Published at 21st of November 2020 06:12:40 PM
Chapter 95: 95
The Congress finally ended after time showed past midnight, just before dawn . But it’s just a temporary break . And considering that the meeting would continue tomorrow, the Prime Minister and Duke Metis had to stay overnight in the Imperial Palace’s annex .
Duke Metis’ aide had already been waiting for him by the time he arrived at his residence with a displeased face .
“What?” Sagan hissed . The aide quietly approached him and whispered something . And he was lost in thought for a moment, sitting on a long sofa and bit his hookah . A thick smoke spread like his dizzy mind .
“The retired-Sir Phillip is here …… . ”
The news from his aide was noteworthy . Philip was the most reliable Imperial doctor in Empire and even on the continent . In particular, he was also a mentor who had close ties with the Imperial family .
So, if the doctor who had retired under the excuse of old age and raised his students returned to the Imperial palace, something very important had to happen .
“Does this mean that there’s a problem with the Emperor’s health in the middle of his absence without my knowledge?” Sagan squinted his eyes . It must be not an ordinary pain that he needed to call Philip .
Fabian’s figure, who looked very tired when he appeared at the National Congress today, appeared in his mind . Sagan had seen Fabian since he was a little boy . And he felt that Fabian’s impatience today was a bit different from usual .
“Tell the Empress Dowager to visit the palace tomorrow . Go right now . ”
“But it’s already very late… . . ”
“It doesn’t matter . I don’t even know how much time we have left . ”
If the Emperor’s health were in the red zone, the Imperial family would be thrown into chaos without a successor . Judging from Fabian’s temperament, even if he died immediately, he wouldn’t depend on his mother, the Empress Dowager . So the only way was for Sagan to hurry up .
“Stella… . . tell the Empress to bring her niece as well”, Sagan said .
“Yes, Duke . ”
The situation was very troublesome right now, but the conclusion was simple . If Fabian’s health condition got worse, the sooner Sagan had to push Metis’s daughter to become an Empress and gave birth to a successor . Only then would he be able to maintain Metis’ glory in the future .
“One more thing, bring a man who is skilled in secret missions,” he added .
“What? But who…… . ”
“Anybody!” screamed Sagan . No matter what, Sagan couldn’t keep up with Fabian when it came to spying . He had tried several times but failed every time . But the situation would be different if the target had been known .
“Watch Sir Philip’s every move and report it to me . Who is he trying to heal? … we need to investigate . ”
“Yes, I will keep it in mind . ” stated his aide .
Sagan vented his frustration, exhaling his hookah smoke . If it was confirmed that there was a problem with Fabian’s health, he had to hurry .
“That’s why I told you that the Empress’ matter must be resolved immediately . ”
It was a late regret now . But Sagan didn’t know . In many ways, his ambition was already out of date .
Fabian, who had just returned to his residence, looked hesitant for a moment . He wanted to make sure with his own eyes if Evelyn and Adrian had arrived safely, but the time was already late .
“Your Majesty, you must eat first,” Serus exclaimed in a worried voice . No matter how strong Fabian was, his schedule had been too packed in the last few days . Moreover, he had to lead another congress meeting after dawn . So Serus intended for Fabian to take a breath and get some rest .
“Evelyn and the child… . . ”
“As I’ve already said, they’re safe and well . Sir Philip visited them a little while ago . ”
“A little while ago?” Fabian looked up, rejoicing when he heard that part .
“Yes . He has to check him at the fixed-time … . . ”
“Then he should be awake by now . ”
“Since he has finished his treatment …… he should . ”
Fabian had been hesitating since earlier because he was worried that he would wake up the two tired people, but now he didn’t have to .
He quickly washed his face, then wiped it dry and looked at the mirror on the wall, fixing his disheveled hair, “What do you think?” he asked .
Serus looked puzzled, asking back, “Huh, what…? You mean this?”
“How do I look now?”
Serus couldn’t tell as he faced the most difficult question in the world, wondering what Fabian’s intention was .
“Your Majesty is always perfect . ”
Fabian knitted his eyebrows slightly at Serus . But he decided to accept it as a positive answer and moved his steps .
“Where are you going, Your Majesty?”
