The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 71 The Most Valuable Treasure

Charlotte invites Leticia to have tea with her. Although reluctant to come, Leticia is forced to come here because Charlotte says Judith is coming. There was a possibility that Charlotte was lying, but Leticia did not want to waste the opportunity to meet with Judith.

"So how long have you been in contact with Grand Duke Faust, Leticia?" 

He no longer acted formally to Leticia. To him Leticia's current position was very low.

Leticia just kept quiet. He was cold to Charlotte.

"Did he save you or before that?"

"That's none of your business, Charlotte."

"Ah. Then do you have any idea who Grand Duke Faust's informant told him about the nobles who committed illegal acts?"

Charlotte only knows Grand Duke Faust and Leticia's relationship is only limited to romance. They don't know their relationship any deeper.

"Even if I know I won't tell you."

"Since when did you know the relationship between Braun and me, Leticia?"

Leticia did not answer.

"What have you leaked to Grand Duke Faust?"

"All your questions are futile, Charlotte. I won't open my mouth." 

"We'll see."

Charlotte grins. Leticia looked at him sharply as if she could stab him with her eyes. Charlotte was not afraid. 

Charlotte and Leticia turned to the person who was coming towards them. Leticia's heart was delighted to see her daughter. Judith glanced at Leticia for a moment then looked away. His daughter still did not want to look at Leticia. Although his heart ached he felt relieved his daughter was healthy even though she looked thinner.

Judith sat down near Charlotte. He still avoids his mother. 

Leticia strengthened her heart. It will take Judith's heart.

"Have you eaten Judith?"

Judith did not answer. He grabbed a cup of tea served in front of him. He sipped.

Leticia took a sip of her tea. Odd smell. He looked towards Charlotte who was grinning evilly. He realized what was in the tea. Poison.

Leticia immediately brushed off the tea Judith drank. "Don't drink!"

The tea cup fell and broke. The rest of the tea in Judith's cup stayed a little. 

Judith was confused by her mother's attitude. Closing his mouth that was spitting out a lot of blood. He collapsed. Charlotte's hand held her up. Charlotte saw Leticia who was knocked down because the effects of the poison had spread in Leticia's body as well.

Leticia was crying helplessly. "Judeo... Judith... Judith..." 

Leticia flailed through the air towards her daughter who was in Charlotte's hands. Leticia's mouth spit out a little blood.

One of the servants who was there ran away.

"Quick arrest the First Empress' servant. He must have poured poison. Then arresting the First Empress may have been implicated in this poisoning, too" Charlotte ordered.

Some of the guards caught the waiter. While the others bent Leticia and Dean. This is all Charlotte's plan. The waiter had been bribed by him.

"You dug your own grave, Leticia. Too bad no one's gonna save you, not even your hero." Charlotte brought her face closer to Leticia

Charlotte's voice and face were getting blurred. Leticia was unconscious.

***

Despite opening her eyes, only darkness could Leticia see. Legs tied. He felt sick, meaning he was still alive. Judith's poisoned memory filled her head.

"Hurry and get me Charlotte! Where is Judith?!"

Leticia constantly screamed until her throat hurt. Fear of not being able to meet his daughter for all eternity.

Then the door opens. The light outside dazzled Leticia's eyes. Charlotte's going inside. The door is still open for lighting.

"Calm down, your daughter's still alive. I've given her the antidote. I'm not going to kill him because he's going to be useful to me and Braun" Charlotte said cynically.

"I will never forgive you for what you have done! I will definitely repay you!" Shouted Leticia.

"Huh.huh...huh..." Charlotte's laughter filled the room.

"How do you repay me? You are completely helpless Leticia," continued Charlotte.

"I'll kill you!" Leticia shouted even louder.

"Then get ready to part with your daughter forever. If you kill one of us, Braun or I will kill your daughter."

"Coward!" 

Charlotte slams the dinner tray in front of Leticia.

"Let's just be non-toxic." Charlotte ate it and nothing happened.

"Why am I allowed to live?" ask Leticia. He is no longer able to think. His brain was tired because of the many problems that hit him.

"We still need you. You can do all the Queen's work while Braun and I have fun. Then never intend to escape or commit suicide. Your daughter's life will be at stake. Then I'll get you together with Judith, if she's human."

Leticia's eyes were wide open. He will meet his daughter again. He will explain everything correctly this time. To make her daughter believe her.

"Don't forget to eat Leticia. I don't want you to starve to death." Charlotte left the room.

