The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 23 Conjecture

Leticia has arrived at her room. He cleaned himself up and collapsed on the bed. What an exhausting day.

The knocking of the door sounded. Judith peeked out from behind the door. Walk to his mother's bedside. Leticia got up to sit on the side of the bed.

"Are you okay?" ask Judith to worry.

"Mom's fine, honey. Just a little tired." Leticia caressed her daughter's cheek. Judith held her mother's hand. His eyes showed anxiety.

"I heard that mom was attacked by robbers. Is mom hurt?" 

"Mother ran away as the robber was busy fighting with the bodyguards. No one is chasing my mom. So mom wasn't hurt. It's just that mom's legs are a little chafed from running too long."

"Has it been treated?" Judith crouched down to see her mother's feet. Leticia immediately set up her son, hugging him.

"Here, mother asked the palace doctor to treat her."

"I'm afraid something's happened to Mom." Judith hugged Leticia tightly.

It's not just Judith who's afraid of losing. Leticia too, she could not imagine life without her daughter. He remembered the figure of the woman who lost her son earlier. Sadness emanated from every woman's body. Leticia didn't want to feel that.

He must be strong for his daughter.

"Don't worry, honey. I can take care of myself."

"I will learn the sword even more so that I can protect Mother."

Judith's determination grew stronger to learn the sword. For the sake of his family he was willing to do anything.

"Thank you, dear."

Judith took off her mother's arms. He left her so that her mother could rest.

There was only himself alone. Leticia took the magic stone to contact Dale. The magic stone was already shining first. Dale called him first. Leticia activated the magic stone.

"Sorry to bother you, are you alone, Leticia?" whispered Dale. 

"Yes I'm alone, what do you got Dale?" ask Leticia.

Hearing Leticia alone, Dale's voice returned as usual. "It turns out that the missing child in the village did not happen just once. It happened repeatedly. Their bodies were never found, most likely abducted."

"I also heard it from the woman who brought me to her shop." Leticia confirmed Dale's statement.

"The temple side has helped but there has been no development. Viscount Gremaroft is also in charge of the case."

"Viscount Gremaroft has also already taken action, but why is there no result?" Leticia spoke to herself, but still could be heard by Dale. He held his forehead thinking. 

"Either, said the Viscount villager visiting the village every time after the children were gone." 

Leticia could imagine Dale shrugging his shoulders. It was as if he could see the tower magician in front of him. From his relaxed and sometimes passionate tone of speech made it easy to imagine.

"There are two things that bother me. Why did Viscount Gremaroft come to the countryside anyway? The village should have been safe and there would have been no more kidnappings if the Viscount really thought the missing children were important" Leticia explained.

"It seems like he wants to be considered a ruler who cares for his village despite his incompetence" Dale said. Then knock his finger.

Gremaroft should not have had to come to the village many times. Just once is enough if he really catches the kidnapper. If tightening the security of the village must be the action is not repeated again.

"That's one possibility. Or..."

Dale silently waited for Leticia to continue her words.

"He wants to clean up the evil he has done."

Dale stopped tapping his finger.

"Why do you think so Leticia?" ask Dale.

"It was strange that he had to return to the village many times. Where did he hear from the missing boy? I don't think it's possible for the villagers to send a complaint to Viscount Gremaroft whose residence is quite far from the village" Leticia said.

Dale was speechless at Leticia's explanation.

"Don't he risk a little going to the village every time there's a child missing?" Dale felt that there was a gap in Leticia's explanation.

"Right, but the Viscount could disguise it by wanting to address this issue. He pretended to have heard of the matter when he had done it himself."

Leticia was convinced by his thoughts. Little by little the truth has been revealed.

"What are you gonna do, Leticia?" ask Dale.

"I will contact Grand Duke Faust to investigate Viscount Gremaroft. If my guess is correct, we can expose some evil deeds that can boost Grand Duke Faust's reputation."

"I'll call Rose to preach it. You just take a break."

"Thank you."

The magic stone has dimmed. Leticia put it back in the drawer. Then, lie down on his bed. His eyes grew heavy, until he fell asleep.

***

Leticia looked at herself in the mirror. The maids helped her to dress up and put on makeup. He daydreamed.

Leticia forgot to say something to Dale. He should have asked her to make another magic stone to communicate with Grand Duke Faust. He did not need to teleport to Grand Duke Faust's residence and return to the palace. That action is very risky. If you wait until Judith practices the sword again to send a message, it will take quite a long time.

As soon as the ladies finished decorating Leticia, they withdrew. Leticia waited for them all to come out except for Emilia. Before he could say anything, someone stood at the door. 

Leticia did not expect that person to come here. Doesn't that person care about him anymore? The man who is called her husband.

"Are you okay, Leticia?" ask Braun.

Her husband just wants to be seen as someone who cares about his wife. If Braun really cared, he would have visited Leticia yesterday. Not waiting for today. 

"I'm fine, Braun."

Leticia had to act a little scared and rely on him to keep Braun unsuspecting. 

Emilia moves away from Leticia to let her employer be alone with her husband.

Braun hugged Leticia. Leticia gasped, then tried to reply. If she doesn't know the truth, maybe now Leticia will be happy. She would be a stupid empress without knowing her life was just a falsity. 

Braun took off his embrace.

"I'll have Charlotte do your part of the Queen's duty today as well. You just take a break." Braun looked at Leticia gently.

It used to be that Leticia would feel melted seeing Braun's gaze. Now he feels nothing.

"Thank you, Braun." Leticia buried her face in Braun's arms again.

Braun stroked Leticia's back for a moment. He let go of Leticia, smiling faintly. Leticia replied to him with a fake smile. Her husband left her. 

Leticia immediately took the hood.

"If Judith comes here. Just tell him his mom's on break and ask Judith to study on her own. When her mother feels better, she will come to teach her, ", said Leticia.

"Where are you going, Empress? Aren't you still tired?"

"I need some fresh air. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you." Leticia took her teleportation magic stone.

"Good, Empress. Careful." Emilia. He felt anxious, but believed in the First Empress.

Leticia activated the magic stone in her hands, then moved to the Faust residence in an instant.

He was in front of the main building of the Faust residence. It just settles in. 

A sword was pointing at his neck.

"Who are you?" scream someone.

Leticia was petrified to hear that.