“I’m going to see Evelyn and the child for a while because they’re awake . ”
Serus knew very well that there was no point in stopping Fabian here .
“Hmm . The Chamber of Secrets”
Fabian had learned all the secrets about the Imperial family after he ascended the throne and became the Emperor . One of them was the secret chamber, which was located under the Emperor’s bedroom . But Fabian, who never had a lover to hide, soon forgot the existence of that hidden room .
“I never thought that room would be useful . ” Fabian stood in front of a huge bookcase, speaking in a low voice, which sounded more like self-talk .
“You said there’s a hidden staircase…… . ” His shining black eye glanced ahead . “How does it work?”
“Uh, the thing is…… . ” Serus took the paper from his pocket . Then Fabian quickly snatched it .
“It’s so complicated . ”
“Because it’s a secret place . ”
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Ignoring Serus, who tried to explain patiently, Fabian scrambled the books on the shelf in different directions . After that, Fabian pressed the ring with the Emperor’s seal in the gap after a locking device appeared before his eyes .
‘Connected’
The device that detected the seal was released, and the sound of the turning-giant-cogwheel was heard .
A moment later, a bookcase opened like a door, revealing a narrow, spiraling staircase downwards . It was very small and only enough for one person to go down .
“I’ll lead the way… … . ” offered Serus .
“I’m fine . I’ll go alone . ”
Before Serus could answer, Fabian immediately grabbed the railing and climbed down the narrow stairs . After circling the helix twice, he finally was able to reach the Chamber of Secret .
For Fabian, this was his first visit to this place after looking at it once after he was crowned . From generation to generation, this secret room had been managed by the Emperor’s royal courtier, making everything looked clean and tidy .
“I see you, Your Majesty . ” Evelyn’s maid, Nora, came in a rush and showed some courtesy . She must have noticed the sound of the secret staircase .
“What about Evelyn?”
“She’s taking a rest after Sir Philip’s treatment a little while ago . ”
There were two ways to reach the Chamber of Secret . The first was the way Fabian used, but it could be used only by the Emperor . And the second was through a small, shabby room in the inner palace .
They were both created to hide Emperor’s mistress, so this room was built in such a way as to avoid other people’s eyes .
“What did Sir Philip say . ”
“There was no special opinion . Fortunately, the Prince on the journey…… . ” Nora paused for a moment and looked at Fabian . Officially, Adrian was the Prince of the Felice kingdom . But she didn’t know how to name him now because he had already been identified as Fabian’s son .
“What about Adrian?” Fabian seemed to notice her concern and soon corrected his title .
“Yes, Adrian said he’s okay because he wasn’t too tired on the long journey . ” Nora also caught Fabian’s point wisely . “They’re both in the inner bedroom . ”
“I’ll go . ”
Nora bent her knees again at Fabian’s wording . Anyway, Evelyn had to know from the sound of the stairs that Fabian was coming . So Nora didn’t need to tell them anymore .
Fabian walked a little faster along the red carpet on the floor . Many noble paintings were hanging on the walls . The vases were everywhere and filled with fresh flowers . At first sight, this place reminded Fabian of the Empress’ palace’s quiet and elegant atmosphere .
Soon, Fabian stood at the door, decorating with antique patterns on it . Something that Fabian rarely did after he became Emperor was to turn the knob and knock on the door before he opened and stepped in .
“I see you, Your Majesty . ” Evelyn calmly gave her example to Fabian as if she knew he was coming .
“Yes . ” Fabian felt that this was a nice place for two people to stay after getting a glimpse of their bedroom . Even Evelyn, who had changed into a clean dress, seemed comfortable with the environment and looked quite pleased .
“… Jimoo?”
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A small voice was heard from behind Evelyn . When Fabian and she looked back at the same time, Adrian, who had just woken up from his sleep, was rubbing his eyes with his tiny hands .
“Oh, I’ve barely put you to sleep . I’ll call Nora . ”
“It’s okay . Let him be . ”
Fabian personally sat at the end of the bed with Adrian . Even though he was still sleepy and couldn’t open his eyes properly, Adrian immediately moved to him . And he was so adorable, seeing his chubby butt bounced every time he walked .
“Jimoo… I’m… sleepy…… . ”
Fabian smiled unconsciously when he saw Adrian, who was tired, still approaching him instead of sleeping .
