I’ll Quit as The Empress

Every palace had its way to avoid other people’s eyes. Fabian wasn’t surprised by the secret tunnel’s existence, and he followed the chief’s guidance.

“This is the exit.”

When the chief opened the door, a narrow corridor appeared. Soon after that, Fabian arrived at a parlor that seemed hadn’t been used for a long time. It looked like this room was a separate place used only at certain times.

“So, everyone’s here.” Fabian joined the people who had gathered first in the room and then sat down on the chair arranged in such away.

“I see you, Your Majesty.”

Arthur, Miriam, and Evelyn had already known Fabian’s intentions on his secret visit. However, there was also a useless ‘thing’ in that room.

“Since when did Duke of Akshire become a member of the royal family?” Fabian glared at Liam, who remained in his seat, with an unpleasant gaze.

“By chance, I’ve received an official invitation from the royal family, and I am honored to meet Your Majesty.”

Fabian was irritated by Liam’s green eyes, but the other problems were more important now. He turned his eyes and looked at Evelyn.

As usual, her calm blue eyes made it hard for Fabian to read Evelyn’s emotions or thoughts easily.

“Only the Royal family has the right to discuss this matter. An outsider must stay out.”

“Akshire is a long-time friend of our royal family. Seeing that Your Majesty has such an urgent need that made you came a long way to this place, I want him to hear it too,” said Evelyn.

‘What the hell are you thinking?‘

Fabian frowned, but he didn’t speak anymore. It wasn’t bad for Liam to face reality properly, though, because it happened anyway.

“Serus.”

“Yes.”

Serus lowered his head, taking a document from Fabian’s hand and handed it to the King.

Arthur and Miriam read the document carefully and then passed it to Evelyn.

“That’s what I came here for.” Fabian clearly said it, “I’ve already checked the truth so that I won’t tolerate lies from now on.”

Evelyn, holding the paper in her hand, raised her head, and stared at Fabian.

“But if the person concerned had an unavoidable reason … I could cover all the past.”

It was unprecedented mercy that would never have happened again. And this was the best Fabian could do for Evelyn.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you mean.”

“Are you denying it? Prince, no… That Adrian is my child?”

There was an immense power felt when that suspicious doubt came out of the Emperor’s mouth. Evelyn could read a firm conviction in Fabian’s eyes. It was much stronger than expected. Yet, Evelyn was determined not to lose.

“Huh? That’s …… that’s a ridiculous misunderstanding.” Evelyn had a confused expression on her face. Just as with the others.

“I knew you were going to do this, so I brought the document with me. Give it up. The midwife has already testified.”

“Midwife?”

Fabian laughed, seeing Evelyn asked him back. Until the end, she still pretended that she didn’t know. In truth, Fabian was very upset, even though he said he would cover up all her past mistakes.

“She’s the midwife who was with when you gave birth to the Prince. There, I brought back what the Duke of Akshire has concealed.”

“Yes……? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Liam stepped beside Evelyn, who was still asking strange questions. And it was an unpleasant sight to see for Fabian.

“Indeed, a midwife is living in our residence, but …… It’s because of her close relationship with the Akshire family. I thought she was missing because she has dementia. So I’m glad to know she’s all right. “

Fabian burst out laughing as he witnessed the lies of the two people in front of him.

“You make the situation worse by all means.” Fabian got up from his seat. There was a dark anger welling up in his heart.

“Even though I’ve given you a chance to solve it smoothly.”

After closing his eyes for a moment, Fabian’s head became tangled. At first, he thought it was an impulsive mistake when Evelyn left him, knowing nothing.

But he didn’t think it was Evelyn’s brave choice. As if Fabian’s sincerity, saying that he would forgive her for everything, was meaningless.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. The midwife is certainly a member of our estate. Unfortunately, her dementia is severe, and she is a little insane. Besides, witnessing the birth of a Prince is an honor for the Akshire family…….”

“Shut up.” Fabian silenced Liam’s words coldly. At this moment, everyone could feel the Emperor’s pressure.

“Who dares to get involved in my bloodline matter?”

Liam’s expression hardened at once. He knew this was a very dangerous situation. Apart from personal affairs, it concerned the Empire’s successor.

Whatever the decision, whether it’s just a suspicion or a fact. This had been a crucial issue.

“Your Majesty, the Prince…”

“Even if you’re a King, there are no exceptions. This matter is only between me and Evelyn, the Empress.”

As Arthur closed his mouth, it’s Evelyn who stepped forward. Her blue eyes stared straight towards Fabian.

“Then, I’ll tell you clearly. This is a misunderstanding. I don’t want you to question the dignity of our Royal Family only because of a word that came out of a crazy midwife.”

But Fabian’s eyes were already cold, “Of course, if it was a misunderstanding, I will fully apologize……If…..it was a misunderstanding…….”

