I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 287



291

“Ugh… Rohan…, Rohan…”

—

Rohan, my one-year-old baby.

The child lies in the coffin, and I ask the child.

“Ah, I’m sorry, my baby. I’m sorry… I couldn’t protect you.”

Our little one… my poor little one…

My dead son.

Rohan’s form, lying in the coffin, looked peaceful.

That this child must dwell in the cold, hard ground.

That this child must be alone in this dark and chilly place.

If only I could trade places with this little one, I would beg El to let it be so.

Oh, El, why do you take this child away?

Why do you take my beloved child?

Why my pitiful, young baby…

The one who brought me joy by my side.

“Ugh…”

I bury Rohan in my heart.

Even if no one remembers you, this mother will always remember you.

My beloved first son, Rohan.

When this mother eventually goes there… let us meet again then.

As soon as Rohan’s funeral was over, I summoned the ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Grand Duke’s palace.

“Your Grace, I humbly pray for the repose of the deceased.”

“Alfred, I can no longer live with that man.”

Alfred sighed.

“I have already discussed this matter with His Majesty the King… But as you know… divorce is impossible once purity is broken.”

At those words, I bit my lips tightly.

Rohan is dead.

But that beastly child who killed my son…

Raped me every night.

-If you love children so much, just make another one, right? This time, give birth to a proper Rion, not a failure.

-Shut up! Rohan, ah!

Valoran, grinning as he pulls my hair.

—

—

Every time I am violated, I feel the urge to vomit.

To mix my body with such a beast.

The desire to kill him is overwhelming.

But they expect me to live with that beast for the rest of my life?

No, I can’t live like this. I can’t endure this!

—Thud!

I slammed my fist down on the tea table and glared at Alfred.

I poured my feelings, my heart, into my words.

“My first son died with his neck broken, and they want me to live with a man like that? I can’t do it! If I have to live in such humiliation, I’d rather die! Tell my father! Does he really want me to bite my tongue and die? Make sure you tell him!”

“I… I will convey your message, Your Highness.”

“I know divorce is difficult, but I can’t live here! Let me return to the United Kingdom! I don’t want to see that monster’s face again!”

“First, I will relay this to His Majesty the King. Please calm yourself.”

I shot a glare at the flustered Alfred and turned to leave.

“I hope for good news.”

Days passed, and it was breakfast time.

“Ugh!”

I gagged at the smell of the bread I usually ate.

Oh… no, it can’t be? Surely not. Could it be that beast’s child again?

With a flicker of hope, I went to the doctor for an examination…

“Congratulations on your pregnancy.”

A deep despair washed over me.

“Ah…”

What will happen to the child if I leave the Grand Duchy?

Will it become a b*stard?

If I leave the Grand Duchy while pregnant, there will be issues regarding the child’s birth.

Even if there aren’t any, what if Valoran makes a fuss?

What if he declares the child isn’t his? Then the child won’t be baptized?

If it is saved from death after passing, it will go to either heaven or hell.

There are many ways to go to hell, but to reach heaven, one must adhere to several conditions.

One of those is…

—

Baptism.

But illegitimate children are not baptized by the church.

The soul of a child who does not receive baptism is merely dragged to hell after death.

Ah… Elish, how can you be so cruel to me?

Days passed in a state of confusion over the fact of my pregnancy.

I met Alfred again.

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“I’m sorry, Your Grace. Unfortunately, His Majesty the King has not granted permission.”

“Does my father truly wish for me to die?”

At my sorrowful words, Alfred shook his head.

“No. Your Grace must understand, kidnapping the mistress of a nation would bring immense disgrace upon the United Kingdom, no matter how beastly the man may be. His Majesty is your parent, but as king, he must fulfill his duties, mustn’t he?”

Tears flowed from my eyes at Alfred’s words.

“Then… what am I to do? Am I to remain in this hellish place… until I die here?”

If my father were before me, I might have clung to him, weeping.

“Your Grace… His Majesty has sent you a letter. Please receive it.”

– Rustle.

I unfolded my father’s letter.

[To my beloved Fulvia.]

[I cannot express how shocked I was to hear your story.]

