyes unable to see the fight before her eyes. He whispered to Judith.

"Why didn't Brother stop Dad?" ask Ariana.

"I don't want to hurt Leonard's self-esteem, Ana. He still hasn't given up" Judith replied.

Leonard struggled to get up. His breathing is getting heavier. The difference in his strength with the Emperor was too far away. He is unlikely to win, but his determination is still not gone.

Leonard set his breath, calmed himself. He attacked the Emperor's right side suddenly. However, such a small attack was meaningless to Gerald. Gerald attacked with a barrage. 

The gap that Leonard was waiting for began to come. He pointed the sword at Gerald's face. Gerald dodged him and flew Leonard's sword.

"That's enough," said Gerald coldly. 

Leonard fell limp. He feels pathetic. The hope is to have Judith pupu instantly. 

Gerald wiped the blood on his cheek from Leonard's last attack. "Just stand up, now it's the Empress's turn to judge you." 

Leonard got up slowly. His heart cried out in delight as the Emperor accepted it. He approached Leticia who started walking towards the park. It did not appear that Leticia's sons were following from behind. Although not as frightening as the Emperor, the Empress continued to emit a cold aura until Leonard's hair was goosebumps.

Leticia's cries that traced the flowers stopped. He looked at Leonard.

"Judith told me about you that you hate each other." 

Leonard silently swallowed. 

"However, everything is just a misunderstanding Indeed among the men who approached Judith, you are the least likely to have any advantages. But, only you love her sincerely without expecting anything. There is no man who can continue to fight against the Emperor despite falling many times like you. I hope after this you'll keep looking after her." Leticia stroked Leonard's shoulder.

Leonard. "Thank you, Empress. I promise."

They're back on the training field. Leticia wiped away the tears that came out by herself. After all his daughter had grown up, he had to leave it to others. And he found the right person to leave his daughter.