Fabians frozen heart was throbbing as he learned Evelyn also felt the same sadness.

Over the years, the painful chains that had bound him all this time seemed to have broken. Evelyn told him to forget the past, but neither of them did. Fabian apologized for making her sad, but on the other hand, he was also grateful for not being alone.

Evelyn, said Fabian. His lips quivered. I more than sadness. He was choked for a moment, but he had to say this.

..I missed you.

Why was a love so frightening? Why he wasnt able to say that simple word? Its past, those days had passed But why couldnt he forget about her?

Ive really missed you.

They rarely spent time together. They hadnt traveled a lot together. Their togetherness wasnt enough. Was that why these feelings of regret felt deepened?

And maybe.you too.

The two remained silent and looked at each other for a long time.

Do you feel the same, too? He said lowly.

Evelyn then bit her lips hard. All reality appeared to fade away.

There was a figure of the universe within Fabians black eyes, a world that only had by two people. The world he loved, cherished and longed for was reflected in his eyes. And in Evelyns eyes, Fabian found the answer.

Even now, still, as I dodo also you miss me? he asked. But theres no answer.

Evelyn once loved him. One time, she felt at ease because his body smelled the same as her. At one time, Evelyn wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. At one time, she believed that they belonged to each other forever. Once..At one time.

Evelyn.

But Evelyn shook her head, its too late. She had already seen the end of this relationship.

Listening to her denial, Fabian looked at Evelyn fondly, No, Ive already heard your real answer.

Her blue-eyes didnt know how to lie. Her eyes didnt know know how to hide her pain, longing, and love.

You, too, the feeling that you have in your heart is the same as mine.

Evelyns eyes were trembling at Fabians words.

Youve always had that.

Fabians face slowly drew closer. Evelyn stiffened her body, but intuitively she knew what was going on. As it was, Fabian kissed her gently, pressing his warm lips to hers, as if Evelyn would break.

Evelins hand flinched when Fabian firmly swept her lips. But Evelyn slowly relaxed her body after he started to hug her. The touch of his lips felt familiar, thats when she remembered Fabians sweet and gentle kiss.

Shes always the same, as he said. Evelyns tears flowed, wetting Fabians slightly rough lips. Still, Fabian didnt budge and kept sucking her lips.

The world of the two people who were so distant now became one. The warmth of their love was still burning, not fading at all.

***

The two were silent for a while. Fabians hand, which wiped Evelyns wet cheeks, felt so warm. Without saying anything, Fabian lay on Evelyns lap. Like hes always done before.

Evelyn. Fabians low voice rang.

Evelyn. He couldnt wait for a second and called her name once more.

Yes.

I just wanted to call your name, Fabian spoke in a calm tone and smiled faintly. He seemed to be a completely different person from the Emperors figure who stood in the parliament.

Evelyn,. promise me one thing, he whispered. Everything.whatever we feel, we must tell each other. You can ask, or you can be upset. You dont have to think alone. No matter how trivial it is.

It was a very simple yet difficult promise. Evelyn nodded in an illusion as if she had returned to the past. It was like this. It was the same scene as when they were married for the first time.

Its all right to hate me, but dont go against each others hearts.

They both felt and knew how cruel it was. The more they loved each other, the more painful it would be.

I dont know .how I feel right now. Evelyn gave a confusing answer in response to his wish.

Then Fabians smile unexpectedly widened. Fine, its better to hear you like this.

I just cant make a decision now. About having a relationship with Your Majesty or. Evelyn could no longer speak. It doesnt matter. Fabian cut it. He wasnt stupid. At least, he didnt want to repeat the same mistake.

What do you think and how do you feel? And if we can spend some time together thats all I need to hear. he wished.

But I dont know what will happen in the future.

Havent we failed to paint the future?

It was the truth. Marriage wasnt the end, but the beginning and the two could not settle for the present because they were always worried about the future. When it began to twist and deviate in such a way, it would trigger an uncontrollable disaster.

I have a request. Fabian had a lot of demand today. Such a look of him seemed like a public relations stunt as he actually missed her so much. He wanted to feel her body temperature more after a long solitary night he spent imagining Evelyn.

I want you to call my name.

What? In a surprise, Evelyn asked.

Youve always called me Your Majesty.

Its because youre a, Your Majesty.

Fabians expression was a little dissatisfied. Even though he had said this several times after getting married, Evelyn, who had been thoroughly trained in Imperial family etiquette, always refused outright.

Please say it when were alone. Is that all right? Fabian kept whining.

pardon? Evelyn was completely shocked. She never knew Fabian had such a boyish side. She never imagined she would hear this from him.

I dont want to be an Emperor in front of you.

That was Fabians, true heart. Even though fate had made him an Emperor, he still needed a place to breathe as a man. Evelyn often hugged him in the past, but he didnt feel like a man at all. Fabian, too, was too late to realize it.

I am me . I want you to see me as a man, not as an Emperor.

