Did you read spoilers? You shouldn’t drop it without knowing the full story.
It's definite that she'll fall in love with him again, then if you know spoilers come back and give me reasons in which why I shouldn't drop it cause I sure am hell not liking the prince one bit. His attitude is pure rude.
He is indeed the male lead, but he’s the exact opposite of rude. He’s actually quite nice, but socially awkward, which is why he may come off as rude. Do you want a detailed spoiler or a short and concise spoiler?
Just give me the full one, either way the initial part of the story clearly stated about his dislike towards her just because she is her ( I forgot of about her name lol). He wasn't willing to even get to "know" her at all, seeing her child he said it was a mistake and all. It's exactly abandoned empress, but basically no baby was killed. (Yet that is)
I’m going to write my reply now. It’ll take a while, though.
No worries,
Okay, so basically.
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In the previous timeline, the Grand Duke was above the royal family. As of now, he still is. But keep this in mind. The Imperial family is below the Grand Duke’s family. The Grand Duke has the support of the nobles, and not even the imperial family could keep him in check because Richard, Sian’s father was put up on that throne by the Grand Duke, basically being a puppet emperor who could be replaced at any time. The power struggle for the imperial family is especially important, this is something that needs to be kept especially throughout the entirety of the story.
So, before Sian was emperor, he was taking care of Emperor Richard’s affairs because Emperor Richard’s health was not good. He had a hearing with the nobles about a concubine. Here is an excerpt from the novel side stories:
“Did you just say to elect a concubine?”
Sian, who takes care of the affairs on behalf of Emperor Richard, whose health deteriorated, asked back as if he was dumbfounded by the nobles in the emperor’s palace
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“As the Crown Prince, there’s a concubine. That’s unreasonable.”
Sian flatly refused, saying it was impossible. Two years have passed since he married Cecilia in order not to have the Grand Duke or the four largest families as outsiders. Now, if a concubine is put in as they requested, such efforts will be in vain. However, despite Sian’s opposition, the nobles did not seem to want to withdraw their demands.
“Since ancient times, the peace and prosperity of the royal family originated from later generations.”
“Your Majesty’s health is deteriorating day by day. Since the Crown Prince has had no heirs for many years, it is believed that it is right to have a concubine to strengthen the imperial family.”
“There are nobles lined up to present their children for the imperial family as well as me. Please do not be bitten by a pleasing request.”
Sian looked down at the nobles with an expressionless look. The detestable nobles. They were packaged as if it were a sacrifice for the imperial family, but there was no way that he could not know that the original intention was to take care of his succession.
“Do you think so, Grand Duke?”
Sian pointed to Grand Duke Friedrich, who was consistent with silence. It was already a public fact that he dominated the aristocracy behind the scenes.
“Is my will important? It’s just the blessing of the Empire that the nobles will serve the royal family.”
Sian stared at Grand Duke Friedrich, who was bowing down. It’s always like this. He only puts the nobles first, but he doesn’t come forward. What a terrible and clever man.
(End of excerpt.)
—————
Sian was trying to reform the Imperial Guard to regain the authority of the Imperial Family. Count Lyndon, a neutral nobleman and his father-in-law, suggested that Sian do as the nobles asked. He suggested that Sian pretend to listen to the nobles and save his strength.
Sian’s first impression of Veronica was (expert from the novel):
He couldn’t forget his first impression of Veronica when he was young. Even though he was the Crown Prince of a country, the arrogant gaze that looked down as if he was a subordinate, and even the cruelty of killing birds and animals as if it was a small thing. She was a kind of human that he would never want to see again.
———
(Excerpt end.)
So on their first night, he did not lay a finger on Veronica. He didn’t want to touch her because he thought that her hiding her true personality was abominable and disgusting.
Of course, that Veronica was actually not the real Veronica. But Sian did not know this. The night passed without them doing anything.
After the first night, he had tea with Cecilia, and from there, he was going to go to his favorite patronage but learned that Veronica was there after the guards in front of the patronage informed him. He changed his mind after seeing her there, however, he noticed something strange about her (excerpt from the novel):
The laurel tree, which spent hundreds of years with the imperial palace, caught his eye. Veronica was standing in front of it. She looked up as if she was possessed by something, and turned around, sweeping down the laurels. The appearance was clearly seen in Sian’s eyes with superhuman five senses.
“Why are you making that face?”
Sian murmured as if he didn’t understand. Veronica’s lonely eyes and sad smile that deeply missed something. He was confused if the woman he saw now was really Veronica.
(Excerpt end.)
———
Veronica would constantly try to have tea with Sian, she’d come every two days without skipping a day. Sian ignored her. (Excerpt from the novel):
Sian didn’t really understand. Veronica, lumped together with a sense of authority and arrogance, never acts out of favor. Even if the opponent is Crown Prince Sian. This kind of Veronica didn’t lose her temper in spite of the successive closed doors. Always respectful, low profile.
‘What kind of dream is it? What do you want?’
The more he ignored her, the more annoying Veronica was. He began to care about her words and actions that might explode at any time. It was one day when it became Sian’s daily routine to send Veronica back.
“I’m tired.”
Sian looked as tired as his dry skin. Recently, as he secretly left the palace and met people who could be selected as members of the Imperial Guard, he lacked sleep time. Sian’s gaze, which was chasing fatigue while rubbing his shoulders, turned to the pocket clock.
It was just around this time. After a brief lunch in the office, Veronica came to the office when the exhaustion peaked while working.
“How long has Veronica been here to see me?”
“It’s been three months since the first day of her visit.”
“Three months…”
He knew it, but he didn’t know it. Veronica continued despite the constant refusals. She was so consistent that he wondered if she really had no pride or if she had another dream.
‘It’s unpleasant.’
As the time for Veronica to come passed, Sian’s concentration fell. She was such an unpleasant person, and she’s been at his door constantly, but he’s worried when she doesn’t come. Is there anything more comedic than this?
“It’s past time, but she’s not coming. What’s going on.”
“Look.”
“Pardon?”
“Find out where Veronica is.”
Den, who had blinked several times at Sian’s blunt command, moved quickly. After Den went out, Sian, who was left alone in the office, twitched his cheeks. He didn’t know himself why he asked him to check where Veronica was.
Soon after, Den jumped in and reported.
“The concubine is having a private meeting with Your Majesty.”
“What?”
At the moment, the dark green eyes of Sian settled deeply. It’s poisonous. Until now, he thought he was off guard at the appearance of her visiting him.
“I must see Your Majesty now.”
(Excerpt end.)
