Chapter 9: Mother and Emperor

The Empress’s vacancy was forgotten faster than expected.

But after a year, the position was not filled even when the season returned. Obviously, the nobles and aristocrat faction who were aiming for the next Empress had their eyes lit up.

“Your Majesty, you can’t delay any longer.” The palace chief carefully spoke to Fabian.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“I’m busy with my official duties.”

Fabian was handling a mountain of papers in the Oval Office. His daily routine had not changed much since Evelyn left.

“The Empress Dowager said that she couldn’t wait any longer.”

Fabian’s forehead was literally crumpled.

“There will be a meeting of the Vatuca soon, I don’t think we should delay it.”

Again, the palace chief risked his life to speak. He was afraid that Fabian’s anger would explode. Still, he couldn’t be silent because the Empress Dowager was roasting him right away.

“Noisy.”

Fabian exhaled coldly and turned to his paperwork again. The Empire had as much to do as its vast territory. Moreover, the territory’s border had not been properly managed yet. Fabian’s nerves were sharp due to frequent reports of Mana’s appearance ( Demon).

“Your Majesty, I beg you, ·······.”

“I said it was noisy.” Fabian had his eyes glued to the papers.

“Oh, my. That’s too cold for your mother.”

But the voice of the elegant woman rang, instead of the palace chief. Fabian frowned and raised his head. “There was no way to stop the Empress from entering the Oval Office,” the Chief Palace complained with his eyes to Fabian.

“I couldn’t wait, so I came here myself.”

Fabian sighed, then signaled to the asto get out of the room.

“No matter how heartless you are, your mother has come a long way from the palace, but my son doesn’t show me his face.”

The Empress Dowager used to live in a southern palace. Usually, she rarely came to the Imperial Palace. Still, she was forced to walk because Fabian hadn’t yet decided on the next Empress.

“If you’re here to say something new, I have a busier job.”

Fabian stared coolly at his mother and turned his attention back to the papers. It was clear that the Aristocrat faction, including the Empress Dowager, was all behind the scenes.

“My Majesty, I don’t want to be a nuisance either.”

The Empress Dowager approached the desk in his office. She didn’t really care about Fabian’s cold attitude. Initially, this was the relationship between the two.

“So please fill in the Empress’s vacancies.”

“You don’t have to rush.”

“It’s been a long time since a year has passed. I’m finally enjoying my rest, but the aristocrats won’t let me go.”

That was her main point. Although enjoying luxury and leisure to the fullest in the Southern Palace, she couldn’t bear it because she kept talking about the Empress’s vacancy.

“I have choose the candidate, so you just decide.”

Fabian raised his black eyes and stared at his mother.

“No, You don’t have to choose. I already have a match for you. Or are you going to be stubborn again this time?”

Fabian’s eyes were filled with displeasure.

“The result of your stubbornness is divorce and Vatican’s intervention.”

If the opponent wasn’t his mother, he would have stood and hit her right away. Fabian slowly closed his eyes and then opened them.

“I said I won’t rush.”

Sigh…, the Empress gave a short sigh. Fabian, her son, was heartless and cold, as he proved to have the imperial blood.

“I’m the only one who’s going to rush you. Otherwise, I’ll die at your hands before I can finish my words.”

The Empress was also forced to come here. When the Emperor died, and her son ascended the throne, she left the palace without any regrets and enjoyed her free life.

“I suggest Lady Metis. Not because shemy family. In any case, if the Empress is involved or her household can mediate with the Vatican, two of your problems will be resolved at once.”

The Empress was now pushing her niece as an Empress. Empress Dowager herself was not particularly interested, but in all aspects, she was the best choice. Beside, same-blood marriage was also common in this era.

“Who wants to mediate with the corrupt Vatican?”

Fabian’s voice sounded ferocious.

“Oh, wasn’t that why you insisted on the Empress of the Felice Kingdom where the Vatican and the Holy Father have a close relationship? Of course, that’s why the Vatican even arranged for a divorce.”

“It’s not worth mentioning the past.”

“What I want to say is, your mother recommended Lady Metis.”

