It was the moment when Fabian felt his heart stopped beating. Evelyn collapsed over him. From her hands to her feet, her whole body was trembling with fear.

Who, whos there! Fabian quickly laid Evelyn down on the sofa and squeezed her trembling hand tightly.

Evelyn! Evelyn, wake up!

The peaceful situation a while ago changed suddenly in the blink of an eye. After hearing Fabians scream, Nora, who ran into the room, looked panicked as she saw Evelyn fainted.

Princess!

Now, go to my room by the secret staircase. Go and tell Serus to get Sir Philip right now! Fabian ordered.

But Nora still didnt move, and her hands were shaking, too.

Hurry!

Nora came to her senses after Fabian shouted to her again, and she quickly rushed to run.

Fabian tried to tap Evelyn on the cheek, forcing her to open her eyes, but he failed. Evelyn broke out in a cold sweat like someone who had a heavy nightmare and gritted her teeth so badly that blood flowed from her lips.

Evelyn.

Her condition was like someone with a burning stomach. Fabian instinctively placed his finger between Evelyns lips. The pain that pierced his finger didnt even get into his mind at this point. There was only fear that Fabian sensed when he saw Evelyns complexion getting paler.

Ha. Evelyns faint voice rang between Fabians fingers.

Ugh.ha.

Evelyn? I am here.

But Evelyns consciousness had not returned. The darkness still fell upon her. Evelyns body cramped, and she bit Fabians hand again.

I am by your side, Fabian firmly grasped Evelyns cold hand. As if to tell her that he was here. He eagerly wished Evelyn to hear this voice too. I wont leave. As it is Ill be by your side.

The pain Fabian felt when Evelyn bit him with her teeth was nothing. What made Fabian feel dead was precisely his failure to do something and his nervousness.

Your Majesty, Sir Philip.

Luckily, Nora rushed in before it was too late. Philip arrived without being told what had happened. However, as soon as he approached Evelyn and saw her condition, he immediately began examining her. Fabian reluctantly stepped back and stood beside Evelyn.

Let me see.

After seeing some changes, as a doctor, Philip quickly looked at Fabian and nodded. This means there was nothing to worry about and that her life wasnt in severe condition. It was only then that Fabian felt relieved, and his legs were falling.

Wait a minute. Philip took the syrup bottle out of his bag, Its a simple stabilizer.

After Philip poured the syrup through her lips sometime later, the seizures ended. Evelyn found stability as if she had just fallen asleep. Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief

Something. What the hell is going on? Nothing happened. Everything was calm. Fabian gibbered, not like his normal self.

I dont know the cause, but I think its a nerve attack, said Philip, giving a frustrating diagnosis. It dont affect her health. But it might be due to the stress and fatigue that has accumulated too much .

Are you sure?! shouted him. However, another diagnosis wouldnt come out just because of Fabians anger.

The stabilizers have stopped the seizure, and shell wake up soon. We can do a detailed examination then, explained Philip. Fabian closed his mouth tight at the words, then nodded because there was no other alternative.

Move Evelyn to the bedroomno wait, Nora, take Adrian to the private room and take care of him.

Yes, Your Majesty, and the Princess..?

Fabian ignored Noras question and hugged Evelyn, who fell asleep himself. Ill watch her. He put Evelyn in his arms as carefully and gently as he could and then laid her in bed slowly. Then he sat by the bedside, grabbing Evelyns hand.

Philip said she was fine, but Fabian was afraid Evelyn would go away anytime soon if he didnt hold her tight.

Evelyn, Im with you Fabian said the same thing over and over again.

Imhere.

It was a low, sincere voice.

The Empress, Monicas eyes widened in a circle while biting a long hookah pipe. It was unusual for her, who wasnt interested in everything in the world.

Sir Philip? she asked, doubting her ears.

Yes. The knight answered carefully and knelt in front of Empress Monica. He was a competent knight from Sagan, Duke of Metis, his brother.

Monica used to live in the Imperial Palace when she was still the Emperors wife. So she memorized and knew very well where and what kind of surveillance to install. And it seemed it worked this time.

Its not strange that Sir Philip is coming. He was His Majestys doctor, and His Majesty called him back againbut from the reports Ive heard, it seems its a different case this time.

Thats right. Sir Philip came to the inner palace.

Monicas eyebrows slightly frowned. Right now, Inner Palace didnt have an owner. There were only guests, Empress Dowager and Stella. But they didnt call Philip, so his visit didnt make sense.

As you know, in the Inner Palace, if you follow it too closely, its easy to get caught. The knight added as an excuse. The Inner Palace was originally the place where the Emperors family lived. It was a high-guarded place, a difficult area for spies to move around.

hold on. Monica concentrated on her thoughts with long smoke. Suddenly, theres something coming up in her mind. The direction..?

Yes?

You must know the direction that Sir Philip went.

Oh, he went to the south towards the glass corridor.

At that moment, all the puzzle pieces were put together in Monicas head. Her enthralling lips corner went up slightly. Her laughter came out shortly after that.

Why youre laughing? asked the knight, looking confused.

Because its funny. However, her laugh was more sounded like a teasing tone.

Yes There was something like that in this Imperial family. Its been a long time. I even forgot its existence.

Yes?

Despite the knights counter-question, in the backs of her heart, Monica was lost in her thoughts.

One thing that Fabian overlooked was the fact that his mother was once an Empress. In other words, right after her marriage, Monica already realized that the secret room existed.

No way, my son uses that.