Sian had though that he had let his guard down, and that she was planning something bad. He then learned that the Emperor and Veronica were having tea time. When he arrived there, they were having a conversation and Emperor Richard was actually laughing, something he couldn’t do because he was sick. (Excerpt from the novel):
Sian stared at Veronica, who got up asking for understanding. The blatant gaze met Veronica’s turning eyes. Veronica was embarrassed and at a loss as they looked at each other as if they were aware of each other, and then left the garden as if she were running away.
‘She’s hiding something.’
Sian confirmed his anger by watching Veronica, who was embarrassed as if she had been caught cheating.
“Would you like a drink? That child made a fuss about it, but she’s very skillful.”
Sian looked down at the water and put the teacup near his mouth. He only wet his lips slightly, but Sian’s eyes opened. The deep scent and taste that stabilized the mind and body were deeper than any other tea Sian had in his lifetime.
“Aren’t you surprised?”
Sian couldn’t hide his surprise. Although aristocratic young ladies learn tea ceremony as a basic skill, it was possible only after years of grinding and polishing to show such a noble skill.
“It’s urgent. Say it.”
“Actually, it’s because I heard from Den that Veronica was alone with His Majesty. May I ask you what kind of conversation you had?”
“She talked about you.”
Sian’s face, which had been expressionless at Emperor Richard’s words, cooled down. He was suspicious of what she said to Emperor Richard.
“What did she tell you?”
“She complained that you didn’t meet her.”
“Complained?”
Sian blanked out. If that story had been told by someone other than Emperor Richard, it wasn’t so contextual that he would have ignored it as a nonsense lie. Complaining. Is there anything else that doesn’t suit Veronica more than this?
“She’s a good-natured kid.”
“…”
Sian stared silently at Emperor Richard. He acknowledged Emperor Richard’s view, but he couldn’t agree with it. Sian knew better than anyone what kind of heart Veronica had. Moreover, human nature does not change easily.
“Daughter of the Grand Duke.”
“Yes, the daughter of the Grand Duke. You can’t deny that. Hoho.”
“I don’t trust her.”
“My dear, natural blood is not a sin. The more I see her, the more than I think she is the daughter of the Grand Duke, I think she looks like a good daughter-in-law. Cough, cough.”
Emperor Richard coughed violently for an unreasonable reason with a cold wind. Blood stains were clearly smeared on the palm of his hand, which was covering his mouth. Sian’s expression darkened when he saw Emperor Richard getting sick day by day.
“You’re not ashamed of yourself. I just put duties and responsibilities on your shoulders. I couldn’t teach you how to receive or give love. Cough.”
“I think you should go in.”
Sian himself left the garden, assisting Emperor Richard.
Love. He’d never thought about it seriously. He wondered if there was another more extravagant word for Sian, who always lives under pressure from duty and responsibility.
Three months later, Emperor Richard ascended.
(Excerpt end.)
After his death, Sian officially became Emperor, Cecilia became Empress, and Veronica became Queen.
Sian, who had stopped by the general office for a while, overheard Veronica and Ren talking. Ren was threatening her, saying that he would “blow it all up” and questioned if the Grand Duke would abandon her (excerpt from the novel):
He was walking alone around the corner of the hallway, and he heard the sound of a man and woman talking.
“Will you keep doing this? It hurts my feelings.”
“I-I’m sorry. I worked hard, but I couldn’t figure it out.”
Sian, who tried to ignore and pass by, stopped walking.
‘Is this voice Veronica and Ren?’
Their conversation caught up with Sian, who was about to go back because he didn’t want to bump into them.
“You want me to blow it all? What happens when you get caught? Will the Grand Duke abandon you?”
“Don’t do that. I beg you, please.”
Sian stopped.
‘What do you mean? What’s the catch, the Grand Duke abandoning Veronica?’
There were many suspicious parts of the conversation between the two to pass it lightly. In particular, Veronica’s embarrassment was not convincing. Ren was a year older and independent from the Grand Duke, however, as the direct and defense ranks remain, the current conversation was too one-sided.
“This, I’ve been trying to say hello to my cousin, and there’s an uninvited guest?”
“…”
“If you don’t finish, we’ll talk about it next time.”
Ren left a meaningful remark and stumbled across the hallway.
“Ah.”
Veronica, whose pulse was relieved, touched the wall as if she were falling down. Her pale complexion was so dangerous that there was nothing strange even if she collapsed now. She was barely breathing when Sian appeared over the corner.
“Y-Your Majesty!”
“…”
Sian glanced down at her. Unlike her dazzlingly beautiful appearance, her face was frightened as if she were a deer chased by a wild beast.
Sian turned his head and passed by pretending not to see it.
“Your Majesty, wait!”
Veronica tried to hold Sian for an excuse, but he didn’t look back. Veronica, who was left alone as if abandoned, shook her head.
Sian, who avoided his seat, came out to the outdoor terrace, not the hall. Sian, who walked up to the front view of the imperial palace, caught the railing.
“What the hell was I thinking?”
The moment he saw Veronica, Sian was overwhelmed by strong impulses.
He wanted to comfort her. However, Sian overcame the urge and turned a cold eye on her. He ignored her more harshly because she would shake his heart if they met eyes.
But he knew it was a good thing to do with his head, but he was frustrated as if his heart was stuffed up. He came out to the terrace to see if it would be better if he put on the cold wind, but the suspicious conversation between the two continued to circulate in his ears, adding to the confusion.
(Excerpt end)
————
After that whole celebration, Sian learned that Veronica was learning to paint. He said that he needed to check it out, so he called Raphael over to discuss. Raphael shared his view that Veronica was not an evil person based on her paintings, he said that she was suffering from loneliness. Sian fell into deep thought because the words of people around Veronica were different from what he had thought about her. He sent someone to investigate Veronica from the palace.
As the seasons changed and winter came, It was then that Cecilia died from poisoning.
Sian carried out a private investigation that confirmed it to be the work of the Grand Duke.
Some time after that Hwigin reported to Sian about Veronica (excerpt from the novel):
“And as you ordered, we looked into the Queen. Should I report it?”
Sian nodded. The reason he came out of the palace at risk was to hear directly from Hwigin about Veronica.
“Two years ago, the Queen, who had been suffering from a fever, returned to society and there was a strange rumor.”
“Strange rumor?”
“The Queen had turned into someone else.”
At that time, Sian was a student at the Academy. It was a time when he was constantly trying to persuade Cecilia to marry him. He also couldn’t afford to be interested in others because he was acting as an incompetent prince. Considering the academy’s connections to the social world, information was inevitably dark.
