What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 60

Ysaris was once again taken aback by the woman’s words as she firmly held down the griffin’s head. She wondered how the woman knew about Tennilath, something even she wasn’t fully aware of. But now was not the time to ask questions.
“That’s true, but I didn’t do it. And he’s still alive.”
“That’s a shame.”
“…The Emperor being alive is a shame?”
Ysaris’s confidence wavered. She started to question whether it was wise to follow this dangerous woman, her uncertainty clear on her face. The woman responded with a bright smile.
“I’m just joking, relax. I’m actually in favor of the Tennilath bloodline continuing for a long time. I’ve always wanted to kidnap one and see what I could do.”
“I see.”
‘Is that a joke too?’
Ysaris couldn’t bring herself to smile and instead looked at the woman awkwardly, who then chuckled.
“Did I make it too complicated? What I’m saying is, I’ll kidnap you. It looks like you’re trying to escape, so I’ll make it look like you’re dead and take you with me.”
“Oh…! Thank you!”
“But there’s a condition.”
The woman raised her hand, stopping Ysaris’s moment of joy. Her golden eyes, shimmering with an almost arrogant glint, narrowed.
“I mentioned it, didn’t I? I’ve always wanted to take a Tennilath and see what I could do.”
“But I don’t have Tennilath blood.”
“True. But the child in your belly does, right?”
Ysaris’s eyes widened in shock.
“That’s…!!”
“In exchange for taking you in and protecting you, I’ll take your child. Don’t even think about denying it. I can see everything.”
Ysaris opened and closed her mouth several times before clenching her jaw. She wrapped her arms protectively around her belly and struggled to stand.
“No. I can’t give up my child.”
“Why? It doesn’t seem like you love your husband, judging by the fact that you’re running away.”
“Because it’s my child.”
Ysaris didn’t offer any further explanation.
She didn’t need to. What reason did a mother need to protect her child?

The warm voice echoed in her ears. She wanted to linger on the memory of her mother, who had died long ago, but the situation was too urgent for that.
Ysaris began to take cautious steps backward, glaring at the woman.
“If you demand my child, I won’t go with you.”
“Hmm?”
“Why don’t we just go our separate ways? I’ll be on my way now, if you’ll excuse—”
“You seem to be mistaken.”
The woman let out a small chuckle and moved the griffin closer, closing the distance between them.
“In reality, you don’t have a choice. I said this was a kidnapping, didn’t I? You know what that means, don’t you?”
“You can’t be serious!”
“Don’t worry too much. I’m not planning on doing anything drastic to a newborn. For the sake of long-term experimentation, I’ll make sure the child grows up well.”
“Are you saying you’ll raise my child as some kind of test subject?!”
Ysaris shouted, her voice filled with anger. It was the kind of intensity that would make an ordinary person back down, but it had no effect on the mysterious woman. Instead, she just looked at Ysaris with a face full of disbelief.
“What did you expect? That I’d help you escape from the Empire or hide without asking for anything in return? You really don’t know how the world works, do you?”
“I said I won’t give up my child.”
“And I told you, all I want is the bloodline of Tennilath.”
“Then take something else—!”
“You.”
Thud.
Ysaris didn’t understand what was happening for a moment. She couldn’t figure out why she had suddenly fallen to her knees or why she was struggling to breathe.
“Don’t make me repeat myself. I said I’m taking your child.”
The woman’s voice, now tinged with irritation, came from above her. Ysaris couldn’t look up, pinned down by an invisible force, but she realized it was the woman’s doing.
‘Magic? But there were no incantations.’
Her mind went blank, overwhelmed by a power she had never encountered before.
She finally understood why the woman was so confident—she was strong enough to stand against even the Emperor.
But there was no way Ysaris could give up now. The very reason she had risked her life to escape Kazhan was to protect her child.
“Please…”
Ysaris gathered the last bit of air left in her lungs, pleading desperately. Her voice, mixed with frustration and desperation, trembled faintly.
“Not… my child.”
“You know, I should’ve mentioned this earlier. Trying to gain my sympathy won’t work….”
The woman’s voice suddenly cut off, and the oppressive force around Ysaris eased.
Gasping for breath, Ysaris looked up to see the woman wearing a strange expression.
“What… is this?”
Confusion, bewilderment, suspicion.
The woman stared intently at the blood oozing from Ysaris’ scraped knees, as if transfixed. Her golden eyes, seeing something beyond ordinary perception, lingered on the injury for a moment before slowly traveling upward.
She scrutinized Ysaris’ face, taking in every detail as Ysaris stood there, unsure how to respond. After what felt like an eternity of silent examination, the woman raised an eyebrow and asked,
“Are you, by any chance, Lillia’s daughter?”