BXBX NOVEL Chapter 21: Emperor & The King
Evelyn said, holding Adrian in her arms.
“That’s fine. It’s an opportunity to investigate the demons in detail.
The Emperor said that he would rest in the royal palace with the guards who were tired of a long journey and proceed with the rest of the investigation. But, none of those words had anything to do with Evelyn.
Fabian was not interested in personal matters anyway.
“I’m going to visit the Duke of Akshire with Lady Rebecca.”
Honestly, Miriam was upset with the Emperor in her heart. Still, she immediately agreed with Evelyn’s opinion, and there was no reason for Arthur to stop it either.
“That’s a good idea, but is it going to be all right?”
“Why? There’s nothing wrong with it.”
Evelyn was so calm and even smiled at Adrian.
“No … … do you want to bring Adrian?”
“Why?” Evelyn looked innocent at Arthur and asked back.
“Well, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course I’m fine. Because I’m going with Adrian.” Evelyn said without any trouble.
“No!”
It was no use for Arthur to shout late after finding out about the situation.
“Leave Adrian.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“I’m not okay! you go! just you!”
Evelyn felt very strange that her son was favoured by her parents.
“I’ve already made up my mind. Right, Adrian?”
“Abububu! Anana!”
Arthur shook his head, vigorously, “Whoever decides, I’m not okay! Leave Adrian behind!”
“Father, are you worried that the Emperor will stay long and meet Adrian again?”
“That, that’s….”
There was a deep shade on Arthur’s face.
“Then, I’ll go, too. I’ll go with you to the Duke of Akshire.”
“Abububu!”
“Yes, Adrian.” Evelyn looked at Adrian and nodded.
“You’re talking nonsense, aren’t you? It must be a joke. There’s no way that the King empties the royal palace where the Emperor resides.”
Arthur closed his mouth after hearing Evelyn’s bright voice. His eyes were unhappy towards his daughter, but he couldn’t refute her because she said it was all right.
Then, Arthur and Miriam sent Adrian away in tears.
Evelyn felt isolated for a moment, but she quickly felt better about having an outing with Adrian for the first time in a while. And fortunately, as Evelyn knew Fabian was an indifferent person, so it seemed she could leave in peace.
“Anna, Anana!”
Adrian kept looking to the window as if he wanted to see outside the carriage.
“Are we going to meet that person today?”
“Ananana!”
Adrian, who opened his eyes round and inflated his white cheeks, was adorable. Evelyn fell into his charm, kissing Adrian’s cheek, hugging him, and showing him out of the window.
“We’ll be back home soon.” Evelyn said sweetly.
She didn’t think this outing would take long when she thought of her father, who had a lost expression.
“So, it’s been a long time since I went out like this.”
Evelyn used to go out and travel a lot before she became the Empress. But after joining the Imperial Family, everything had changed. Evelyn only had limited places to go even in the Imperial Palace.
First of all, it was a strict place where she was not allowed to visit her husband first. And of course, she couldn’t even dream of travelling.
“Adrian, grow up quickly. I want to travel together with you when you grow up.”
There was a scent of spring through the open window. There were so many small and precious things that she had forgotten after wearing the Empress’s coffin. Her world would be bigger with Adrian, who grew up later.
★★★
Fabian was calm and relaxed when it came to taking someone’s throne. Arthur hoped the uninvited guest, who had taken his place, would return soon to his own palace. Only then his beloved grandson would come back.
“I apologize that this palace is too small and shabby for your servants.”
Arthur’s words were quite sarcastic, but it didn’t seem to bother Fabian.
“It’s narrow….”
He was a man who had married his beloved daughter. But Arthur onlu saw Fabian’s face at the wedding, so he didn’t have much opportunity to talk to him.
It was common in this era, but now that Evelyn was divorced, it was super awkward to face Fabian.
“However this is a good base for monitoring the Black Veil Forest where the demons have recently appeared.”
“Yes. ······Yes?”
“It’s also close to Saint Ireta, Where the Vatican’s castle is.”
“It’s not too close or far.”
‘Don’t tell me you’re going to stay here.’ Arthur stared at Fabian with anxiety. This ugly man had to leave quickly so he could see the cute Adrian.
“I suspect the Vatican on various charges.”
It was time for Arthur to save his words.
“Is it a good word for the Felice Kingdom?”
“Why would you think so?”
Fabian laughed coldly, and Arthur regretted once again that he had sent his daughter to a guy like this.
Even when he spoke a few words to Fabian, Arthur couldn’t feel any human warmth or emotional expression at all.
“The King has a close relationship with the Vatican, so he might be able to help me. I order him to show me the Pope’s schedule.”
“That’s….”
“I won’t believe you don’t know about their schedule.”
Arthur nodded his head gently. He realized that Fabian wasn’t an easy person.
“I will follow your orders to the best of my knowledge.”
“One more thing.” Fabian looked straight at Arthur.
“There’s still a lot of suspicious things about the Wyverns that appeared on the festival day. I’d like to hear again from the princess, who is a witness. Very detailed.”
There was something tenacious in Fabian’s dark eyes.
“I’m sorry, but the princess isn’t in the royal palace.”
“I’m sure I saw her, how come?”
“She left for the Duke Akshire this morning.”
Fabian’s eyebrows were frowning. For the first time, Arthur had felt a strong feeling popping into Fabian’s face. Apparently, he was a human too.
“Why?”
It was a question that he didn’t need to ask. It was obvious unless he was an idiot that Evelyn left the palace because he didn’t want to be in the same place with his divorced husband. But Fabian really had a perplexed expression on his face.
“I’ve had a long relationship with the Duke of Akshire, and she was very shocked by this incident, so I sent her to calm down with the little prince.”
Arthur said it politely. Although his opponent was the Emperor, Evelyn’s father was Arthur. Above all, Fabian had no reason for interfering with Evelyn’s future.
“If the Duke of Akshire… is there a Duke named Liam?”
“Yes, it is. He’s a long-time friend of the royal family.”
Huh, Fabian let out an unpleasant laugh.
Not long ago, he remembered a young man with brown hair and green eyes who had kneeled in front of him.
Sending Evelyn there and telling Fabian the truth was like the King’s request for him to listen.
“Duke Liam would know better about the Wyvern incident. The princess was too scared to see it properly.”
“Empre…..No, the princess is a bolder person than she seems.”
It was an unexpected word from him, Arthur looked at Fabian while holding up his laughter.
“Really? As her father, I didn’t know that…”
Only
“There’s no way you don’t know. If she didn’t bold, how could she ask me for a divorce?”
Fabian’s voice sounded dissatisfied, and inside, Arthur felt a little bitter.
“The princess said she’d forget the past, and I’m sorry to have caused trouble for you, Your Majesty, because of the lack of space.”
Fabian couldn’t say anything more and shut his mouth tight. Looking at his stubbornness, Arthur realized that Evelyn’s choice was right. It was a miracle that such a lovely child like Adrian was born from such a man.
“Then I’ll get going. May you stay as much as you like in the Felice Kingdom.”
The last words weren’t serious. Fabian frowned openly as he saw Arthur’s back.
“They look alike….”