Leticia checked the small magic stone for the teleportation that she tied on her thigh. He had been hiding it there all along. Braun and Charlotte must not have expected Leticia to still have the magic stone. He does not use it because he intends to escape with Judith so all of Charlotte and Braun's plans fail. 

He held it firmly. With this he and his daughter will survive.

***

Judith has come to her senses. He watches the situation around him. He's in the room. Her chest hurts. He remembers the last time. Poison and vomiting blood. Then, at a glance he heard the voice of his mother who kept calling him.

Judith was completely unaware of the whereabouts of Charlotte sitting in the guest chair. The Second Empress approached him, hugging.

"What a pity to you, Princess. Empress Leticia tried to poison you, ", Charlotte said.

"No way, Mom drank it too" Judith argued.

"That's just Empress Leticia's wits not to be suspected. The evidence, the servant who fled had already admitted to being given money by him. The reason you were poisoned may be that Empress Leticia no longer needs the Princess anymore" Charlotte said.

Judith shook her head, still unable to believe what she heard.

"It seems I know the reason Empress Leticia is related to Grand Duke Faust. Grand Duke Faust wanted the throne, if it materialized and Empress Leticia became his wife then the Princess would be the next Emperor. Then, because their relationship has spread, he intends to harm the Princess. It turns out that Empress Leticia is no different than Duke Hilbright." Charlotte grins.

Judith continued to cry at Charlotte's explanation. He tried to deny it, but could not.

***

Leticia's meeting Judith. His daughter's face looks pale. She felt happy and a little sad because she could not protect her daughter well.

Leticia approached her daughter who was leaning on a mattress cot. Leticia's hand was trying to touch her daughter's face. Judith turned her face. Leticia lowered her hand. This is not a good time. He will use the magic stone at the right time. He did not want to when they were using the stone they struggled then suddenly separated.

"How are you doing, honey?" ask Leticia worried.

Judith smiled wryly looking at Leticia. "Didn't you see the results of your own actions? Stop pretending!"

Leticia was surprised by the reaction of her daughter who really hated her. "Mom's really worried about you, Judith. Mom's not gonna hurt you. Charlotte was the one who planned the poisoning."

"I don't believe Mom's words anymore. Do you know I always hoped to be like a great, graceful, smart Mom. I have always loved, respected and loved my mother. I wish Mom felt the same way, but. but. it's all just my imagination." Tears in Judith's eyes.

"That's not true. I've always loved and loved you, Judith. You are the greatest treasure to Mother." Leticia tried to stroke her daughter's head.

Judith brushed off her mother's hand. "Stop lying! Did you ever think of me as a child? Not as a tool?"

"What?" Leticia flinched with her daughter's words similar to the words she had made to her father.

"Mom and Grandpa are the same! You two are only concerned with power!"

You only expect me to be Emperor! All the attention, affection and lessons you give just for the sake of it!" Judith's cheeks were wet with tears.

"No, I love you, Judith!" shouted Leticia. Leticia's eyes grew blurry with tears.

"Is that why you love that man? If that man becomes Emperor, I will be the next Emperor! The man also promised not to marry again!" scream Judith.

"That's not all true! Please don't be consumed by Charlotte's incitement." Leticia held onto her increasingly torn-off chest.

"I trust the Second Empress more than Mom. I.. I.. I..." 

Judith sobbing. He wiped away the tears that kept coming out.

Leticia wanted to comfort her daughter, even though she was in pain.

Not wanting to be comforted by her mother, Judith encourages Leticia. Because her strength was weak Leticia only retreated a little. Leticia continued to brace herself against Judith's denials.  

Judith caught her breath looking into her mother's eyes. The look he gave Leticia was extremely cold.

"Go never see me again, Empress Leticia."

Now her own daughter doesn't even want to call her mother. The tears that Leticia was trying to hold were pouring out incessantly. Leticia's lips twitched. He shook slowly.

Charlotte was outside hearing all of the mother and child's quarrels, grinning. He whispered to Leticia. "Darlingly, from now on the person you want to protect will hate you for good, Leticia." Charlotte takes the soulless shell-like Leticia out of Judith's room.

As soon as it came out, Judith screamed from inside. That shout gnawed at Leticia's soul. He wanted to hug, encourage, comfort his daughter, but could not. Whatever he says cannot reach Judith's heart.

Leticia walked into her room with a blank look. A tear was seen on his cheek. He doesn't know what to do. Life or death will make him and his daughter suffer.