The Evil Empress Adores Me - Chapter 17

If you wanted to catch the tiger, then you should visit the tiger’s den.

 

Therefore, if I wanted to be acquainted with the crown prince, I should visit him.

 

But now that I think about it…

 

‘Why hasn’t anyone mentioned anything about the crown prince? No matter how disadvantageous his position is, he’s still the crown prince. But up until now, I’ve hardly heard anything concerning him.’

 

He’s like a ghost.

 

Though it’s understandable. People who were wary of the Emperor wouldn’t want to approach him. Even if that wasn’t the case, his “uncontrolled power” was also nerve-wracking.

 

As of now, my position as a maid of the Empress was a bit complicated. She was the wife of the Emperor who stabbed the crown prince in the back.

 

If I came unprepared, I might anger the crown prince instead.

 

In the end, I made up my mind. 

 

‘Let’s gather information about the crown prince first.’ 

 

And along the way, I’d have to test the waters.

 

How the Empress thought of the crown prince was also an important factor in this mission.

 

Furthermore, I didn’t even know where the crown prince resided. 

 

I went up to Head Maid Hayden. 

 

“Sister, I have a question.”

 

“What’s wrong Charlize?” she asked gently.

 

I softened my voice, feigning innocence. 

 

“I heard that the palace the crown prince lives in is near the Empress’ palace…is it true?”

 

“Goodness! Where did you hear that?” 

 

The head maid revealed a terrified expression.

 

‘Is it true?!’ my eyes widened in shock. I was just saying that in order to bait her into giving out his actual location.

 

Based on her reaction, it was clear that the crown prince hasn’t been receiving the best treatment. 

 

‘He’s just an eight-year-old child, don’t you feel the least bit of sympathy for him?’

 

“I heard it when I was working as a maid-in-training.” 

 

“Oh my, what has the education hall been doing? How in the world did they manage the maids-in-training…” she shook her head in exasperation as she approached me.

 

I behaved innocently as I asked her. 

 

“So…where’s the palace?” 

 

“It’s not here, it’s near the Empress’ palace…” 

 

She answered immediately, but when she realized her slip, she looked at me in frustration.

 

My eyebrows scrunched up in confusion.

 

“…isn’t that the haunted palace?”

 

I remember that place.

 

I passed by that place when I first hid in the palace of the Empress.

 

Unlike the Empress’ palace, that palace had a gloomy appearance.

 

‘That’s why I went to the garden…’

 

Come to think of it, there was so much child abuse in this world.

 

I unconsciously frowned, but I immediately eased out my eyebrows.

 

If I didn’t want to look suspicious, I had to behave as if I didn’t know anything. 

 

“Anyways, don’t approach that palace, Charlize.” 

 

“Why?” 

 

“His Highness the Crown Prince is of royal descent, he’s next in line to the throne. It’d be horrendous for you if you commit lese-majeste.”

 

Hm?

 

I looked at the Head Maid in surprise when I heard her unexpected answer.

 

I vaguely expected that the maids of the Empress would hate the crown prince, but it was as if she was saying, “Both him and the Empress are nobles after all…”

 

When dealing with the topic of the crown prince, Head Maid Hayden still kept the minimum amount of courtesy.

 

“Plus…it’s dangerous.” 

 

She added after a moment of hesitation.

 

‘Dangerous?’

 

I gave her a puzzled look. 

 

“His Highness the Crown Prince has awakened the Power of God.” 

 

“Uh…”

 

“The Power of God is so powerful that it’s still difficult for the young prince to control,” the head maid said as she sighed. 

 

Well, according to the original novel, there was still a long way to go before the crown prince escaped from the palace.

 

I shrugged my shoulders. 

 

When the crown prince turned fifteen, he released his divine power.

 

But he didn’t do it out of his own will. If it wasn’t for the assassin the Emperor sent to kill him, it wouldn’t have been unleashed.

 

After that incident, the crown prince used his power to escape from the palace.

 

“You must never approach that palace, okay?”

 

I smiled brightly and nodded at the Head Maid’s words.

 

‘It’ll be fine if I just don’t get caught, right?’

 

“Oh my.”

 

At that moment, Senior Maid Wember strode toward us.

 

A displeased expression was drawn across her face.

 

“Her Majesty is still burying herself with documents.” 

 

Huh? What’s she talking about…?

 

Head Maid Hayden spoke to Senior Maid Wember with a worried look on her face.

 

“I’m happy that Her Majesty is full of motivation, but what if she overworks herself?” 

 

…ah, this may be partially my fault…

 

After reconciling with me, the Empress became motivated to work.

