The situation began to change quickly as if the stopped clockwise were spinning at once.

Although the number of people gathered for the congress meeting this time was much less than the usual number of people, those who attended were nobles who had important government positions.

Fabian sat on the throne with a stiff face, staring at all of them in distorted guise. “Just skip the greetings.”

Nobody in the room refuted his behest.

“I appreciate the Pope for coming all the way here.”

The Pope grinned sarcastically, as if Fabian, who was much younger than him, had just said something ridiculous.

“Even though this is an emergency congress meeting, the agenda is very simple,” Fabian said.

The controversial agenda that would be debated at this meeting was already known to all the nobles in the room.

“I want to legally remarry the former Empress, Evelyn Felice, and crown the current Prince, Adrian, as the Crown Prince.”

Sagan opened his mouth, trying to say something, but Fabian raised his hand first to restrain him.

“This isn’t a decision made to get your consent.”

The Pope’s twisted his lips at his statement as he felt cheated. Since he was invited here to be asked for his wisdom in the first place.

“But thanks to my aide, people who are difficult to assemble can finally get together. Too bad if we waste this opportunity?”

Slowly, the main agenda was coming out.

“I’ve always prayed for the development of Saint Iretta, but regrettably, the city was hit by a long drought recently. Since the Pope is here, I want to prove my devotion.”

All except Fabian had to stand down this time.

“Therefore, I will hand over the Judah city on the southern plain of Saint Iretta to the Vatican.”

“Your Majesty?!” Sagan immediately stormed out of his seat. “Was there a mistake? The southern plain of Saint Iretta is Duke Milleta’s land.”

“There’s no mistake. It’s land given to them by the Imperial ancestors. It’s never said that it belongs to a certain noble family forever. The Empire has the right to take it back and give it to someone else.”

Sagan couldn’t hold his breath and heaved a short sigh. Fabian seemed fair, but in reality, it was aimed at showing the domination of Imperial power.

The problem was that Fabian’s decision wasn’t entirely wrong.

After marrying the Empress, the late Emperor gave Duke Milleta permission to use the fertile land in southern Saint Iretta. Still, the Empire never gave up the land’s ownership.

“Your Majesty, do you know why the late Emperor gave the land to Duke Milleta? It’s not right to retake it.”

“Because he married the Empress? Or because I was born as his successor?” said Fabian, who didn’t mind bringing up a sensitive topic.

“Do you want to compare me to a piece of land? Is that what you’re trying to say?”

His icy voice sliced through Sagan’s sense of hearing. He realized that Fabian was provoking him to fight back, so for now, he attempted to be patient in retaining his current advantageous position.

“Incidentally, there’s a sagacious person here. Besides, he’s also party involved in this matter.” Fabian turned his head, looking at the Pope. “Your Holiness, do you think I’m unfair for taking back the land from Duke Milleta? If you say so, I will withdraw my decision. Or is it that the Duke can’t even give that small land for the Vatican?”

Sagan’s face was filled with shame. The situation would be worst if he let go of the Vatican at this point.

He resented Fabian for having carefully designed this plot to trap him in a labyrinth. No matter which choice he chose, Sagan was already in a losing position.

The Pope spoke quietly and looked into Sagan’s eyes, “Everything is God’s will....I have nothing to say.”

Sagan swallowed his anger and clenched his fist as now he had to put up with it, “Even though the land is Duke Milleta’s right, he can make concessions if it can help the Vatican.”

“Alright, it’s settled, then. But I’m worried if someone misunderstands that I’ve done tyranny to Metis.” Fabian satirized him, but there’s a freshen tone at his voice as if laughing at Sagan’s resentment.

“Duke, wouldn’t the Empire be in trouble if rumors spread that we’re at odds?”

“How dare I am disloyal to Your Majesty?”

“Of course, I believe in you, Duke. But your followers are stupid people, so I’m just worried about it.”

Fabian’s offensive didn’t stop even though he had given up. Sagan sent a strong protest with his eyes, but Fabian didn’t even look at him.

“Your army volunteered to eradicate the demons in the eastern forest, right? I’m very proud of you, but .... Serus?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, several nobles have appealed, saying that they’re afraid that many people will misunderstand the existence of Duke Metis’ army.” Serus gave the answer to the board.

“That’s right. I just don’t want the Duke’s loyalty to the Empire to be misunderstood.”

“I have no other intention even though I have a private army. Even Duke Akshire’s army is camping nearby, so how could you do this only to Metis? “

“Oh really? Is Duke Akshire’s army also camping there?”

Liam nodded as Fabian deftly spoke, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Why?”

“Because I was asked by King Felice. We have a special unit formed to protect them from the demons who attacked the prince before.”

“Oh, you have a clear reason. I also remember I had given you the permission.”

Sagan was on the verge of grasping the scruff of his neck because his blood pressure had risen.

The excuse to protect the King from the demon’s attack was understandable. But the existence of Akshire’s private army, which Fabian tolerated, was like an insult that openly spat his face in public.

“Your Majesty, aren’t you being too biased?” Sagan spat out a low voice. “This can never be a good way to lead the Empire.” He glared at Fabian, who he thought was still green. But Fabian’s eyes remained unshakable.

“I will be grateful for your wisdom, Duke.” Instead, he sounded cold.

“Well, Duke Metis, your complexion doesn’t look good.”

