The Evil Empress Adores Me - Chapter 47

“Is…is that so?”

 

“Okay.”

 

I couldn’t help but feel my face getting hotter and hotter, I swallowed my saliva dry.

 

Oh my, really. Oh, why now?

 

My face, it’s definitely burning red!

 

Then Damian asked me in a worried voice.

 

“Lize, are you feverish? Your face is really red……”

 

“Um, don’t worry about it!”

 

I shouted that aloud without realizing it. 

 

Damian grumbled with a dissatisfied face.

 

“No, why are you screaming?”

 

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

 

I became embarrassed.

 

Damian, with a somewhat sweaty face, got up quickly.

 

“Okay, I’m thirsty, so I’m going to get some water.”

 

Damian, who spoke as if reading a Korean book, disappeared into thin air.

 

Left alone, I looked down at the towels lying in front of me.

 

Damian’s poorly folded towels caught my eye.

 

“Pfft.”

 

By the end of it all, I burst into laughter. 

 

It wasn’t until the sun went down that I left the Crown Prince’s palace.

 

“Oh, my. I need to get back quickly.”

 

I glanced up at the red-tinted sky and made fun of my short strides.

 

Recently, as the time I spend at the Crown Prince’s palace has been getting longer, the number of times I’ve returned to see a sad expression on the Empress’ face has been increasing.

 

I wanted today to be different so I was going to go home early but…….

 

“It’s all because of Damian.” Who told him to leave towels open like that?’

 

I stayed much longer than I expected, re-folding those messy towels.

 

Still, it was worthwhile to move as quickly as possible, and soon enough the Empress’s Palace came into view in the distance.

 

If I make good time, I don’t think I’ll miss dinner time, at least that’s what I thought.

 

“Meow.”

 

A familiar cat popped out.

 

It was the yellow cat that was sitting outside the palace.

 

The cat pretended to be close to me by rubbing its body against my legs.

 

“Wow, what’s up with you?” He’s being really friendly right now.”

 

As I was stroking the cat’s head, I hurriedly rummaged through the pockets of my apron.

 

Just in case there’s a day like this, I prepared snacks in advance!

 

When I placed the shredded jerky in front of the cat, the cat started eating the jerky with a sheepish sound.

 

Ummm, to think I ended up being a snack shuttle like this…….

 

“Meow.”

 

I called out to the yellow cat.

 

The cat however was too busy having its nose stuffed in jerky, it didn’t pay any attention to me.

 

Still, there was something I really wanted to say to this cat.

 

“You know, you’re just a cute and adorable kitty.”

 

“Oh-”

 

The cat lifted its head twinkly as if it had understood what I was saying.

 

As I looked into the cat’s lime-colored eyes, I smiled.

 

“You can’t be discouraged just because you’re an adult cat. Got it?”

 

After saying that, I got up.

 

My steps to the empress palace were very light.

 

But I eventually reached the empress’s palace just in the nick of time for dinner. 

 

 

 

It was a new day. Today, however, was somewhat uneventful due to a difficult situation. 

 

As to how I got into this difficult situation, I have to go back an hour ago.

 

Today was the only day among all the people in the Empress’s Palace that I was the only one to keep working.

 

The empress who is passionately devoted to everything, suddenly decided to visit other palaces.

 

‘I wonder how the maids of other palaces work!’ said the empress.

 

Because she wanted that, maid Hayden took the empress outside to see the other palaces.

 

Chief maid Weber was also away from work for a while.

 

Left alone like that, I finished my work early and climbed up on a bench in the garden.

 

“Yawwn.”

 

With a brief yawn, I blinked my sleepy eyes.

 

It’s really a good day to take a nap.

 

The sky is blue like colored glass, the summer heat is tolerable, and cool breezes every now and then.

 

Normally, I would have found a job other than sitting down, but I didn’t want to do that today.

 

That’s right, the weather is so nice.

 

‘I can take a break on a day like today.’

 

I relaxed and enjoyed the warm sunlight pouring over me.

 

After the ‘obsession to be young’ was gone, my mind was much more at ease than before.

 

…….Is it because of that I’m so relaxed?

 

Unfortunately, I didn’t notice a dark shadow over my head until it was too late.

 

“Hey.”

 

“Gasp!”

 

Startled, my body sprung into action.

 

Sure enough, the man standing in front of me was enough to shock me!

 

“The, the Duke of Rochester?”