Indirectly, his mother said that if he had listened to her from the beginning, there was no such trouble. It was really appropriate for a divorced son like him.

“It’s a waste to confront the Vatican. The late Emperor also hated the Vatican, but we had no choice but to maintain a relationship with each other.”

“Oh, that’s why he took you as the Empress.”

“Yes, you know that well.”

A cold smile came and went, ” I have a duty anyway.”

Being the Empress and giving birth to Fabian was her duty.

“If you fill the Empress’s vacancy and maintain your relationship with the Vatican, I won’t be bothered by this kind of nuisance.”

Fabian looked calmly at his mother, who never hugged him.

“I finished my talk with the Duke of Metis. To bring the Empress and to maintain a smooth relationship with the Vatican, …..I think this is the best we can do.”

The Empress Dowager never considered Fabian’s thoughts. But she’s mistaken, Fabian now the Emperor.

“It’s the best. I’ll tell you what’s really the best.”

Fabian raised himself in front of the desk. In an instant, a long shadow fell before his mother.

“Don’t take sides with the disgusting Vatican in front of me. This is a warning.”

Fabian’s gruesome voice and living spirit were not very different, even when he against his mother.

“And make your attitude clear. Whether you’re the Daughter of Metis, or the Empress of this Empire.”

“Is your ‘Mother’ not enough?”

Huh, Fabian spat out of laughter. Mother, it’s been a long time since he heard that word.

“Did I, the Emperor, have any such thing like ‘Mother’?”

The Empress did not exactly refute it either. Fabian was proof that the Empress had fulfilled her duty.

Although he was her own son, she never had more feelings than that and never had a chance to do so. Beside, Fabian became Emperor at the age of sixteen, and the opportunity for them to get closer had disappeared.

“I don’t care who’s on your side, but I hope you won’t lose your legitimacy of the royal palace you live in and the monthly charges provided by the imperial family.”

“Ha… we need to fill the Empress’s seat anyway? Unless you’re going to leave your Empress’s seat empty forever, this is the best you can do anyway.”

“I do not need the Empress.”

“My Majesty, it’s sophistry.”

Fabian never blinked.

“Do I have to tell you how important the successor’s problem is?”

“Do you think I, the Emperor of the Empire, will die soon?”

The Empress Dowager kept her mouth shut this time.

“Do I look desperate enough to kiss the dirty Holy Father’s feet?”

“That’s what I mean….”

Fabian raised one hand. It meant to stop talking.

“The Empress? All right. Bring her in.”

It was a bitter tone.

“If the Empres can solve the problems of the Empire that has piled up like a pile of mountains, and can pick up the sneaky Vatican neck, bring her to me now, I’ll welcome her. Oh, she should be able to wipe out the demons on the edge of the territory, too.”

“Your Majesty, don’t force yourself.”

“No, that’s what I have to do right now. So if there’s a woman who can do that, bring her. Then I’ll take her as the top priority.”

The Empress glared at Fabian, but there was no other choice.

“Are you really going to leave the Empress’ seat empty as it is? Besides, there are reasons why we should be hostile to the Vatican?”

“Are you bored with the Southern Palace?”

“I’m worried about you.”

Pfft….., Fabian, gave a ridiculous laugh.

“Worried?…Who?”

Fabian’s low voice sounded clear, but the Empress did not refute it.

“If you’re concerned about the Empire please sell the Southern Palace Jewel and give it to the Army. I’ll be happy to accept it.”

The Empress Dowager frowned. The negotiations broke down.

“I’m just pushing my back, and I don’t want to interfere with My Majesty.”

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“Then keep doing that.”

“One thing. I don’t know if you leave the Empress’ seat empty, but when you greet her again, please treat her with Metis’s way. That will not bother me, and your Majesty will be less annoying.”

This was the extent of the Empress Dowager’s sincerity.

“Now go back to youpalace, and feel free to think.”

Fabian first walked towards the door of the Oval Office.

“Because I don’t need the Empress.”

The mother and son, who had met after a long time, said goodbye without saying hello.