Sagan found himself now being attacked from many directions. The pope whom Sagan trusted only smiled lightly with a relaxed expression as if he was a good old man who would soon rule over fertile land. Not enough, now Duke Akshire was openly gathering power again in parliament to face him.

“..Yes.”

“It’s not good for an old man like you to overdo it. Since it’s an emergency board meeting, so I’ll finish it quickly. Senate?”

One of the Senate Elders, who had no presence like a shadow, suddenly stood up from his seat. “The Emperor’s wedding and Crown Prince coronation ceremony will be held together, and we agreed to choose the last week of next month after receiving the stars’ blessing.”

“I agree.”

Before anyone could say anything, Fabian rose from the throne.

“Then the emergency congress ends with this.”

Fabian’s declaration of war had explicitly been proclaimed.

---

***

Dinner had just ended when an unexpected guest came to the Empress’s Palace.

“..Princess, what shall we do?”

Even Nora, who had an experienced, couldn’t conceal her distressed expression in this situation. There was no one else to consult because Rebecca was out to see Liam.

“We better to make reasons that make sense,” said Lily, trying to help.

“..No.” But Evelyn gave an unexpected answer after she thought for a moment, “I’ll offer her a cup of tea.”

“But...”

Nora pinched Lily, who tried to talk again, as it was Evelyn’s decision anyway.

“Then, I’ll greet her.”

After a while, the two women sat face to face in the beautiful lounge.

The combination of the Empress Dowager and Evelyn appeared quite odd and awkward. Even Monica, who was the first to arrive, seemed unable to stand the peculiar ambiance.

“.... To be honest, I didn’t expect you would welcome me like this.”

Monica was silent, barely speaking. She didn’t think about the topic of conversation for today because she thought Evelyn would refuse her for various reasons.

She was just trying to make some kind of gesture, but Monica didn’t expect Evelyn would allow her to visit her Palace.

“There’s no reason to refuse,” Evelyn replied calmly.

“You’ve changed a little.”

In a gentle gesture, Evelyn nodded.

“We don’t need long words between us since we’re not in a friendly relationship.”

Monica hated pretense, and Evelyn liked that attitude.

“What’s going on in the congress....you’ll be able to guess.”

Evelyn understood that their interests were somewhat different. Because once she ascended the throne to become an Empress again, Metis, who was also Fabian’s mother’s family, would be banished.

“I don’t know anything about His Majesty. I gave birth to him, but I never know what he’s thinking.” Some surprising words came from Monica’s elegant red lips.

“But my brother, Duke Metis, I know him very well.”

Evelyn gulped, looking at Monica with nervous eyes.

“He thinks of it as an ambition, but in reality, it’s just his obsession. It’s meaningless greed to mix Metis’ blood in the Imperial family, the noblest bloodline in the world.”

Monica wasn’t supposed to say that as she came to the Imperial Palace and gave birth to Fabian also for that purpose.historical

But there was no reason to deceive Evelyn right now since Monica could not hide her tiredness when talking about his brother.

“What do you want to say to me?” Evelyn asked her back.

“If I let him manifest his obsession, my family will be destroyed. His Majesty has limits on tolerating the Duke’s arrogance because of me.”

Monica was wiser than Sagan. The future of the Metis family would actually be brighter if she were the head of the family.

“Someone has to intervene .... People who have no interests like you and me, who don’t have useless ambitions like men.”

“Your Majesty.. are you all right?”

“I just want to go back to the Southern Palace right away, closing my eyes and ears, but I don’t want my family to be destroyed. So I’m just trying to play my part for the last time, and I want you to help me.”

Monica’s proposal was slightly different from her goodwill. But she wasn’t hostile toward Evelyn. On the contrary, she was the one who displayed the most realistic attitude in this Imperial family.

“Even though I’m willing to become an Empress, but I can’t give up anything. Can I still help you?”

“Yes.”

The two women’s stories unfold more easily than expected because nothing was hidden from each other, and they didn’t try to hoodwink each other.

“I have a plan,” Monica said.

Evelyn widened her eyes, staring at her.

“Honestly, I got the idea by lady Akshire’s clever words.”

“..Pardon?”

Evelyn was stunned; it didn’t seem the usual way to hear Monica mention Rebecca all of a sudden.

“Duke Metis wishes his daughter to be an Empress. And the only daughter left is the arrogant Stella you’ve seen before. .... you know, but a child-like her won’t be able to live long after entering the Imperial Palace. Hence, I want you to become Empress as soon as possible.”

Evelyn nodded a couple of times. Stella might be smart, but given her frivolous personality and arrogant behavior, she couldn’t get along well in the royal court.

“I secretly want to put that child in marriage. If things go well, it will happen soon, and my brother will have to give up his obsession.”

“What do you mean a marriage.. who...?” Evelyn looked perplexed.

Only

“Who? off course Stella. My brother wouldn’t have been so obsessed without that child in the first place.”

Evelyn began to get the hang of it at this point, “No way ...don’t tell me her marriage partner is....”

“Yes, Duke Perth is the most viable choice.”

Evelyn blinked her eyes, looking dumbfounded. However, Monica’s expression was still serene.

Rebecca recommending her ex-husband as Stella’s future husband was just a mockery. But Monica’s notion of making reality went beyond the common sense of Evelyn.

“I’m getting more and more confused and don’t know what to do......”

It was the first time for Evelyn confessed her feelings in front of the Empress Dowager.