~Chapter 1~
“I will leave in a week.”
At Evelyn’s words, Mikhail, who had been reading documents, raised his head.
Seeing that she looked no different than usual, he lowered his gaze back to the papers and spoke.
“Didn’t you decide to extend the contract? Since you said nothing, I thought that was the case.”
Evelyn slowly lowered her clasped hands and lifted her bowed head.
“It’s a waste of time.”
Mikhail looked at her again. Somehow, she seemed filled with quiet sadness.
He let out a long breath and tapped the desk lightly with his free hand.
‘Why this sudden change of heart?’
The terms and duration of their contract had always been the same.
“Evelyn Vivace will renew her contract every year until Mikhail Prime Haorah finds Eunsu Ji.
Upon renewal, Evelyn Vivace may set the conditions, and all terms must remain strictly confidential.”
‘Well… she must feel uneasy. Eunsu has returned.’
Mikhail nodded as if he understood and looked at Evelyn.
“Do not worry, Evelyn. Even if Eunsu becomes Empress again, you won’t have to leave the palace. You can become a consort.”
“Me… why?”
Her voice was full of confusion. Her wide eyes showed the same.
‘Is she unhappy about becoming a consort?’
Mikhail spoke as if trying to reassure her.
“Eunsu may have wandered for a while, but she was originally my first Empress. Now that she has returned, it is only right that she takes her place again.”
“It is only natural to return the Empress’s position to Lady Eunsu.”
‘What?’
Mikhail’s eyes widened in surprise.
Evelyn continued, her face expressionless like a doll.
“What I want to ask is why I must become a consort.”
Mikhail grew confused. He couldn’t tell how to interpret her words.
Did she truly want to leave?
Or was she trying to gain more by making him feel guilty?
Just thirty minutes ago, Countess Retel—the head maid of the Empress’s palace—had come to see him.
“Lady Evelyn seemed afraid she might be cast out of the Empress’s position.”
Countess Retel had served closely since Evelyn became Empress—helping her while also watching over her.
If she saw it that way, then it was likely true.
Moreover, Evelyn had always tried hard to win his favor.
So why would she refuse a chance to stay?
Still, there was no need to think deeply. She was still trying to resemble Eunsu—that was proof enough.
“You have been Empress until now. I cannot let someone like you stay in the palace without a title. Nor can I simply throw you out.”
Evelyn tilted her head slightly.
“Why not?”
Mikhail sighed softly and stood up.
“Going from Empress to consort is unusual, but it is not bad. You won’t be the nation’s mother, but you will still have authority over palace affairs…”
He watched her carefully. She stood still, listening quietly.
“If you understand, prepare to move to the consort’s palace immediately.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Evelyn replied.
“I do not want that.”
Her firm answer made Mikhail’s face harden.
‘Is she trying to challenge me?’
He decided to suppress her spirit for Eunsu’s sake.
“Then fine. Leave. You said you could leave the palace in a week?”
“No. I can leave even sooner.”
“Do you have somewhere to go?”
“Anywhere will do.”
Mikhail narrowed his eyes. She was looking down, her eyelids half closed.
‘Is she really going to leave?’
For a moment, he thought.
‘No… that can’t be.’
“Alright. I’ll arrange for you to leave in a week. In the meantime, we’ll proceed with the divorce.”
He believed that if he showed no reaction, she would come back begging to stay—even as a consort.
As he smiled and picked up his pen again, Evelyn’s calm voice stopped him.
“Your Majesty, it is not a divorce. It is an annulment.”
Mikhail quickly looked up.
“We never had a proper wedding ceremony. We only signed papers for the contract. And we have never shared a marital relationship. So, annulment is correct.”
Mikhail became angry.
“Are you asking me, the Emperor, to accept shame for your future?”
“Your Majesty already has a son. As long as the reason is not revealed, people will assume the problem lies with me.”
That was true.
No one would dare question an emperor who already had a child.
“And if you tell Empress Eunsu that our relationship was only on paper, she will be pleased, knowing you remained faithful.”
That was also true.
People might even praise him as loyal and romantic.
But it would only benefit him—Evelyn would appear abandoned.
“…That…”
Before he could finish, Evelyn spoke firmly.
“You don’t need to worry about me. I never had any feelings for you. It was only a contract.”
She said it as if she truly meant it.
“…Alright. I will do as you wish. I will not forget what you have done for me.”
Only then did Evelyn smile faintly.
“I simply hope that Your Majesty lives happily with Empress Eunsu. I will pray for it in the name of Goddess Deriosa.”
“I will also pray for your peace in the name of Goddess Deriosa.”
Evelyn stepped back, then turned and left.
…Wait. According to the original story, this is how it should go… right? Then why is he acting like this?
No matter how she thought about it, the Emperor’s reaction was strange.
“Do you really have to leave?”
His eyes, usually full of authority, now looked soft and sorrowful—like violets touched by morning dew.
The man looking at her with such sadness was none other than the Emperor—
Mikhail Prime Haorah, Krelas III.
The male lead of this world. A man who loved only Eunsu.
No matter how she looked at him, it was definitely him.
Then why is he acting like this?
‘Did the empire suddenly run into a labor shortage?’
She had lived here for three years.
Sure, she had done her job well—but was that enough for him to stop her?
That could cause misunderstandings… even jealousy.
Mikhail had spent three years searching for his missing Empress.
And she—Evelyn—was only a contract Empress, filling that position.
Now that the real woman had returned, she should naturally disappear.
There couldn’t be two Empresses.
So why wasn’t he acting like it?
As she looked at him suspiciously, Mikhail stepped closer.
“Lin, I beg you… don’t leave.”
Suddenly, he bent one knee and held her hand.
Something was definitely wrong.
They were only bound by a contract. Nothing more.
Maybe some companionship—but still.
Why was he doing this?
“Your Majesty…”
“Yes, Lin. I’m here. Speak.”
He looked up at her, still holding her hand.
“What… happened to you? Why are you treating me like—”
She stopped herself from finishing.
The Emperor looked at her with pity.
“You don’t have much time left to live. I know everything.”
“What?”
Her eyes widened.
“You have sacrificed yourself for me and the empire for three years. What you did for me… even the Empress never did. And now, you don’t have long to live…”
Something felt very wrong.
“W-wait… why would I die? I’m perfectly fine.”
The Emperor shook his head sadly.
“You don’t need to hide it. I know you’re leaving so you won’t burden me or the empire.”
“No, Your Majesty. I’m healthy.”
“Healthy people don’t cough up blood. Someone saw you.”
Blood…? Could it be when my magic backfired?
“And I’ve heard the doctor’s diagnosis. At most… you have six months left.”
“Me…?”
Her mind spun in confusion.
Where did things go so wrong?
Now we’ll go back to the very beginning?