Fabian went to the Empress Palace that night. Same as before, Rebecca was standing in his way, stopping him. But she couldnt kick him out since she had something important to do.

Evelyn, who got fatigued after the tea party, was still awake. As if there was telepathy through the mind that they had a desire to see each other.

Your Majesty.

Stay still. Fabian quickly stopped Evelyn when she was about to give an example and sat right beside her.

Actually, Rebecca only banned him from seeing her late at night, and Fabian saw Evelyns face almost every day. Yet oddly, he felt content every time he looked at her.

Its a shame Lady Akshire is a woman.

What? Rebecca?

Yes. If she were a man, I would have hired her as a general and used her well.

Evelyn burst out into peals of laughter, looking at Fabian, who talked with a serious face, Thanks to her, she always helps me.

Ah I heard what happened today.

Evelyn didnt look surprised. The Emperors Palace Chief was there, so it was evident that he would report everything to him without missing a word.

So did you come here to scold me? Evelyn asked.

No way. Fabian grinned. I wont say its a punishment if you give me a prize.

With only that word, Evelyn could guess whats inside Fabians mind, Its amazing. she said unknowingly. I used to find its hard to understand Your Majestys feelings even with words, but now I think I know.

And so do I. Fabian instinctively reached out and took Evelyns hand, I like that very much.

Evelyn could feel Fabians warm temperatures patted her back-hand. In the past, she didnt realize that any little moment like this would feel so precious.

If l had known you were coming, I would have put Adrian to bed late.

No .. youd better keep him healthy. Fabian suddenly remembered his mothers words. A little while ago, Empress-mother came to me and said so.

The Empress? Evelyn was stunned. Even her face was perplexed.

Yeah, she poured out words that I couldnt understand and left on her own. Its so her. Fabian said calmly. However, Evelyn thought there might be a reason why the Empress Dowager acted like that.

What did she say?

Hmmm. The proposal she offered was interesting, but I dont know what her motive is.

Monica sat back at the tea party instead of helping Stella as expected, and she left early to lighten Evelyns burden. Although they didnt really interact much, Evelyn felt goodwill from her actions at that time.

Your Majesty, not every word, is supposed to have meaning. Moreover, shes your mother.

Yes, and shes worse than other mothers.

Evelyn had no choice but to nod her head in silence at the remarks.

The Empresss offer its strange. She asked me to give her an elder position in the Inner Palace for a short time. But she doesnt want power. Fabian told her.

I dont know what that means either.

Ha, as you may know Duke Metis is an ambitious person.

Yes, I think so, too. Evelyn felt something strange when she recalled Stellas face, which was shaking after she had fought with Rebecca.

I wont accept another Empress other than you. Fabian looked into Evelyns eyes and said firmly, in case shed forget.

I know. Evelyn didnt doubt him, and it wasnt a vague belief but a certainty.

The Empress said she would arrange for Lady Metis marriage in her capacity as an Elder in Inner Palace. But of course, that person isnt me.

Suddenly, Evelyn blinked her eyes. She wondered if Rebeccas ominous words would become a reality?

And when the Vatican arrived, as the Palace-elder, she said she would ask them, to bless you as the Empress.

Thats Isnt that a very good offer? Actually, Im a little embarrassed to ask them myself. Whispered Evelyn.

I didnt mean to make you do it. I thought it would be best to ask Duchess Perth instead.

But there wont be anything better than the Empress herself who comes forward.

Fabian nodded his head a little, but for a moment, his face looked dark. Can you believe her?

To Evelyn, Fabian, who took his mother for granted, seemed a little sad. But she could fully understand his feelings. The relationship between the Empress Dowager and Fabian was distant, dry, and cold. Whatever the cause was, whether the Empress wanted it or not, that was the reality.

The Empress said she didnt care about the prosperity of the Metis family. Her purpose is to clear up this complicated problem and return to the Southern Palaces peaceful daily life. Still. it doesnt change the fact shes Metis daughter.

Evelyn was lost in thought. Considering Metis ambition, it was something she couldnt do. However, there was a sense of disparity with the Empress figure in Evelyns mind.

When Evelyn was the Empress, Fabians mother tended to remain indifferent in everything. Thats why its unlikely for her to cheat on her son for the Metis familys sake and created a storm.

Well, may I give you my opinion?

Fabian sighed, I came here to hear that.

I dont think the Empress-mother is moving for Metis sake.

No matter how strong Metiss influence was. When Evelyn joined the Imperial family, she could vaguely notice, nothing could overshadow the Emperors power in this Empire. And the Empress must be well aware of it and also felt the same thing as her.

Then, for what?

Did she say anything else?

She said some strange things. Well Shes happy that I have something I want, or to raise my child in good health. Fabian muttered insignificantly, but Evelyn was surprised and widened her eyes. She was amazed that the Empress whom she knew could say such a thing.