“Shall I say that she had become naive? It is said that there is a history of almost being eliminated in the social world.”
Sian frowned. Veronica, whom he knows, is not a woman who will be eliminated, even if she will abandon society. She’s not a good enough character to tolerate it.
“But the funny thing is, a year later, she became a queen who swallowed the social world. It’s like going back and forth between extremes.”
Sian’s thoughts were not organized. Veronica was an unregulated kind of human being.
“Maybe it’s the aftermath of the fever or something?”
“I’ve already looked into it, but doctors say there are no aftereffects.”
“Your Majesty, it’s true. The aftereffects can permanently degrade intellectual ability. But I don’t think that’s right, given that she’s made a name for herself in society again.”
The doctor, who had been listening silently, also supported the remarks. Hwigin continued again.
“But there was a rumor going around at the time. Queen Veronica didn’t actually have a fever, she was poisoned.”
“Poison?”
The doctor repeatedly moved the poison as if something had come to mind.
“I remember. At that time, most of the doctors who were called to the Great House had a strong opinion of poison. My junior was one of them.”
“Can you reach them?”
When Hwigin suddenly asked, the doctor shook his head.
“No, I haven’t seen him since.”
“Not long ago, we found the bodies of doctors who are believed to have been called to the Great House. It’s been about a month since he was killed, assuming it’s corruption.”
“T-That kind of thing.”
The doctor had lost his mind. Sian asked, mulling over the kinds of accidents.
“If so, are you saying that the doctors could have been involved in the poison that killed the empress?”
“I don’t think so. Spider venom is sensitive, so if you want to artificially combine it, toxicity dies. Moreover, what the Grand Duke bought at that time was a poison deciphering drug.”
“Maybe it’s true that Veronica was poisoned.”
Sian based it on the circumstances so far. The deeper he thought, the more questions arose.
‘Veronica returned from poisoning a few years ago. But now you’re killing the doctor she used to see? Is there any reason for that?’
Something doesn’t add up. The imitation of the Grand Duke who is famous for her conspiracy, Leabrick. There must be a good reason why a woman who plots everything creepily killed doctors.
“Shall I blow up? Will the Grand Duke abandon you if your identity is revealed?”
For a moment, what Ren had said passed through Sian’s mind. At that time, he couldn’t understand the meaning of the words, but he felt like he had found a clue.
‘No way, Veronica…’
Sian’s face, which had something on it, hardened. If he guessed right, the puzzle that went wrong fit perfectly. The expression shown below the laurel, the nature of Veronica seen by Emperor Richard and Raphael, and her heart toward Sian were also somewhat explainable.
With a serious look on his face, Hwigin asked anxiously as Sian was lost in thought.
“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?”
“I needed to clean up. I’ve been delayed too much. I have to go back to the Imperial Palace. Sir Hwigin will continue to investigate and report on Veronica.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Sian covered himself in a robe and left the secret place. Many thoughts crossed his eyes as he walked at the mouth of the steep alley.
(Excerpt end)
———
Here is Sian having more suspicions (excerpt from the novel):
‘If Veronica is a stand-in… Then the crime of the Grand Duke is never light.’
It was dangerous enough to bring political isolation on its own, even though he is the Grand Duke that does not know how high the sky is, it is a great deal to appoint a substitute, not his real daughter, as a Queen. Although authority has fallen to the bottom, the act of annihilating the imperial family cannot avoid criticism from the nobles. Furthermore, the Reinhardt family, who put Avella in for the selection ceremony for the concubine, will never pass it lightly.
‘Maybe it’s a chance to fight back.’
There may be a gap to squeeze into the Great House like an Iron Fortress. Sian, who was lost in thought while spinning a glass of wine, looked at the fake Veronica, who was talking to a foreign envoy. As the suspicion of being fake grew stronger, there was an explanation for Veronica and her surprisingly similar appearance. He’d believe if it was said they were twins since she looked just like her.
That’s not all. The fake Veronica was communing with the envoys in good manners that he wanted to take her as an example. The graceful gestures, laughable smiles, and unbelieving speech were incredibly dignified.
But only that. Fake can’t be real. He didn’t know what the story was, but it doesn’t change that she is a person of the Great House.
Veronica turned her head and their eyes met in the air, perhaps conscious of Sian’s eyes. Unlike Sian, who looked indifferent, the fake Veronica, who was showing signs of embarrassment, smiled awkwardly.
“…!”
For a moment, Sian’s face was stained with embarrassment. Facing that smile, it shook his heart to the point of displeasure with a strange feeling that he couldn’t describe. Sian flipped his head away to look away from the unknown emotion. Of course, Sian didn’t see the disappointed fake Veronica’s expression.
‘Why the hell am I like this?’
The sudden beating of the heart and the tug-of-war of strange emotions made Sian feel very confused.
After that day, Sian intentionally avoided the fake Veronica. However, many events with the emperor and empress have led to more frequent encounters with the fake Veronica. He tried not to make eye contact as much as possible, but she smiled awkwardly whenever she encountered him unintentionally.
Thud. Yes, that’s the smile. Without permission, she suddenly squeezed in and left a trace deep inside Sian. Her smile made him think of her when he closed his eyes and did other things.
This happened during the National Foundation Day event. Sian, dressed in pure white royal robes, was just coming out of the parlor when he encountered Veronica, who often ran with a skirt in the distance.
“I-I’m sorry I’m late, Your Majesty.”
The fake Veronica, who breathed hard, was not understood. It was a good idea to go directly to the South Gate, where the National Day Memorial Gate was announced, and he couldn’t understand why she would take the hassle of returning to the main palace. Sian, who could not overcome the curiosity, asked Veronica for the first time.
“Why are you here?”
“I’m going with Your Majesty.”
“…!”
The shy but fake Veronica answered surprisingly clearly. Like she’d practiced answering this question hundreds of times. Seeing her like that, Sian was in a strange mood. It was an unfamiliar sensation he had never felt before, a feeling that something inside that was rigid and full of boundaries was loosening.
Sian walked without even giving an answer. He was nervous about whether this strange feeling would be revealed with an expression. After that, the fake Veronica followed closely. With a faint smile that Sian couldn’t see.
(Excerpt end)
Then, Sian came down with a fever. He was sick, and the fake Veronica came to take care of him (excerpt from the novel):
Sian, who had been sleeping as if he had died from heat, opened his eyes. There was a cold sweat on his forehead and his back was wet. His body was still as hot as a ball of fire as if the fever had not gone down.