“It’s time for you to sleep now,” Fabian said shortly . Then came his shocking reply .
“Bung Bung…”
Fabian turned his head towards Evelyn, glancing at her as if to ask her permission . But her blue eyes showed a definite answer, saying ‘No’ .
He sighed, feeling a little disappointed, “I’ll do that later if you go to bed now . ”
“Tomorrow…”?
Adrian asked him a difficult question as there was no playing-with-child on the Emperor’s schedule .
“Jimoo, tomorrow?” Adrian’s innocent round eyes stared at him . And Fabian only could nod slowly when he saw the dark eyes that were similar to him . It was a gentle face that Fabian had never shown to anyone . Even Evelyn, who was looking from the side, was impressed .
“You have to sleep now . Only then can you be strong like a black hawk . ”
“Yes… … . ” Adrian closed his eyes gradually when Fabian’s big hand patted his small back .
Soon Adrian breathed out and went back to sleep . Fabian closed his eyes for a moment and looked at the sleeping child . He didn’t know if Adrian really looked like him or not, but he thought his cute mouth and long eyelashes were exactly like Evelyn .
“We look pretty much the same, but why I didn’t notice you?” Fabian spoke low to himself, making Evelyn smiled a little bit bitter .
“The child is sleeping . Shall we move to?”
“Yes, that’s better . ”
The secret chamber had the same size and structure as the Emperor’s bedroom . The two of them left the Adrian’s room and moved into the living room, which was right next to it .
Nora left them alone and went straight to the bedroom to look after Adrian, who was already asleep .
“Aren’t you tired of the journey?” Fabian opened the talk first .
“Yes, Sir Serus has helped us a lot . Here too… . . It’s much easier to stay here than I thought . ” Like Evelyn said, this place was as comfortable as her Empress’ residence in the past .
“It wasn’t until a little while ago that the congress was finished . ” Fatigue was clearly visible in Fabian’s voice . “As soon as dawn comes, we’re preparing to continue the congress again . ”
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Evelyn tried to convey words of comfort, but in the end, she swallowed it down . Because he would be hurt by her hasty kindness .
Fabian breathed, “The purpose is to distract the nobles’ attention, especially Duke Metis . But I don’t know how long it will last . “
“Do Your Majesty has any plans?”
Fabian nodded at her cautious question, “Stay in this state as long as possible . Without anyone knowing . ”
This was the best for everyone for now .
“But, this secret can’t be kept forever,” Evelyn muttered . She wasn’t wrong . There’s no eternal secret in this world, especially in this place .
“If that happens, then I personally will admit Adrian as Imperial’s heir . ”
Evelyn bit her lips hard before speaking again, “Will the noblemen stay still? I’m not the Empress right now . ”
“Yeah, Duke Metis will bite it . It looks like a tasty meal in his eyes . ” There’s a bitter smile in Fabian’s when he voiced it . “After you left, the Duke Metis steadily tried to push his daughter into the Empress’ seat . ”
“I know a little about that . ”
The Empress Dowager was also Metis’ daughter, and even when Evelyn became Empress, Lady Metis was her strongest rival .
“Even with Adrian’s presence and the fact that you’re already back, he won’t give up that easily . ”
“Yes…he won’t”
Their divorce was arranged by the Vatican and decreed by the Emperor’s edict . It was a final decision that couldn’t be contested even if the two wanted to annul it .
“I plan to summon senate elders on this matter very soon . ”
Evelyn looked puzzled .
“I will trample those who oppose my decision . I will ask for help from the elders to loosen imperial law and justify it . ” More than ever, a firm determination radiated from his black eyes .
“Then, what should I do?” Evelyn didn’t want to avoid reality, either .
“I wish you will stand tall confidently and, if possible, stay strong under any circumstances . ”
It was a sentence that had multiple meanings .
“Adrian is my only descendant . That child is the child you conceived when you were my Empress . And no one dispute the fact . I will make it that way . ”
Evelyn nodded . It felt hard to endure because she was sure that the nobles would slander Adrian as an illegitimate child .
“Yes . As Adrian’s mother, I will never be shaken . ”
Now, her resentment in the past has already been blurred . They had a firm determination . To protect their child, they were the only comrades of each other .