“Do you believe the words of a mentally insane old woman more than the words of the Royal family and the Duke?”

“Do you know me as a stupid man?”

No. It Couldn’t be.

Fabian was the coldest and most rational than anyone else.

Evelyn unwittingly bit her lower lip. Did she think too positively all this time? She felt pathetic when she thought her argument would work for Fabian.

“I’m telling you…It’s a misunderstanding.”

“That’s my decision.”

Evelyn, who recently saw Fabian’s weakness, underestimated her opponent. This was the real Fabian. An Emperor who ruled over everything and didn’t hesitate to use his power.

“You’re ruining the honor of our Kingdom, the Prince’s future, with a clumsy misunderstanding. Just by a word from a senile-old-woman…..”

“Who said it was the only proof?”

Suddenly, Evelyn’s heart sank at his cold, questioning expression.

“Your Majesty, you questioned the royal honor just by the old woman’s words. If Your Majesty, who has doubted arbitrarily decides, is that fair?”

“So, who said that I only listened to the old woman?”

Evelyn felt her blood was running cold. If she thought about it, Fabian wouldn’t come here with just one old woman’s testimony without any other evidence. He must be sure about something that he only had or could do.

“I’ve only brought this testimony to raise suspicion. And regardless of her condition, I’ve decided to accept the suspicion. Do you think I will allow my decision as Emperor to reveal the truth to be denied as an old lady’s statement?”

Fabian’s power, who had conquered the top tier nobles at the Imperial Congress, was unstoppable. Evelyn had heard and knew it, but this was the first time seeing Fabian like this in person.

“Your Majesty, the Princess said that it doesn’t make sense to investigate unfair suspicions.”

“Did you forget I told you to shut up? Duke, you have a terrible memory.”

The existence in Fabian’s black eyes was real. His gaze could instinctively drop the temperature around him in a moment.

“I can cut off the useless ‘thing’ here.”

“I’m trying to tell you the truth.” Liam didn’t back down, and that made Evelyn even more scared.

“Stop. Duke, please step back.”

Evelyn forced Liam to back off and intervened in the argument between them. If their debate continued, Liam would have been killed before Adrian’s matter had been resolved. And Evelyn couldn’t see and let him die.

“Princess…..”

Only Evelyn could hear Liam’s whisper.

She reached out and pushed Liam away. That was a very clear gesture.

“Please forgive the Duke’s presumptuous attitude.”

“Why are you apologizing for him?”

“Because he’s a guest of our Kingdom.” Evelyn made excuses, but Fabian’s expression was still displeasing.

“And I also think this suspicion is so unfair.”

“Really?”

“It’s true that I was once Your Majesty’s Empress, but it’s a past relationship. So, how could you have such absurd suspicion about the little Prince’s identity?”

“Absurd?…. Do you really think that way?”

“Yes.” Evelyn looked at Fabian firmly.

“I was wrong about you. I thought you’re a wise woman.” Fabian didn’t shy away from her gaze either, even though Evelyn’s eyes were hostile towards him.

“And let me show you your absurdity, the ridiculous suspicion you said before, it’s you who did it, not me.”

“What do you mean? Your Majesty is suspicious of our Royal family.”

Fabian said confidently. Even though it wasn’t the result of love and trust, the child born to the Empress, unconditionally was the Emperor’s child. And, the child’s fate as the Imperial family was unavoidable.

“In the long history, there were illegitimate children in the Imperial family……. like this Prince.”

Listening to Fabian, word by word slipped into Evelyn’s heart.

“No way, will the Imperial family willing to acknowledge its existence just by hearing those words? You know it can’t be.”

In history, it wasn’t uncommon for a child to be executed for claiming as the Emperor’s illegitimate son. And it was a common occurrence among aristocrats too.

But how did they prove bloodline? This information was known only by Evelyn, the Empress, and the person who gave birth to the child.

“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to hurt the Prince. Just a drop of blood is enough.”

“What do you mean by that?? Blood!?”

“Surely, I need blood to prove that he’s the bloodline of the Imperial family. Oh, of course, I’m going to take him along with you. Once you see it for yourself, you’ll never call it an absurd suspicion again.”

Fabian seemed to have confidence in him.

“Your Majesty, hold on. It’s too sudden.”

Even though the atmosphere was heating up, Arthur couldn’t stay still and stepped in. Somehow, he had a bad feeling about this.

Only

“So I had told you before, I didn’t want to this either.”

“Your Majesty, this is a matter of suspicion. It can be solved through dialogue….”

“The King of this Kingdom, too, is a fool.”

Fabian spoke low.

“Don’t you see what I want? Or do you want to fix your wrong-doing now?”

Fabian seemed full of faith and gave Arthur a cruel option. Even there was a statement that Fabian would secretly cover up the matter if he admitted.

But that wasn’t a question Arthur could answer.