Sian’s pupils were blurred out of focus. There were some things that weren’t good, but he also seemed to have a lot of thoughts. The deterioration of Sian’s health had a greater mental impact than external factors. After the death of Emperor Richard, the duty and responsibility given to him, the sense of loss that Cecilia’s death gave, and…
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty. Are you awake?”
Sian slowly turned his head. It was dreamy, but he could tell who the woman was in front of him. She dug deep into Sian’s heart without permission and took root like the laurel which had endured hundreds of years. The fake Veronica was looking down anxiously at him.
“Who are you?”
“What?”
The fake Veronica’s eyes shook violently.
“I asked who you are.”
“…”
Something he’d never asked you before. However, he wanted to ask her more than a thousand times. Who are you? Sian used his hazy consciousness as an excuse to ask the question without realizing it.
The fake Veronica was silent for a moment when asked unexpected questions. Soon, she smiled. A sad and painful smile.
“It’s me. Empress Cecilia.”
“…!”
Cecilia. It couldn’t be Cecilia. Because she’s dead. Nevertheless, the fake Veronica called herself Empress Cecilia.
Why? Why is that? The answer could be guessed by the sad smile of the fake Veronica. She was worried that Sian might kick her out of the fact that she was Veronica, so she wanted to be next to Sian even if she lied, so she couldn’t leave his side because she was so worried about Sian, who was sick.
Sian couldn’t say anything. His heart seems to hurt so much. Because her sincerity toward him was so sad. And Sian’s heart, which he had kept deep in his heart, was not different from her, so it was heartbreaking.
Maybe that’s why. Why Sian wanted to lay down his duties and responsibilities on his shoulders for the first time even though he was in a daze. He had no confidence to ignore her mind.
The latch, which was tightly surrounding Sian, slowly melted down. She was precious as if he had forgotten even his fever-stricken body.
Sian pulled her hand.
“Y-Your Majesty?”
The fake Veronica’s upper body bent down as if she were falling. Her surprised face briefly closed her eyes and soon the lips of the two were overlapped. They gave each other a sad kiss that would only remain through wounds.
(Excerpt end.)
So, it’s obvious that Sian is in love with the fake Veronica. He acknowledged his feelings to himself, but he could not express his feelings for her openly. This is because of the nobles and the Grand Duke. The sons and the many servants in the Imperial Palace are all under the control of the Grand Duke, like spies. If Sian were to show favor to her, it would be dangerous for not only him but the fake Veronica. (Excerpt from the novel):
“Your Majesty?”
“…”
“Are you listening to me?”
Sian, who was sitting like a man who was mesmerized at Hwigin’s continued call, came to his senses.
“I’m sorry. Go on.”
“Your Majesty knows him. It’s Raphael, the court painter. He donated a huge amount of money to help reform the Imperial Guard.”
“…”
Sian couldn’t concentrate on the conversation like a man whose soul escaped. It would be so, but now Sian’s head was full of thoughts of the fake Veronica.
Sian was able to face up to what he had been turning away from last night. It was an excuse that his fever rose and his mind was hazy. It was his will and his choice to hold her hand. Sian would make the same choice even if he went back to that day. He already knew she had a place deep in Sian’s heart.
“Your Majesty?”
“Raphael was close to Cecilia. Tell him I won’t waste it.”
Sian, who regained his concentration, calmly said.
“Okay. And, Your Majesty, I need to report something.”
“Speak.”
“We found a safe house of the Grand Duke.”
“Safe house?”
Sian’s eyes were wide. The safe house was considered to be a hidden stronghold of the Grand Duke. It’s a great achievement to have found that place.
“Yes, I didn’t expect him to have such a mansion near the capital. I couldn’t get close to him because of the tight security around me, but the Grand Duke was in and out regularly.”
“Tell me the details.”
“According to research, rare medicines and herbs are usually delivered there, and items have changed recently. A dress, accessories, or shoes that a nobleman would like.”
“…!”
Sian’s eyes shook.
Doctors well-versed in poison that are dead and the changes in items that went into the house. Judging from the circumstances given, Sian made a hypothesis.
‘What if Veronica was alive? And if she’s preparing to return…’
She was only a stand-in, and she was likely to be removed. No, she’d die no matter what. Grand Duke Friedrich and the conspiracy Leabrick are not so clumsy as to keep her alive.
“Did you tell Count Lyndon about this?”
“Not yet. I’m going to visit him separately and report it.”
Sian was relieved inside. Hwigin, who is innocent to the point of having no goal to steal, lacks the ability to analyze information. Since he had never actually seen Veronica, there was a limit to his guess. But Count Lyndon is different. If this kind of clue is given to him, he is likely to know that Veronica is a stand-in.
‘The Count shouldn’t know.’
Then Count Lyndon would try to use the fake Veronica by any means possible. Defeating the imperial family with a stand-in is a crime that can’t be easily forgiven, even if it’s the Grand Duke. But, then the fake Veronica wouldn’t be safe.
“It’s better to keep silent to Count Lyndon about just now.”
“What? Why?”
“Not going is a secret place. When the Grand Duke visits there, I’m worried that the Count will act arbitrarily in the hatred of the loss of the Empress.”
“Oh, yes, Your Majesty, I will.”
Upon receiving the report, Sian hurried to the palace. All the way back, Sian couldn’t shake off his anxiety. Even at the moment of emptying the palace, the idea that Veronica might return and kill her followed like a shadow.
‘I need to tell Den and take action. No, that’s not enough. By attaching people separately…’
Sian’s mind was filled with thoughts of her. There was only a single thought to protect her, and there was no room for other thoughts to squeeze in.
Not long after that, happy events that were not happy came to the royal family. It was news of Veronica’s pregnancy.
(Excerpt end)
Sian was so concerned for her that he couldn’t leave it alone and decided to head to the palace where she was staying to check up on her. When he arrived, there were a lot of nobles there to congratulate her for her pregnancy (excerpt from the novel):
“Your Majesty, congratulations.”
“The Imperial family successor is coming.”
“…”
Sian’s expression was hardened by the celebration of the nobles who were heard from afar. Externally, she was the princess of the Grand Duchy and her name was Veronica.
“Y-Your Majesty.”
In the drawing room, the fake Veronica, who was celebrated by the nobles, ran with a skirt as if she heard that Sian had come near.
“…!”
Sian’s body flinched. Be careful. What if you fall down like that? Where did you leave your usual elegant behavior? Countless words circulated in his mouth and stabbed him like a thorn stuck in his throat.
However, Sian quietly lowered his hand reaching for her. He couldn’t express his feelings because there were so many eyes around them.
“There are a lot of guests.”
