Some truths couldnt be swallowed no matter how hard you tried.

I dont hate you. Evelyn said.

Fabians eyes shook as he stared at Evelyns trembling lips.

And Your Majesty now has done nothing wrong to meyou never did.

Two years had passed since Evelyn left Fabian at the age of twenty. He was a very busy husband, and he was terrible at showing his emotions, but thats all.

Then, why? Fabian looked at Evelyn with sore eyes. But Evelyn couldnt tell him, because that misfortune hadnt happened in her life yet. What has made us like this? He asked with a voice filled with emptiness.

Your Majesty, Its all over now.

Its not over yet. Its a painful thing thats constantly repeated for me now.

Still.. you promised. Evelyn tried to shake off his hand, but Fabian held her wrist tighter. Even if Your Majesty knows the reason, our future wont change.

Fabian ended up saying it out loud, laughing, I thought so. Thats why, I said I was wrong. When he felt that Evelyns love for him had completely disappeared, he witnessed the truth.

The childs eyes were full of love. When you begged me to save him, you was so desperate that you felt like dying.

Thats

You love him, my child. he said.

Evelyns heart dropped with a thump.

You used to look at me like that child.

She thought she would be fine now. Evelyn thought that her feelings became dull, and her love had faded.

Isnt he the child weve got because of love?

When she became a mother, Evelyn thought that her womans heart would disappear.

At least, he exists because you once loved me Isnt he that child?

Evelyn always thought Fabian was a strong man. She felt that he could forget everything because being in pain wasnt his job. Sadness was something that only Evelyn could swallow. She felt that her misfortunes and sorrows were all her own.

But, Evelyn was wrong.

Now I have nothing left to give up. Cant you be honest with me for a while? Fabian caught Evelyns tired look. He had been patient with it so far and had endured it well. But as soon as he saw her face turned so pale, Fabian was overwhelmed with emotion.

Weve been through a lot of hardships.

Fabian said we.

Even though our reason might be different, the hearts will be the same. His hands gently covered the back of Evelyns hand. It was the same touch as when they first met, and it was as hot as being embraced in his arms.

Evelyn couldnt bear it, and she kept crying. You still say.. we? If Fabian spoke to her so kindly like this in her previous life, Evelyn wouldnt have made this choice. No, if the one in front of her right now was Fabian of the past, then she could hate him.

Its because its we. Its hard for each other.dont you think?

Evelyn had a complicated mind now. She felt so confused. Which was the real Fabian? If this was his true self, why did Evelyn lose her child twice, get sick and die at 30?

I cant help it. I wont change my mind. Once tied up together by a relationship, I couldnt be with anyone else.What about you?

Yes?

Dont you always have a hard time looking back at the past?

The undeniable words pierced Evelyns heart. She couldnt disagree with him. Fabian clearly saw Evelyns eyes trembling at that moment.

Have we been honest with each other until this moment, even once, since we broke up under the golden wood tree? .. I dont remember that.

Divorce has no future, she said.

Im talking about now. Every moment were living and seeing each other. It exists no matter what you say. Fabian told her. It was also at this very moment. Evelyn, trapped in the past, didnt want to admit it, but the two had come this far.

Now, just as our child exists. Ive changed. Just as youve changed, Evelyn. It wasnt a short time.

The promise to keep a secret didnt work between the two. Fabian already knew, so Evelyn couldnt go back. And indeed everything that Evelyn remembered had changed from the previous life.

Your Majesty, I cant give you anything or any answer.

Fabian slowly closed his eyes, But you still dont resist me. Thats enough for me.

Evelyn avoided his gaze in embarrassment. As if he didnt care, Fabian leaned his head back on Evelyns lap like what he always did in the past, when he spent time alone at the Empresss residence. Just for a moment, let me stay like this. Fabians voice seemed so tired that she couldnt push him away. As he said, they already had a hard time.

Some things dont change. His voice rang softly. Only Evelyns body scent and warmth didnt change. Just her awkward movements and her thin body that hurt his heart. I have I changed a lot? asked Fabian.

Yes. Evelyn answered him in silence. Fabian had changed a lot since they met again after the divorce. He did something that Evelyn couldnt have imagined before, and he no longer hid his feelings. It was all enough to say that the present Fabian was a different person.

Yes.. Fabian responded in a low voice. A gentle night wind blew, passing through his tired and scattered hair. You too.. With his head still buried, Fabian stretched out his hand and touched Evelyns cheek. Then, he put his hand on her head. It was the same old habit. Alone you must have a hard time.

He was jealous of Evelyns bright smile. Fabian hated her because she looked radiant and happy.

You alone have raised my child so well.

Fabians heartfelt words made Evelyn tearful.

You must be struggled a lot while did it by yourself.

Evelyn shook her head, I wasnt alone. If she were really alone, she wouldnt have been able to come this far. Apart from Fabians pain, the time she gave birth and raised Adrian was full of happiness.

I was happy to have Adrian. I mean it.