She smiled; an unbearable laugh came out once more. Even as his biological mother, she regarded Fabian as a cold person. He was the heir to this Imperial family, who seemed unlikely to bleed a drop of blood even if he was stabbed. It was surprising that even such a person had something precious that he wanted to hide secretly.

Hmm where.

After scribbling something on the paper note on the table, Monica folded it so the contents were out of sight and handed it to the knight. Give it to my brother. You have to deliver it.

Yes. the knight gave an example, and he disappeared quietly.

Monicas mouth was still smiling, I still dont know my son.

It was always like that, Fabian was her son that she gave birth to, but she couldnt figure out what he thought since he was young.

When he first insisted on marrying the Felice Kingdom Princess, Monica still couldnt know her sons heart.

***

Evelyns darkness transformed into a white mist. Little by little, her realistic sense seemed to come back. But her eyelids were still too heavy. Evelyn tried to move her hand, but it didnt work out as if she was locked in something hard.

Evelyn.

She could hear his voice even if her vision were still vague.

Im here.

It was Fabian.

Im by your side.

It was Fabian, whom Evelyn didnt know.

I wont leave you dont be afraid.

Slowly, Evelyn noticed that someone warmly wrapped her motionless hand. Fabians hand that she always missed was holding her hand tightly. Only then did Evelyn, who came to her senses, barely lifted her heavy eyelids.

Evelyn?

As soon as Evelyn opened her eyes, she saw Fabians face before her. His eyes, which drew his face close to Evelyns nose, were filled with incalculable relief and anxiety.

Evelyn saw her figure transparently within his dark pupils, and it wasnt an illusion.

Evelyn, are you awake? I justNo Sir Philip. Fabian said in confusion, a little digressed. Evelyn exerted her remaining strength and grabbed Fabians hand. For now, she didnt want to let him go further away from her side.

Then, Fabian returned to his seat and held back Evelyns hand tightly, as if he had read the meaning in Evelyns eyes. Now Evelyn could be sure of it. It was his warmth that Evelyn felt when she lost consciousness.

Evelyn, I . Even before Fabian finished his words, a sense of relief raided her. Her memory was faint, but Evelyn felt something more frightening than death had swallowed her. The warmth of his hand that pulled Evelyn back to this reality was hotter than usual.

Your Majesty ..ha.

Yes, Ive been by your side all the time. Fabians heartfelt voice wrapped around Evelyns heart, which still had traces of fear.

Your Majesty Your Majestyha.

At this moment, while crying, her fear and regret burst out at once. Even Evelyn herself didnt know the exact reason for her tidal wave of emotion. But it was enough to make her feel grateful that Fabian was by her side.

Your MajestyI was so terrified . Evelyns face turned white, and her tears streamed through her cheeks.

Fabian unwittingly hugged her as it was the only thing he could do for now.

Suddenly everythingtoo scary . Evelyn wrapped her arms around Fabians neck, hugging him back. She wasnt able to speak anymore and could only cry, relying on Fabian for everything.

Evelyn, if you see anything scary, its an illusion. Its not real.

Evelyn shuddered. She shook her chin on his shoulder. Then Fabian raised her, sat her down on the bed, and laid her in his arms. Meanwhile, Evelyns hand firmly grasped Fabians hem.

Fabian even held her tightly on the bed, gazing at her pitiful condition. And Evelyn buried her head in his chest, inhaling the scent of his body.

Im here. All the time Ive been by your side. Fabian said, patting Evelyns sobbing head silently. SsshNothing happened. Your nightmare wasnt real. Evelyn, youre not alone.

Really ? How long has it passed? Evelyn asked in a weak voice.

You just fell asleep overnight.

It was dawning outside. So Evelyn couldnt believe that Fabian, the Emperor, had been here from night till daybreak.

Do you remember that I lay on your lap?

Evelyn nodded.

I havent left your side for a moment since then.

Thump..She could hear Fabians heartbeat at the place where Evelyn had buried her head.

Why..why? Evelyn asked, even though she knew. However, this was a question that was meaningful only when she heard his answer.

I wont leave you alone. I wont let you go anymore.

Here was the answer she had wished for so long.

I promise.

At that moment, the chain that had been choking Evelyns heart was struck and fell, losing its binding strength.

Ill always be next to you. Fabian lifted Evelyns head gently and wiped the tears off her cheek.

When their eyes met, and Fabian whispered to her, Whatever comes, whether it is a nightmare or a demon, I will protect you.

Evelyn realized one thing when she looked at Fabians vivid black eyes.

So dont be afraid of anything. I will because I will be by your side.

Deep remorse, grievous resentment melted away magically. It was because she was unhappy that Evelyn regretted it. The reason she resented him was that she loved him. The truth was, Evelyn just wanted to be loved. Right now, by this person.

NeverNow, never leave me alone again. Evelyn cried, and they looked into each others eyes.

Only

Always Please stay by my side.

I will, and dont leave me either. He also pleaded in hushed tones. The stiff scars and thick walls that covered each others hearts had collapsed.

We lets not break up anymore.

Those words contained countless solitude and regrets. Evelyn knew that feeling well.

She was staring into his eyes, nodded slowly, Yes..Fabian.

Tightly, warmer than ever, they embraced each other without saying who started it first. Their remaining love feelings had broken the chain of hatred that had shackled the two hearts.

It thawed out the regrets, pain, anger, and sorrow that had gone beyond death. It was like a spell. And that magical spell was love.