“Pardon? Ah, congratulations on hearing the news…”
When she blurted out, Sian looked around and said bluntly.
“It’s rude. Considering the stability of the queen and the fetus, they shouldn’t have been so thoughtless.”
“I-I’m sorry about that, Your Majesty.”
“I’ll leave you alone.”
The nobles greeted Sian’s apathetic point one by one and left there. Most of them were small and medium-sized aristocrats to look good to Veronica, so there were no people who stretched out. It was only until the last person was sent back that he could face her.
“You look tired.”
“No, Your Majesty.”
“Take a rest.”
Sian turned to leave a short, plain word. There was a feeling of sadness on her passing face, but she couldn’t help it.
According to the report, stability is more important than anything else in the early stages of pregnancy. In addition, it was good to avoid contact with many people as much as possible as it increases the possibility of exposure to the disease. So he sent them back. He didn’t want to keep them any closer because he knew most of them didn’t sincerely congratulate her, but came to look good to her.
(Excerpt end)
So, after that, Count Lyndon, Cecilia’s father, came to visit him. He was in disbelief that Sian would do something like that, but Sian firmly said that the child was his own. He told the Count that he wouldn’t live under the same sky with Grand Duke, to appease Cecilia, and to protect the fake Veronica and his child.
Sian thought to himself that now she was pregnant, the Grand Duke wouldn’t be able to hurt her. So he was glad, though he thought he was about crazy for being glad despite the imperial nobles frustration with him. Sian took a moment to visit the fake Veronica (excerpt from the novel):
Sian took advantage of the night to find the queen’s bedroom. It was not difficult because Den briefly turned the eyes of the maid and the knight working at night.
“…”
Sian, who approached the bed, glanced at her sleeping face. Was today a tough day? Or is it because she was hurt by the day? She seemed to suffer from something throughout her sleep. Sian’s heart throbbed as he could not even say a word of warm words.
Sian reached out and swept her face down. His touch was very kind and careful when she fell asleep.
“Forgive me that I can only do this.”
Sian sang in a sad tone pretending to be calm.
“Only then can I protect you.”
The reason why he had to treat her harshly even though he knew that it hurt her. It was to protect her from Veronica, who will return to her place one day.
“I made a slip of tongue. We have a child.”
He once considered strengthening the imperial power as a duty and responsibility to be pointed out as an emperor. But not anymore. In order to protect what was precious, Sian wanted to succeed even if he sacrificed his life. That way he can protect her and her child from the Grand Duke.
(Excerpt end.)
Sian didn’t visit her after news of pregnancy, because as mentioned before, the ears and eyes of the nobles were everywhere. Any move that Sian made would be on the lips of the nobles, so he had no choice but to have a cold; indifferent demeanor towards her.
Both of them headed to the Gaia church to receive blessings for their child (excerpt from the novel):
The fake Veronica prayed eagerly with her eyes closed. Just by looking at her extreme attitude, he could see how much she devoted herself to the child in her stomach. Sian had her in his eyes for a long time. This time to be with her was the only joy and comfort for Sian.
“Now open your eyes.”
After praying, she opened her eyes. She opened her eyes from the beginning and made eye contact with Sian, who was only looking at her. And she gave Sian the awkward smile she always wore.
Sian avoided that look. Sian’s heart seemed to be torn apart when he saw her expression, which was instant but bitter. He knew how terrible it was to hide his heart for her, turn it away, and hurt her because it wasn’t enough. It hurt so much that he thought it would be better to cut his body.
Sian clenched his teeth and endured it. There’s not much time left. Her stomach was swelling and the birth date was approaching. Sian planned to take her and her child out of the palace one step ahead of the Great House.
He had already set up a shelter for escaping. If he succeeds in reforming the Imperial Guard and strengthening the imperial power, she and the child can be brought in as much as possible later. With the conviction to protect her and his child, Sian abandoned every day. It was so hard that his body was ruined, but it didn’t matter. Because she was the first person he thought was worth throwing away everything for.
But people don’t know the future. She began to feel pain seven weeks earlier than her due date. It was a premature birth.
(Excerpt end.)
Now comes the moment that all the readers hated him for. Sian was anxiously waiting for the child to arrive. (Excerpt from the novel):
Sian wandered around the office and was restless. His mouth was burning with anxiety about her and her fetus ahead of delivery. A doctor said that premature birth is dangerous enough to take not only the fetus but also the mother’s life.
“I must go to the Queen’s place.”
Sian, whose patience reached its limit, eventually kicked out of the office. For the first time since the fake Veronica entered the imperial palace, he visited the queen’s bedroom.
“Here you are, Your Majesty.”
The maids in the tense hallway were surprised and polite to Sian. Sian tried to ask bluntly, pretending not to be interested.
“What about the child?”
“She’s still in labor. In the midwife’s words, tonight is a crisis…”
The maid’s words didn’t last. Beyond the wall, a cry rang out to announce the birth of life.
Den and the maids bow their heads in unison and pass congratulations to Sian.
“Your Majesty, congratulations.”
“Congratulations.”
Sian’s expression, which had been heightened by tension, became subtle. It was awe-inspiring to know what the rumbling child’s cry was talking about.
‘Is she all right?’
The moment the joy of becoming a father and his worries crossed, the closed bedroom door opened. The maid, who came out to announce the news of the birth, bowed her head quickly in surprise at the unexpected visit.
“Go back in and ask the midwife. I want to see the baby right now.”
Sian tried to suppress his desire to ask about the child and her personal safety. He wanted to make sure that she and the child were safe with his own eyes, not someone’s mouth.
“Your Majesty, they say it’s okay to come in.”
Sian entered the bedroom, suppressing his desire to run in. The warm heat that hasn’t gone yet gave him an idea of how much her pain from childbirth might have been.
“Y-you are here, Your Majesty.”
Her face was pale as if she had lost all her energy. Although she looked tired and exhausted, fortunately she did not look dangerous.
“See? It’s a prince who looks just like you.”
The midwife carefully took the child she had in her arms and pushed him to Sian.
“…”
Sian stared silently at the child who fell asleep. If there’s an angel, it would look like this. The child, who resembles his sea-like eyes with black hair symbolizing the blood of the imperial family, seemed to burst into tears, even as he looked at them.
“Hug him.”
At her words, the midwife handed out the child wrapped in a blanket. It was when Sian stretched out his arms, possessed by the child’s loving appearance just by looking at it. A thicker and more transparent reason than glaciers prevented Sian’s behavior.
‘If I hug this child now, I can’t go back.’
