The Evil Empress Adores Me - Chapter 41

Above all else, the empress entrusted me with all the matters related to the Crown Prince’s palace, right?

 

I’m going to have to make a cool Crown Prince’s palace that goes well with summer!

 

I quickly walked out of the Empress Palace.

 

Making my way to the Crown Palace, I widened my eyes in surprise.

 

“Oh, that cat!”

 

There was a large yellow cat perched on the wall that surrounded the Crown Palace.

 

It was a familiar cat.

 

Watching it groan in a sleepy stupor as the sunlight covered its whole body was oddly satisfying.

 

“Meow, long time no see.”

 

To my delight, I gave the cat a small greeting.

 

Actually, I’ve seen this cat since I was little.

 

The story went something like this.

 

One day, a mother cat and her litter relaxed near the palace for some time before leaving… …

 

‘The problem is, when they went away, they left the weakest kitten behind.’

 

From the mother cat’s point of view, it must have been difficult to protect all her kittens.

 

Anyway, the weak kitten was left alone like that and one by one, people who came and went to the palace started feeding the cat.

 

In the end, the kitten settled down near the palace.

 

“Me-eow.”

 

The cat opened its eyes, gazing down at me from atop the wall before yawning loudly.

 

I smiled happily without realizing it.

 

“Aww, it’s so cute…”

 

The cat jumped off the wall, landing on all fours, and soon began brushing its body adorably against my leg.

 

I hurriedly rummaged through my pockets.

 

Is there anything I can give you? Something like snacks!

 

“…… Oh, I’m sorry.”

 

After a while, I looked into the cat’s eyes and apologized.

 

Sadly, in my pocket, there was only dust and a few chocolate wrappers leftover from the day before.

 

Then the cat meowed! With great finesse, it climbed up the wall, pouncing with ease.

 

I stared at the cat with astonished eyes.

 

Amazing, really!

 

“That cat. Did I mention that it’s a cat raised by the crown palace?”

 

At that moment, the maid who spoke previously and was walking towards the palace, pointed her finger at the cat.

 

I pricked up my ears.

 

“It’s not exactly raising them, but they come and go as they please and occasionally get snacks along the way.”

 

Another maid who was walking with the first maid, shrugged lightly.

 

The maid who first brought it up, openly expressed her disappointment at the yellow cat.

 

“You were so cute when you were younger, now that you’ve gotten bigger, you’re just not that cute anymore.”

 

“I wish I could be a baby forever……”

 

The maids had their brief friendly exchange before entering the palace.

 

Hmm, what if?

 

I tilted my head at the cat.

 

It still looks cute enough to me.

 

Getting up, I proceeded to wave goodbye to the cat.

 

“I’ll bring you snacks next time.”

 

“….”

 

 Just like that I said my farewells and started walking towards my destination, however.

 

When I glanced back, the cat that previously made eye contact with me, was now stretching its body while yawning.

 

‘Even an adult cat can be cute, I guess.’

 

Nodding my head a couple of times, I walked faster.

 

In order to visit both the palace and the laundromat within the morning, I had to work diligently.

 

After stopping by the palace and asking for new curtains and blankets, I hummed to myself as I headed to the laundromat.

 

But unfortunately, my pleasant feeling didn’t last very long.

 

“Don’t you think there’s too much laundry coming in from the Crown Prince’s palace?”

 

Huh?

 

At the sound of a voice that was painfully reminiscent, I reflexively paused on the spot, listening to every word.

 

Two or three maids were standing together and talking loudly.

 

“I mean, it’s hard work, but why this much?” said one maid.

 

“… … No, isn’t that a little bit?” Charlize said to herself.

 

I squinted my eyes without realizing it, just analyzing the conversation before me.

 

Why are they gossiping about the Crown Prince’s palace like that when there’s work to do?

 

“On the contrary, I haven’t spent any work at the Crown Prince’s Palace so far, so it’s been comfortable, hasn’t it?” thought Charlize.

