The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 64

"Still, how about giving it a try?"

"......If it is truly what my teacher desires, then I won’t refuse."

After a brief silence, Diamid responded politely.

Wait, they’re really going to duel?

I clenched my fists.

Honestly, I could tell exactly what that man was thinking.

He probably thought he could intimidate a mere thirteen-year-old boy through swordplay.

But did he forget who he was dealing with?

‘Diamid is the protagonist of this world!’

The man nodded at Diamid’s answer.

He still had that irritating smirk on his face.

"Very well. Let’s end today’s lesson with a duel."

The two men faced each other.

Phew, Diamid. You have to do well.

Wipe that smug look right off his face!

I cheered for him enthusiastically in my heart.

The man’s voice was smooth and relaxed.

"I’ll let you take the first move, Your Highness."

He wasn’t even holding his wooden sword properly.

The way he casually let it droop showed just how little he thought of Diamid.

A cold smile spread across Diamid’s lips.

"Thank you. I won’t hold back."

In the next moment, Diamid dashed forward.

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...W-Wait, how can someone be that fast?

I blinked in shock.

Clang!

The sound of wooden swords clashing rang out.

The man had barely managed to lift his sword in time to block.

A strained groan escaped from him.

"Ugh!"

But Diamid didn’t stop at that. He pressed on with an even fiercer attack.

Clang, clack, clack!

The relentless strikes echoed in the air.

I swallowed dryly.

I never knew the sound of wood striking wood could be so sharp.

The man, retreating step by step, suddenly let out a desperate shout.

"W-What is this...? Gah!"

At the same time, it was over.

Thud!

Stumbling backward, the man tripped over a protruding stone and fell to the ground in a pathetic heap.

Diamid extended his wooden sword straight to the man’s throat.

His voice was icy.

"Didn’t you say today’s lesson would end with this duel?"

"......This is absurd!"

"I’ve learned a lot today. Thank you."

His voice was emotionless, completely flat.

But perhaps that made the man’s humiliation even worse.

His face turned redder than a ripe tomato.

Without even saying goodbye, he stormed off.

Hah! Serves him right!

I jumped to my feet and ran over to Diamid.

"Your Highness, you did amazing! Here, a towel!"

"Ah, Charl. Thank you."

I held out the towel.

As he wiped the sweat from his forehead, Diamid let out a wry smile.

He muttered softly.

"I was planning to # Nоvеlight # hold back today... but I couldn’t."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"That guy won’t dare step foot in the Crown Prince’s palace again."

Diamid glanced in the direction the man had disappeared.

And why is that a bad thing?

I tilted my head.

"But I feel refreshed? You completely crushed his pride!"

"This isn’t the first time. At this rate, His Majesty will completely despise me."

Diamid let out a deep sigh.

Hmm, when he puts it that way, I don’t have much to say.

I rolled my eyes.

"......Well, I guess that’s true."

After all, this was already the third teacher he had gone through.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

With his exceptional talent and relentless effort, it was only natural that he would effortlessly outclass the low-ranking knights the Emperor kept sending.

But honestly, isn’t this exactly what a protagonist should be capable of?

At that moment, Diamid spoke with a hint of amusement.

"Now that I think about it, Charl."

"Yes?"

I turned around without thinking—only to scrunch up my face.

Diamid had reached out and pressed down on the top of my head.

"When are you going to grow taller?"

His teasing tone made me instantly flare up.

"Ugh, it’s because Your Highness keeps pressing down on me! I have grown a lot!"

"But you’re still much shorter than me."

"Your Highness, don’t you think comparing the height of a girl and a boy is a little unfair?"

I shot back, slipping out from under his hand.

"Besides, Your Highness, I’m already ten years old now."

"So?"

"That means I’ve been an official lady-in-waiting for five years."

I placed my hands on my hips and puffed out my chest.

Diamid chuckled as he looked at me.

"So please, at least consider my dignity a little."

"What, you have dignity?"

"Of course! Do you have any idea how many maids are under me?"

I tilted my chin up at him.

At this point, I should be allowed to demand at least this much, right?

Then, a strange sound slipped from Diamid’s lips.

"Pfft."

"......Your Highness?"

"Aha-ha-ha!"

Suddenly, he burst into laughter.

I glared at him in disbelief.

"What’s so funny?!"

"You remind me of something."

"Of what?"

Still chuckling, he finally managed to answer.

"You know how baby kittens do that? They puff up their fur, thinking it makes them look bigger...."

But in reality, they just look even more ridiculous.

Diamid added with a smirk.

I widened my eyes.

"......Excuse me?! What did you just say?!"

First a squirrel, now a kitten?!

When will I ever be free from these animal comparisons?!

As we bickered back and forth, we made our way back to the Crown Prince’s palace.

Looking up at Diamid’s now noticeably grown figure, I felt a strange warmth in my chest.

I could still clearly remember how scrawny he was when we first met.

He really has grown up well.

By the time Diamid had washed up and come out, we were greeted by a familiar face.

It was none other than Her Majesty.

"Wow, Your Majesty!"

I immediately bounced over to her.

Her Majesty smiled warmly at me.

"Charl!"

"What brings Your Majesty here?"

Diamid, who had been following behind me, asked.

Now that I think about it, I feel like I’ve been seeing Her Majesty around the Crown Prince’s palace more often lately.

Is that just my imagination?

As I tilted my head in thought, Her Majesty spoke.

"Ah, I actually came with a purpose today."

Huh? A purpose?

I looked up at her with curiosity.

"You’re aware that we’ll be holding the Harvest Festival soon, right?"

"Yes, I am."

Diamid’s expression darkened slightly.

The Harvest Festival.

It was a celebration of the empire’s bountiful harvest, where they would offer a grand tribute to the Divine Beast Aurelia.

Not only the royal family, but also the nobles and officials would all gather.

‘But there’s no way that arrogant Emperor would allow Diamid to attend.’

I pursed my lips.

He already couldn’t stand the sight of Diamid—why would he ever let him participate?

Her Majesty continued speaking.

"So, I’ve decided to personally select my attendant for the ceremony."

Wait, an attendant?

I blinked.

During the festival, only direct members of the royal family had the right to present offerings to the Divine Beast.

And the one chosen to assist them was known as an attendant.

For Her Majesty to choose one herself...

‘That means this year’s festival will be on a much larger scale than usual.’

Then, Her Majesty suddenly turned to Diamid and asked—

"I’d like you to accompany me for the selection process. What do you think?"

"......Me?"

Diamid’s eyes widened in shock.

Her Majesty nodded with a gentle smile.

"Yes. Rather than making the decision alone, I’d like to hear multiple opinions."

She gave a casual shrug.

"If you’re not interested, you’re free to decline."

"No!"

Diamid’s voice shot up immediately.

I flinched. Why is he yelling all of a sudden?

Both Her Majesty and I stared at him.

Realizing what he had done, Diamid’s eyes turned round in surprise.

"Um, I’d like to go. That is, if it’s not an inconvenience."

"Well, if it were an inconvenience... I wouldn’t have invited you in the first place."

Her Majesty smiled.

I gazed at her with a warm feeling in my chest.

She had done this for Diamid’s sake.

She wanted the world to know—

That Diamid was a true member of the imperial family.