The Evil Empress Adores Me - Chapter 37

I ran like crazy to the Empress’s palace.

 

Seriously, how many times has Damian endured this kind of pain alone?

 

While running, that was the only thought that engulfed my mind.

 

In the novel, it was simply described as ‘to suffer’, so I didn’t think much of it.

 

I clenched my lips in frustration.

 

‘How could I let that happen!’

 

I felt like I was going bonkers because I disillusioned myself that Damian didn’t suffer anything severe.

 

No matter how important my own survival is, how can I not worry about Damian at all?

 

I even read the original, yet I was still oblivious!

 

I already knew that Damian was struggling because of the power of the divine beast!

 

The Empress’s palace could be seen in the distance, my thoughts were racing on how I would tell the Empress.

 

I was already breathing heavily but I still needed to put more strength into my legs.

 

I have to meet the Empress one on one!

 

“Oh my, Lize?”

 

The Empress, who was out in the garden just in time, looked back to welcome me with a delighted face.

 

Perhaps she was looking at the blooming summer roses because she already had a few red roses in hand.

 

The Empress asked a question.

 

“Didn’t you say you were going to the crown palace today? Why did you come back so early… …”

 

“Your majesty, the Empress!”

 

I staggered before coming to a halt in front of the Empress.

 

The Empress, although startled at first, lowered her head to meet my gaze.

 

“Oh my God, what’s going on? Why are you crying?”

 

At the same time, the Empress’s face hardened, preparing for the worst of what Charlize had to say.

 

Apparently, my flushed face was a mess with tears down my cheeks and a runny nose.

 

But I couldn’t afford to worry about that.

 

I desperately clung to the Empress.

 

“He’s in trouble, the Crown Prince is sick!”

 

“… … The Crown Prince?”

 

The Empress opened her eyes wide.

 

I nodded my head.

 

Word just flew out the mouth at rapid speed.

 

“The Crown Prince has a very high fever! He’s also not breathing properly, and, and… …”

 

“Lize, calm down.”

 

A soft hand gently caressed my back, that single touch made me feel at ease.

 

I struggled to hold my breath.

 

As I tried to force myself to stop crying, a strange sound came out.

 

The Empress hugged me tightly and continued to speak.

 

“I’m going to call for a physician right now and let him know, so you can stop crying, Charlize.”

 

“However… … would his majesty, the Emperor, allow it?”

 

Unable to dismiss my worries, I cried and looked at the Empress in desperation.

 

The very thought of the Emperor interfering was so distracting that I couldn’t put him off my mind.

 

The Emperor has done so much harm, poisoning food, sending assassins, would he even deny the empress herself from sending a doctor?

 

In that situation, there’s no way he’d allow you to send a doctor to Damian.

 

Unexpectedly, the Empress’s expression became strict as her eyes narrowed and her posture became imposing. This was the first time Charlize had seen the Empress like this.

 

“Lize, I am the one and only Empress of the Great Empire of Winsor.”

 

“… … Her majesty the empress.”

 

“As Empress, I have the authority to easily care for at least one sick crown prince at will.”

 

“… … Of course, that’s true.”

 

I nodded my head, slightly embarrassed that I doubted the Empress.

 

The Empress stroked my hair, each stroke was filled with love and attention.

 

“So don’t worry. Isn’t the Empress the mother of Winsor?”

 

Having said that, the Empress smiled softly with her eyes closed. It was evident how much she loved Charlize.

 

I felt my heart flutter.

 

I was well aware that asking for the Empress to help Damian would be a burden on her.

 

The reality is that the Empress has already graced us so much.

 

Yet… ….

 

‘And yet the Empress… … she’s still here protecting us.’

 

Being protected by an adult….. It felt unusual at first but the warmth, the feeling of security, where no one could harm you.

 

I was overcome by the Empress’s affection and felt like I was about to cry again, so I took a slow deep breath.

 

“I’m going to send a doctor right away, Charlize, calm down a bit.”

 

“Yes, but still.”

 

“If you continue to cry like that, wouldn’t it make the prince’s heart distraught when he has to see you so sad?”

 

The Empress’s words made sense, so I nodded again.

 

The Empress embraced me in her arms, stopping a maid who was passing by before giving the order for a doctor to be sent to the crown prince’s palace.

 

Hearing the order to ‘send a doctor to the crown prince’s palace,’ I buried my head in the Empress’s arms.

 

The Empress is by your side.

 

That fact alone gave me peace of mind.

 

At the empress’s behest, a doctor was immediately sent to the crown palace.

 

Since the Empress had issued the order, patients would receive food, and necessary items such as blankets were also included.

 

Just as Damian had asked, I hid the fact that he was suffering from a fever.

 

After a careful examination of Damian’s condition, the doctor diagnosed that the increasingly warmer weather must have placed greater strain on his body.

 

The doctor later added that Damian just needs to rest comfortably for the time being and he would get better soon.

 

“Thank you, thank you!” exclaimed Charlize, relieved at the doctor’s diagnosis.

 

As the doctor took his leave, I bowed my head over and over again, grateful that Damian would be well.

 

Of course, the medications prescribed by the doctor would not be the fundamental solution for Damian’s fever.

 

Still, after taking the antipyretic, Damian’s complexion was far better than before when he looked like a ghost.

 

I sat next to Damian and looked down at him.

 

“Better than before… I think his breathing is a lot easier now.”

 

I gently reached out to tidy up Damian’s unkempt hair.

