The Queen Who Shares Love
Special 1 Judith & Gerald

It's been six months since Leticia and Gerald's wedding. There are a lot of rumors talking about them. 

"Love they'll hang on for a minute." 

"The Empress said she was barren, which is what caused the previous Emperor to remarry. It must be that the present Emperor will do the same."

"They need an heir to the throne."

"The empress can't be trusted, she once betrayed she'll probably betray again."

All of this they didn't think about. The rumors that were circulating did not know the true circumstances at all. The rumor was just talking about something that looked bad.

They had a happy marriage. Although Judith was not very close to Gerald, her hatred towards her stepfather slowly diminished. 

Dale and Isabella were married 1 month after Leticia and Gerald's wedding. Now, the Tower Witch calls Dale Count Wollard. Dean and Rose married a week later. Before that, Rose paid a visit to the parents' house to ask for her blessing. Dean's parents agreed as long as his son was happy with the person he loved. They did not view Rose's status as an orphan.

Everything is very peaceful.

Judith is practicing with Isabella. Isabella is still his teacher. Judith still wants to learn to sword because she wants to be a strong person to protect her mother.

Gerald passed the practice field watching Judith practice. Judith and Isabella bowed in greeting to the Emperor. 

"Do you want to train with me, Princess?"

In Judith's eyes, Gerald looked very scary. His strength was extremely strong, he was afraid of getting hurt facing him.

Isabella noticed the gaze of her student, trying to calm her down. "Don't worry, Judith. Your Majesty won't hurt you."

Judith nodded. He did not know why his mother could fall in love with this scary person.

They practice with each other. Gerald held back, not expending any actual power. Even so Judith remained overwhelmed against him.

When they are finished, they rest.

"Your abilities are increasing, Princess," Gerald praised.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Judith lowered.

A aura of awkwardness enveloped the two of them. Isabella realized it was trying to melt the atmosphere.

"Do you want to see your mother, Judith?" ask Isabella.

"Right, Master," replied Judith excitedly.

"Can I take you, Princess? I also have a need with the Empress," Gerald said.

Gerald wanted to get closer to his wife's daughter. But he doesn't know the right way. Her father used to be a strict person so Gerald didn't know how to be gentle with the child. His mother just lay in bed. He used to visit her often. His mother taught him a little way to show affection.

Judith actually wanted to reject him for wanting to go alone, but he could not refuse the Emperor's request. "You may take me, Your Majesty."

Gerald held Judith. Isabella flirted with the way the Emperor carried Judith. He carried it like he was carrying stuff. 

Judith was shocked and frightened by the actions of her stepfather. He thrashed.

Isabella gives an example of how to carry the right one. Gerald nodded while apologizing to Judith. 

Now Gerald was holding him properly. Judith clasped Gerald's neck in fear. Isabella took a deep breath at her master.

Gerald patted Judith on the back to calm her down while walking towards Leticia's study.

They've arrived. Leticia greeted them happily. Judith immediately went down to hug her mother while trembling. He was confused by his daughter's attitude. Then look at Gerald who turned his head. He asked his daughter. "What's up, honey?"

Judith actually refused to say it. He did not want his mother to be angry, but if lying would be found out. "The emperor was holding me but didn't know how to carry the right one, so I felt uncomfortable."

Leticia looked at Gerald with a long sigh. He turned to his daughter again.

"I'm sorry, the Emperor's actions are yes, dear. He does not know how to show love properly. Actually, he wants to be close to you" Leticia assured Judith.

Judith looked at Gerald. He tried to catch it but was still afraid. Judith took refuge behind her mother.

Gerald was stunned to see Judith's attitude towards him. Leticia asked Gerald, "What are you doing here, Your Majesty?"

"I want to talk about something but it's better tonight. Enjoy your time with your daughter first" replied Gerald.

Gerald then left the room. Judith's fear began to disappear. He sat next to his mother.

