Duke Metis residence in the Empire wasnt far away. As he saw Monica, who took his daughter from the morning, Sagan couldnt conceal his suspicious face.

Stellas appearance looked horrible. The nail marks on her face, her chapped lips, and how many times she cried until her throat was hoarse and her eyes were swollen so that she couldnt open them.

AhFather! Stella cried so hard, clinging on to her father as soon as she saw Sagan and the Empress who had an indifferent expression.

Sagan was able to guess what was going on loosely and swallowed his sigh, First of all, Ill talk to the Empress, so you go and get some rest.

Father!

Thats okay. Ive listened to you enough, so go ahead and ask your mother to take care of you.

Only then did Stella nodded her head with a face full of tears. The spoiled attitude of his youngest daughter didnt disappear even with age. Monica, who saw her, just kicked her tongue.

After the maid could somehow persuade Stella to leave, Sagan bit his lip.

Whats going on?

Is there anything you want to say to your brother?

Thats what happened. Thats all. Monica replied in leisurely voice.

There was a mixture of disappointment and anger in Sagans eyes. Although Fabians cold attitude and rejection were unavoidable, it felt like a betrayal to him if his sister, the Empress Dowager, pretended not to care as well.

Do you think I sent my Stella into the Palace to see this? I even begged you, sister!

What can I do? Your sister is an Empress.

Monica didnt even lift an eye at Sagans cry, and just sat down with a long pipe in her mouth.

It was time for Sagan to accept it, that his sister was a woman who lived as an Empress and stayed at the Southern Palace. Monica was no longer his younger sister. She was just an Empress who gave birth to the Emperor of this Empire.

Are you saying that I was foolish? Sagan immediately uttered bitter respect. You must have completely forgotten that youre a Metis woman.

I want to forget, but I cant. When will I have the opportunity to forget it? But Monica replied sharply.

It was her complaint to Sagan, who dragged her out of her peaceful life. From the beginning, Monica had never agreed with the Duke Metis since she thought that, she had already fulfilled her duty for the family.

But how can you.

Listen, brother. Monica stopped his speech. I know youre blaming me now. Both Stella and you must hate me and think Im cold-hearted.

Sagan didnt deny it.

The Metis family doesnt forget the grudge. We all know that debts must be paid off.

Monica recalled her father, who looked like Sagan. Even before she was coming of age, her father told that she must become an Empress to protect Metis.

Still echoed in her mind the words of her mother, she would rather die if she couldnt become an Empress and gave birth to Imperial successor.

But, Monica couldnt break her blood ties, even though she wanted.

And Im Metis-woman and your sister. This This is the only way to save our family, you, and Stella. Even if you hate me now, someday, youll be grateful.

Is it you who decide it yourself? Or is it His Majestys will?

It doesnt matter who. Know that, this is the best for Metis and Stella.

There was no longer a younger sisters impression of her. When he saw Monicas cold gaze, Sagan remembered Fabians hateful face.

Dont let Stella come to the Palace anymore. Give up the Empresss throne and the successor as well.

Sagan just stared at her in silence.

Metis blood already flows through His Majestys body. Your place and your glory are good enough. Our family does not lack at all.

But when would human end his greed? The Empress felt bitter, looking at the ambition that still remained in Sagans eyes.

Its nobodys fault. If Stella is becoming Empress, with or without Princess Evelyn, she cant live the way she wants. She will be mad at her family. I know better than anyone because I was an Empress before. I dont know if its Irina, but Stella no, she cant. So give up.

Monica shook her head. No matter how hard Sagan tried, he couldnt change Stella into a new person overnight.

Youre giving an ultimatum, not a persuasion. Sagan summarized the situation in a single phrase.

Yes. Monica didnt avoid and answered head-on. It was his first rebellion against her family. Still, its complicated to think that what she did was for the sake of her family.

Brother, youre a smart person, so Im sure you will understand my heart as soon as the situation clears up.

Have you become an Imperial woman without my knowledge?

Ive been an Imperial woman ever since I entered the Palace. Isnt that what Metis was hoping for?

Sagans lips twisted as Monica had drawn a clear line.

She never wanted to be an Empress. Yet fate finally determined her life. All because of her fathers hand, who had the same desire as Sagan now.

I was lucky. Its just that .

Monica needed a long time to look back. His husband, the late Emperor, had an oppressive atmosphere, that made people suffocate just by being in one place with him. There was no conversation or exchanged mind, and it was a stroke of luck to have Fabian.

Marry Stella to Duke Perth.

What? Sagans face was crumpled. Give my daughter to such an unprincipled person?

Theres no man better than him. And I know from what Ive seen, they wont be a bad match.