Sian glanced around the room. There were four maids with midwives and a few feet, and as many as six doctors waiting over the partition in case of a situation. There was a high possibility that Sian’s words and actions would flow into the ears of the Grand Duke and the nobles.
‘I’m.’
Sian was in conflict. At this moment, he wanted to encourage her, who poured everything into giving birth. He should have crossed a warm word that she had worked hard. However, the cold reason drew a line saying that it should never be.
In a situation where the breath of the Grand Duke is inevitably stronger due to the birth of the prince who is qualified to succeed the emperor, there is fear of a backlash from the imperial aristocrats who have barely pacified the nuances of defending the fake Veronica or rejoicing in the birth of the prince. If so, the risk of shaking the support base to protect her and her son from the Grand Duke cannot be ruled out.
“Your Majesty?”
She looked uneasily at Sian, who was standing still. Sian firmly grasped his heart that became extremely fragile in her eyes.
He had no choice but to hurt her. The wound can be healed no matter if it leaves a scar. But if he lost her, he couldn’t bring her back again.
Sian turned coldly away from the child. Her face, which would have been hurt, was white in his eyes. The fact that he had to hurt her even more wasn’t letting his mouth fall.
“My momentary mistake ended up driving the millennium empire to the abyss.”
“Y-Your Majesty. How.”
Despite her shocked voice, Sian never looked back. He left her bedroom, leaving his wife and son as if he were cold-blooded. The maids, who saw Sian with a demon-like scary face, swallowed their breath and bowed their heads.
Sian, who passed them and went back to the main palace, clenched his fist hard. Angry at himself for not being able to protect his wife and child. So he couldn’t stand the way he hurt her because he was so pathetic.
(Excerpt end)
After that, Sian decided to advanced with the escape plan for the fake Veronica and Ian. They then had to visit the church again, where he was going to tell her about the plan. (Excerpt from the novel):
“Your Majesty, it may be presumptuous, but will Her Majesty really leave the palace?”
“She has to go. If she doesn’t go… I’ll have to drag her away at least by force.”
That’s the only way for her and her son to live.
Sian changed his clothes and visited the Gaia Church in the Imperial Palace. Today is the 11th day after the birth of an imperial family member. The Gaia denomination, a state religion, was named by the Pope of the main group when the descendants of the imperial family were born from generation to generation and passed on the name through a cardinal.
As Sian entered the cathedral, cardinals and priests were seen under the statue of Gaia in the front. As he approached, the prince fell asleep in the cradle, and she stood across from him.
‘You’re very thin. Are you eating well?’
Sian felt so bad for her who looked blue. He felt like he was going crazy because he wanted to pat and comfort that tired face.
Then, she looked at him with her head up.
“…!”
Sian’s heart froze in her cold gaze. The awkward smile that she always made wasn’t there, and his breath seemed to be taken away.
The cardinal recited the congratulatory message and soaked the holy water in a golden bowl with his hands, dripping water on the prince’s forehead. Then he held out the golden parchment on the pedestal that the priest brought.
“Goddess Gaia has given her holy name to bless the royal family. His Majesty and Her Majesty will politely see the honor of the Crown Prince containing the words of the Goddess with their eyes, put it in their mouths, and remember it with their ears.”
“Claudius de Ian.”
“May the grace of Goddess Gaia be with the noble prince Claudius de Ian.”
When Sian and the fake Veronica engraved Prince Ian’s name on their hearts, the cardinal responded with a congratulatory speech.
Ian. Ian. Ian. Sian was overwhelmed by the mere mention of the name. He also had a love that was incomparable to anything on his way to see the sleeping child.
The cardinal and priest quietly left the cathedral. From now on, there will be an organ performance that mimics the sacred words of the Goddess Gaia for a short time. During that time, two people will pray sincerely for Ian. She closed her eyes and clasped her hands. The appearance, which even seemed desperate, made him guess the depth of endless affection.
“I have something to tell you.”
Sian carefully opened his mouth. More important than prayer was her and Ian’s life. If it wasn’t now, he had no time to ask for understanding and persuade. But she didn’t answer anything. Nervous Sian called her again.
“Queen.”
“No, don’t.”
“…”
“What other harm do you want to do to me?”
She opened her eyes, which she had gently closed. Beyond the cold-looking gaze, there was the pain of a brutal wound. She said, pressing down on the blessings of that feeling.
“I knew it from the beginning. It was an unwanted marriage. And my presence and background alone is a hindrance to His Majesty.”
“Queen.”
“Even though I knew that, I was clinging to Your Majesty. Because I liked you. Even my pride was not important. When His Majesty embraced me and Ian was formed, I was so happy that I cried out.”
Her voice trembled thin. Sian couldn’t say anything. He couldn’t even say anything to console her because he couldn’t even guess how much she must have been hurt.
“But I’m going to stop now. I can bear all the scars you give me. But it’s not Ian, is it? Even if you didn’t want to, even if it’s a momentary mistake, he’s Your Majesty’s child.”
“…”
Sian was full of words up to his throat. It was a misunderstanding. It was an inevitable choice to protect them. He also deeply…
“I’m not going to hang you anymore. I can’t see Ian getting hurt because of me.”
“Queen, please let’s talk for a moment…”
It was when Sian was going to make a belated excuse.
“I loved you.”
“…!”
“I really wanted to say this.”
She smiled. Tears fell from the tail of her smiling eyes. Sian regretted to death. He was resentful of himself for giving her an indelible wound.
Sian reached out. He wiped those tears and decided to be honest with her even now. Otherwise, there was no guarantee that Sian would not collapse like her, who had been ruined. However, such a wish of Sian did not come true.
Kung. After the organ performance, the cardinals and priests returned to their final ceremonies.
“His Majesty and Her Majesty, please hold the hand of His Highness the Crown Prince.”
All ceremonies ended with a toast to good health. She held the inside of the cradle in her arms without even making eye contact with Sian.
“Ian, that’s your name.”
Talking as if it was being imprinted, she left a formal goodbye to Sian and turned around. Sian could not bear to catch her as she was moving away. He had to endure it so as not to ruin the plan that he had been preparing even though it hurt her.
“Queen.”
He didn’t know then.
That it would be the last conversation he had with her. If he had known, he wouldn’t have let her go like that.
(Excerpt end.)
After that, Sian tried to crate opportunities to meet with her. To persuade her and also confess his true feelings to her. But Elena would avoid and ignore him.
Sian called for Den, but the maids said he hadn’t entered the palace yet. Sian took it upon himself to go visit her and tell her. But when he got there, something was off. (Excerpt from the novel):
Kkiiik. A visit, which preceded Sian’s will, caught his way.
