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 I’ve 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.
“Last time, we were too rushed to really catch up. Regardless of the circumstances, I’m glad we can meet like this,” said a familiar voice.
“Crown Prince? And… that’s the Marquis beside him?”
Perwin and Ikart together!
She had hidden upon hearing their footsteps, but she hadn’t expected to witness such a catch. Of course, there was the irritating princess in the middle, but…
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.
“Out of nowhere, the princess starts talking about breaking off the engagement… turns out there’s someone meddling behind the scenes, huh?”
“Did Roselia say that? Well, at least we’re on the same page,” Ikart replied.
“Breaking off the engagement.”
Those two words made Evelyn’s 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.
“Because we kept watching—”
“…!”
When Perwin threw a punch at Ikart’s 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 hadn’t confirmed a break-off, and even if it did, the seat certainly wouldn’t fall to her.
Yet the shock of the word “break-off” was overwhelming. Other words barely registered. Evelyn’s 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 emperor’s schedule was delayed, and the luncheon had yet to begin.
On edge, she kept her eyes on the two men.
“I’ve kept my guests waiting too long!”
Finally, the emperor and empress entered the dining hall. The empty head seats were now filled.
“Your Imperial Majesty, the Sun of the Empire, and Your Majesty, the Moon of the Empire,” 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.
“Oh dear, is it already this late? Steward, bring the dishes immediately!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
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 court’s ruling, and brief mentions of aftermath handling.
“It’s already past; I don’t wish to dwell on unfortunate events. What matters is how the imperial family and Serteia will cooperate moving forward,” the emperor said. He repeatedly emphasized harmony and friendship, avoiding topics that could make anyone uncomfortable.
Ikart did not contest the court’s verdict. He only noted that there would be disciplinary measures on the family level once Aunt Petunia’s 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.
“Princess, a piece of advice. Since you will one day be part of the imperial family…”
When the emperor implied her future marriage to Perwin, Ikart’s expression stiffened.
“The future ruler is the Crown Prince, but the role of supporting him and managing the household falls to the consort,” he continued.
“Such obvious nagging.”
How could this outdated advice ever escape anyone’s lifespan untouched? Evelyn nodded politely while letting it slide mentally.
The emperor continued:
“Devote yourself to being a virtuous and gentle wife, assisting the Crown Prince. There’s nothing more foolish than letting jealousy cloud your judgment and disrupt the peace of the household.”
The emperor glanced at the empress with a subtle hint of disdain. Evelyn caught it in an instant but maintained a calm demeanor.
“I will take Your Majesty’s words to heart,” she replied.
“Yes, yes,” the emperor nodded approvingly.
Amidst the cordial chatter, a commotion arose at the dining hall entrance.
“Your Majesty! How can you leave me behind!”
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 slip—her 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…”
“Shylo, I told you to rest. Why are you out again?”
Shylo Valentine, the emperor’s most favored mistress, spoke in a pouty tone.
“I woke up, and Your Majesty wasn’t there. You know I can’t sleep alone,” she said.
The empress remained stoic, but her hand gripped her knife tightly.
Shylo hugged the emperor’s neck as if no one else existed.
“How adorable,” he murmured, stroking her arm gently.
“Shylo, if you haven’t eaten, join us,” he offered.
“Really?” Shylo brightened, but seeing the crowded table, she frowned.
Perwin rose abruptly.
“Perfect timing. I just lost my appetite anyway. You may take my seat,” he said, giving Shylo his chair and turning away.
“Sit.”
The emperor’s 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.
“Why must you embarrass your own son too?” he challenged.
“…What?”
Perwin raised an eyebrow.
“Amid rumors that the emperor neglects state affairs for women, must you openly flaunt your playthings?”
The emperor’s face flushed red. He glared fiercely at his son.
“There are limits to my patience for misbehavior.”
“…!”
He struck Perwin’s cheek hard.
“Crown Prince!” the empress exclaimed. Perwin silently held his cheek.
“Do 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?”
“Try keeping that mighty power intact for a hundred, a thousand years,” 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 Perwin’s vacated seat.
“Your Majesty, why not adopt the Crown Prince as my son?” she suggested.
The bombshell remark froze the room.
“What nonsense is this? You dare speak of adopting the Crown Prince? Can you take responsibility for such words?” The empress’ voice trembled with indignation.
Simultaneously, a new notification appeared before Evelyn’s eyes:
[You have uncovered a clue related to the hidden episode: “The Secret of Birth.”]
It appears that Roselia’s name was replaced with Evelyn’s in this chapter during the translation process.