My Discarded Fiancé Returned - Chapter 65

Serena gathered herself again two days later. Anna furtively wiped away tears and breathed a sigh of relief, as did everyone in the imperial palace.

However, the royal physician advised that she needed a few more days of recuperation, so Lucas had to vent his frustration through sword practice with Cedric.

Of course, the Emperor and Empress were just as frustrated.

“Your Majesty, could it be that my concerns were correct?” Richard asked Adeline with a grave expression.

“Tell me honestly what the royal physician said.”

“I already told you,” Adeline tried to brush it off nonchalantly, but Richard’s persistent dark eyes kept watching her. Eventually, Adeline let out a faint sigh.

“He said that while the illness cannot be specifically identified at the moment, he cannot completely guarantee that there is no cause for concern.”

At those words, Richard’s face darkened.

Most people said that if someone loses consciousness from a high fever even once in their life, it is a miracle to survive. Moreover, even if they narrowly escape with their life, many are unable to resume their original functions.

“According to Lucas, she briefly regained consciousness and recognized him.”

“It’s fortunate that she is conscious, but… having such a high fever not just once, but twice, could it be that she has some illness?”

The Tern imperial family greatly valued their descendants, and Lucas was the empire’s only heir. If the Crown Princess he had finally welcomed was already showing health problems, it was not an issue that could be easily overlooked.

“I worry if we have made a grave mistake.”

“Your Majesty, how can you say it’s a grave mistake when you are still in good health?”

Even at Adeline’s words, Richard shook his head.

“My era will not last much longer.”

“Your Majesty…”

“You know it too. Only one sun can shine.”

“Right now, you are that sun, Your Majesty.”

Richard was silent for a moment. Adeline was the only love of his life, so he acknowledged Lucas’s stubbornness, but it was natural for him to be sensitive about matters related to his heir.

Moreover, looking at the secret history of the Tern imperial family, his reign was also about to end soon.

“We don’t have much time. The slim possibility of saving Luana is all that remains…”

“I know. I am aware.”

There had never been a case of an imperial princess born after the heir to the throne living past the age of 10. They all died young for different reasons, breaking their parents’ hearts.

The Emperor and Empress were overjoyed when they welcomed Luana, but at the same time, they could not erase the worry that hung over their hearts.

“She’s already almost 3 years old.”

It could be said to be only 3 years, but the joy and love that came from spending days with the child was indescribable.

The anxiety that the child’s breath may soon cease was the height of agony for even the Emperor who possessed the empire.

“I never thought this would happen to me.”

Richard originally knew the history of the Tern imperial family well, and after giving birth to Lucas, he thought he could pass on the throne to his heir without any issues and end his reign.

However, when no one expected it, Luana was born. She was the Tern Empire’s princess born after nearly 100 years.

“But now I cannot even imagine a life without that child.”

They knew they shouldn’t love too much. They knew it in their heads, but the moment they held the child in their arms, they both gave their whole hearts.

“I want to save that child even if it means giving my life.”

“I feel the same way. But… we must find a way.”

There were no parents who could be at peace when their young child may soon die.

“First, I must pass on the throne.”

However, there was not enough time for Lucas to establish himself as the Crown Prince, have an heir, and solidify the future before becoming Emperor.

“Implicitly, there must be an heir, but…”

That was the only reason why Serena was opposed as the Crown Princess. Historically, most Crown Princes all ascended to the throne with an heir.

It was difficult for Lucas to be an exception.

“Lucas is also our child.”

“Yes, I know… I feel sorry for passing on the long-standing fate of the Tern imperial family, but what can we do when that is our family’s destiny?”

Richard was also one to inherit the fate of the Tern imperial family. It was not something he chose, nor was he willingly passing it on to his son.

“It is truly a long-standing blessing and curse.”

Even with that long history, the secrets of the Tern imperial family were not fully revealed. Only some records from before the current writing system remained, giving a rough idea of the direction.

The means and circumstances were not uncovered, but it was said that an ancestor of the Tern imperial family, a man, wandered somewhere and discovered perfect darkness.

During the brief time he was in contact with that darkness, he felt eternity and an instant at the same time, and afterwards, he never died no matter what trials he faced.

“If such a legendary tale… has continued until now, who would believe it?”