[When I heard that Valoran was hitting you, my heart ached. Can you believe it felt as if someone was stabbing my heart with a knife?]

[Forgive this father who cannot even step in to stop the horrific killing of my grandchild and the beating and assault of my only daughter.]

[If it were up to me, I would want to topple the Grand Duchy, kill Valoran, and rescue you, but the Empire would not stand idly by. Then we would have to face the Empire in battle…]

[My dear, I am afraid of the Empire. Our kingdom is not yet able to fight against it.]

[Yet, if I were to rescue you, I fear that all the alliances we have built until now would collapse at once.]

[My beloved Fulvia, my daughter.]

[This foolish father cannot save you because of the duties and responsibilities bestowed upon me.]

[Though I cannot save you right now… someday… someday I will surely rescue you. So please give me a little more time! As of now, I have no way to act.]

[My beloved daughter Fulvia, do not lose hope and survive. Endure until this old father can save you.]

[Always loving you, your father Leo.]

“Ugh… Hwaaah!”

After that, time passed, and I gave birth to a daughter.

—

Octavia, with black hair like mine.

I stayed close every day, fearing that Valoran might kill another child.

That madman could very well take his own child’s life again.

Even now, I sometimes dream of Rohan, desperately calling for me, his neck twisting in agony.

Rohan, calling out to me with a pained expression.

On the day I gave birth… I couldn’t even properly celebrate his first birthday…

My son, taken away by Valoran.

Yet, contrary to my worried heart, Valoran showed no interest in Octavia at all.

He would occasionally come into my bedroom, violate me, and leave.

That beast—no, even beasts cherish their young.

“Filthy b*stard.”

“Doron Tashi!”

“Huh? What did you say, Octavia?”

“Doron Tashi!”

Octavia slowly began to find her voice.

I realized, too late, that I had let slip my disdain for Valoran in front of her.

I shouldn’t have spoken in front of such a young child.

Rohan and Octavia.

Both are so pure and kind, it’s hard to believe they carry the blood of that dog, Valoran.

Well… my father-in-law wasn’t like that.

He was always concerned if I was uncomfortable.

Moreover, he was strong and kind to the servants.

That’s why, after he passed away… Valoran became such a reckless fool.

With no one to rein him in, Valoran revealed his violent and savage nature.

It’s so shameful to think that I once liked him.

But aside from that…

“Mom! I’m in pain! When will Dad come?”

What should I say to my daughter, with her bright face asking when Valoran will return?

Is it because we share blood?

Octavia liked Valoran.

—

Although I can’t see him often, Octavia always seeks out her father.

I hate Valoran.

A monster wearing a mask that isn’t human.

Because he’s the monster who took my beloved Rohan away.

To be honest, I really despise being raped by that disgusting b*stard.

I’m just enduring that immense pain with Octavia’s innocent smile.

As time passed, I became pregnant again.

But the thought of having another child…

I felt a sudden fear.

Could this child possibly survive Valoran?

But to be pregnant again.

I’m terrified that this child might die at Valoran’s hands.

Valoran hasn’t done anything to Octavia yet, but what about this child?

I have no certainty.

After I found out I was pregnant, I began going to church with Octavia every day.

“Mom? What is prayer?”

“Prayer is talking to God.”

Octavia’s eyes sparkled with surprise.

“I want to pray too! I wish I could be with Dad every single day! How do you pray?”

Is it really good to have Dad? He took your brother away, didn’t he?

I felt a flash of anger, but she’s just a child.

And Octavia probably doesn’t even know that such a thing happened.

So I gently stroked Octavia’s head and said,

“Hold your hands tightly like this, and speak to God in your heart.”

“Really?! Is that all?”

“Yes, that’s all. Do you want to pray with Mommy too, Octavia? Let’s pray together for your little sibling to be born healthy.”

Octavia beams and nods her head.

“Yes! I’ll always protect my little sibling! Hehe, I hope the baby comes out soon.”

Seeing Octavia pray so earnestly, I can’t help but feel uplifted.

She’s a pure and innocent child.

Oh God… Please save this child. Protect this child from him.

Please make sure he does not harm this child.

Please… This child has done nothing wrong, right? Please… Do not take the child away from my arms.