She wants to help me once because she never did anything to me.

Is she serious? Evelyn asked cautiously.

I dont know. Fabian cut it short.

I think the Empress is sincere.

Why?

Its hard to explain. First of all, Fabian wouldnt understand because its Evelyns heart that felt that way. So she slowly arranged the strands of words in her mind, trying to make an answer as natural as possible.

Maybe, if it were me I also want to help Adrian.

Fabian slanted his eyebrows as if he heard a weird answer. You care and love Adrian like your own life because you raise him by your side.

But its a different case for him. Fabian could hardly remember his mothers face as a child because they rarely met.

Yes. But even if I cant hold him and have to raise him with someone elses hand, I will still love him. Evelyn looked at Fabian with eyes full of confidence, Because Im a mother too.

The relationship between Empress-mother and me is different.

Its the same. Both of you are mother and son.

If she hadnt given birth to Adrian, Evelyn might have doubted the Empress Dowagers intentions. But as she looked back, she could understand his mothers feelings felt a little bit.

If Evelyn became an Empress and gave birth to Adrian, she would have to follow the same path as her, even if she loved him.

No mother wants to throw away her own child. Me too I know how she feels.

Thats

Empress-mother had no choice. Like I did.

Fabian couldnt argue with Evelyns words. Because it was Imperials tradition that had passed down from ancient times and had never been questioned. If it werent for Adrian, he probably wouldnt have realized how cold and cruel things were.

I know you cant get close to her all of a sudden. Its nobodys fault. Evelyn spoke in a tender voice. But still, a child is probably the most special person in ones life. Even if I left Adrian and didnt raise him, I would definitely want to help him at least once if he has a family, even though were never close.

Evelyn never thought about this in the past. She always thought the Empress Dowager was a cold person, just like Fabian. She didnt feel suspicious why they were distant, and she didnt want to find out more about their relationship.

I dont think Empress-mother will deceive you for the sake of Duke Metis ..

That family cannot be trusted. spat Fabian. His words also made sense. He knew exactly what kind of human his uncle was. He is a greedy person and couldnt control his endless ambitions.

At the tea party today The Empress did nothing.

Huh, shes that kind of person.

No, something more than that Even though Lady Metis was humiliated, she didnt defend her at all, and she didnt seem happy with her nieces behavior. For me I felt like shes on my side.

But, whatever she said, Fabian still had mixed feelings about his mother.

If that time your mother was on Metis side, she couldnt possibly let that happen since it would become a social disgrace.

Sometimes, the socialite womens eyes and mouths were more brutal than the nobles arguing at the congress. After todays tea party, the Imperial socialite circle must have known that there was no chance of Lady Metis becoming an Empress.

Evelyn, who had the full authority of the Inner Palace and the Empress Dowager, who had the reputation of being the Emperors mother, only watched when her niece was degraded.

Do you really think so? Empress-mother has no other intentions?

Yes, Im sure of that, assured Evelyn. Her blue eyes contained a mix of emotions.

Seeing her warm heart and unwavering conviction, Fabian stopped thinking intricately, If you believe, Ill believe.

Still Are you okay?

I believe in your contention. Fabian convinced, in this matter, Evelyns judgment seemed more accurate than his. And I thought while listening to your story.. About Adrian.

Initially, Fabian never had any particular thoughts about his children except as a successor. He grew up under disparate circumstances, so Fabian never imagined to have a harmonious family.

Strange, even though I only met him for a short time ..I wanted to save Adrian no matter what, at the time of the demons raid. Even if I had to exchange it for my life.

Fabians soft-low whisper made Evelyns eyes grow bigger. Its normal to be attached to his child, but he was an Emperor. A superior being to all humans in this world, and couldnt be replaced by anyone.

I know I couldnt believe it either.

For Fabian, who was born as an heir to the imperial family and ascended the throne at sixteen. That kind of thought was unfamiliar. So for him, it was something startling. Fabian felt like he could do anything for that child.

If later you raise Adrian like me even if we cant be as close as you said, maybe Ill still love him.

At that moment, a serene smile bloomed on Evelyns lips.

Honestly, I still dont know my mothers heart.

Evelyn nodded at his words. Time gaps that were too long couldnt be closed at once.

I want to believe, Empress-mother loves you with the same heart like me.

Only

Thats a very strange word. Fabian shed low laughter of unknown meaning. But I dont hate it. He was still awkward, but he began to express his feelings as it was.

Do you know what? Evelyn unwittingly reached out and wrapped his cheek. Her sudden action made Fabian startled, but quickly he smiled.

I more like the current Your Majesty.

Her beautiful blue eyes were overflowing with love. The short moment felt as long as eternity.

Fabian took Evelyns hand around his cheek and slowly came closer towards her.

Then Evelyn closed her eyes unknowingly.

Soon, they were wrapped in a lovely moment when Fabians lips touched Evelyns deeply.