“Aren’t you His Majesty?”
“Grand Duke Friedrich, why are you here?”
Sian’s face confronted with an unexpected character hardened. Grand Duke Friedrich said to be polite in silence.
“Isn’t she my daughter before the Queen? I stopped by because I was worried about her body.”
As if he had oiled his tongue, Grand Duke Friedrich revealed the reason for his visit with a fluent speech. Sian’s eyes became thinner. It is not wrong in principle. Why do parents come to see their children? Of course, under the assumption of a normal father-daughter relationship.
“Oh, is His Majesty here?”
From the opposite side of the inclined door came a clear woman’s voice. The slightly raised tone was subtly different from the one Sian knew.
“I guess he’s here to see you. Come and say hello to His Majesty.”
The door, which had been half-closed horribly for Grand Duke Friedrich’s words, opened and she came out.
“…!”
Sian’s eyes opened wide. Wearing a elegant dress to be dignified as the queen, she was wearing a mermaid dress that showed her figure. She wore a colorful tiara on her head and decorated her whole body with earrings, necklaces and bracelets. It was a surprising change considering the simplicity of taking care of Ian since giving birth.
However, it was a subtly changed atmosphere that Sian was annoying, apart from the external changes. Last time she tried to distance herself from Sian, but she couldn’t hide the pain behind it.
However, he could not feel such feelings from the woman in front of me. A proud and arrogant smile. It was an authoritative look that even looked down on Sian, the emperor. She looked overlapped with a devilish woman who was in Sian’s memory. Sian felt that something was wrong.
“Father is also true, if Your Majesty comes, you should take him inside. What if you let him stand?”
“I’ve made a mistake. Your Majesty, come inside.”
Veronica smiled. The reluctant smile hardened Sian’s heart into conviction.
“Your Majesty, please come inside. I was enjoying tea time because the sun was so bright in the palace.”
“…”
“I think it’s going to be a better time with Your Majesty here.”
Sian’s face became serious when he realized it wasn’t her.
‘Why are you here.’
The woman in front of him is not her. It was really Veronica. They looked similar enough to believe they were twins, but Sian did not miss the subtle gap. They were married. He couldn’t treat her as gently as he felt for her, but he never closed his eyes for a moment.
‘What about her?’
Sian’s mind turned white. If Veronica is here, it means that there was something wrong with her, who was the stand-in.
“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?”
Sian bit his lower lip hard enough to leak blood. He wanted to get rid of Veronica, who was pretending to be her abominably. And he wanted to ask. Where is she? Bring her while I can say good things. But he knew that it would make things worse, so he put up with it for now.
“I’m not interested.”
Sian, who coldly refused, headed toward the Empress Palace.
“Then there’s nothing we can do. Go ahead, Your Majesty.”
Veronica was consistent with ignoring Sian rather than being hurt. Then, she looked into eyes with Grand Duke Friedrich and laughed at him, dismissing Sian’s disregard as the emperor’s petty pride. Regardless, Sian, who reached the Empress’ Palace with a scary face, suddenly turned around.
“Your Majesty, where are you going?”
When the immediate maid asked for his destination, Sian replied with a voice that killed his feelings.
“Get Den.”
“Pardon?”
“Quickly!”
The maids under direct control were surprised by the intimidation of Sian, who had never shown his feelings, and told them to find out quickly. He was sure Den knew everything about the situation in the Imperial Palace.
‘I’ll find you wherever you are. So please just be safe.’
Sian did not believe in the Gaian denomination despite being a state religion. However, for the first time in his life, he prayed to Goddess Gaia with desperation.
May she be safe. I’ve never thought of a world without her. If she is safe, I will die and dedicate my soul to Goddess Gaia.
(Excerpt end)
It was found out that Den was dead. Along with Den, Sir Damon, a knight secretly placed inside of the imperial place was also dead. Count Lyndon came to visit him, and Sian finally revealed that the fake Veronica was a stand-in. Sian said that he would reform the Imperial Guard that night to go and save her from the safe house of the Grand Duke. He would do so even though Count Lyndon advised against it, he didn’t care because she was the only one on his mind and also his top priority. (Excerpt from the novel):
Night came to the palace. The tightly closed gate was closed, but the annex was an exception. A secret social gathering of aristocrats and a late-night masquerade were under way. There were people who shed sharp eyes among the aristocrats who visited there.
Tonight, these are new sources to occupy the palace and replace the rotten Imperial Guard. Under the leadership of the masked Count of Lyndon and Hwigin, they were mixed in among the nobles.
Some of the guards who had infiltrated the interior of the imperial palace suppressed the soldiers guarding the back gate of the separate palace and opened the passage to the main palace. The Imperial Palace Guard, who pushed in there, moved to the area as instructed, handled the guards, and subdued the current Imperial Palace guards who were on duty at night. All of them were the sons of nobles, so they kept as much as they were worth as hostages.
“Your Majesty, where are you going this late at night… Hyuk.”
Sian, who left the bedroom, also revealed his hidden teeth. The knights planted by the Grand Duke in his swordsmanship, which were not inferior to those of Hurelbard and Ren, who were famous as the three swords of the empire, died without even fighting properly.
“Your Majesty, we have received the main palace.”
Count Lyndon, who succeeded in occupying the imperial palace, ran over and reported.
“Please take care of the aftermath.”
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! What are you doing? Your Majesty, please. Come on!”
When Sian ran away without looking back, he was surprised and attached three members of the Imperial Guard separately. Sian’s phenomenal swordsmanship has no disagreement, but his own behavior was certainly dangerous.
Arriving at the stable, Sian rode out of the palace on his horse.
“Please, you must be safe.”
Sian sprinted so that his eyebrows fluttered. He left the capital in no time. The sky was dark and he was on the first road, but he ran without hesitation because it was the geography he had seen on the map and memorized hundreds of times.
A mansion was seen in Sian’s view, where even the noble stallion was exhausted. It was not suitable for this deep and subdued forest, so he could see that it was a safe house at a glance.
“What a bastard!”
Knights guarding the mansion blocked Sian’s front. Although there was a report with extraordinary strength, it can not accept an inspection on Sian. Sian, who quickly defeated the enemy, ran into the mansion. Anyone who showed hostility was killed. Except for one person.
“There must be a woman who was brought here a few days ago. Tell me where she is.”
“S-she’s in the last room of the dungeon. Please, just let me live… Kol.”
Sian killed the butler without any hesitation. Then he ran into the dungeon he told him about. Numerous prisoners trapped beyond the bars shouted for help, but they could not be heard by Sian.
