The congress resumed as soon as dawn broke. But some nobles werent present. Fabians heart wasnt at ease because Sagan, the Duke of Metis, was the leader of that flock.

Its just my illusion, or are there so many vacant seats?

The innocent- Prime Minister quickly stepped forward, bowing his head. Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but the Duke Metis said hed be late because he wasnt feeling well.

Huh, the Emperor is also here. If hes feeling sick, hes better to go back to his estate. Fabian sighed. The nobles all shut their mouth at his wistful words.

Also, the power of Duke Metis couldnt be underestimated, so they didnt dare to disagree with him. If the two of them turned into enemies, those who stood in the middle could only see the bloodshed.

Fine, lets leave those who cant attend.

An unpleasant situation could have been turned into a beneficial one.

I will convene the Imperial Senate.

For a moment, there was a murmur among the nobles. The Imperial Senate could only summon together when there was a major event in the Empire. And the last time they were called, it was at the time of Fabians legalization as the Emperor.

Send the edict to the family of five wise elders at once.

The Senate was appointed by the first Imperial Emperor. At that time, each of the five wise elders was given a role. Then their family descendants carried that tradition, taking over the task from generation to generation.

The Senate-elders had great honor in the Empire. However, like the wise word that pinned on their name. Those elders were only involved in the work of virtue. According to the First Emperors decree, those elders, including his family, couldnt attend the parliament or participate in political affairs. It was to prevent the power-bias from going to one place.

Your Majesty, you must have a good reason to summon the Senate-elders. The Prime Minister brought out his words cautiously.

Its my orders, Fabian answered coldly.

But Your Majesty, first of all, weve never called the senate-elders without a clear reason. The other Minister intervened as well. Besides, it was impossible to summon the Senate elders in only a day or two.

Now, is there anything clearer than my orders? Fabian raised his body from the throne and glared at his Minister with sharp eyes. Or should I get permission from you one by one before I give my orders?

How dare we but its not the case, for politeness wed better give a clear reason before calling the Senate.

You mean, in other words, I force to call them without knowing the etiquette?

A cold sweat spilled on the Prime Ministers back.

No, Your Majesty.

Everyone knew that Fabian was an arrogant Emperor who liked to force his will. But he never once broke the rules or was tainted by corruption. In fact, all of his orders always had justifiable reasons, but this time the ministers didnt seem willing to back down.

Convening Imperial Senate is a very serious matter. So, when they arrive, I will declare it as an edict. Well, if anyone thinks Im wrong, speak now.

Nobody in the room dared to open their mouths. They could die young before Fabians eyes, and they also had to bet the fate of their family. Therefore, there was no need to oppose it even if they didnt know the reason. There was still an opportunity to raise objections after the Senate began discussing the issue in person.

Theres no one? Then, I will issue an edict.

They all agreed reluctantlythose who were quick-witted thought that the absence of Duke Metis might be related to this.

Then, move on to todays agenda.

The nobles faces turned white with fatigue. After being forced to attend the meeting from yesterday until morning, they wondered if there was anything left to discuss. But Fabian didnt care and still rummaged the papers in his hand.

Looking at last years records, theres still no improvement in tax collection.

The problem is that we dont know the exact number of people, and we dont have a systematic method. The face of the finance minister was visibly tired. There was no perfect measure of tax collection in any country or any era. He couldnt understand why the Emperor raised such a chronic topic at this point. So, the tax problem would exist forever. In other words, Fabian was trying to put a huge burden on all the nobles at congress now.

Then, I want to see the nobles ability in this congress until real reform plan is made.

Your Majesty, I beg youits not a short-term agenda. How long will this congress be.

Its until you come up with a clear improvement plan that I agree with.

Apparently, this was Fabians revenge on them for not agreeing to his idea of summoning the senate elders earlier. But no one could refuse the Emperors self-righteousness.

Well, I hope you have a good plan. Fabian turned around casually. In the first place, he didnt really care and only acted as he pleased.

As soon as the Emperor disappeared, the assembly hall was filled with sighs.

Its all whats going on here?

By all means, Your Majestys orders is nonsense.

Someone almost realized that.

It seems that we are doomed to stay locked in this hall until His Majesty is satisfied.

Everyone nodded, agreeing at someones words, and flung themselves into the chair. In particular, the senior ministers had been complaining of the hardships since yesterday.

I dont know why he wants to call the senate-elders, but I think there will be a big surprise.

All nodded their heads at the Prime Ministers wording with mixed feelings.

****

What a sight. Fabian sighed unpleasantly. The more he thought about it, the more displeased he became with Duke Metis behavior.

Sagan didnt see him as the Emperor at all. The view of the empty chairs in the meeting hall was on his purpose. With this, all became clear, what would happen to the Empire if that person had more power.

Your Majesty, I have something to say. Serus managed to open his mouth.

I can already guess. Fabian crumpled his face. Seeing Serus expression, it seemed it wasnt good news.

Is Empress-mother here?

Yes. Shes waiting for you in your palace.

Then it was. Whatever Sagan did, it was proof that he still kept his attention to Fabian. He was trying to annoy Fabian with the only weapon he had. It was Fabians mother.

AndLady Stella Metis is coming, too.