 

Why is the Duke here?!

 

“What is it, kid? It’s not like I’m in a place where I’m not allowed. Why are you acting so shocked?”

 

In response to the sour answer, I froze solid.

 

No, hold it right there!

 

Can’t he please be considerate to this helpless and poor maid by contacting me in advance when he visits?

 

If someone like the Duke of Rochester suddenly comes to visit, my heart will fail!

 

“By the way, I came to see her Majesty, the Empress. Where is she?”

 

“Oh, she’s not here right now. She said she was going to meet the maids of other palaces.”

 

Then the Duke looked down at me with a subtle face.

 

“You mean Her Majesty will visit them in person? Can’t we call the maids to the empress?”

 

“Oh, she said she wanted to check personally how things are going at least once….”

 

“Really? That’s just like her.”

 

Even if he hid his emotions, the Duke, who was a fool for his younger sister, could not hide his delighted smile.

 

I posed a question to the Duke as I quickly concocted an idea.

 

“Um, would you mind waiting in the parlor? Or should I tell the empress that the Duke stopped by?”

 

Giving him two options, I prayed and prayed in my heart that the Duke would choose the latter.

 

Of course, the Duke’s choice had already been decided though.

 

“I’ll wait in the parlor,” replied the Duke.

 

“……Okay, I’ll accompany you.”

 

Sigh.

 

To hide any sagging of my shoulders, I raised my shoulders and gave them strength.

 

At that time, I was walking ahead of the Duke at a brisk pace.

 

“Something’s different.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

The Duke had suddenly called me.

 

As I glanced back, the Duke of Rochester was looking at me with a sharp gaze.

 

“You’re speaking properly now.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

Yes, I really am speaking properly now.

 

I finally graduated from being short-tongued.

 

I smiled happily with pride.

 

However, the Duke soon had a change in tone, his face became serious.

 

“Don’t be mistaken.”

 

“What?”

 

“Don’t think I’ll outright compliment you over and over again, otherwise how could I recognize your accomplishment as extraordinary, understand?”

 

… … No, who asked for that? I sure didn’t but I just nodded my head.

 

I guided the Duke to the parlor with a determined face.

 

‘Let’s not make a mistake this time.’

 

The last time the Duke visited the Empress’s Palace, I made a mistake while pulling the trolley.

 

This is my chance to make up for the impression of me that the Duke has devalued.

 

I dragged the trolley into the parlor, being cautious not to make any mistakes.

 

The Duke’s intrigued gaze followed me.

 

“I’m generous, so I won’t be disappointed if you make another mistake this time.”

 

“That’s not going to happen.”

 

I gritted my teeth and answered.

 

At that, the Duke chuckled.

 

……What’s so funny? Am I funny?

 

I was unaware that I had been staring at the Duke and as soon as the Duke noticed me staring at him, I was taken aback.

 

The Duke had wanted to question why Charlize had been looking at him for an uncomfortable amount of time but chose to let it go.

 

“Alright, carry on.” said the Duke.

 

“Fortunately, the Duke didn’t seem to care too much about me staring even though it’s considered rude behavior,” thought Charlize internally.

 

I set tea and refreshments on the table, being careful not to make any noise.

 

Placing the teaspoon and sugar bowl ever so gently, not the slightest of sound was made.

 

Okay, perfect!

 

Taking a step back, I looked at the table completely satisfied.

 

“Do you want a cup of black tea?” I asked the Duke.

 

“Sure.”

 

After I brewed the black tea, I poured the tea into the teacup, taking care not to splash the tea.

 

The Duke had been watching me the whole time, his face now expressed surprise. He definitely didn’t expect this.

 

“By some way, you’ve managed to show me that there’s a maid in you yet.”

 

Excuse me, I’m the maid who rolled for the longest time at the education center.

 

I did my best but somehow that’s his only comment?

 

If he was impressed by me then he should say it as he means it. 

 

I closed my eyes and breathed slowly to recollect my thoughts.

 

… … How can his every word be so annoying?

 

I opened my eyes.

 

The Duke lifted the teacup in a picturesque motion and took a sip from the teacup.

 

He did it in such an attractive way, even I, who had seen the beauty of the century such as Damian and the Empress, was a little star-struck.

 

‘Wow!’

 

At the same time, I stiffened my shoulders.

 

Our gazes were locked with one another, I couldn’t help but be captivated by his looks.