The Evil Empress Adores Me - Chapter 43

As if they had been stabbed, the maids had a completely disoriented look on their faces.

 

“I would like to remind you that the Crown Prince, his Majesty, is the nephew of the current Emperor Vincent whom you serve.”

 

I glanced at the maids with a cold gaze.

 

“Also, please take the utmost caution when referring to the Crown Prince who is under the protection of his Majesty, the Emperor.”

 

Only then did they fully realize who they were gossiping about and the maids shuddered and their shoulders stiffened.

 

I added to my words in a stern tone.

 

“His Majesty, the Emperor became regent on behalf of the Crown Prince.”

 

Each of the maids swallowed their saliva, now fearful of the consequences for their actions.

 

I straightened my back and looked straight into the eyes of the maids.

 

However, at that moment, I recalled what Damian had once explained to me.

 

“… … Only I, the Crown Prince, can approve of his Majesty’s legitimacy.”

 

This is why the Emperor, his uncle, constantly torments Damian, sending assassins over and over again, but never relenting. He wanted to keep Damian trapped in the palace, never to leave.

 

Because if Damian were to somehow disappear altogether.. …

 

The grounds on which the Emperor maintained his title would disappear.

 

I narrowed my eyes, my vision still focused on the maids.

 

I wedged myself in between the maids who tried to discreetly look at each other, by speaking to them so that they would focus on me only. 

 

“You’re talking down a prince. Aren’t you afraid of the wrath of the Emperor?”

 

Asking that, I pushed up the tip of my lips.

 

There was trembling in their eyes.

 

But right then.

 

Becky, who took one step forward as if representing the maids, fired at me sharply.

 

“Gee, are you threatening us now?!”

 

“Threaten you, is that even possible? No, I’m afraid I’m just telling you the truth.”

 

I tilted my head.

 

Becky, who couldn’t think of a way to refute Charlize, bit her lips in frustration.

 

“If my words are threatening to you……doesn’t that mean all of you are hiding guilt in your hearts?”

 

“The gall, calling us guilty!? Watch your mouth! Threaten us again with that mouth of yours and I’ll make you regret it!”

 

“Is that so? A threat, I didn’t even think of anything like that.”

 

No one answered my words.

 

While maintaining a cool expression on the outside, I breathed a sigh of relief on the inside.

 

Phew, I guess I learned something worthwhile from following around the maids and the chief maid.

 

As soon as you follow their example, you can easily change the mood!

 

“In addition, is her Majesty, the national mother of Winsor and the only royal servant of the emperor?”

 

“Who doesn’t know that?!” exclaimed Becky, becoming increasingly more agitated.

 

“Oh, I thought you didn’t know.”

 

I snapped my eyes wide open.

 

“That’s why it’s natural for her Majesty, the Empress to be taking care of his Majesty, the Crown Prince… …”

 

There’s no way you don’t know this, right?

 

Asking that, I pushed the tip of my lips upward even more.

 

“If you’re someone who doesn’t like the Empress’s grace, then why talk about her behind her back?”

 

“Argh, who are you to teach us?!”

 

“Well… There’s no reason not to and because-.”

 

At that moment, the sun, which had been obscured by clouds, raised its head.

 

The rose crystal brooch hanging from my chest reflecting the sun’s rays, scintillated brightly with white light.

 

Wow, good timing?

 

I finished my speech in a confident voice with my heart pounding.

 

 “I’m an official maid of the Empress Palace.”

 

At my answer, Becky’s eyes shook violently.

 

Well, I think I can guess what Becky is thinking right now.

 

‘How can I be pushed around by that little girl, the size of a mouse? It can’t be!’

 

 …. … Maybe I said too much?

 

Becky on the other hand, was ready to slap me on the wrist like before, entering her slapping stance.

 

At that moment, Becky raised one hand.

 

I reflexively closed my eyes.

 

Yet, I wondered why I didn’t raise my hands or try to cover them.

 

‘It might be better to get hit here.’ 

 

The Imperial Palace is a place that upholds rank and status, thus it is strictly punishable for a probationary maid to confront a formal maid, let alone treat her with such indignation and disrespect.

 

Although Becky’s hands had a knack for hitting and each hit stings terribly, I can only tolerate it if I can make a basis for raising the issue formally.

 

But I couldn’t feel the pain I was waiting for.

 

Instead, a sharp cry resounded.

 

“Ugh, let me go… … !”

 

Surprised, I opened my eyes widely.

 

At the same time, an icy voice struck my ears.

 

“Am I witnessing a rebellion against your superiors?”

 

The protagonist of that voice was a man with a beautiful face as if drawn with a brush.

 

However, contrary to his angelic appearance, which made him seem like he wouldn’t harm a fly, this beautiful man was holding Becky’s wrist quite forcefully, I might add.

 

“Let, let go of me……!” cried Becky.

 

At the crushing pain, Becky’s whole body writhed in agony as she tried to get away from the man.

 

“Oh, you want me to let you go?”

 

The man raised an eyebrow.

 

“If you want, I’ll do it.”