Now Fabian could see their purpose clearly. The Metis family still hadnt given up the Empress position.

Fabian closed his eyes for a moment when his headache struck in. Why didnt he feel it before? Looking back, it had been going on for a long time ago. Still, when Fabian tried to protect Evelyn and his child, he finally could feel the fatigue.

Im really tired..

His low self-talk rang in silence.

***

Monica, the Empress-mother, and her niece, Stella, waited for Fabian side by side in the inner palace-living room.

Since Monica knew her sons nature so well, she already gave up halfway and took a bite of her long hookah. The other guest, Stella, couldnt express herself, trying to swallow her nervousness.

Welltheres no need to get nervous. Monica spewed smoke before talking to her niece.

Yes? Stella opened her eyes wide and looked at Monica in wonder.

You cant survive in the Imperial family if you stick to trivial matters. If you worry too much and are nervous, it means youre the only one whos going to fail.

These Imperial men were indeed indifferent. But in Monicas situation, nothing was different from her own family, the Metis.

Monica had no sisters, and she grew up under pressure to become an Empress and gave birth to a successor from an early age. So, only after the birth of Fabian, could she feel at ease.

His Majesty is not anyones. He cant be a womans husband. If you expect something like that, youre just going to get hurt.

In a sense, Monica was a wise aunt.

Being an Empress its just a title to qualify that woman has the right to give birth to this Empires successor. And if you succeed, you will become an Empress-mother like me and support your family. Thats all.

That was the crucial difference between Monica and Evelyn. Unlike Monica, who already aware of this fact, Evelyn didnt know anything.

The former Empress was too naive. I knew it at first sight. It was a face in love. Like a fool.

Stellas feelings suddenly flared up. There was a blush of love that couldnt be hidden on her cheeks. And Monica just wanted to tell her the truth.

I think you also wont last long anyway. The Imperial family is not a place where you can live expecting love from the beginning. do you understand what I mean?

Stella stayed silent and couldnt answer her aunts question.

Didnt your older sister teach you? asked Monica.

It was funny that the Empresss duty had been pointed out to the younger sister, and her older sister didnt teach Stella anything.

Stella bit her lips hard before she went on to say, Im sorry OriginallyIm not a candidate at first, so.

Well, actually, youre still too young when you were picked as the Empress candidate. Originally, its your sister who should become the Empress.

Fabians stubbornness, however, had fucked up the whole plan. When the Felice Royal Princess was chosen as the Empress, Stellas older sister, the former Lady Metis, lost her marriage and married someone else.

But Im glad that youre the youngest. This must be the tough fate of the Metis family.

The Emperors divorce had changed the situation again. Besides, nearly three years had passed since the Empress seat was empty. No matter how stubborn Fabian was right now, he couldnt postpone it any longer.

Listen carefully. Someone has to be the Empress anyway, and youre the only candidate who can fill the spot. Monica stared at Stellas nervousness.

But, if His Majesty doesnt like me.

Smiling, Monica couldnt stand it and laugh.

Forget something like love now. Im saying this for you.

There had never been a happy or loving moment in Monicas life. The same thing happened to her son, Fabian as well.

Stella, theres just one thing you can think about and hope for. Its only giving birth to an Emperors successor.

Stella nodded reluctantly. She looked sad because she couldnt expect a little affection even if she wasnt loved.

Did my words sound heartless?

A little

But His Majesty is more heartless than this.

For a moment, Stella had forgotten what to say.

Its no different from me, his mother. Or you? Or the former Empress? His Majesty is the same as all the Empires men. To them, the feeling is something trivial and not important.

Monica had an exhausted expression on her face. The only thing that remained for her after living so many years in the Imperial family was a disappointment.

In those long, dry years, Monica lived only waiting for her son to become the Emperor. And when Fabian ascended the throne, in appreciation of her contribution, she eventually lived a free and luxurious life in the Southern Palace.

It was the best life-ending for a woman who lived as an Empress.

But I heard At that time, my sister couldnt become the Empress because His Majesty was in love with the former Empress .

You must have heard wrong, Monica replied confidently. Fabian was a child who looked like her cold husband, and he even never showed any love to his own mother.

Its a good thing, Stella said with a calm look.

This time, Monicas expression was a little puzzled.

What? Because His Majesty is heartless?

No, at least he didnt care for his former Empress. So, he gave her permission to divorce.

Huh, this time, Monica spitted out an admiring laugh. Seeing this, she was a daughter who resembled her older brother, Duke Metis. Indeed, Stella was a Lady of Metis. On the contrary, it was Monica who was naively worried about her.

His Majesty doesnt have to love me, said Stella, smiling prettily.

Only

As long as he doesnt have a woman, he likes more than me, thats enough.

Stellas first love was blooming in a slightly weird direction. Monica stared at her and simply nodded. Anyway, she didnt mean to mind if her nieces purpose wasnt wrong.

You can give birth to His Majestys heir. After I see you become the Empress, I can go back to the Southern Palace and live as before, and the glory of Metis will continue. You can do that.

Yes. Stellas eyes sparkled.

Monica seemed to see herself in the past.

Actually, its also something useless. But she decided not to say such a thing.

Sooner or later, Stella would realize it by herself.