I’ll Quit as The Empress

Nothing had changed from the Empress Palace. That’s what Evelyn, the owner, realized the most. Something only possible if this place was cared for by meticulous care and caring hands without missing a single day.

And in this Palace, there was only one person who could enjoin it.

“Everything is still the same.”

“I thought that’s a good thing……. If you come back one day, it would be nice if this place still has a familiar sight”, said Fabian, looking a bit shy.

He was displeased with his gawky gesture. Even though at a time like this, it would be nice if he said something else that more heartfelt, but Fabian still had trouble dealing with his feelings.

Evelyn pondered for a moment as she watched Fabian’s sheepish look, wondering if he had ever been like this in the past?

“It seems Adrian also loves this place.”

Evelyn nodded slightly. In fact, as soon as Adrian arrived at the Empress’s Palace, he ran around through the well-decorated garden until his face was flooded with sweat.

Sadly, Adrian was still in the process of detoxifying the demon’s poison, so he had to go to sleep immediately after being examined by Sir Philip.

“He will definitely get better. Sir Philip said he’s getting better now.” Fabian comforted her after he noticed a slight shadow on Evelyn’s face. “In a few days, you may find yourself sleepless while playing with your child.”

“I hope so,” Evelyn said, smiling with hope.

“If Sir Philip allows, I’d like to give Adrian a black hawk.”

“He’ll be so happy. But don’t tell him in advance. If you do, there will be a scene.”

“Yes…..I guess.” Fabian agreed.

Evelyn then realized that they were both standing in front of the terrace. They forgot to sit down as they sauntered the Empress’ Palace, which was no different from the past.

“I …” Evelyn blurted the end of her words. She shuddered a little, giving him a hint.

Fabian soon grasped what she was thinking. However, he seemed to hesitate for a moment without moving his steps, contrary to Evelyn’s thought.

“Well, you’re the owner of this place.”

It was a new remark.

“So…can you give me a cup of tea?”

Fabian must have hesitated to say that. Evelyn soon nodded with a light smile. The Empress’ Palace was just like her memory as if she just left yesterday. That’s how Fabian took care of it. So, she was glad to serve him a cup of tea.

“Please come in.”

“Okay.”

Evelyn went to the parlor, which was right next to her bedroom. The sharp-witted Nora had already boiled the water and put it there, then she disappeared.

Fabian walked to his favorite spot. A beautiful, elegant sofa cushion, which could easily be seen outside the window, welcomed him.

“Wait a minute.”

There was an embarrassment engraved on Fabian’s face when Evelyn started unpacking her own tea sets; instead of sitting down, “No, that’s…. sorry, I didn’t mean to have you make it yourself …….”

He just asked if he could spend more time in the Palace, but he didn’t mean to order Evelyn to unpack the tea sets. But with a graceful gesture, Evelyn brought tea, “I know.” and sat down in front of Fabian.

It was a good thing if she didn’t have to do it herself. But sometimes, there were times when she wanted to.

“The tea is fragrant.” Fabian savored a sip of tea instead of saying thank you.

Evelyn did the same and said, “Well, it’s because someone kept the tea leaves here.”

Abruptly, a friendly smile smeared Fabian’s lips. Seeing him holding a teacup on the seat he enjoyed sitting, Evelyn suddenly felt the illusion as if she went back to the past.

“Your Majesty, it seems you really like sitting there,” asked Evelyn, breaking the silence.

“Do I?” Fabian replied casually. As he liked this spot since it was the only place he could lean on Evelyn’s shoulders or knees and attach his eyes on her after his exhausting daily life.

“Yeah, when I looked back, I thought you were always sitting there.”

“……Because this is the only place where I can sit side by side with you.” Fabian seemed to have been quite daring in recent years. It was obvious to see him boldly spit out words that could make Evelyn blushed.

“And I don’t really like it when I have to sit face to face with you like this.”

His blunt words made Evelyn’s tongue numb. Fabian’s honesty left her speechless. However, Evelyn wasn’t brave enough to sit by Fabian’s side at this time. It wasn’t just a matter of seating position. There were still many things that they hadn’t decided yet.

“Your Majesty… … There’s something I want to ask.”

Fabian nodded when Evelyn threw out the words that she had put in her mind.

“I know that you’ve promised that you will protect my child and me. That’s why I believe you and have come this far.”

Evelyn came here, to the Imperial Palace, because she saw Fabian’s sincerity. However, when she returned to the Empress’ Palace, her mind was filled with the same worries.

“You said you would make me an Empress again.”

“Yes. I won’t change my mind. I will proceed with it as soon as possible.”

“And Adrian… becomes the Crown Prince of this Empire.”

“That’s also for sure.”

Adrian was still young. But Fabian also became a Crown Prince at the age of three. Now that Fabian had recognized Evelyn as his only wife, it was a natural procedure, as he said. Especially when Fabian had already publicly called Adrian the Crown Prince.

“If …. if Adrian becomes the Crown Prince …… Will he have the same growth period as Your Majesty?” Evelyn’s blue eyes looked straight at Fabian. Leaving Fabian’s side anyway could not guarantee Adrian’s life. So, she left this choice to him. As Evelyn chose her child’s life above all else, so the rest was up to Fabian.

“According to the law, yes. As an imperial family, I don’t know any other way either.”

Hearing that, Evelyn bit her lips without realizing it.

“So, I will follow your opinion.”

Evelyn’s eyes grew wider at that moment.

“I know. You don’t want Adrian to grow up like me.”

Blinking, Evelyn slowly closed her eyes then opened them again. Was it possible to do that?

