I’ll Quit as The Empress

In this period, there were occasions when the black hawk became a messenger of peace.

After hearing the situation from Rebecca, Evelyn quickly wrote a letter in her own handwriting, tying it to the fastest hawk she borrowed from Fabian and sent it to the Felice Kingdom.

“So, I said it was ridiculous! No, is that what a thoughtful person would say? Oh, I’m dumbfounded.” Rebecca was spilling out her stories that she had been stacked up so far.

“That… … Yes. Rather, I want to say thank you to Sir Liam.”

“What? Why him?”

“no… … As Duke of Akshire, it’s not easy to be a witness to this sensitive matter. At that time, he also came forward to protect Adrian, but this time……I made him lie about my divorce.” Evelyn felt guilty every time she thought of Liam. Her heart was heavy because Liam, the great Duke of the Kingdom, had been forced to testify lies several times for her private life.

In Evelyn’s memory, Liam was always a pure and reliable person….No, he’s like a best friend in a perfect sense.

“Oh, Princess, really, Don’t mind it. You don’t have to worry about him.”

“Well, Rebecca, you said that because you’re his sister, but…… Sir Liam is a decent Duke.”

“And he’s my younger brother,” Rebecca responded confidently, and it seemed like the right word for this moment.

“But I shouldn’t do that to him.”

“Just leave him. Anyway, it’s not a sin for Liam to lie one or two more times.”

“But sir Liam…… he’s famous for his honest heart.”

“Psstt….. “Rebecca chuckled loudly, “Oh, Princess, you’re so naive. ‘Honest heart’? That’s a lie, too.”

Evelyn’s face was stained with curiosity as Rebecca giggled as though she was having fun.

“Princess, Liam ….. he’s been lying to me often since he was five. Do you know how many times he lied to me, saying that he wouldn’t tell my father about my wrongdoing?”

“That’s… … Maybe it’s because of his personality that he can’t lie to his father?”

“Can he do it for me too? Obviously, I told him not to tell. And Liam agreed!”

There was no basis, but Evelyn was convinced it was just Rebecca’s one-sided scolding. And she felt more compassionate and sorry for Liam.

Just this time, Evelyn wondered how much criticism and abuse he faced during his long trip to Rebecca?

“Princess.” Nora came up and whispered softly to Evelyn. “With His Majesty’s special permission, Sir Liam will stop by.”

“Really? Let him in right now. “Evelyn looked happy, but Rebecca sighed deeply, “Huh……that kid…….”

Rebecca wasn’t doing a useless grumble. She thought that It was time for Liam to give up Evelyn. If he met her for no reason and confused his own mind, it would be more humiliating for Liam.

That was the main reason why Rebecca didn’t want Liam to meet Evelyn.

“Princess.”

After a while, Nora came in first, and Liam followed behind her. As soon as he saw Evelyn, Liam opened his eyes round, staring at her as if he had lost his mind for a moment.

Evelyn, who noticed that Liam’s eyes were quite red, had more sympathy for him. She pitied him, imagining how much he was bullied by Rebecca on the way here.

“Sir Liam,…… I’m sorry, and thank you. Thank you for coming all the way here, really.” Like most insensitive people, Evelyn was one of those who weren’t aware of Liam’s feelings.

It wasn’t that she didn’t know Liam’s heart at all, but it was because Evelyn thought she was just his first love that would pass.

Knowing everything between the two, Rebecca crossed her arms, observing his younger brother. From his look, it was obvious that he would drag his feet in vain again tonight.

“No, I’ll do……anything if I could help the Princess.”

Liam’s green eyes were rusty. Rebecca’s eyes turned sour, and she could no longer smile at her brother. “Liam’s right. Akshire is a friend who shares fate with the Princess. There’s nothing we can’t do!”

“But it’s true that it’s hard since you’re a Duke. I owe you a big debt.” Evelyn whispered in reply.

“There’s no debt between friends. Right, Liam?”

“… … Yes. If you think that way, I’ll be upset.” Liam tried to comfort Evelyn by saying a pretty positive thing. The bitter pain of first love seemed to have made a man mature.

“Still, how should I repay you?”

When Evelyn had a slight smile on her lips, Liam’s stinging pain deepened, “Just… …please remember our friendship.”

Friendship…..With those words, Liam ended his heartbreaking first love. “I will be happy with that alone.” This was also the only confession given to her.

Evelyn nodded in excitement and grabbed Liam’s hand, tenderly, “I’ll never forget. All my life, no…… I’ll remember this friendship even if I die.”

“Yes… … that’ll do.”

Liam’s first love had ended just like this. Sadly, it was only Akshire’s brother-sister who grasped this heartbreaking moment. And Evelyn, who didn’t know Liam’s sincere heart, was so slow-witted, so she made Liam’s feelings even more pitiful.

But his sister, Rebecca, thought it was rather fortunate, “Now that we’ve met, that’s enough, isn’t it?” she immediately mingled between the two. If Liam’s first love couldn’t come true, it was wise to give up quickly.

“Liam, go ahead. There must be a lot you must to do.”

“Why are you kicking him out so quickly? Sir Liam has just arrived at the Empire.”

“Well, he has a lot of things to do,” Rebecca said firmly. “Princess, my brother, and I are not here just to help you today.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened for a moment, then soon she nodded calmly, “Sorry, I had a short thought again.” Then, she looked at Liam again. “Sir Liam, I need you to help me.”

“Of course, that’s why I’m here.” Liam had to accept the fact that there was no hesitation in Evelyn’s words now.

“Yes, I need an ally. Just like you guys.”

