The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 43

Don’t get me wrong.”

Huh?

At that cold, windy tone, I opened my eyes wide without realizing it.

“I didn’t help you because I wanted to help you.”

“Uh, then why... ... ?”

“You said Charlize? Even if you’re a child, aren’t you an official maid of the Empress’s Palace?”

That, that’s true.

I swallowed hard.

The Duke added in a cold voice.

“If you’re ignored by the other maids, my sister’s authority will be damaged.”

“Ah... ... .”

“That’s why.”

Oh, yes. That’s what happened.

I was speechless.

But then, the Duke looked down at me with a pitiful expression.

“That aside, you walk very slowly.”

“I, I’m sorry!”

I was startled, and I put strength into my legs again.

The Duke, who had been looking at me with a strange gaze as I walked, suddenly turned his head away.

Oh my, really.

People can have short legs!

* * *

The Duke and I headed to the Empress's Palace together.

The Empress, who had been busy with paperwork, opened her eyes wide and got up from her seat.

"Oh my, Brother?"

"It's been a while, Rose."

The Duke's face, which had always been cold when he saw me, was now filled with a bright smile.

The Empress, who had turned away from her desk, walked lightly toward the Duke.

"What's going on, Brother, you've even stopped by the Empress's Palace."

"I finally entered the palace, but His Majesty the Emperor broke up the state council without notice."

“Ah... ... I see.”

The Empress was not surprised, but nodded with an expression that seemed to indicate that she understood.

The Duke shrugged lightly.

“So, since I have time, I thought I would at least see your face.”

“I see. By the way, how did you come with Charles?”

“Well, this kid... ... .”

The Duke stared at me with his icy eyes once again.

Why do you keep looking at me like that?

What did I do wrong!

At that moment, the Empress bent down and patted my head.

“Didn’t you say that Charles went to the Imperial Household Agency and the laundry today?”

“Yes, Majayo!”

“I see. You must have had a hard time since morning.”

My sad heart melted away at the Empress’s gentle touch.

Oh, there’s no one else but the Empress!

The Empress smiled brightly at me.

“Charles, I’d like to treat your brother to tea. Could you please reserve a seat in the reception room?”

“Yes!”

I felt burdened by the Duke of Rochester’s fierce gaze, so I ran outside.

Since our Empress will be drinking tea, I should bring out the prettiest teacups and teapot!

* * *

And after a while.

I looked down at the tea and snacks on the trolley with an ambitious face.

‘Okay, perfect!’

I clenched my fists.

At this point, I think even the Duke of Rochester, who seems to be picky, won’t find fault with me?

I firmly grabbed the trolley handle.

As expected of a trolley custom-made for me, the trolley moved smoothly and silently as I pushed it.

‘Isn’t the Empress really an angel descending from heaven?’

Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.

I looked at the trolley and was once again immersed in the emotion I felt when I received the gift.

But then.

I could hear the Empress and the Duke’s conversation through the slightly open door.

“... ... The maids and servants were talking nonsense.”

“Oh, that happened.”

Oh, was that the story from the laundry room earlier?

I pricked up my ears without realizing it.

I, I’m not trying to eavesdrop.

I just heard it on its own!

“But there’s something right in what the maids said earlier.”

Huh?

My feet, as I was about to enter the reception room, stuck to the floor.

What are you talking about?

“I’ve been thinking about why you suddenly decided to take care of the crown prince yourself.”

After a short pause, the duke continued calmly.

“The time we welcomed the little maid named Charlize into the Empress’s Palace and the time we decided to take care of the crown prince are similar.”

“... ... That is.”

“And you are also providing convenience for that little maid to take care of the crown prince?”

The empress was unable to answer.

“In the end, it seems to me that the problem is that you love that little maid too much.”

“Brother!”

“If I’m mistaken, then give me a reason that I can accept.”

The empress opened her mouth as if to reprimand him, but the duke did not back down.

“Of course, I can understand being cute. It could be, she’s quite cute.”

In the cold silence, only the Duke’s voice rang out clearly.

