Fabian decided to move quieter and carefully than ever.
The Imperial Palace didn’t lower the Imperial-flag, which meant that the Emperor remained. And he chose to bring Serus and Logan alone without an army. Externally, it was to give the impression that Fabian was staying in the imperial palace.
“It’s been a long time.”
Serus nodded at Fabian’s words. Most people, not just the people, would have no idea of the Emperor’s whereabouts.
“We have to come back for at least within three days.”
But not everyone did.
“I know.”
After a day or two, usually, some would notice the absence of the Emperor. Fabian was great, but he couldn’t fool everyone even more if the opponent were the white-haired old man, Duke of Metis, or the cunning Pope.
“What about the Duke of Perth?”
“As soon as he arrived in the capital, I think he had requested a meeting with the Duke of Metis.”
“He didn’t betray my expectations.”
As expected, as soon as the Duke Perth came, he started a fight with the Duke Metis. So even if he found out Fabian’s absence right away, they could buy time.
“The question is…….. is that the cunning old man?”
That word is referred to the Pope.
“I can’t predict him at all.”
It wasn’t God’s blessing or foresight. But, the Vatican was the pinnacle of this continent when it came to intelligence. They had such a long history that even the Empire couldn’t reveal all of their information networks.
“Even if they notice, they won’t dare interrupt Your Majesty,” Serus said firmly.
Fabian nodded and grabbed the reins.
He wanted to meet Evelyn as soon as possible, wanting to confirm the truth.
Rebecca had already told Miriam about the worrisome situation. Arthur soon accepted Liam’s request to come to the Felice Kingdom as the Duke of Akshire.
However, their daily life didn’t change much as if they already prepared this thing would happen someday. It might have been better to build a negotiation than living in anxiety for life.
“Hawk, hawk!”
Adrian, who didn’t know Evelyn come, kept shouted, holding his black hawk. Evelyn took the doll from Adrian for a moment, holding it in her arms and made eye contact with him.
“Adrian.”
“Yes! Yes!”
“You only have to answer once, right?”
“……Yes!”
Adrian now had learned to answer like a prince. Evelyn’s blue eyes, looking at the child who still had much to learn, were tender.
“Who is Adrian’s family?”
“Yes, father, mother, Evelyn, Rebecca!”
But Evelyn shook her head severely. ” Rebecca isn’t a family. And, do you remember you shouldn’t call me Evelyn anymore?”
Adrian opened his mouth, but Evelyn didn’t give up.
“You don’t know because Adrian is still a baby?”
“No! I’m not a baby!”
Adrian had entered the age where he could already affirm his identity. Even though he was only two years old, Adrian was very proud of himself since he was able to walk and talk. And Evelyn used Adrian’s psychology in that way.
“Really? It’s weird. If you’re not a baby, you should know how to speak politely.”
Evelyn sighed deliberately. Then Adrian’s dark blue eyes aroused a strong will.
“I know!”
The ulterior motive was so transparent that it would make her laugh, but Evelyn endured it hard and maintained a serious look.
“Then, do you know what to call me? If you’re a mature and wonderful prince, you’d know.”
Indeed, Adrian’s eyes shone, “Evelyn … … sister!”
“Not sister, but my sister.”
“Sister!”
Only then Evelyn looked at Adrian, smiling when Adrian felt quite proud and confident.
Evelyn didn’t care if Adrian wasn’t recognized her as his birth mother. It was only a title. The more important was the family could laugh together.
“Then, what if you meet someone other than our family?”
“Ummm,·····” Adrian was in short agony.
“Do you want me to teach you?”
“No! I know!”
Evelyn’s eyes filled with wonder. She hadn’t taught him yet, but Adrian was very smart and learned it first.
“I see you, father.”
“I see. Can you give it a try?”
“Yes!”
Adrian stood up from Evelyn’s arms and suddenly raised his chin high.
Even though he was still young, Adrian was quite arrogant. When Evelyn saw him put his hands on his waist, she felt something was wrong. After that, he let out a strange coughing sound from his small lips.
“You! Sit down.”
Evelyn sighed. Indeed, Adrian imitated Arthur’s frequent actions.
“I still have a lot to teach you,” Evelyn said softly, hugging Adrian, who was slightly struggling in her arms.
Then, there was a knock on the door. It was Rebecca, who came to ask for tea together.
“Rebecca!” Adrian opened his arms and greeted Rebecca friendly before Evelyn.
“Prince, you speak more and more every day.”
Evelyn smiled awkwardly, “That’s not necessarily a good thing.”
“Liam’s here. Would you like to meet him?”
“Of course, I should.”
Rebecca smiled to hear that., “I thought so, that’s why I bring him now. Liam, come in.”
Liam carefully opened the door and glanced at Rebecca. He was a noble, a Duke, so he didn’t understand why his older sister was so brave enough to say such rude things to him when she ordered him to come in.
But now, Evelyn came first. Liam passed before Rebecca and set an example in front of Evelyn.
“I see the Princess and the Prince.”
“Thank you for coming, Sir Liam.”
Their eyes met each other warmly for a moment.
“You sit down.”