Only then did Evelyn completely understand Fabian’s purpose to bring Akshire’s siblings. He wanted to give Evelyn a chance to fight as well. Not only a change, but he also gave a sword and shield to Evelyn, who was empty-handed.

“But I’m not going to leave this place right now.” First of all, Evelyn had to know how to distinguish between the urgent and the important things.

“Everyone, listen to me.”

This time, Rebecca looked at her in silence. Liam followed his sister and also locked his eyes at Evelyn.

“This is an Imperial Palace. Everything is different, and everyone is different. Maybe no one……who want me to be the Empress again and Adrian to be the Crown Prince.” Evelyn said precisely in the face of the harsh truth.

“It’s not just that. I have enemies who try to attack with fierce hostility.”

“Duke Metis, right? And also Marquis Satin’.” Rebecca responded correctly. “My damn ex-husband mingles in their battle with his mouth shut. He said most nobles are very loyal to Duke Metis. The rest of them are still fighting for power. So the Parliament is always at war. And His Majesty must lead the Empire while the nobles fight each other like that…”

“He’s a loser, but his judgment is true,” Liam added sarcastic terms. Still, after receiving Rebecca’s sharp gaze, he quickly shut his mouth back.

Evelyn then put a cookie snack in front of Liam because she felt sorry for him, who looked scared of Rebecca. Then a blissfulness spread in his green eyes. It’s just one cookie, but Evelyn was thrilled that their friendship was beautiful.

“Duke Metis will keep trying to grab the Emperor’s tail and encourage Lady Metis to sit on the Empress chair. He will never give up that opportunity.” Liam said.

“I know. Because in the past, he was the one who opposed our marriage the most. And even now, the Empress Dowager and Lady Metis are staying in my Palace.” Evelyn spoke calmly. Meanwhile, Liam enjoyed the cookies.

“I’ve heard it, but…… that’s great”, Rebecca added keenly. “Is she the youngest daughter of Duke Metis? Stella, that dreamy child.”

“Yes, when I got married, the Empress Candidate was her eldest sister ….. All of Duke Metis’ children were married, and only the youngest daughter was left. The Empress Dowager brought her to the Palace with an excuse that she’s her niece.”

“But then suddenly the Princess appeared.”

“Yes.”

Like pouring oil into embers, it was the beginning of all war.

“First of all, it’s hard for us to come forward now. Liam, can you tell me about your plan?”

Surprised when his name was called, Liam quickly returned to the face of the wise-young Grand Duke of Akshire.

“Even though the Duke Metis dominates, there are always noble oppositions. But unfortunately, they don’t unite as one, and they always fight in small groups,” explained Liam.

He knew this well since his father, the former Duke of Akshire, frequently visited Parliament and closely observed factional relations. Hence, it was also taught to Liam, who was his successor. “So I want to bring these powers together. They’re powerless as they’re scattered right now, but when they’re brought together, they’re sure to be a force against the Metis.”

“That’s a political thing…… Aside from that possibility, we should consider the situation of you as Duke Akshire.”

“I’ve already come to a conclusion.” Liam looked composed. As a duke, he was trained to think of all the implications and possibilities that might have taken place.

“My father, a former Duke, was an influential man in Congress. However, Duke Metis had a very sharp confrontation, and Akshire decided to leave the fight for a while. Because there was no advantage to argue with them.”

Evelyn nodded. From generation to generation, Akshire was known for its wisdom in making decisions and judging things. So that’s the reason why Liam’s father stopped taking steps to Congress under the pretext of being sick. He thought he had nothing to gain by beating Sagan, who was in a state of high spirits at the time.

“But things have changed.” Liam whispered calmly, “It is true that we want to help Princess as a friend. But, I want you to know that we’re not just going for that reason.”

“Sure…..I think we should do it for Akshire’s sake first. If not, I’ll never allow it.”

“Now I want to gather the villages on the border area to be incorporated into Akhsire’s territory. But it’s just reckless territorial expansion or a provocation for other aristocratic regions if there’s no power on Akshire’s behalf….. I mean, as a Duke, I have to appear in Congress to represent Akshire. It doesn’t fit my personality, but I will challenge myself if I have to do it. “

Honestly, for Liam, who had a quiet personality, this task might be difficult for him.

“The small factions scattered now are the factions led by the former Duke of Akshire.”

Evelyn’s eyes suddenly glistened, “Then … your plan to unite the opposition, it’s not just a metaphor, but a real plan?”

“Yes, some of them have already agreed,” Liam said insignificantly, but Evelyn knew this was the beginning of a big event that would face a new phase in Congress.

“All I can do is prevent Duke Metis, the only one who has a majority in Congress, from running rampant.”

It was an absolutely important move to tackle Duke Metis’ step, but it was something Evelyn couldn’t do. And that was also an area where Fabian, who was an Emperor, couldn’t get involved.

“It’s not something the Princess needs to take care of. It’s just to balance the Parliament,” Liam assured her.

“Yes. I believe Sir Liam can bring a fair parliament again.” Evelyn nodded sincerely. “And since I trust you, I have something to say.”

“Just tell me anything.”

“The enemy who is targeting me … … it’s not just Duke Metis.”

Rebecca looked at Evelyn’s eyes sharply.

Only

“I know it sounds absurd. But, I mean it.”

Liam nodded.

“I think… …the Vatican is aiming for Adrian……No, I’m sure.” Evelyn had a hard time telling this, especially to Akshire’s siblings, who had close relations with the Vatican for a long time. Because she was nervous, just saying that these words might break the relationship between them. “I’m sorry to say that, but there’s no proof of that.”

However, Evelyn believed in Rebecca and Liam, and she didn’t doubt them.

“We don’t need proof.”

“Yes. If the Princess is sure, so it must be true.”

And that belief was the same for them as well.