Chapter 92: Take Him

It was raining heavily at dawn. The gray sky seemed to paint a picture of the present situation.

“Your Majesty, you need to get some sleep.” Serus looked concerned, but Fabian didn’t listen to him. There were so many things that he was worried about right now. And only himself, the Ruler of the Empire, no one else, could do that.

“What did Philip say?” Fabian kept monitoring Adrian’s condition, even though he was busy to handle urgent letters.

“When he rechecked his condition, and his conclusion was still the same.”

At last, it seemed they had no other choice but to treat Adrian with blood medicine.

“I understand.”

Several days had passed since Fabian forced himself to stay in this fortress. It was all for Adrian’s stable treatment. But in the meantime, Philip was unable to find any other method, and time slipped imperceptibly.

“Your Majesty, I think you should go back to the Imperial Palace now,” Serus said carefully. Even though Fabian never said anything, Serus knew very well what was going on in the Palace. Starting from the greedy Imperial nobles to the chaotic conditions of the council. They all dared to do so because they knew that the Empire had lasted until now, thanks to them and their vast territories.

“They’re so pathetic.” Fabian laughed bitterly as he read the letter in his hand. Since his absence was longer than expected, he was forced to announce his absence as an Emperor’s foreign affair. And the nobles began to elbow each other. And fight for power in the Palace as if they had been waiting for this moment.

“I’m sick and tired because they always deviate from my expectations.”

Serus nodded, hearing his master’s loud voice. The current Imperial power structure was too lame. As they adhered one-man-power system, everything in the Palace relied on the Emperor alone. It’s ridiculous compared to small kingdoms that didn’t really depend too much on the King.

“It’s sad to see it. I’ve only left the throne for a week, and everything becomes a mess.”

This was all the result of the actions of the First Emperor, as well as the Empire’s founder.

From generation to generation, the Emperor’s influence was too powerful and threatening. In short, throughout history, Empire had always been ruled by Imperial lineages. But, even so, there was also a limit that Fabian could change on his own.

“It means that Your Majesty’s ability is so great.”

“Stop! I’m tired of hearing compliments from your mouth.” Fabian scolded Serus in discomfort. If he had such a great ability, like he said, he wouldn’t be under their pressure like this.

Fabian was annoyed. He finally found what he wanted to protect as a person, not as an Emperor, but he couldn’t even spend time together by their side.

“Forgive me … but Your Majesty, you can no longer postpone your return.”

Serus wasn’t mistaken about that. Since they knew Fabian had emptied the Palace for an unknown reason, the nobles began to run wild. And it was rumored that the Duke Metis would soon hold a parliamentary conference.

At first glance, Duke Metis seemed to have led the state affairs on behalf of the Emperor, who was away, but in practice, it was a challenge to the Emperor.

“You wicked old man…” Fabian had no qualms about cursing his uncle. “You dare to hold a congress on my behalf?!”

“He has a good excuse. He would say it for Your Majesty’s sake.”

“That’s what makes me so pissed off!”

Even if Fabian had come back in time, Duke Metis would just laugh and wouldn’t stop. But he certainly hoped that the Emperor’s circumstances would be more urgent and leave longer, so he would have more freedom to control the parliament. It was Duke Metis who still benefited from both situations. And Fabian couldn’t see the scene.

“I thought Duke Perth could buy time by making a fuss with him.”

Ideally, the nobles couldn’t turn their eyes to the Emperor while they were fighting with each other. However, Duke Perth seemed too young to be a match for the Duke Metis. His biggest pitfall was to waste his time playing romance with capital’s ladies.

“I didn’t expect him to come all the way to the capital and play with women,” said Serus. He criticized his brother as if he were strangers. “Duke Metis also went beyond the expectations.”

“Now, you know? All the Empire’s nobles are insane! They’ve always been!” Fabian had been aware of this for a long time.

“They don’t compete for intellect, honor, or loyalty. They’re like a bunch of dogs fighting over who’s going to be the boss. Even though the owner is just gone for an hour.”

Probably because the Empire had a long history of adopting absolute rule for a long time. Or only by chance, the Imperial nobles were all warlike and greedy for power.

As Fabian said, they were no different from wild dogs. He only left for a few days, but the Imperial family had already made his mind sick.

“In this case, I understand why you left,” Fabian said low, so Serus couldn’t hear his self-talk.

“Duke Metis may hold a congress tomorrow. I think you have to leave tonight, Your Majesty.”

Fabian wanted to, but it wasn’t an easy matter. Adrian’s condition was still not stable. And Philip, his doctor, said that he couldn’t be separated from Fabian.

“What Duke Metis is aiming for is the appointment’s right as Emperor’s replacement.”

“I think it is.”

“His goal is too obvious. He wants to fill the council with his own people and rules the Imperial Family as he wants.”

To be precise, it was part of his plan to make his daughter an Empress. Duke Metis aggressively pushed Fabian and pressured him to meet a new Empress candidate. So, the Metis family would produce a new Emperor. Like Monica, who gave birth to Fabian.

“I can’t stand back this time …”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Fabian breathed a long sigh, “Get Evelyn. And put Philip on standby.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Serus gave an example and stepped back.

Fabian closed his eyes in disarray as only a few choices were remaining.

--------

Evelyn gracefully exemplifies in front of Fabian. Her elegant movements like flowing water didn’t change, and for a moment, Fabian felt a lot of nostalgia.

“I see you, Your Majesty.”

Fabian nodded and beckoned Evelyn to sit on the sofa opposite him. Soon Evelyn came over and sat across from Fabian.