“I will deal with the rules and the backlash from the nobles.”

Fabian took on a difficult burden. There would be a backlash, as it was against the roots of Imperial tradition.

“That child…. let’s raise him, in a way that you think is right.”

“Are we really allowed to do that?” asked Evelyn again.

Fabian nodded slowly.

“If I … … If I say I’ll raise him myself until my child grows up, is it okay?”

“If you think it’s right, sure is.”

A relief enveloped Evelyn until her body went limp. Fabian thoughtfully reached out and grabbed her arm. There were some things that didn’t change over time. And one of them was a moment like this when they both looked at each other through their eyes.

“What I was longing for until I wanted to turn back time is the warmth of this body.” Fabian gently pulled Evelyn’s arm and sat her beside him.

“So I decided not to repeat the same mistakes.” Fabian drew his own conclusions, yearning for and regretting the Empress’s Palace without Evelyn’s presence.

“I’m… … still having a hard time.” Fabian reached out and caressed Evelin’s hair affectionately. “There are so many things I don’t know how to do.”

Frankly, in Evelyn’s eyes, the figure of Fabian who honestly acknowledged his flaws seemed unfamiliar… but warm, at the same time.

“In that case, I decided to ask you.” Fabian stroked her hair and rubbed her cheeks softly. Evelyn was still trembling when their bodies touched like the first day they met. “You can teach me how to do it together.”

His eyes gleamed eagerly, and he continued, “You don’t have to think about the world or other people’s views. It’s my part to handle it. You only need to think about the three of us.”

Evelyn stared at Fabian’s eyes, locking her glance. If she was her old self, Evelyn wouldn’t accept his offer. The Empress position was something she shouldn’t have. But now Evelyn happily nodded, “Sure, I will.”

“Yes, That’ll do.”

“But you have to be prepared. Now …… I’ve become a very selfish and greedy woman”, she whispered softly.

The pain of loss had taught Evelyn something previous. Now she wouldn’t live her life just to be a wise Empress.

It didn’t matter what her future nickname was or what people might think about her. Such things were nothing but trifles compared to the warmth that was given by the person beside her.

Fabian smiled gently, looking at her, “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Really? You’ll often get into trouble because of me, Your Majesty.”

“Well, It’s much better than you who always keep silent.”

Fabian wasn’t the only one who was awkward. Just as him, who reflected in Evelyn’s eyes, she felt the same as well.

Evelyn had never imagined before how difficult it would be to meet, marry, and live a different life with other people.

“For Adrian’s sake, I can’t keep silent.”

Evelyn’s expression remained still. Fabian nodded at her sight, holding Evelyn’s hands tightly, “Now, don’t be afraid of anything … … even to me, even though I’m an Emperor.”

Evelyn was aware, she wouldn’t be able to live freely in this Imperial family. But Fabian promised the best freedom he could give.

“I wasn’t afraid.” Evelyn whispered and grinned, “Since a long time ago…… I never afraid of you.”

Honestly, in her previous life, Evelyn was afraid of Fabian’s cold expression and inhuman insight. He was like a different person than her, and Evelyn seemed unable to pursue him even though she had studied hard her whole life.

Moreover, the scariest thing was, Evelyn couldn’t tell what kind of world light was in his eyes.

“Instead, I was upset and angry with you. And there were moments when I felt sorry for Your Majesty.”

That was the first thing Fabian had heard of since he was born. Evelyn’s unexpected words surprisingly comforted him.

“You can do that. No, it’s only you in the world who can do that.”

Only in Evelyn’s blue eyes, Fabian could live as a man, not an Emperor or a powerful King. Instead, the shining Emperor’s crown would only deter him from Evelyn’s embrace.

“Your Majesty…” Evelyn shook a little when Fabian suddenly crawled into her arms. But he didn’t stop, leaning his head on her delicate shoulder, despite the look in her eyes expressed one of surprise.

Evelyn’s unique body scent next to him, which was sweet and nostalgic, gave him a sense of comfort.

“Hold on…..”

“Let me stay like this for a moment.” There was a tender strength in his voice as he spoke. Fabian wrapped his arms around her slender waist so that Evelyn couldn’t push him away.

“But…”

“Haven’t you always been generous to the servants and maids who took care of the Empress’s Palace?” Fabian said that all of a sudden.

“What does that have to do with now?”

“If you want me to tell the truth, it’s me who took care of this Palace while you were gone.”

Evelyn doubted her ears. Was the Emperor asking her to show generosity in return for taking care of her Palace?

“What are you saying now…….”

“I think I deserve to get a prize,” Fabian said, something that really blatant, then he buried his head deeply in Evelyn’s neck. “Don’t tell me I’m worse than the Imperial Palace’s servant……”

Evelyn tried hard to hold back her laughter.

For the first time, Fabian looked like a little boy. Somehow, she felt sorry and a little regret for always scolding Adrian for being spoiled and stubborn.

Only

“Alright, then.”

As was her habit, Evelyn patted Fabian’s head, which was resting on her shoulder gently, without realizing it.

She did the same thing when she needed to calm Adrian. But surprisingly, Fabian hugged Evelyn’s waist tighter, as if he liked her compliment.

“Thank you for taking good care of my Palace.”

Fabian nodded small, still leaning to Evelyn. The Imperial Emperor often received praise without asking. But looking at his innocent, happy face over something simple. Evelyn wanted to compliment him one more time.

“Well done, Your Majesty.” Evelyn caressed Fabian’s head softly for a while.

Fabian, with his eyes closed, enjoyed the sweet afternoon moment.