However, those who inherited the Tern name firmly believed in that legend. No, they knew it. They all lived and died by the same rules.

“It’s a history from before the Papal Court even existed. It cannot be revealed now.”

There was only one person per era to inherit the Tern imperial family.

No matter what efforts were made by successive imperial families, no other children could be protected, and once the throne was passed on to the child, the previous Emperor weakened and quickly disappeared regardless of age.

So when some Emperors delayed the succession, the aged heirs began to die.

“This continent only allows a single Tern.”

After countless lives were abandoned, they realized it. That as soon as someone with the proper capacity for Tern appeared, they had to immediately become Emperor. There was no other possibility.

“I already told the Duke of Astel. That I can only wait up to one year.”

Adeline looked up at him with concern.

“Did he agree?”

“At the very least, since his daughter will not die, he ended up understanding.”

Of course, Duke Roger Astel was also furious. Arbitrarily extending the engagement, then requesting marriage again, and considering dethronement after a one-year grace period if there was no heir.

“Did you also tell him the reason?”

Richard made a peculiar expression. Lucas insisted on marrying Serena even if it meant death, and as a father, he had only one choice.

When the Emperor knelt and pleaded, Duke Roger Astel could no longer ask for a reason. It was a world-shaking event, so he figured there must be a justifiable reason.

“No. I couldn’t do that.”

Adeline nodded. She didn’t know what means Richard used, but she could feel the agony of a father trying to protect his child.

“For now, we can only hope that the Crown Princess recovers safely.”

“Yes. However…”

“Don’t think rashly.”

As a couple of many years, it was obvious what he was thinking.

“Just as you could not give up on me, Lucas is the same. If I had been unable to give birth to Lucas, would you have been able to dethrone me a few years later?”

Richard let out a deep sigh.

“How could I ever do that?”

Just imagining it felt like his heart was being torn out.

Giving the woman he loved the harsh fate of dethronement, never being able to meet again, and then having to cause an uproar across the world by welcoming a new wife and having descendants.

Both were cruel and brutal things.

“I… was truly fortunate…”

Richard recalled a memory from long ago that had made his heart ache. The worry that had nearly driven him mad until 22-year-old Adeline finally held Lucas in her arms.

“Thanks to Lucas coming to us, I was able to protect my love and be with you. That was the greatest fortune of my life.”

The dark history of the Tern imperial family was not just the premature deaths of princesses. Inevitably, a firm line of succession was needed, so many empresses also disappeared silently.

Another difference from ordinary people was that children were only born from formal marriage relationships. It was also the reason why there was not a single illegitimate child in the Tern imperial family.

“Sometimes, when I read the records of previous Emperors, my heart aches.”

Sometimes, even if they loved each other more than anything in the world, they had to sever their marital ties. The bloodline of the imperial family that had been so cruelly continued was no exception for Lucas.

“I believe our son will have the same fortune. Right?”

“Yes…”

Richard hugged the precious Adeline anew. For now, all they could do was believe in and cheer on the possibility that Serena held.

When Serena opened her eyes again and sat up on her own, Anna was the first to light up with joy.

“Young miss…”

She unknowingly called her by her previous nickname. Of course, she covered her mouth right after, and fortunately no one heard.

“Are you awake?”

Serena recalled that there had been a similar situation before.

“I… skipped meals to wear a ceremonial dress, ran around the ducal residence, hit my head on a plaster ornament…”

Oh no, could it be that she lost her memory after suffering from a high fever? Just as Anna’s heart sank, her eyes met Serena’s.

“You said the same thing back then too, Anna.”

Ah, only then did Anna breathe a sigh of relief.

“I, I almost fainted just now. I thought you might have lost your memory…”

“Sorry. It felt exactly like that time, so I accidentally…”

Though somewhat tired, seeing Serena’s smile just like before, Anna could nod several times and feel reassured.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

It was truly admirable and amazing that Serena survived unscathed after suffering from high fevers twice, but for now, the gratitude was immense.

“You’re really alright?”

“Yes. But… I’m a little hungry.”

This time, a smile bloomed on Anna’s face. It was undoubtedly Serena whom she cherished and loved.

“Yes! Of course, please wait just a moment.”

The joyful news that the Crown Princess had recovered and immediately asked for food quickly spread throughout the imperial palace.

Of course, the one most relieved by this news was none other than Lucas.