I’ll Quit as The Empress

Serus opened his heavy mouth. “Maybe you already know about this….. But, the use of blood medicine in the imperial family … … it’s an ancient secret. “

Evelyn had learned about it once when she was the Empress. But she didn’t interest in it as she only heard that it was a secret method used by the Imperial family from generation to generation. But it wasn’t applicable to her since it could apply only to those who inherited Emperor’s blood.

“Even among the Black Hawk Knights, I’m the only one who knows that.”

Blood medicine was literally a strange secret method that used the subject’s blood. Evelyn thought of it as an occult, superstitious procedure, and didn’t believe it would work. But now, she could ‘t deny it, as the treatment worked for Adrian.

“His Majesty wants you to keep that secret.”

The secret that had to hide wasn’t just about the existence of blood medicine. But also the fact that the blood-based treatment from the Emperor’s blood worked on Adrian … … It was proof of paternity without the need to use a silent stone.

“Is that… …all?”

“Yes, that’s all he asked you to do.”

Evelyn looked at Serus in the face. He was a mysterious man who couldn’t be understood inside, but now he was more than that.

“You know what that means.” Serus said.

“Yes, it means I have to keep it secret.” And that’s what made Evelyn even more troubled. “And?”

“… … And what?” Serus looked confused. This man wouldn’t have noticed if Evelyn didn’t dare to ask. However, some concerns must be discussed when the opportunity arose before her. If Evelyn didn’t ask right now, it would probably be a burden on her mind for the rest of her life.

“I don’t know what that means.” Evelyn grappled with her dizzying memories, “At that time, indeed His Majesty gave an explanation about the medicine made from blood.”

“Yes, you’ve heard it clearly.”

“Blood medicines only can work effectively for people who are blood-related but have a lot of side effects for other people. That’s precisely what you meant, right?

“Yes, it’s true. Most of all, blood medicine doesn’t seem to work effectively for other people other than the Imperial family.”

“So Sir Serus……did you know if the medicine …….” Evelyn blurred the end of her sentence because it was a scary word to speak by her mouth.

“I don’t know.” Serus said calmly. “I don’t know where His Majesty used the blood medicine.” He was terrible at lying, but Evelyn could tell his expression was full of sincerity.

“His Majesty told me the situation, but he didn’t tell me the result.”

Serus was a little far away when Evelyn asked for Fabian’s help in the cracks of the stone. If so, that meant, only Fabian and Evelyn who knew that fact.

If he was an ordinary person, the story would be different. Still, from his character, Serus would accept it as it was and keep it a secret.

“Has Your Majesty left something else?” asked Evelyn.

“Nothing special. I’ll tell you the rest as I know it.”

Evelyn felt strangely relieved but somehow sad. Fabian, as Evelyn remembered, was a man who always kept his promises. Even though at that moment, he might have spat out those words in a momentary emotion, but the result didn’t change.

“First of all, even if it’s frustrating, you should stay here for a while. It’s His Majesty’s order.”

“I will….” Evelyn also didn’t want to complain either as Fabian had decided that this was an incident, not an accident. If so, it meant that there was an enemy behind it. It’s dangerous for her to escape from Fabian’s protection without any assurance.

“As soon as we investigated the case, the only demon that appeared was Devil Eye. It’s… …as you can see, they’re haunting in groups with huge eyeballs and bat wings… … .”

“Stop, that’s enough.” Evelyn waved her hand as it reminded her of painful memory.

“There was something unusual. The Devil Eyes attacked a specific target.”

“What.”

“Devil eye has low intelligence. Typically they strike the prey they see. But in yesterday incident, they were in groups constantly chasing the prince inside the carriage. The situation at that time wasn’t in battle, but they purposely targeted the little prince alone.”

Evelyn frowned her eyebrows. It was painful to imagine that terrible demon relentlessly chased Adrian. But that intention was familiar somehow. This wasn’t the first time. Evelyn had an instinct that the demons seemed to be aiming Adrian from the start.

“Then, when the prince is wounded … And the demons were attacking him with their teeth. This isn’t their ordinary method of attack. And the fact that they also attacked the carriage …. it wasn’t their ordinary method of attack.”

“What do you want to say? The Devil Eyes attacked the prince on purpose?

“It’s not my opinion but His Majesty. And according to him there’s someone behind this incident, not pure will of the demons. I agree with His Majesty’s opinion because Devil Eye doesn’t have that intelligence.”

The smell of the demon’s fishy blood seemed to still be felt. Evelyn recalled that the Wyverns had the same scent. It was an unforgettable memory. The Wyverns, who flew towards the platforms at the Great Festival, seemed to be aiming for Adrian.

“I also.. …have felt something similar. When the Wyverns attacked us at the festival.”

“His Majesty was already suspicious of that incident too.”

“… … Since when?”

“He went to your Kingdom because he suspected it from the beginning.”

Evelyn thought it was a coincidence that Fabian showed up on that day. It was also a troublesome coincidence. Looking back, however, such coincidences weren’t easy to happen.

If she thought about it. It wasn’t a natural coincidence from the beginning. That it was the Emperor himself, who led the Knights delegation directly to observe the place where the Great Feast had taken place and entered the site when the demons appeared.

“His Majesty suspects that the Vatican has something to control the demons.”

“This kind of information …. is it alright for you to tell me?”