But, Your Majesty.

You know my name, dont you? Besides, no one else calls my name unless its you. Unexpectedly, a lonely word came out. Fabian, who spoke calmly, made Evelyns heart sting even more.

Even his birth mother, the Empress Dowager, called Fabian His Majesty. Likewise, the Duchess of Perth, his adoptive parents who raised him. If those two people were reluctant, so who would dare to call Fabians name?

Wouldnt it be better if theres one person in this world who can call my name?

Somehow, Evelyn thought of Adrian. If nobody called Adrians name because he was forced to become Emperor, she would be heartbroken.

And if theres such a person, its only you.

Ill try. Evelyn said that. It was difficult to change his Majesty title. But Fabian smiled gladly when Evelyn didnt refuse it.

What about practicing now? urged Fabian. No. But Evelyn turned him down firmly. More than that, Your Majesty. Its already late.. she quickly turned the topic.

Why dont you get rid of your Majesty if you could? Fabian bluffed. It was a plea that he wanted to stay longer.

You should get some rest. You look very tired.

No. Fabian knitted his eyebrow abruptly, Im just a little tired.

Evelyn looked down at Fabian in wonder. We promised to say everything, he said.

Evelyn grinned bitterly as she watched Fabian talked with great pride. It was because she felt a little stupid about herself, who always believed he was fine.

And more frankly, I dont want to get up from here. Fabian fixed his head position on Evelyns lap slightly. Actually, in the past, he wished to sleep on her lap all the time. However, Fabian couldnt speak because the Emperors dignity stopped him from doing so. But now, Fabian had an excuse, to be honest about Everything, so he took this opportunity and used it.

Lets make a compromise, said Fabian, fiddling with Evelyns white hand, Just a little Ill take a little more rest here.

Which part is compromised? asked Evelyn.

Fabian closed his eyes, avoiding to answer. Evelyn almost burst into laughter, but she managed to swallow it. She couldnt figure out why she felt Fabian really looked like Adrian in a huge body.

Oh, I have something to tell you. Fabians voice was immersed in sleepiness as he said so. Leaning in the most comfortable place for him, it seemed his accumulated exhaustion was coming at once.

Theres Fabian muttered low. Evelyn shook her head, pitying Fabian, who struggled to push his sleep away. Then she lifted her hand and slightly closed Fabians eyelids.

Evelyn often did this when Adrian was struggling to sleep. Still, without her knowing, she also did the same thing to Fabian.

Ill compromise. So sleep.a a little bit.

Yes a little. Fabian silently closed his eyes at Evelyns touch and call. Her soft scent and warm body temperature were relaxing. After a very long time, Fabian found a place for him to rest.

Evelyn was soon lost in thought when she saw Fabians evenly breathing. Past things suddenly popped up in her mind without a sequence. Some things were so overjoyed, some were so sad, and some things were vague.

[If only he were a heartless man.]

But Evelyn soon erased that thought. If he were like that, the sadness within her wouldnt have disappeared. Her whole life would be pitiful if the man she loved once in her life was truly heartless to her.

[We have all made the same mistake.]

The price they had to pay for their relationship was too high. They were both quiet and awkward. The way of speech was also very different. At first, the differences between them were interesting. Still, as time passed, the feeling of attraction gradually turned to hate because it was difficult for them to understand each other.

[If.]

A dangerous word came up to her mind. It was an image that should never have been created. But Evelyn couldnt stop imagining things that were happening at will.

If, what ifas long as we could be together, looking at each other like this. Then we didnt have to break up again. Adrians future wouldnt be a problem anymore.

What if they lived their life as a family? To redeem each other and heal their wounds from the past? There was nothing more to hide from each other, love, and take care of each other, even though they would sometimes quarrel, just like a normal couple.

[Yes, maybe.]

Her imagination had stopped for a moment. Evelyn felt her heart stiffened, but she couldnt tell what was happening.

Suddenly she couldnt breathe properly. None of her fingers moved, and she felt goosebumps enveloping her with chills on her back.

[Please.]

She heard a voice from a distance, and terrible darkness appeared before his eyes.

[Save me.]

Whose voice was that?

[Or, please kill me . please.]

[Your Majesty its too dark. Nothing I cant see it.]

The pain covered Evelyns consciousness. But she couldnt even scream, trapping in an endless dark space, and she couldnt even breathe.

[Im scared. AloneI hate it. Its too Im afraid. Dont..]

Now, Evelyn realized whose voice it belonged to.

[Im cold please, hold my hand.]

She was a poor woman who was alone.

[No, alone I do not like it. Im scared .]

The ending that they had already made.

[Your Majesty where are you?]

Only

She couldnt call his name until the end.

[Im scared. I dont want to be alone. ahhno.]

But, the words that she couldnt remember continued in her mind.

[I Im still.]

Evelyn now had found a piece that had been missing since the moment of her death.

[I dont want to die. I dont want to but I dontaah.]

And the darkness hit her.