“But you know. The fact that you made that choice... ... .”

The Duke calmly asked the Empress.

“Can you be sure that that little maid didn’t have any influence at all?”

“... ... .”

“I mean. I don’t want to see you overworked because of that maid.”

The strength in my grip on the trolley slipped away without me realizing it.

The Empress is overworked because of me... ... .

I see, that could be true.

... ... I never thought about that part until now.

“Honestly, Rose, you know that well, right?”

The Duke continued quietly.

“Taking care of His Highness the Crown Prince... ... “I’ve already asked for Your Majesty’s understanding. Your Majesty has accepted my explanation.”

“Yes, I know. But you, too, are in a position where you have to consider other people’s opinions.”

I held my breath.

The Duke’s words were like shards of glass.

They pierced deep into my heart.

But the saddest thing was... ... .

‘Everything he said... ... makes sense.’

I clenched my molars without realizing it.

Am I... ... just a nuisance to Your Majesty?

I’m still young, I’m old enough to overlook my immaturity, and I look cute.

So now, I can overlook the inconveniences I cause, but... ... .

“... ... .”

Suddenly, I remembered the yellow cat I saw at the Imperial Household Agency earlier.

Looking at the cat that was no longer young, the voices of the other maids saying, ‘It’s not cute anymore because it’s grown up.’

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“Other people might think that you’ve lost your judgment because you’re too fond of the young maid.”

“Stop it, Charles is like my younger brother.”

At that moment, the Empress cut off the Duke’s words in a sharp tone.

“Even if you’re my brother, I don’t want to hear you speak so rudely... ... .”

Clang!

At that moment, the sound of teacups and teapots clashing loudly rang out.

Gasp.

I swallowed dryly.

My whole body lost its strength, and I ended up bumping into the trolley.

At the same time, the reception room ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) door opened wide.

“Oh my, Charles! Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes. It’s a good thing.”

I answered hastily and tried to quickly pick up the trolley.

But because I was so flustered, my hands kept twitching.

‘Ugh, why did I make a mistake now of all times!’

Looking at me sweating, the Duke made a face of ‘Oh no!’

But he quickly regained his composure and opened his mouth in a cool voice.

“No matter how young she is, she is still a maid in the Empress’s palace. It’s time she learned the truth.”

“Really, Brother!”

“Why, I didn’t say anything I shouldn’t have.”

... ... That was right.

I shrugged my shoulders slightly, wanting to avoid the Duke’s eyes.

I am just... ... pathetic right now.

The Empress gently patted my shoulder.

“Charle, don’t pay attention to what Brother says.”

“... ... Ha, but.”

“Thank you so much for the tea and refreshments. Please give me the trolley.”

You can go now.

The Empress added a word in such a kind voice.

I nodded and hurriedly got out.

The breath I had been holding in finally burst out.

“Haa.”

My body, which had been leaning against the wall, slowly slid down to the floor.

I squatted down on the floor, straining my eyes to stare at the clean marble floor.

If I didn’t do that... ... I felt like I would cry.

* * *

“... ....”

“... ... .”

“Hey, Charles!”

Gasp!

I was startled and suddenly raised my head.

Head Maid Weber looked at me with a bewildered expression.

“Why are you so blank?”

“... ... Yes?”

“What are you thinking about?”

“Ah.”

I bit my lip.

At that moment, the maids’ whispering words in the laundry room lingered clearly in my ears.

‘You’re still a child, so the Empress is just looking at you with affection.’

‘Now grow up a little. You’ll lose all of the Empress’s favor?’

The more I deliberately tried not to think about it, the more it lingered in my head... ... .

‘I’m just going to get dazed.’

No, let’s not think about it any more.

I shook off the thought.

If the Empress’s feelings for me were really just a moment of sympathy.

If I grew up a little more, if I was no longer a child.

If those feelings would naturally disappear... ... .

‘Even so, even after that sympathy disappeared... ... I want to be by the Empress’ side.’

To do that, I have to work harder.

To become a talent that the Empress’s palace needs, so that I can continue to stay by the Empress’ side.