“His Majesty has given me a permission to do so. You have to be careful in the future, so you should know about this.”

How far did Fabian think? When Evelyn was caring for the child by herself, he was already far-sighted.

“There is no evidence yet, but His Majesty’s insight… … .”

“I know, it’s close to the truth.”

As Evelyn silently added, Serus nodded.

Evelyn didn’t know what Fabian was like as a husband, but when asked what he was like as an Emperor? The answer was easy. When it came to politics, he had a sharp instinct, and he knew how to overwhelm other people.

In short, the Fabian was a very different species from ordinary humans. Serus, who grew up with him since childhood, was well aware of this fact.

“I tried to hide the Prince from him, but His Majesty already felt it a few times…….”

“It’s hard to hide something from him.” Serus was right. The most terrifying thing about Fabian was the look in his eyes that seemed to be able to see all the truth. The only thing that he didn’t know about was Evelyn’s heart as a wife. Or, a future life that only Evelyn knew.

“His Majesty knows that.”

Those were the right words to use. Fabian was able to make judgments without any process. There was no room for logic or thinking to intervene when he decided on something. On the contrary, things like that followed only later. But, even without accurate facts, Fabian’s judgment was always right. It looked like things were going according to his decision.

“I’m afraid of him.” Evelyn expressed her honest feelings. The two people facing each other right now were the only ones who were able to get close to Fabian.

“Actually, I am always afraid of him too.” Serus looked relaxed when he said that.

“I never thought you also had that feeling.”

“I’m a human, too. Of course, I am afraid to see the inexplicable power in front of me.” Serus couldn’t describe it since it was an inexplicable force.

So did Evelyn in the past. Fabian deliberately tried to erase that ambience and cut it when he came to the Empress’ chamber. However, he couldn’t eradicate his instinct, which had sometimes leaked out.

“But you stand by His Majesty’s side,” Evelyn said.

Different from Serus, Evelyn had given up.

“Because it’s my mission.”

It was the same with Evelyn.

“And His Majesty is surprisingly not hostile towards me. I’m fine as long as I don’t become his prey.”

“But it’s not a normal thing.”

“Is that so?” Serus asked back, and his words flinched Evelyn’s heart. She couldn’t take his words for granted. Because the relationship between subordinates and the spouse was very different.

“Yes.”

“But it wasn’t always easy.”

When was it? On summer night when she fell asleep in Fabian’s arms when Evelyn opened her eyes, she felt a strange ambience. She felt like she was being hugged by a beast that threatened her life. At that time, Evelyn almost screamed. More than anyone, she was terrified of being embraced by him.

“When I was the Empress, there was an incident in where a spy entered my palace.”

“Yes, I remember that.”

The very next moment Evelyn came to her sense, Fabian threw a dagger, and the spy screamed in pain. Evelyn’s stomach felt upside down, but Fabian calmly looked at her shocked face and said it was all right.

“I’ve been afraid of him since then.” Evelyn confessed quietly.

[‘Evelyn, don’t cry. I’ve killed my enemy. You don’t have to be scared.’]

It was Fabian’s life that Evelyn was afraid of. Which have no hesitation at all.

[‘Stop crying. I’ll clean up the remaining spies right away’]

Fabian got up, put on his clothes and then walked out of her room. And the execution lasted for three consecutive days. Evelyn could hardly get to sleep. Even people’s shadows looked like passing spy. And when she accidentally fell asleep, Fabian’s cold eyes seemed to be on her.

“And he didn’t understand me who was weak.”

Every time Evelyn needed Fabian’s touch, he went out to do something bigger instead of being by her side. He was too strong, and Evelyn was too weak. So gradually, Evelyn stopped waiting for him. It was hard to understand each other because they were too different from the beginning.

“I see….” Serus replied quietly.

“You must have felt his harshness.”

“I’ve never thought about it that far, but I’m sure it’s hard for His Majesty to understand someone.”

“Because His Majesty is too strong.”

But unexpectedly, Serus asked her back “……Are you sure?”

“What’s wrong?”

“No. It’s just different from what I thought, so stop.”

“Why did you think like that? What’s that?”

“Just…… that’s what I think.” Serus hesitated and then opened his mouth again. “I think His Majesty always carries a heavy burdens that he can’t afford to look around.”

Evelyn looked dumbfound to hear that.

“His Majesty came to the Duke’s residence before he could even walk, and grew up as the Emperor’s successor … … He’s been living like that every day since then. That’s what I thought. “

Serus must have felt awkward to keep talking, so he remained quiet again, closing his mouth. But his words lingered in Evelyn’s heart for so long that she couldn’t think of anything else for a moment.

“The reason I told you this was because……I don’t know.” Serus struggled to think of the aspects of human relationships that Rebecca had taught him in the past.

First, he had to express his feelings toward the other person in words.

“I want His Majesty to be at ease for a while, even for a moment.”

Only

But Serus didn’t even know that right now he was voicing his feelings to the wrong person.

“And I hope he doesn’t feel too burdened. I guess it’s hard to think it’s all His Majesty’s fault …” Serus blushed with shame.

And after hearing his words, Evelyn didn’t know what kind of expression she was supposed to have.

“So…”

Their eyes met. It was the most awkward moment.

“So, I’m going to leave now!” Serus immediately rose from his seat and fled from her.

Evelyn had to think for a moment to realize what was going on.