 

Of course, I understand that the work itself is difficult, but that’s a bit… ….

 

“If you haven’t heard yet, the new maid working at the Crown palace came from the Education Center!” exclaimed the other maid.

 

“So you’re saying because of that maid, our workload has increased tremendously?”

 

“Huh, they… … are they talking about me?” muttered Charlize, softly to herself.

 

Charlize shrugged her shoulders, refusing to let their statements get to her.

 

But right then.

 

“Oh, you mean Charlize, that girl?” said an anonymous voice.

 

A voice with momentum intervened as if it had caught up with the number of cases.

 

No, who could that be?

 

I opened my eyes wide.

 

It’s Becky!

 

Both maids turned to face Becky.

 

“Oh, the maid’s name is Charlize?” asked the maid.

 

“Increasing our work for no reason…… It’s really annoying!”

 

“It’s still hard work though.” retorted Charlize under her breath.

 

The maids then proceeded to add to each other’s word, one complaint after the other.

 

While enjoying the full attention she received, Becky crookedly crossed her arms.

 

“She was always like that. Always annoying people to no end.”

 

“What are you talking about?” said Charlize internally.

 

“I still haven’t been promoted to an official maid because of her. The promotion was just around the corner!”

 

Becky pounded her chest in frustration and unhappiness, something that had built up within her since that day. Her eyes expressed both bitterness and resentment.

 

I was speechless.

 

“I tried my best not to get fired from the imperial palace, yet this is how I end up?” voiced Becky in an indignant tone.

 

“And how many apprentice maids had to move from the education center to the laundromat?” asked Becky rhetorically.

 

It may have seemed absurd but there was a hint of sadness in her tone as Becky spoke to the maids.

 

“It’s all because of Charlize!” yelled Becky.

 

“Oh my gosh, I can’t… …”

 

“Just who does that maid think she is? Wrapping us around her finger like playthings…”

 

“How many people suffered because of that maid, seriously?”

 

The maids looked at Becky with a truly sad expression on their faces.

 

Becky however looked back at the maids, with anger in her eyes.

 

“It’s been like that ever since! Everywhere I go, I’m told she was a young child, that I deserved this cruel fate, it was either gold or jade. Nonsense! What about me? Don’t I deserve at the very least some human decency, fair treatment, or recognition?”

 

“Did you treat her nicely?” asked one maid.

 

“Of course! But it was no use being nice to her. She thought she was superior and became prideful, raising her little nose at me.”

 

Becky said sternly, twisting her hair as if she had become the heroine of misery.

 

“Even the maids in the Empress’s Palace were transferred to the laundromat because of her!”

 

“That’s right!” yelled the maids in agreement. Anger and resentment boiled in the atmosphere, mixing together in a wicked concoction.

 

“I think I heard that too!” shouted the other maid.

 

The maids agreed with Becky’s words.

 

I hid in the corner of the laundromat and ever so discreetly, took a peek every now and then at the maids.

 

So, this is how it feels to be made public enemy number one.

 

“I can’t go outside just yet, can I?” thought Charlize, remaining as silent as possible.

 

“Well, to be honest, it’s true that the Empress does care for her now, but… …”

 

Becky shrugged her shoulders, indifferent to the concern of the Empress, instead of fearing the Empress, she felt nothing but rage washing over her.

 

An old desire swelled up within her, instilling her with a renewed purpose to make things even with Charlize.

 

“How long do you think she’ll love her?” said Becky in a spiteful tone.

 

“… … What?”

 

My mouth ran dry from all the saliva I swallowed in fear.

 

What are you going on about now?”said Charlize under her breath.

 

“I may have been humiliated, trampled upon by that little troublemaker of a child. But she’ll grow up, little by little and when she does-“

 

Becky’s eyes gleamed with malice.

 

“How long until the empress tires of her, disposing of her altogether?”

 

Becky said so in a disturbingly calm voice as if she spoke an undeniable fact, confident that time itself would play into her favor. All she needed to do was wait patiently till that day.

