51. I Discovered a Secret About Birth!
Evelyn had followed her father, Duke Balton, into the palace, eager to witness his audience with the emperor.
She had pestered and coaxed her way inside, but in the end, the audience was conducted solely between Duke Balton and the emperor.
“I thought I might even run into the Crown Prince⊠but look at me now.”
Bored of waiting alone, Evelyn quietly slipped out of the reception room and wandered into the garden to pass the time.
Then, she heard footsteps along the opposite walkway.
“Could it be⊠that Iâve been discovered sneaking out?”
If her father found out she had ignored his instructions to stay put, she would be severely scolded. Evelyn quickly hid behind the fountain.
âLast time, we were too rushed to really catch up. Regardless of the circumstances, Iâm glad we can meet like this,â said a familiar voice.
“Crown Prince? And⊠thatâs the Marquis beside him?”
Perwin and Ikart together!
She had hidden upon hearing their footsteps, but she hadnât expected to witness such a catch. Of course, there was the irritating princess in the middle, butâŠ
It was a rare sight: the meeting of the two most promising men in the empire.
Evelyn wanted to rush out and make her presence known, but the serious tone of their conversation made her stay hidden.
Perwin sneered.
âOut of nowhere, the princess starts talking about breaking off the engagement⊠turns out thereâs someone meddling behind the scenes, huh?â
âDid Roselia say that? Well, at least weâre on the same page,â Ikart replied.
“Breaking off the engagement.”
Those two words made Evelynâs heart drop.
The tension between the two men was palpable, like the calm before a storm.
Roselia tried to mediate, but the pressure continued to rise.
âBecause we kept watchingââ
ââŠ!â
When Perwin threw a punch at Ikartâs face, Evelyn had to clamp her mouth shut to keep from screaming. She sank to the ground in shock.
“If the Crown Prince and the Marquis truly drift apart and the engagement is broken⊠would the position of Crown Princess become vacant?”
Confused thoughts swirled through her mind. The discussion hadnât confirmed a break-off, and even if it did, the seat certainly wouldnât fall to her.
Yet the shock of the word âbreak-offâ was overwhelming. Other words barely registered. Evelynâs heart pounded fiercely at the opportunity this situation might present.
Perhaps this conversation would mark the start of great upheaval. A strong premonition flashed through her mind.
“This is uncomfortable, so uncomfortable.”
She had managed to get Ikart and Perwin into the dining hall, but the emperorâs schedule was delayed, and the luncheon had yet to begin.
On edge, she kept her eyes on the two men.
âIâve kept my guests waiting too long!â
Finally, the emperor and empress entered the dining hall. The empty head seats were now filled.
âYour Imperial Majesty, the Sun of the Empire, and Your Majesty, the Moon of the Empire,â Evelyn and Ikart greeted according to proper etiquette. The empress smiled gently in response.
Though still pale, her condition seemed better than at the eve-of-the-festival event.
The emperor scolded the chief steward.
âOh dear, is it already this late? Steward, bring the dishes immediately!â
âYes, Your Majesty!â
The steward hurried to the kitchen, and one by one, the appetizers were brought out.
During the meal, light conversation occurred: the previous commotion at the festival, the noble courtâs ruling, and brief mentions of aftermath handling.
âItâs already past; I donât wish to dwell on unfortunate events. What matters is how the imperial family and Serteia will cooperate moving forward,â the emperor said. He repeatedly emphasized harmony and friendship, avoiding topics that could make anyone uncomfortable.
Ikart did not contest the courtâs verdict. He only noted that there would be disciplinary measures on the family level once Aunt Petuniaâs exile ended. The emperor offered no further comment.
When the formal discussion ended, the emperor laughed warmly, guiding the mood toward harmony.
His gaze fell on Evelyn.
âPrincess, a piece of advice. Since you will one day be part of the imperial familyâŠâ
When the emperor implied her future marriage to Perwin, Ikartâs expression stiffened.
âThe future ruler is the Crown Prince, but the role of supporting him and managing the household falls to the consort,â he continued.
“Such obvious nagging.”
How could this outdated advice ever escape anyoneâs lifespan untouched? Evelyn nodded politely while letting it slide mentally.
The emperor continued:
âDevote yourself to being a virtuous and gentle wife, assisting the Crown Prince. Thereâs nothing more foolish than letting jealousy cloud your judgment and disrupt the peace of the household.â
The emperor glanced at the empress with a subtle hint of disdain. Evelyn caught it in an instant but maintained a calm demeanor.
âI will take Your Majestyâs words to heart,â she replied.
âYes, yes,â the emperor nodded approvingly.
Amidst the cordial chatter, a commotion arose at the dining hall entrance.
âYour Majesty! How can you leave me behind!â
A woman burst into the dining hall. She scanned the table, spotted the emperor, and ran to him.
Disheveled blonde hair, tear-streaked face, wearing only a gown over her slipâher appearance was chaotic but strangely alluring.
The empress, seated next to the emperor, placed her utensils down, her lips pressing into a thin line.
“That is⊔
âShylo, I told you to rest. Why are you out again?â
Shylo Valentine, the emperorâs most favored mistress, spoke in a pouty tone.
âI woke up, and Your Majesty wasnât there. You know I canât sleep alone,â she said.
The empress remained stoic, but her hand gripped her knife tightly.
Shylo hugged the emperorâs neck as if no one else existed.
âHow adorable,â he murmured, stroking her arm gently.
âShylo, if you havenât eaten, join us,â he offered.
âReally?â Shylo brightened, but seeing the crowded table, she frowned.
Perwin rose abruptly.
âPerfect timing. I just lost my appetite anyway. You may take my seat,â he said, giving Shylo his chair and turning away.
âSit.â
The emperorâs low, cold command silenced the room. Gone was the playful, indulgent ruler. He now radiated authority, showing that he had merely been lenient before.
Perwin froze.
âWhy must you embarrass your own son too?â he challenged.
ââŠWhat?â
Perwin raised an eyebrow.
âAmid rumors that the emperor neglects state affairs for women, must you openly flaunt your playthings?â
The emperorâs face flushed red. He glared fiercely at his son.
âThere are limits to my patience for misbehavior.â
ââŠ!â
He struck Perwinâs cheek hard.
âCrown Prince!â the empress exclaimed. Perwin silently held his cheek.
âDo you think being appointed Crown Prince means the world is beneath your feet? Do you now see me as weak? You live off my power, and yet you dare speak out of turn?â
âTry keeping that mighty power intact for a hundred, a thousand years,â Perwin retorted rebelliously and stormed out, leaving without a backward glance.
The remainder of the meal was, needless to say, disastrous.
Evelyn stared at her plate the whole time. Ikart, uncomfortable, barely touched his food.
Shylo flaunted herself like a fish in water, looking toward Perwinâs vacated seat.
âYour Majesty, why not adopt the Crown Prince as my son?â she suggested.
The bombshell remark froze the room.
âWhat nonsense is this? You dare speak of adopting the Crown Prince? Can you take responsibility for such words?â The empressâ voice trembled with indignation.
Simultaneously, a new notification appeared before Evelynâs eyes:
[You have uncovered a clue related to the hidden episode: âThe Secret of Birth.â]
