Do All Mothers in Childcare Novels Have to Die [Novel] Chapter 14 – Caught in the Crossfire

It might be a bit troublesome, but it wasn't all bad. In fact, it might even be rather pleasant, especially when she saw his face flush as he looked at her.

Helio took the blanket that had covered him before and reached out to adjust it. Liliana grew tense, her shoulders hunching slightly, but she didn't stop him.

Helio pulled the edge of the blanket up until it was tucked firmly beneath Liliana's chin. It was amusing to see her rose-pink eyes tremble with unease.

Helio didn't understand what she meant, his expression shifting into slight bewilderment. But Liliana was genuinely astonished.

Helio was neither a tyrant nor a savage brute, but he was considered ruthless in the eyes of the public. For Liliana, who was entirely under his mercy, it was hard to imagine someone like him tucking in her blanket.

Instead of answering her, Helio offered another excuse.

Liliana nodded, appearing convinced.

At the sight of her, Helio let out a soft laugh.

Helio narrowed his eyes at Liliana's brief reply.

It was as if a blade had been honed to see right through something.

Liliana nodded once more.

And truly, it was. The young empress, longing to return to her homeland, had been forced to remain in this empire despite obeying their every command.

Helio watched her in silence. His usual playful demeanor was nowhere to be seen, replaced by words that were harsh and sharp.

Liliana felt it was hardly the time to remain lying down. She rose and knelt on the floor, while Helio didn't utter a single word.

The atmosphere instantly grew heavy, and Liliana's head bowed under the weight of the charged air. Still, she remained firm in what she had to say.

Her words were remarkably bold. Even as a young queen, speaking of his mother's faults was unheard of, perhaps even reckless. Yet Liliana did not hesitate to voice it.

Helio was in a state that could not be handled with playful banter or superficial words.

Only sincere honesty could convince him.

As Liliana finished speaking, the cold air seemed to brush past her shoulders, whispering as though her life hung in the balance.

Helio shut the book, stepped down from the bed, and slowly began walking toward her.

With each step he took, Liliana felt her head sink lower, until it seemed she might collapse against the floor. Helio knelt beside her and lifted her chin.

Their eyes met—her trembling rose-pink gaze colliding at close range with his gleaming blue eyes.

His voice was deep, as dark as the shadows before dawn.

There was no trace of teasing or gentleness on his face. He seemed like an entirely different person, yet at the same time, Liliana felt this was the true Helio.

Had her judgment failed her? Perhaps she had been far too honest. But Liliana had no retreat left. Trembling slightly, she spoke.

Helio showed no reaction to Liliana's words. Yet as Liliana exhaled nervously, the pressure of his hand against her chin gradually loosened.

In the end, Helio released Liliana's small chin entirely and extended his hand to help her up.

Liliana complied, obediently sitting back upon the bed.

Helio sat down beside her.

Helio's voice returned to its usual cadence. Thanks to that, the oppressive tension lingering in the air vanished without a trace.

Liliana relaxed completely, leaning back onto the bed. Her rose-pink hair caught the dim candlelight, shimmering with a shade distinct from its usual tone.

Helio reached out and caught a lock of her hair, twirling it between his fingers.

Liliana made no attempt to pull away, simply watching him in silence. Before Helio could say anything, a faint smile crossed her lips.

Liliana was still looking down at Helio's hand, so she failed to notice the shift in his expression.

Her gaze drifted into the distance, as if looking far beyond the room.

Liliana intended to do everything in her power to avoid pregnancy. But things were never quite so simple.

She had no idea how long it would take Sophia to procure contraceptives, nor did she know when Helio might finally accept her abdication.

She might end up pregnant, miscarry, and conceive again… Perhaps the remarkable child from the novel would be born. But that child would have no mother, and their father would be a distant emperor.

Liliana merely hoped the road ahead for that child would be slightly easier.

Liliana reached out toward Helio's hand as he toyed with her hair, softly covering the back of it in an unmistakable plea.

Unable to help himself, Helio answered quickly.

Yet deep within his heart, an odd sensation stirred.

‘Why does she speak as if she will disappear once she bears a child?’

Her words were soft and contemplative, as though dwelling on something far away. Helio felt an unsettling prickle, though he could not identify where it came from.

Hearing Helio's answer, Liliana smiled faintly and pulled the blanket back over herself. She appeared entirely back to normal, as if she hadn't said a thing.

Liliana said it in a lighthearted tone, and Helio decided to heed her words.

He had no clear reason for doing so; he simply felt like it.

❈❈❈

When Liliana woke the following morning, the first thing she saw was Helio reading a book. He was sitting exactly as he had been the night before, without the slightest change.

She had clearly slept beside him, yet she had no idea when he had risen to sit so upright. It was utterly bewildering.

Liliana glanced at him, but he simply turned his focus back to the book.

Liliana rubbed her eyes with her left hand and let out a small yawn.

Taken aback by Helio's sarcastic remark, Liliana glared at him. He seemed to be in fine spirits this morning, smiling faintly.

‘Is he so pleased because he didn't receive food from the Empress Dowager first thing in the morning…?’

Liliana thought to herself as she tossed back the covers.

Normally, she would take her sweet time getting out of bed, but today she had to get ready, especially with Helio present. Though she was a young queen who hated early mornings, it would be inappropriate to ignore the Emperor's presence.

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door, and the head maid entered alongside Sophia.

The head maid spoke with utmost courtesy and was expected to withdraw immediately, yet her expression looked odd. She seemed to want to say something more, lingering in hesitation.

Beside her, Sophia held a tray carrying a small dish Liliana had never seen before.

Liliana asked in concern, and right at that moment—

Thud!

Helio slammed his book shut. He raised his head and glared at the head maid.

Liliana froze in bewilderment at the question. Before she could ask what he meant, the head maid answered in a trembling voice.

Helio snapped in irritation, running a hand through his hair. Liliana hastily climbed out of bed and approached the tray.

Hot steam still rose from the broth, which appeared to be filled with all manner of luxurious ingredients.

Liliana couldn't hold back a genuine murmur of admiration.

The dish smelled absolutely magnificent. But no sooner had the exclamation slipped out than she realized this was hardly the time for it.

She snapped her mouth shut at once and looked toward Helio. He was glaring at her with furious blue eyes. Biting her lower lip, she offered a sheepish apology.

Helio let out a deep sigh and tossed the book he was holding onto the table. It seemed he had flown into a temper once again, just after she had calmed him down yesterday.

Liliana began racking her brain for how to handle the situation. But the words that left Helio's mouth were entirely unexpected.

‘Is this some sort of threat?’

Liliana showed no desire to eat it—or rather, she had no interest in it at all. Straightening her posture, she waved her hands frantically in refusal.

Even as Liliana scrambled for excuses, Helio spoke as if he hadn't heard a single word.

Liliana froze in place, bewildered. Before her, Helio raised an index finger and declared plainly:

Liliana felt as though the entire world had turned pitch black.

‘Why—why on earth are you dragging me into your squabble?!’