 

I just froze on the spot.

 

“Could it really be true…… the fact that I’m young, is that why the Empress is nice to me?”

 

I hated myself for thinking this way, even though the Empress assured me that she would never cast me away, I still continued thinking pessimistic thoughts.

 

Since I’m young, I’m still at an age where I can be immature.

 

Because people are usually tolerant of young children.

 

If that’s the case… ….

 

‘… … If I’m no longer a child, will the Empress not love me anymore?’

For a moment, my breathing stopped and my heart sank, crushed at the thought of the Empress abandoning me.

 

“If you think about it, she’s a clever one.” said Becky.

 

“I’m smart?” whispered Charlize.

 

“Think about it, anyone not close to her got kicked out, remember? She had us discarded like we were nothing, taking what should have been rightfully ours, our privilege.”

 

Becky had more to say but reminiscing made her more bitter, so she stood in silence for a moment.

 

Calming down, she spoke softly to the maids in hushed tones, wanting to lighten the mood, the pain she felt was ever-present, still fresh within her mind as if played on loop. Nevertheless, she cracked a joke.

 

“In the end, she took advantage of the Empress’s favor, did she not?”

 

“What exactly am I listening to?” said Charlize.

 

“Right. Being really young and already manipulating others … …”

 

Loud laughter erupted from the maids.

 

When I heard the laughter, I instinctively raised my shoulders to protect myself as if I had been beaten with a whip.

 

It’s not like that.

 

But how can I explain anything to them in this situation?

 

No matter how much I could say, they wouldn’t even listen to me.

 

I was discouraged.

 

But then.

 

“And you’re right, since when has the Crown Prince been recognized as the Crown Prince?”

 

… … What?!

 

In an instant, my eyes flared at the knowledge that Damian was being talked badly about.

 

I raised my head up defiantly, my mind racing on what to do, thinking of every conceivable action.

 

“That’s right. There’s a lot of rumors that he’s going to be an abandoned prince.”

 

“Right! But I think he’s already exempted from inheriting the crown and only holds the title by name!”

 

“They’re serving at the crown prince’s palace but it’s still not enough. Isn’t this too far, how can you all be so full of yourselves?” said Charlize in her thoughts.

 

“Why does this brat have to bother us so much, doesn’t he know we’re the only maids that serve him? He should be on his knees, thankful to have us!”

 

“We should give the brat a piece of our mind! Teach him a lesson to put him in his place!”

 

“What did you say about Damian! No, you’ll tell only me!” yelled Charlize internally.

 

Why is Damian the butt of your jokes and gossiping?!

 

However, the insults and complaints from the maids continued endlessly.

 

I couldn’t stand it anymore and took a step forward.

 

“Hey.”

 

As soon as I called the maids, the maids became silent as if I had poured cold water on them.

 

I narrowed my eyes and addressed the maids.

 

“Are you done talking?”

 

“Who is she?” said one maid.

 

“You little rat! How dare you intervene when the adults are talking.”

 

The maids chimed in, clicking their tongues, detesting Charlize.

 

But right then.

 

Becky pointed at me with a grimace.

 

“You, Charlize!”

 

“Oh, she’s ‘that’ Charlize?”

 

Naturally, the gaze of the other maids also became unpleasant.

 

The maids surrounded me, pouring out rude words in an unrestrained manner.

 

“Oh my God, look at her with her eyes wide open! Scared, Charlize? Too afraid to say something?” exclaimed one maid.

 

“There’s nothing wrong with what Becky said, right?” uttered the other maid.

 

“Someone as small as you, clever? Ha!”

 

When I saw how the maids looked at me, I barely swallowed a sigh that was about to come out.

 

I don’t know where to start pointing out their actions.

 

“In the first place, it’s wrong to speak informally to an official maid of the empress, but…….”

 

“What kind of rude remark were you going to say to His Majesty, the Crown Prince?”

 

This was what I wanted to ask the most.