Chapter 15: First Encounter
The envoy of the Empire settled the confusion. They sent the people out of the square, surrounded the Wyverns, and secured the Vatican Knights who were on the scene.
Of course, the Pope’s protest didn’t work.
“Where ? Let King Felice, the owner of this land, judge.”
All the Royal Family members and the head of the Vatican gathered at Felice’s Palace in a hurry. Liam reassuringly escorted the royal family, and Rebecca was soothing the frightened Evelyn.
“I don’t understand how the Imperial Army came here, even though the Demons appeared and saved by the Vatican.”
“The Imperial Army, it was so sudden.”
King Arthur avoided an immediate answer. Both the Emperor and the Pope were the two-person that difficult for him to deal with.
“The little prince must have been very shocked, so if you allow me, I’d like to send the princess and the prince first.”
Miriam intervened gently. After hearing that it was the Imperial Army, led by the Emperor himself, Miriam noticed that Evelyn’s face was stiff.
“Sure, you can do that.”
The Pope spoke to Evelyn, “Looked at what’s going on today. Looks like God bless the little prince.”
“Yes.”
Evelyn answered with a stiff expression and held Adrian’s basket.
“Then I’ll go inside and take care of the prince.”
The moment Evelyn bent her knees slightly to show her example, the outside suddenly became noisy. Then a familiar trumpet’s sound was heard.
It was the same sound that she always heard in the imperial family, which only rang when the Emperor appeared. Evelyn’s body unwittingly reacted first and stopped there.
“Your Majesty the Emperor!”
It’s too late for her to leave. No one could leave their seats with the trumpet already ringing. Evelyn ‘s body still remembered the Imperial’s etiquette. She could hear the sound of footsteps as she bent her knees with a basket in her hand.
“Your Majesty permits, Everyone, all raise your heads.” Serus said it instead. They were all following the orders, but only Evelyn looked down and avoided his gaze.
“What a coincidence that your Majesty was here?” The Pope opened his mouth first.
“Yes. Coincidence is a common thing.”
Fabian replied coldly. The moment she heard the voice, Evelyn recalled the last time she had seen him. Fabian’s dry, cold voice, which had not changed a bit, still hurts.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
Fabian turned his gaze to Evelyn.
“Your Majesty, The Emperor. Fortunately, the royal family is safe.”
King Arthur stepped up, but Fabian ‘s gaze stayed fixed on Evelyn.
“So you’re not hurt.”
The target of his question was too clear. Evelyn slowly raised her eyes to his persistent gaze. Her heart trembled until their eyes met. But when she saw those black eyes, she was unexpectedly calm.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Evelyn simply answered him calmly. Just like before.
“Good thing.”
At the moment, Evelyn looked at Fabian unconsciously. It was because she saw an illusion that there was a ray of warmth buried in his always cold voice.
“You cried, so I thought you were hurt.”
For now, it seemed there were only two of them on their own, just like that night in the garden. No, Fabian never saw Evelyn like that back then, either.
“I was just surprised….”
“Okay…..”
Fabian spat a short answer and kept looking at Evelyn. Somehow, she felt his gaze was difficult and unfamiliar.
“This is the first time I’ve seen you cry.”
Fabian added an unquestioned remark. Well, he did saw it before, but Evelyn didn’t even remember that. Well, how dare she cried for the Emperor’s safety? Fabian’s side was such a place.
“The little prince was so surprised so I was about to bring him back.” Evelyn looked at Fabian with emotionless eyes.
“Then, I will…”
But before Evelyn could finish speaking, Fabian walked forward and stood in front of Evelyn. The King was greatly surprised by his sudden action, but there was no reason for stopping the Emperor.
“Is it the prince in the basket?”
It’s not a question. Fabian reached out and removed the blanket covering the basket. Evelyn’s heart began to beat quickly without even realizing it.
“······We-Well?”
Fabia was making a strange sound. Evelyn quickly covered the blanket back so that Fabian could not see Adrian more closely.
“I’m sorry. The prince was very surprised.”
Fabian stared at Evelyn for a moment with a curious eye. But Evelyn avoided his gaze and bent her knees unilaterally to show her courtesy. Then, she held a maid and disappeared with a quick walk.
Fabian couldn’t take his eyes off the back for a long time. It was a look that seemed to be immersed in something, but hard to read the emotions.
“The Emperor is merciful by all means, seeing that you’re looking at a child’s safety first.”
Fabian turned around at the Pope’s voice, without hiding his irritable face.
“Please release the Vatican’s Knights. They only saved the people from the Demons.”
“I did. Accidentally … … like recent events.”
“What do you mean?”
The Pope looked at the young Emperor with a calm face. He was Pope even before Fabian was born. However, the Emperor, who ascended the throne at the age of 16, always got in the way of what the Vatican did in all cases.
“If anyone hears, I’m afraid they will accuse Your majesty of doubting the will of God.”
“So, is that a shameful thing?” Fabian responded calmly.
Before the nerve war between the two went to extremes, Serus came up and whispered something in Fabian’s ear.
“… …yes, release the Vatican’s Knights.”
It was a dissatisfied tone.
“Your Majesty, the authority of the Vatican is completely independent and no one can interfere.”
“Who said no?”
“I’m afraid someone will misunderstand your words.”
Pfft…Fabian laughed.
“I heard you had killed Wyvers. The corpse will be taken over by the Imperial Army.”
The Pope smiled calmly.
“I’m just grateful to you for alleviating Vatican’s work. Then, we go back first.”
The Pope’s response meant that this unpleasant encounter was enough.
“Then, raise the little prince well, King.”
King Arthur nodded at the Pope’s farewell and looked away. But even after the Pope left, Fabian showed no signs of movement. For Arthur, it was embarrassing.
Only
“This case will be thoroughly investigated by the Imperial Army. and it seems that it will take some time to collect Wyvern’s body.”
“Yes······.” Arthur was blurring his words after he heard Fabian’s words.
“I will stay in the your palace until then.”
Finally, Fabian came to the point.
“It’s an honor to serve you, Your Majesty.”
King Arthur had no choice but to say that. In a sense, Fabian is a more uncomfortable guest than the Wyverns.
He was also an uninvited guest who had no sign of withdrawal.