"How's the exercise, honey?"

Leticia smiled at her daughter. Judith realizes that Leticia's happy smile is not just shown to Gerald. Her mother was happy then, and so is she now. Leticia couldn't show that smile to him and Braun because she wasn't really happy.

"It's fun, the Emperor was also able to train me, Mother."

Leticia stroked her daughter's head. 

"Aren't you going to teach me anymore?"

Leticia who was preoccupied with her job as Empress called the teacher to Judith. The teacher he chose was a trustworthy person. Those teachers wouldn't hurt his daughter. 

"Mother's busy, honey. If there is something you do not understand what your teacher taught you, you can ask Mom. Besides, it's safe now, so those teachers won't hurt you."

"Good, Mommy."

Judith actually wanted to indulge with Leticia, but as she grew older, she wanted to mature. 

*** 

Leticia who was lying on the bed was startled by the person who suddenly hugged her from behind. The man kissed his lips for a while then leaned his head against Leticia's shoulder.

"So what do you want to talk about Gerald?" ask Leticia.

"The Kingdom of Yuvinere wants to cooperate with us, but they want to marry Judith to the Crown Prince there," Gerald replied without further ado.

Leticia jerks. He felt angry because his young daughter had received a marriage proposal. He wanted his daughter to enjoy her childhood first.

"so yeah. So when did they come here?"

"Another week. Do I have to refuse?" gerald replied.

"no need. We'll make a calculation on them" Leticia replied in an evil tone.

"It's good that I want it too."

The two of them smiled at each other, thinking of a plan to humiliate the Yuvinere kingdom. Then, continue the thing that they had delayed earlier.

***

The Houlem Imperial Family and the Yuvinere Royal Family ate together. King Yuvinere spoke at length about his son's engagement to Judith. Leticia was trying to hold back her anger from earlier. 

"So how, the Emperor and the Empress?" ask King Yuvinere.

"I'm sorry, but I'm sorry I had to turn it down" Gerald replied.

"I also rejected it" Leticia said.

"What not to think?" King Yuvinere tried to convince them.

"I don't want our daughter to get engaged and marry someone weaker than her" Gerald replied.

King Yuvinere who could not stand being insulted, he challenged Gerald. If his son wins, Judith must be engaged and married to her son. However, if he loses he will return to his kingdom empty-handed.

Gerald and Leticia agreed. Judith was confused by the attitude of the two of them. However, he was also confident that he would not lose to his opponent despite being a male. He has been training hard.

They're on the training ground. Judith and Crown Prince of Yuvinere Kingdom fight. Judith was superior, she could win against her opponent easily. 

Queen Yuvinere was worried about her son's defeat. He was about to help his son secretly with magic stones. Leticia noticed it, clutching her hand.

"What are you going to do?"

"I didn't do anything" elak Queen Yuvinere.

Feeling humiliated. King Yuvinere, who hid another magic stone, activated his magic stone to injure Judith. The ball of fire shot towards Judith. Judith was surprised she could not escape. Gerald ran to protect her.

Leticia's getting furious. "We will never cooperate with the Yuvinere Kingdom. The actions of those of you who tried to hurt our daughter will not be forgiven forever."

The Yuvinere Royal Family came home in shame. 

Judith was amazed by her cool mother. Judith looked at her stepfather. Earlier, Gerald saved himself despite causing his back to hurt. 

"Is that sick?" ask Judith to Gerald.

"It's okay it's not a bad wound" Gerald replied as he stroked Judith's head.

Judith was happy. He could feel the affection of a sincere father wanting to cover him. 

"Cheal fast, Dad."

Leticia and Gerald gasped with Judith's words. Gerald hugged Judith tightly. Leticia smiled seeing the two people she loved getting closer.

"Thank you, Judith."

Gerald's happy to be like this is what it's like to be a father. He used to be afraid to feel love and affection, now he is grateful to have both. None of this will be his weakness. That will make it strong.