Compared to the past, the relationship between them had softened a lot. At least there was no hostility or fear. Fabian’s mouth was filled with a bitter taste, wondering, after this conversation was over, could things stay like this?

“You look a little worried.” Surprisingly, Evelyn broke the silence first.

“Does it look like that?”

“Yes, Your Majesty rarely has such an expression.”

Evelyn’s voice was as calm as ever. When she was an Empress, sometimes Fabian was silent with an expression like this on his face. He tried not to show his problems no matter what, but every night, he would complain of a headache, and his hands became cold like ice. Evelyn felt so sorry for Fabian that she kept holding his cold hands all night long.

“If it’s because of me, don’t think about it. Your headache is going to get worse.”

Fabian was quite stunned when Evelyn said those unexpected words. His eyes seemed to ask, how did she know that?

“Even if I don’t want to know, but I can’t.” Evelyn spoke again, this time, a little bit bitter, “I’m not a fool either. I knew from early on that Your Majesty has to go back to the Imperial Palace.”

She was a former Empress, so Evelyn knew very well the Palace situation now. Even for a single day, it was difficult for him to empty the Palace.

“You’re worried because you still haven’t killed him since there’s no information about him right now. Besides, he’s not an enemy that can be killed in a short time.”

David was the enemy that Fabian had been chasing for a long time. But, he couldn’t just kill him because there was no news about him yet. Although faint, Evelyn recalled the memory of David. He wasn’t an easy opponent.

“Other worries……Do you know?”

“No.,” Evelyn answered honestly. “I don’t know exactly what made you hesitate.”

“How did you know that I hesitated?”

“It’s just…my feeling.” Evelyn smiled faintly. They were a married couple before, so they used to know what they were thinking, even though they didn’t say it. Like the fact that Evelyn knew Fabian was very hesitant right now.

“If I’m the reason that Your Majesty is hesitating, you don’t have to.” Evelyn had been thinking for a while. From Fabian’s promise to the enemy who was aiming for Adrian, she must accept the truth.

Seeing Adrian’s sleeping face, Evelyn struggled to calm her heart. “So what … what has made you hesitate to leave this place?”

Evelyn hit the bull’ s-eye. Well, even if it was only at a glance, she could tell a little. Why did the Emperor who should have returned to the Palace still insist on staying here? That meant there was a reason that made him so hesitant.

“It’s not because of you, Evelyn.”

“Then, tell me the real reason. If there’s something that I need to know, please tell me.”

Fabian sighed. After all, Evelyn must know this situation. But it was hard for Fabian to spit out those words out of his mouth. How could he tell Evelyn that he should return to the Imperial Palace with Adrian right now?

“Adrian… Are you going to take him with you?”

Fabian could not conceal his trembling eyes at that moment.

“Yes…you will” Evelyn’s blue eyes were filled with sadness, but she still showed her tough attitude.

“Your Majesty, you’re still bad at lying.” There was a sad, faint smile on Evelyn’s lips, and then disappeared.

“I don’t understand what you mean.” Fabian gazed closely at Evelyn, “You even risked your life when I tried to take Adrian.”

“Yes, I did.”

“But how can you speak so calmly now?” Fabian knew Evelyn’s determination, so he didn’t want to bring it up.

For a moment, Evelyn bit her lower lip.

In truth, she was trying her best to appear calm. Her clenched fists were hidden under the table. It was also a secret how much she cried before she made this decision.

“Your Majesty, you’re a person who always keeps your promises. And you said you will protect Adrian.” Evelyn felt her heart became heavy when she spoke word by word.

“I’ve learned that there were times I couldn’t handle it alone.”

Without Fabian, Evelyn wouldn’t have been able to save Adrian at that time. And that guilt kept running through Evelyn’s mind. For Adrian, now it was more important to realize her lack than to blame herself.

“You told me that, even Adrian is not Your Majesty’s heir, you will protect him. Your eyes were sincere when you said that.”

There was sorrow in Evelyn’s eyes.

“Your Majesty… … you’re a bad liar.”

Fabian was a cold man, but never once did he lie to Evelyn. He was a fool who values honesty. It hurt Evelyn, the Empress, but it was different for Adrian.

“If such a Majesty has to take Adrian. That’s… ..because there’s no other way.”

It was bitter, but it was the reality. Fabian couldn’t help but nod his head reluctantly. Evelyn’s eyes shook at his response as if she was about to cry. And Fabian wasn’t able to give her another answer.

“Take him away.”

Evelyn said something more painful than dying.

“Evelyn…”

“……Take him. Please take him and protect him.” Her tears fell down without her knowing it.

“If you think that’s the best thing. If only that way, the child will survive.

Evelyn was trying not to weep. She looked so pitiful that Fabian unknowingly reached out his hand to her.

“If Adrian can live.”

When Fabian’s warm hand touched her cheek, Evelyn’s tears fell like beads. She bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears. There were many things she wanted to ask Fabian.

“If only that child can live.”

She thought after she threatened him with her life, Fabian couldn’t take Adrian away. Only after Adrian’s life was on the verge of death, and his entire body was covered by the bites of vicious demons.

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“I….” Evelyn’s tears kept streaming down as she spoke. “I don’t mind what will happen to me.”

Evelyn’s voice trembled, and her head dropped soon.

“Take him away…..and save him.”

Shortly afterward, there were a lot of tears poured down with a silent sob. No matter how much Fabian wiped them off, It was tears that couldn’t be erased.