 

But this was too much. She seemed to be working on documents all the time now…

 

“I need to hurry and finish my work so I can play with Charlize!”

 

That seemed to be the only thing on the Empress’ mind lately.

 

Wow, my conscience stings!

 

“She didn’t rest again?”

 

“I told her to rest, but she’d just say, “I’m fine” and laugh!” 

 

Senior Maid Wember grumbled as she imitated the Empress’ way of speaking.

 

I hurriedly opened my mouth.

 

“Um…how about…”

 

Head Maid Hayden and Senior Maid Wember’s focus moved towards me.

 

I closed my eyes and continued to talk.

 

“Shall I go and suggest that she take a little rest?” 

 

“Yes, that would be good, since the Empress is weak against Charlize.” 

 

“That’s a good idea. Charlize, you’re so smart!”

 

Both of the maids praised me. 

 

Although it wasn’t a big deal, but to hear compliments like this…it was quite embarrassing.

 

But it didn’t feel bad.

 

I nodded shyly with my cheeks blushing.

 

‘While I’m at it, let’s ask her what she thinks of the crown prince.’

 

I summoned my determination and courage as I watched the two maids bustle around to arrange the Empress’ snacks.

 

* * *

 

After a while…

 

I was walking along the hallway while pushing a trolley that held a teapot, some teacups, and some cookies.

 

Since I wasn’t strong enough to carry the items on a tray, the maids were considerate enough to prepare a trolley for me.

 

The only problem was my height. I was so short that it was difficult for me to hold onto the trolley handle.

 

I wish I could grow taller. 

 

I knocked on the door of the Empress’ office. 

 

Knock, Knock—

 

“Who is it?” 

 

“It’s Charlize.” 

 

As soon as I said it was me, a sudden loud noise came from behind the door.

 

What, what is it? Why is it so loud all of a sudden? 

 

It’s as if the Empress was running around her study room.

 

I blinked my eyes.

 

The door opened, and the Empress greeted me with a bright smile.

 

“Uwah, Your Majesty?” 

 

I was surprised. 

 

The Empress was opening the door for a maid herself?!

 

“Lize! What brings you here?” 

 

“The other maids are worried about the Empress.” 

 

When I said that, the Empress’ face turned sour.

 

Wait, where did her bright smile just go? 

 

“So the maids sent you? You didn’t come in person because you wanted to see me?”

 

“No, that’s not true…”

 

“But I can’t rest, I still have some papers to look at.” 

 

The Empress answered in sorrow. 

 

Ugh.

 

I swallowed in a sigh. 

 

I really didn’t want to use this lethal move.

 

“Sister Rose.”

 

The Empress’ shoulders stiffened.

 

I looked up at the Empress with an adorable expression.

 

“Charlize wants to have tea time.”

 

“…”

 

“Does Sister want to have some tea with Lize…?” 

 

After I said that, the Empress embraced me in a hug.

 

“Charlize!” she shouted while hugging me.

 

“Em-Empress, I can’t breath!” 

 

“Are you trying to suffocate me  with your cuteness?” she said as she stroked my head over and over again.

 

Oh no, my hair’s all over the place! 

 

“You should have a cup of tea first.” 

 

…anyway, the ‘Getting the Empress to Rest Operation seems to be a success,’ I thought as I inwardly sighed, feeling relieved and worn out at the same time.

 

* * *

 

The Empress pushed the trolley into the office.

 

Shouldn’t I be the one to push the trolley? After all, I was still her maid.

 

I tried to take control over the trolley, but the Empress just waved her hand and patted on the sofa. 

 

“There’s no need to help me Charlize, just go sit down.” 

 

“Alright.” 

 

I sat on the sofa with a blank face.

 

The Empress laid out a plate of cookies and teapots on the tea table gracefully.

 

Wow, her elegance really showed through her actions.

 

The Empress gave me a cup of tea before sitting across from my seat. 

 

Then she pushed the milk and sugar cubes in front of me. 

 

It was so natural. 

 

“Charlize likes to put sugar and milk in tea, right?” 

 

“…you remember that I love milk tea?”

 

“Of course. After all, it’s not just anyone we’re talking about. It’s Charlize.” 

 

It’s obvious, isn’t it? 

 

I felt a lump form in my chest.

 

The Empress smiled sweetly. 

 

“Hurry up and eat.” 

 

“But the Empress should be the one to eat first…”

 

“Well, I like to see Charlize eating.” 

 

The Empress’ smile grew bigger and sweeter.

 

I poured milk in my tea first, and dropped in six sugar cubes.

 

When I took a sip of the tea, the sweet taste of the milk tea sent a thrill throughout my body, from head to toe.