After Liam arrived at the Palace, Rebecca and Nora began to search from the place where Empress dowager was staying. Sarah, one of the Empress’ closest maids, also underwent a rigorous investigation.

Monica just sat silent and watched the scene. She didn’t look nervous at all as surely she was innocent.

“There’s nothing suspicious.”

Nora and several ladies in waiting had been looking for several times, but nothing had been found.

Rebecca was a little relieved that they hadn’t found poison in the Empress’s Palace. However, she couldn’t stop her rummage, as Monica, the Empress, had lowered her pride by giving her permission to search, so Rebecca had to prove her innocence.

“It’s better to call Sir Philip and Sir Hans and to check all the rest of the stuff.”

“Yes, I will.”

Monica bit her long cigarette and exhaled the smoke. Once this tedious search was over, her charges would be dropped, and only the bitterness of his son’s suspicions would still remain. Still, all of this thanks to Evelyn’s trust, which made her feel strange.

“I’m tired.”

“They just need to check the details, and it will be over soon.”

Sarah replied politely. Philip and Hans came and started researching every item not long after. They carefully examined all the tableware, spices, and perfume used by the Empress Dowager.

“Is there anything wrong?” Monica, who was already tired, asked them. She then approached and searched for her own belonging.

“No.”

“I’m sure there isn’t because I never intended to hurt the Prince.”

“Ah, that’s..” Philip dimmed his voice and seemed a little embarrassed.

“Sir Philip!”

But at that time, Hans quickly sauntered to him with a pale face. Philip instinctively realized that something was amiss. Monica also felt the same way when Hans came towards Philip and tried to whisper something.

“Tell me so I can hear it too.”

As Monica said, Hans bit his lips tightly with a distress and pallor complexion, slowly lifting his heavy mouth. “The poison has been found ..... among the belongings of Miss Sarah, the Empress’ maid.”

Right then, time seemed to have stopped. Monica froze. She didn’t realize what was happening at the moment.

“This is it.”

Hans gave out Sarah’s puff. When Philip thrust a silver needle into the puff, a dark blue light spread out before his eyes.

“It’s.. ..star flower’s poison..Isn’t it ..?”

The beautiful white star flowers could be a deadly poison if they bloomed through a certain process. It wasn’t an ordinary poison because it was tough to find.

In other words, it was a kind of unregulated poison. It was the most suitable poison to bring into the Imperial family.

The calm Sarah now trembled with fear to face the allegations of treason.

“The Empress knows I’m innocent! I swear to God, I swear on my life .... I don’t know about that poison!”

Monica’s body was shaking as well. Sarah immediately knelt on the floor, but the evidence was indisputable. She wasn’t foolish, so Monica already knew what was coming, and it was impossible to defend herself before the Emperor.

“Liam, get her.” Rebecca calmly ordered her brother.

“I really don’t know anything! I.. .. It can’t be! Your Highness.. No, I really.. .. .” Sarah grabbed Monica’s hem and begged. But even Monica was an Empress Dowager, she couldn’t save her.

“Sarah, stay calm. If you deny the accusation, then I’m the one who will be the accused.”

Rebecca didn’t deny that.

“But I didn’t do it.”

“I’d love to believe it, but I can’t help it.”

Monica nodded at Rebecca’s words, “You do your job. I’ll prove my innocence.”

It was also the only way for her to survive at this time.

“Thank you for your understanding, Liam.”

Liam quietly shook his head and glanced at the knights standing behind him to arrest her.

Sarah looked desperate as she was dragged by them. Yet, within her eyes, she believed in Monica until the end.

“Your Highness, from now on, you will be detained in this Palace,” said Rebecca in a loud voice. “I hope you understand until His Majesty gives me next orders.”

Monica didn’t argue, as that was all she could do right now.

“I hope .... this is just a misunderstanding.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. I’m innocent.”

“Get rid of all sharp objects in this Palace.”

Monica instructed the officers to take all the knives. In some cases in the Imperial family, some people often committed suicide for fear of being punished.

“You don’t have to. The Prince is also my blood. I have no intention to die until I prove my innocence.”

Monica’s straight words were sincere. However, the officers still followed the procedure and collected all the tableware, including the mirror.

“Then, please wait until His Majesty’s orders are given.”

“Sure, as long as he wants.”

The Empress Dowager’s words rang distinctly.

Tuck ..

In a couple of minutes, All the windows were locked and the door shut. The Palace’s entrance was guarded by close surveillance, and Monica was left alone in a dark room where a ray of light had disappeared.

“How...”

Her vain voice echoed in the dark. The figure of a strong woman that she had been showing all this time finally collapsed, and her body was languishing.

“How come?”

Little by little, Monica closed her eyes with a deep sigh. And if she opened her eyes, darkness was the only thing left.

She hated this darkness as well as the loneliness that existed in this Imperial Palace. The palace, which was always cold and desolate, was melting in this darkness.

“I’m back....”

The loneliness she felt was so cold. Monica couldn’t stand the cold isolation she felt, so she decided to go to the southern palace as if she fled away after the death of her husband.

But she didn’t expect to be trapped again in this darkness.

---

***

Evelyn’s expression looked nervous when she measured Adrian’s body temperature, who was barely asleep with a tranquilizer.