 

Come to think of it, it was the first time I’ve seen Damian sleeping.

 

Rich, well-closed eyelashes cast a light shadow over his white face.

 

His slightly opened lips were as red as petals.

 

Looking at him so defenseless… ….

 

‘You’re still young.’

 

… … All of a sudden, I had that thought.

 

The beautiful features still left a youthful feeling.

 

I can’t believe such a young child endured a difficult life of confinement alone for five years.

 

For some bizarre reason, something was stirring in my heart, pounding with a certain urge, so I reached out and poked Damian’s soft cheek.

 

Funnily, Damian complained a little in his sleep.

 

It must have been the itchy sensation when my finger poked him that irked him.

 

He was adorable as he frowned while tossing and turning in his sleep.

 

“Don’t frown, Damian, it wrinkles your handsome face.”

 

I burst out laughing.

 

How could Damian, someone who usually spewed out cheeky words just to tease me, have such a lovely face like a cherub?

 

I pulled the blanket covering Damian up to his neck while pulling my chair closer to the bed.

 

My whole body is pooped.

 

As the tensions eased a bit, fatigued came rushing in like a tidal wave, washing over me as I slowly began to nod off.

“Yawn.”

 

I yawned involuntarily.

 

Oh no, I think I’m going to fall asleep at this rate.….

 

I tried not to doze off by pinching my thighs, but it was all in vain.

 

After keeping my eyes open for so long, I finally succumbed and fell flat, face-first onto the bed.

 

Huu, these sheets are so soft.

 

No wait, I still have to take care of Damian…

Sigh.

 

A long breath came out.

 

Damian slowly opened his eyes.

 

 I don’t feel lightheaded anymore, it seems that my fever has gone down a bit.

 

Then, something tickled the corner of his arm.

 

 “…….Lize?”

 

 What tickled Damian’s arm were strands of Charlize’s fine silver hair.

 

Damian, who inadvertently looked at Charlize, chuckled without realizing it.

 

That’s right, Charlize was lying on the bed, asleep without a care in the world.

 

She was even snoring a little.

 

“Ugh, my hair is a mess.”

 

Damian’s eyes sank deeply as he reminisced.

 

Normally, I would have combed my hair so that it wouldn’t be choppy, but my hair today, sure is tousled.

 

Gazing back at Charlize, it was probably all the rushing she did to reach the empress for a doctor that tired her out.

 

Damian was both awe-struck and saddened by what Charlize did for him, it was a bittersweet feeling that slowly darkened his face.

 

‘Because of me, Charlize seems to be suffering all the time.’

 

Damian gently stroked Charlize’s hair while apologizing to her under his breath for all the trouble she had to go through.

 

Then she blinked. 

 

Charlize opened her eyes, still drowsy and her vision blurry, to see someone running their fingers through her hair.

 

In an instant, despite her sleepiness, her eyes lit up at the fact it was Damian and he was awake.

 

Charlize raised her head abruptly, bringing her face closer to Damian’s albeit a little too close for comfort.

 

Out of nowhere, a scream rang out.

 

 “AHH, are you really awake now!?”

 

 “Um, yes.”

 

Damian nodded shyly.

 

Damian then looked into Charlize’s eyes before asking her carefully.

 

 “I’m sorry, did I worry you too much?”

 

“Of course, I think my heart could have fractured from all of my worries!”

 

“… …Well on the other hand, Lize, did you know you drooled in your sleep? There’s dry saliva right now on the corners of your mouth.”

 

Damian replied with a devious, cheeky smile.

 

Startled by what she heard, Charlize then immediately rubbed her lips with her sleeve.

 

“Huh, really!?”

 

“It was a lie.”

 

“Eek!”

 

Damian burst into laughter, content with himself.

 

Charlize, who stared at Damian despite wishing just to strangle him right then and there, sighed.

 

“Anyways, it’s my fault that I fell asleep… … I’m sorry.”

 

“……What?”

 

Damian stopped smiling, his cheerful demeanor ebbed away by Charlize’s unexpected reaction.

 

It was just meant to be a small joke, I didn’t even think that Charlize would take it so seriously.

 

Charlize shrugged her shoulders, disappointed in herself.

 

“I needed to stay alert and take care of you… … the fact that I feel asleep is unacceptable for me.”

 

“Lize, I’m not… …”

 

“Prince, I’m sure you’re disappointed with me. I have nothing to say.”

 

Her sullen voice resonated in Damian as the atmosphere in the room grew somber.

 

Charlize’s downcast eyes stung Damian to the core as he hurriedly opened his mouth to reverse the situation.

 

“No, Lize.”

 

“However… …”

 

“I know how much you suffered because of me but there’s nothing to be disappointed about.”

 

Then, Charlize glanced at Damian with her lilac-colored eyes.

 

She snapped back unevenly at Damian.

 

“…Does everything have to be a joke to you!?”

 

Oh, no.

 

Damian smiled awkwardly to lighten the situation but it was to no avail.

 

Charlize crossed her arms, turning her head to the side, exasperated by Damian’s antics.

 

“Hmph.”

 

She’s sulky, I guess I went too far considering she went through so much so that I could get better.

 

Cold sweats broke out, running down Damian’s back.

 

He called her again.

 

“Lize.”

 

“Charlize.”

 

Charlize remained taut at the first call but after hearing Damian sincerely call out to her the second time, she slowly turned to face him.

 

Damian spoke with a mournful voice