 

Then as if he had touched a filthy rag, he released Becky’s wrist.

 

Becky dropped to the floor like a disposed rag doll.

 

“Argh!”

 

The man looked down at Becky with a bone-chilling gaze.

 

“Watch that mouth of yours or you’ll be screaming even more.”

 

Becky looked up at the man with a weary expression on her face, drained of all her energy.

 

The man returned her gaze with an eerie smile.

 

“That mouth is your undoing.”

 

“I, I……” stammered Becky in fear.

 

“She’s indecent, doesn’t know manners, and she disregards the status of her superiors.”

 

Contrary to the cheery tone in his voice, the man’s eyes reflected the complete opposite.

 

“She was gossiping all over the place.”

 

“But… …”

 

“Not only about the Crown Prince but her Majesty, the Empress as well, recklessly badmouthing them… …” said the Duke as he cut her off from speaking.

 

Becky was now trembling like an aspen in the wind.

 

As I listened to the man’s slow dialogue, my teeth chattered as if I had swallowed a piece of ice.

 

Not to mention, the man’s red hair and vivid green eyes reminded me of someone I was familiar with.

 

That person is… ….

 

“You’re, Your Excellency, the Duke of Rochester!”

 

A woman who entered the laundromat, almost screamed when she saw the man.

 

She was the court lady who was in charge of the laundromat.

 

Wait, you’re the Duke of Rochester?!

 

Surprised as if I was going to pass out, I widened my eyes.

 

When I looked around, the other maids had the same expression as me.

 

No wonder I thought he resembled the Empress for some reason… …

 

‘You really must be the Duke of Rochester!’

 

Matthews Rochester.

 

The Duke of Rochester and the head of the noble family.

 

His splendid appearance proves that the young duke currently stands at the apex of the imperial nobles.

 

Also, the Duke… … He’s the older brother of our empress.

 

That means… ….

 

“Um…did our probationary maids do anything wrong?” asked the court lady.

 

… … It was at this moment, Becky and the other maids who teased the Empress were done for.

 

The maids looked my way with contemplation, silent remorse evident on their faces.

 

The Duke’s smile darkened a bit.

 

“This probationary maid and those maids made fun of his Highness, the Crown Prince and Her Majesty the Empress,” he answered.

 

Although it was a simple statement, the repercussions it spread were truly enormous.

 

But the Duke’s words were not over yet.

 

“Besides, this probationary maid was not only arguing with an official maid but also threatening her… …” said the Duke as the atmosphere shifted to one completely dominated by his presence. 

 

How amusing.

 

The tone in his voice conveyed how apathetic he was to how Becky or the maids felt.

 

The court lady was speechless, unsure of what to do, and so-called out to the Duke.

 

“Y- Your Excellency!”

 

“It seems that the court lady must re-educate her maids and probationary maids.”

 

However, the Duke only answered coldly.

 

The court lady’s complexion became as white as a sheet of paper in an instant.

 

At that moment, Becky crawled miserably on her knees and grabbed the Duke’s trousers in an attempt to dissuade him.

 

“I am so sorry! This time, this time, so… …” pleaded Becky.

 

“If you are really sorry, shouldn’t you humbly accept the punishment?”

 

Having said that, the Duke pulled his feet away with an elegant movement.

 

“Your Excellency, please… … !”

 

“I have no intention of letting this go.”

 

At those resolute words, Becky’s body slowly slumped to the floor.

 

Becky sat down with a bewildered look on her face, so utterly shocked to the point, she couldn’t process what had just happened.

 

“I’m going to ask both of you myself so that I can look forward to what kind of disposition will be made.”

 

The Duke of Rochester, who made his position clear, suddenly fixed his gaze on me.

 

Uh, me? Why me?

 

I felt like I was getting chills.

 

Excuse me, I didn’t do anything wrong.…?

 

At that time, the Duke asked me a question in an indifferent voice.

 

“You said you were the maid of the empress.”

 

“What? Yes, twat’s right. I’m Charlize.” 

 

Perhaps he didn’t like my incorrect pronunciation as his dark green eyes narrowed.

 

“Are you going to the Empress Palace?”

 

“Yes, I am!”

 

“Then go.”

 

Leaving only that remark, the Duke took the lead.

 

While following the Duke in a hurry, I glanced back unknowingly.

 

Becky and the maids were staring at us from behind with blank faces.

 

Something told me that I would probably never see their faces in the Imperial palace again.

 

Emotions surged as I jerked my head forward, only to be taken by surprise.

 

It was because the Duke had walked far ahead without me realizing it.

 

Why are you walking so fast?!

 

“Such short legs,” the Duke commented quickly.

 

Only after teasing me about my short legs, did I start running and kept pace with the Duke.

 

“Well, thank you. Thank you for helping me.…”

 

I gasped for breath, breathing heavily through my mouth.

 

Then, the Duke looked down at me with an emotionless gaze.

 

“What. Can’t I even say thank you?” thought Charlize, slightly unnerved and irritated.

 

Still focused on me, the Duke was slow to speak.