Liam hardened with a surprised face, and Evelyn looked a little embarrassed when Adrian’s stern voice suddenly broke the mood.
“Adrian, you can’t say that.”
“You!”
“You can’t even sit down!”
Liam managed to grasp the situation and hold back his laughter, “It’s all right. You’re a Prince so that you can tell me that.”
“Sorry, I’m still teaching him, so I think he’s learned something strange from my father.”
“Yes, that’s exactly same with the way His Majesty’s talk.”
“That’s the biggest problem…… Lily, take Adrian with you for a moment.”
Lily soon came and took Adrian out of the room.
“It’s harder to teach him now than when he didn’t know anything. I don’t even know how far he understood what he said.”
Evelyn added, as explained. Recently, Adrian imitated the people around him or quickly copied everything he had heard. So Evelyn couldn’t just talk about sensitive and important issues.
“Oh, forgive me. I forgot to offer you a seat.”
“It’s all right. Since the Prince had already suggested it.” Liam said playfully and sat down. But obviously, it was Adrian who recommended it first.
There was a moment of silence as the two sat down. Evelyn didn’t know that Liam already knew her secret. Knowing that, it was difficult for her to look at him.
“May I ask you a question?” Liam, who was reluctant at first, broke his silence.
Evelyn nodded slowly. Rebecca already told her that Liam would be a witness for Adrian’s birth. So he had the right to ask questions. About why was Evelyn secretly giving birth and raising the Emperor’s child?
“So, I …….I always feel the same way when I see the Princess. No matter what happened in the past.” Liam was clumsy, but he was desperately conveying his sincerity, “I don’t know much about complicated and difficult things, as my sister always says. So I didn’t dare to understand or think about it. It’s just, to me, you’re always the same.”
Evelyn looked straight into Liam’s eyes.
“I know I’m stupid and clueless. I’m not sure about anything else. So, I hope you always to treat me as the same person.”
Liam’s green eyes were genuine. And Evelyn felt sorry for a moment when she thought Liam would ask her a secret question.
As Liam said, he was always the same person.
“Oh, I’m sorry. What I told you, it’s not a question…”
Liam, who was looking at Evelyn’s expression, looked puzzled. Evelyn unwittingly smiled at him, “Thank you.”
Now she wanted to convey the simplest words like Liam, “I won’t forget that you’re always the same person to me.”
Then Liam’s face brightened, nodding his head repeatedly.
“Yes! I’ll do that!”
Evelyn saw Liam for a long time. She never thought he would understand.
Evelyn never expected him to appear at a time like this. But Liam always exceeded her expectations.
Liam said that he didn’t understand. That didn’t matter. So as Evelyn consoled him, she didn’t have to explain anything.
“But Sir Liam, I have one more request.”
“Just say anything.”
“I know you’re trying to help me. And I’m always grateful for that. But if things get bad and you feel like it will going to harm Akshire, please back off.”
Liam’s expression hardened, “I don’t understand.”
“No, you know what I mean.”
His opponent was the Emperor. Strictly speaking, it was a matter between the Emperor and the Felice Kingdom. Liam would be in a difficult position if he intervened excessively.
“I know His Majesty’s disposition very well. He is suspicious easily. If, in the process, he finds you a nuisance ……”
“It doesn’t matter,” Liam answered without hesitation.
“A doubt is just doubt. I’m doing the right thing because I testify of the truth to correct that false doubt.” Liam’s clear green eyes looked straight into her eyes. It was an honest and unshakable look. For him, whatever the secret behind it, the truth seemed to have been decided.
“Prince Adrian’s birth could be a testimony to the honour of the Duke of Akshire. So don’t worry, you don’t need to hesitate.”
Evelyn nodded calmly, looking at Liam’s determination. Besides, it was Evelyn herself who chose this situation. For her choice, Felice’s royal family and Akshire’s sibling bet their honour. So Evelyn mustn’t be shaken.
“Yes, Sir, you’re right.”
The past, the memories, even the truth, was no longer important.
“But, if your Majesty has unreasonable doubts, you have no choice but to give up.”
Liam nodded with a satisfied smile at Evelyn’s words.
In fact, until last night, she had a lot of thoughts of wanting to get out of this situation. There was also a temptation to escape Fabian with Adrian by making any excuses.
“No matter what rumours go around, Adrian is the proud Prince of Felice.”
But no weak thoughts were needed. Evelyn wouldn’t run away anymore.
“Yes, so there is one thing that bothers me,” Evelyn asked with a glance.
“If His Majesty really misunderstood, who, how, and what instigated the misunderstanding?”
Only
“Actually, that’s on my mind, too.”
The secret was sealed perfectly. The midwife’s senility might be wasn’t calculated, but if it had been as planned, there was no reason for Fabian to find the midwife.
“If you allow it, I’ll look into it.”
“Please…..”
Liam nodded reliably. Before Evelyn got married, she only considered him as a close friend’s younger brother, but it was a surprise that he had become such a strong young man.
“I hope that someday Adrian will grow up as a reliable young man like you.”
Listening to her, Liam’s green eye grew round. Like when he heard Evelyn’s cuteness before, waves of intense emotion filled his pure green eyes.
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