Even though youve become so thin? Fabian raised his head and looked at Evelyn. For a moment, he felt a little annoyed with Adrian when he saw Evelyn was so thin. But Fabian actually knew it. That the biggest cause of Evelyns hardship was him.

Is he more precious than your life?

Yes.

Fabian smiled bitterly when she answered without hesitation. Thats something I envy It seemed that at some point, Fabians tough side seemed to be softened. It might be the affection of the past or similar warmth, that settled in this place.

I will live for that child. Ive already decided that way. Evelyn said as calmly as she could. So..I cant be by your side. Im sorry.

I see Even though Fabian had heard it a thousand times, still, her rejection was so painful. There was a bitter taste in his mouth. It was a taste he had never known before.

Your Majesty.are you going to take the child away from me? Evelyn mustered up her courage to ask. She wanted to hear Fabians answer instead of always feeling scared and anxious.

Why do you think like that? he asked.

Thats.. Its Empires law.

And because until now Fabian still hadnt let go of Evelyn. There was no better bait than a child to capture Evelyn. How could a brilliant Emperor like Fabian miss such an opportunity?

Evelyn youre not good at lying. Fabian stared at Evelyn, then gave a long sigh, And. Dont make that face. His low voice resonated like a calm consolation as his fierce atmosphere disappeared. Its like Im tormenting you.. If I intended to take that child as a hostage to take you back, I have done it long ago.

Again, the man in front of her was unfamiliar.

If I wanted to take you by force, I wouldnt have been waiting for two years, with or without a child. Fabian laughed bitterly as she watched Evelyn blinked her eyes as if she couldnt think of that.

Why. Do you still see me as a bad guy?

No, I dont mean that

Fabian took a deep breath. He had a lot of things to tell, but he couldnt say it, so he just kept sighing as he was disappointed. Ive already accepted the reality that youre unhappy with me, and that you dont want to be with me. He didnt know why, but that was for sure. Maybe, thats my fault.

Fabians heartless words made Evelyns heart broke.

Maybe, marriage wasnt right for me from the beginning. No, its not maybe but its will. Only now did Fabian pour out his late feelings. Looking back, my mother also used to say that she feels uncomfortable breathing when shes beside the Emperor. You said that Imperial men are worse than stone floors. Even then I couldnt understand what that meant.

The Empress Dowager always disgusted when talking about her Emperor-husband. The reluctance expression on his mothers face was so vivid that Fabian quickly realized that he wasnt the fruit of their love.

Perhaps, I had a side that caught your breath too.

Evelyn also remembered the Empress Dowager. She was a nervous and cold woman. And she was a bad mother. Now, after she had a child, Evelyn could see it more clearly.

No.

Fabians eyes were shaken by her unexpected answer.

Its not. It wasnt a foolish regret. Evelyn just thought that some facts should never be blurred. Ive never minded Your Majesty. And Ive never been reluctant to do it.

She loved him. It was love at one time.

Adrian was born on my wish. Evelyn must not spoil that precious fact because such a mistake was irreversible. He was a child that was born because of love. That fact doesnt change.

Fabian should have known that, as he found out the childs existence.

I know.. His voice sounded relieved, That child. Hes happy. Fabian never had such happiness. Now, he could understand Evelyns story in the garden of the Felice Kingdom. At that time, Evelyn asked about his childhood who grew up as the Emperors heir. And she looked at Fabian with sorrowful eyes.

Evelyn. Do you really think I wont be able to protect that happiness? Now Fabian started to put together Evelyns puzzle-like reasons little by little. As an Emperor, there was no such thing like incompetence. He wasnt a man who couldnt protect his own children.

Your Majesty, its not your fault. But yes. Me and Adrian cant be happy in the Imperial family.

Fabian no longer answered. He only looked deeply at Evelyn and closed his eyes again, unable to hide his tiredness.

But, isnt it too much to not give me a chance.

Evelyn lowered her head at his depressed voice. It was very unfair to Fabian right now, but both of them knew what it was like to grow up as heir to the Imperial family. Fabian never realized it was a misfortune, but it would be different for Adrian.

Forgive me. but the fact that youre an Emperor remains unchanged.

So, what you said to me in the Felice garden was sincere. he said.

Evelyn admitted her mistake. She wasnt supposed to be an Empress. That was her fault.

Only

So, thats what you meant when you asked me for a divorce and would quit the Empress. Whatever it was, Fabian was frustrated that he was late to realize it. If he had known Evelyns thoughts from the beginning, he wouldnt have let her go this far.

But, Isnt it too mean to think and decide it on your own?

I know, but. Evelyn felt sad. I know, but Your Majesty cant quit.

It was the only thing the Emperor couldnt do. It was a law that the Imperial Emperor couldnt abdicate until the end of his life. Once Fabian was crowned, he couldnt live another life other than as an Emperor.

If youre so sorry, you should stay by my side.

Evelyn smiled bitterly when she heard Fabians sad words.

It was time to end this position. As if he had an inkling about it, Fabian rose to his feet reluctantly. And the time they could stay by each others side was over.