Why him? I rather send her to the monastery!

Then she cant get married. Are you fine with that? His Majesty had agreed. If you do that, he wont make things difficult for Metis anymore.

Huh, Sagan spat out laughter, You mean I have to obey him?

Right nowyes, theres no other way.

Sagan shut his mouth. He knew that Monica was a wise person. However, reason and emotion were two different things. His sisters rebellion made him even more upset since he couldnt do it right away.

Sincerely, it was a decision I made for Metis.

The eyes of the brother and sister met. It had been a long time since they looked directly at each other like this.

I know your pride is very trampled now. But Im also a Metis. Cant you believe this is the best I can do for my family?

Monica reached out her hand first because she didnt want her family to have perished.

Is this sincere from the bottom of your heart ..?

Yes, as the Empress and as the Metiss daughter.

Sagan briefly watched her, then soon he nodded his head hard, Well, I have no choice but to follow you, then.

Really?

Sagan nodded again, looking at the half-doubted Empress.

He moved his steps, stood before her and hugged Monicas shoulder warmly, like in her childhood memories.

Brother ?

Monica became awkward when she sensed her familys warmth, which she felt after a long time. But Sagan held her tightly as if he was trying to erase her awkwardness.

Thank you, and Im sorry.

A faint smile appeared on Monicas lips, Dont keep it in your heart.

Monica thought to herself that she was happy that she could protect her family in this way. Later, Sagan and Stella would understand and accept her decision as time went on, and things became clear.

No, thank you. I appreciate it. Sagan put Monica in his arms and said, making eye contact. And Im so sorry for you.

Monica felt soothed. She heaved a short breath then put on a gentle face after seeing Sagan put down his ambition and took her hand, Thank you for your understanding.

At least one hurdle had passed. Stellas cry wouldnt stop for a while, but she would be at peace for the rest of her life as a Duchess.

Metis was still Fabians mothers family, so there was plenty of ways to maintain power. If he could compromise this much, Sagan had just had to make another deal with Fabian.

Monica spent some time at the Dukes residence and returned to the Palace after she comforted Stella.

Still, Stellas eyes which already reddened didnt stop crying.

After Sagan sent Monica away, he sat down next to her still-crying-daughter.

Father youre not going to send me to Lady Akshires ex-husband, are you?

Duke Perth wasnt only a widower, but his status as Lady Rebeccas ex-husband irritated her and insanely scratched Stellas pride.

Father, Id rather go to a monastery than Stella clung to her dad, desperately.

You dont have to. Sagan swept Stellas cheek and said firmly. I wont send you to the Duke Perth or the monastery.

But the Empress.

Sagan stared at Stella, with his eyes filled with various thoughts, begging his daughter not to speak more. Stella was silent after looking at her father and closed her mouth.

The Empress will do her duty for our Metis, as she always does.

Whether or not Monica wanted to, she had to do it.

Im always sorry and grateful to her.

Sagan had made up his mind.

Stella, you mustnt forget to thank your aunt.

Stella only nodded her head at her fathers words, which she still didnt understand yet.

Sagan patted his daughter on the back and recalled his sisters face who had just left.

The human heart turned out to be very vicious. He was hesitant when he was asked to use his sister. But it felt so sweet to use her when his sister betrayed him.

Daughter born in Metis has to live for Metis until she dies.

Thats how Sagans father taught Monica. However, Monica forgot his teachings, and she crossed the line that shouldnt be crossed with her Empress status.

Sagan wasnt cruel. It was Monica who first abandoned Metis and sided with that resentful Imperial family.

Metis blood flows in our veins for life. Even if shes an Empress, it will never erase the fact that shes Metiss daughter.

Sagan didnt know to whom was he speaking to?

To his sister, who had already become the Empress or his daughter, who he pushed to become the Empress?

No matter what happens, we must not betray our family. We must live for Metis to the end.

The bad person was Monica, who abandoned her duty. So Sagan decided to believe that.

The Empress Dowager and the next Empress must be from Metis.

Yes Yes, Fatherdont send me to Duke Perth. said Stella, who knew nothing, in tears.

But Sagan didnt hear her. Monicas image which turned his back from him began to blur. Perhaps, hed never see her again.

Yes.

Even if their father were alive, Sagan was sure that his father would make the same choice. There was no compassion for the child who betrayed the family.

Only

If you live for Metis, you must die for Metis, thats it.

Sagan put an end to her sisters fate in his heart.

When he made a justification for his familys sake, his guilt disappeared.

This wasnt for him. Not for his daughter, but only for Metis glory.

Thats fate.

So nobody was a sinner.

Even the Empress Dowager, who would kill her grandson without knowing it, wouldnt be a sinner.