Everyone focused on Adrian’s condition without saying a word. Still, there was nothing they could do because they were afraid of each other.

“Princess, His Majesty The King and The Queen will arrive soon,” said Lily as if she had read Evelyn’s worries.

Evelyn nodded and looked at Adrian’s tired face. Even though she had tried hard, when she thought about what sins his son had committed to making him suffer like this, she couldn’t keep her tears back.

“His Majesty.. No news yet?”

“Yes, except he went to the dungeon with the Elders.”

“Right...”

When Evelyn was still an Empress, she discovered that there are so many hidden rooms in Imperial Place. There were parts of the Palace that were unknown to her and known only by the Emperor.

Maybe that’s where Fabian locked David up now. Considering the features of the Imperial Family, it was obvious how terrible the place was, but Evelyn had no sympathy for him.

“I can’t believe Adrian fights the poison with such a small body that, and I can only wait,” Evelyn muttered sadly to herself.

“This child.. ..didn’t do anything wrong...”

Evelyn vaguely began to recall the moment when she returned to the past. In her past life, Adrian was an unborn child, and Evelyn would die lonely at thirty. However, she returned to the age of twenty, left the Imperial family, and gave birth to Adrian.

“Princess, don’t worry. His Majesty the Emperor will surely protect the Prince.”

“I know.”

Fabian was different now, he had changed, and he would do anything for Evelyn and Adrian.

“But Adrian is in pain .... I can’t bear to see it.”

Evelyn wouldn’t hesitate to replace him if she could. What was even more frustrating now was that she was only able to stand beside her sick child.

“Princess, please sit down for a while. If you continue like this, you will also get sick. “

Evelyn shook her head, though Lily had been telling her, her face was pale as if she had almost lost her mind.

“I want to be with Adrian. I’m his only mother. If I don’t protect him .. Who will ...”

Lily couldn’t question her anymore when she heard Evelyn’s pathic words.

While Evelyn was struggling to endure her dizziness, Lily’s eyes grew round. The knights guarding the entrance were giving an example to someone in unison.

She could tell who it was right away.

“What the hell has happened in here?”

When Evelyn turned towards the screams, Arthur and Miriam were already standing there. Arthur went to Evelyn with his as usual stern-stubborn expression.

“Father....Adrian.....”

“I’ve heard everything. So what you’ve done!?”

Her dad always scolded her and stared at Evelyn with angry eyes, even in this situation. “Why has your face become so thin, and why is your voice so weak? My precious Adrian won’t lose to this kind of thing. But what are you doing beside him?”

Arthur’s scolding was harsh, but he didn’t say anything wrong.historical

“Have I ever taught you to behave like this? Did I raise you to be a miserable mother who is dying and can only lament beside a sick child?” Arthur squeezed Evelyn’s shoulder, without no one stopping him.

“Get a hold of yourself. You are my daughter, you’re Emperor’s wife, and the only mother of this precious child.”

Evelyn slowly blinked her eyes. She thought that she had lost her mind until earlier, but a familiar shout restored her sense.

“Are you still going to look so pathetic and make people around you worry?!” Arthur’s eyes gazed at her, and his benevolence was mirrored in it.

“....No, no.....”

Evelyn shook her head, swallowing her tears. A feeling of relief spread through Evelyn’s heart when Miriam approached her and quickly grabbed her hand. Noone was stronger than her parents in a situation like this.

“Now, you go!” Arthur spoke as if he gave a command. “He’s my precious Adrian! I have the right to protect him too!”

Evelyn looked a bit hesitated and asked her mother with her eyes. Still, Miriam just smiled softly at her daughter, “Leave Adrian to us. You have something else to do.”

Arthur also wanted to say that, but his tough personality made it difficult for him to express his affection. Fortunately, his wife and daughter were already well aware of his nature.

“If it’s you two.... I can entrust Adrian to you.”

“Hmm, that’s ridiculous. He’s originally my Adrian.” Arthur turned and looked at Adrian. It’s amazing to see Arthur’s brusque way of speaking was so different from his gentle eyes.

“If Adrian finds out that I come here, he will be happy when he wakes up. So you who can’t do anything here, just go! and don’t take my spot.” Arthur yelled at her without even looking back.

Evelyn was pleased with his roar. Miriam then squeezed her hand close, attempting to comfort her. “Don’t be worried about Adrian. We’re here.”

“....yes.”

Miriam had heard the situation, and she realized Evelyn had a lot to do. Moreover, staying nervously with Adrian at times like this wasn’t a good thing.

“Don’t skip meals, take a rest. If you fall down, Adrian will be crying when he wakes up?”

“Yes.....”

Evelyn nodded her head again and again. After giving birth to a child, she felt that her mother’s arms felt wider and warmer.

“Leave him to us. Go and do what you and His Majesty have to do.” Miriam smiled warmly at her daughter.

Evelyn sighed, but her blue eyes were shining. She lifted her head and looked at Miriam’s eyes. “Yes. I’ll leave it here to you. I’ll find out who tried to hurt Adrian, and I’ll make sure.... I won’t let this happen again.”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Evelyn nodded once again. After staring at Adrian for a moment, she rushed out of the room to do what she had to do.