“Only be safe.”
As he reached the far corner of the third basement floor, he saw a cage over the other path. It was the last room the butler told him about.
“Queen!”
It was her. He saw her lying over the bars.
Sian lost his breath. Despair rained down to dampen his thoughts. His heart left nothing but empty cries. Please, he hoped it wasn’t too late. Sian ran praying earnestly for her to stay alive. The steel bars that should be tightly closed were half open for some reason. As if it didn’t matter if she ran away. He wouldn’t have been so anxious if the iron bars were closed tightly.
“Queen!”
Candles swaying over her lying down without motion. Sian’s heart fell to the reddish blood stains on the hem of her dress. Sian held her lying face down in his arms. Her skin, touching his hand, was as cold as ice. Sian bit his lips hard. He believed it was because it was cold here. However, at the sight of her face, which was pale and lifeless, Sian collapsed.
“Wake up.”
Sian’s voice trembled weakly.
“I was wrong. I won’t hurt you again. I promise, can you look at me?”
The voice of Sian, who had been begging for it, gradually changed into a feeling of fainting. He tried to look away. And he wanted to believe it. She’s alive. She just lost consciousness for a while. He waited for her to smile to purify his weary life as always.
However, it didn’t take long to realize that it was a useless wind. She didn’t smile. Keeping the coldness, she didn’t even move in his arms.
“… Was it so painful that you couldn’t even close your eyes?”
Sian’s throat was dry. Her bloodstains were clear inside the prison. Her eyes were white as she crawled toward the cage with a sword stuck in her abdomen.
How unfair was she to die without even closing her eyes? Thinking of the fear and hopelessness she must have felt when she was killed, Sian grabbed her dress tightly.
He promised to protect her. He couldn’t stand it because he was so pathetic that he made it into a false truth.
“I’m sorry.”
Sian, who was sobbing silently, finally showed tears. The fact that there were so many things he wanted to say that he couldn’t tell her again made him crazy.
He should’ve been more honest with her. If he was, she wouldn’t have been hurt. Every moment he couldn’t deliver anything and even ask for her name, he regretted it so much. Sian was sobbing. Without any sound.
“I’m sorry…”
Sian’s empty apology, which hugged her strongly, echoed through the prison.
***
(Excerpt end)
Sian headed back to the palace, and he was congratulated by Count Lyndon for a successful reform of the Imperial Guard, but he hardly cared and headed to Veronica’s room right away. (Excerpt from the novel):
Sian did not name Veronica the Queen. For him, the only queen was she. Upon arriving at the West Palace, Sian headed straight to Veronica’s bedroom. Lorentz, a direct knight from the Great House, had long been killed by Hwigin. Veronica was also trapped in the bedroom as if she was being detained.
“Your Majesty.”
As he entered the bedroom, Veronica turned around and looked at Sian. A woman who looks like her but is too different. An authoritative, arrogant, and absolutely cruel woman. It was disgusting that Veronica, who didn’t even want to do business, was using her place as hers.
“The palace has been noisy all night?”
“…”
“I can’t see Lord Lorentz. What did Your Majesty do?”
Veronica smiled, pretending not to know even though she knew everything. While feeling nervous about the situation of the imperial palace, she was able to remain calm because of her firm belief in the background of the Grand Duke.
“Can I give you one advice to be blood and flesh for Your Majesty?”
“…”
“That’s enough. If you cross the line, we get tired, right?”
Veronica left a significant comment and hugged Ian, who was asleep in the cradle. Ian, who had fallen asleep, cried loudly as soon as he was hugged by Veronica. As if he didn’t like the fact that he was hugged by Veronica and felt uncomfortable.
“Look. Your Majesty, he’s surprised by the smell of blood.”
“To say that.”
Sian strode toward Veronica, squeezing the handle of the sword tightly. Veronica, who was relaxing at best, asking what he could do, suddenly swallowed up in vain. She saw the sparkling madness in Sian’s unusual eyes.
“W-Wait a minute, Your Majesty.”
Veronica stepped back and was nervous. She didn’t know why. There was a cold sweat on her back. There was a breathtaking fear. Veronica’s body, which was stepping backward, hit the window frame. Veronica was nervous. He was so mad that she wondered if this man was really right. There was a fear that she could be killed.
“I-If you touch me, my father won’t let it go.”
Step.
“I’m your wife. I’m Ian’s biological mother. You’re not going to treat me like shit, are you?”
As Sian approached, composure disappeared from Veronica’s face. Soon after, she realized that Ian was the only way to protect her body from Sian and tried to deal with it. Ian, who was in Veronica’s arms, was taken away by Sian.
“Ian.”
Sian looked down with a warm look, calling the child’s name. A woman that no one in the world would remember. She couldn’t even leave a trace just because she was a stand-in. He didn’t even know her name.
Ian was the only precious thing she left in the world.
“You will never see Ian again.”
“W-what?”
Sian left a one-sided notification and turned around, holding Ian in his arms. Although he couldn’t keep her, he would still try his best to protect Ian. That was Sian’s only atonement for her death.
“Y-Your Majesty, wait a minute! Stand there!”
To Sian, who turned around and moved away, Veronica only raised her voice and could not move a single step. Sian’s cold eyes hardened her legs.
“You sleep well.”
Ian, who was in Sian’s arms, was asleep quietly. Even though it was his first time hugging him, he was as comfortable as if he knew it was his father’s arms.
Sian told Ian everything he couldn’t say. He didn’t stop even though his throat was choked up. Keep sobbing tightly and calmly…
“Ian, your mother. She was the most beautiful and wise woman in the world. I’ve never stopped loving her for a moment. So let’s remember. Although she may have lived as a shadow, she was a great Queen. You and I must not forget, Ian. Do you understand?”
(Excerpt end.)
and that is the end of the past life from Sian’s point of view.
It’s long. Rally long btw.
*really
Fuckkkkkk I really hope not I can’t deal with the dumb bitches who think the prince deserves a second chance omfg not againnnnnn （/TДT)/
Holy fucking shit you really did it, and I seriously read all of it *pain pain pain* okay okay fine I'll not drop it. Thanks for the long long message you've worked hard xD
I’m glad I could be of help (⌒▽⌒)
DID I JUST READ ALL OF THIS AND HAD A BREAKDOWN
Y E S ╥﹏╥
Me: not reading the novel because I'm busy with 10 other novels.
Also me: finishes this in 3 minutes because of the suspense
All my time invested into this manga, and I'm going to openly recieve ANOTHER abandoned empress ending. I should've expected this one way or another, sheeeshhh. Guess I'll drop it.