The Evil Empress Adores Me - Chapter 85

“Hey.”

 

“Your Highness, the crown prince!”

 

At the sound of someone calling him, Damian snapped out of his trance-like state. 

 

Sienna was looking at him with a wistful look. 

 

“What are you thinking about, your Highness?”

 

“Oh, Sienna.”

 

“You were making quite a scary expression and that doesn’t suit you, your Highness.”

 

“….Did I?”

 

Damian raised his hand and felt the tip of his lips. 

 

His lips were stiff, barren of any smiles. 

 

“You should laugh more. You’re the hero of Winsor after all.”

 

“Hah, the hero of Winsor.”

 

Damian stared at the sea of people, the people of the empire who had gathered to see him. He slowly shook his head. 

 

He was well aware of his duty as the crown prince to protect and safeguard the empire’s citizens. 

 

But apart from that responsibility, Damian would sometimes have certain thoughts. 

 

‘What if I don’t help them.’

 

Now that he had cleansed beasts, they exalted him, calling him a hero. 

 

…..would they be mercilessly discarded after the need for them disappears?

 

Just like the Emperor now who wanted him dead but barely placed his life on the line for fear it would damage his legitimacy. 

 

Sienna tilted her head. 

 

“I thought his Highness would be happy to return to the empire.”

 

“Somewhat. Well, is there anything good about coming to the empire?”

 

“His Majesty, the Emperor probably dislikes you and most definitely hates me,” added Damian.  

 

Sienna nodded her head and glanced sideways at the Emperor with disdain. 

 

“You were sent to die, but instead came back with great achievements…how stubborn are you?” 

 

“Still, you always wanted to come back to the empire,” Sienna said perceptively, giving a faint smile. 

 

“That’s…you’re right.”

 

Damian’s expression softened for the first time since arriving. 

 

He felt his hands out of habit. 

 

Not long after, a handkerchief appeared in his hand. 

 

It was a handkerchief with slightly tattered edges, embroidered with lilacs that more or less resembled a bunch of grapes at each corner. 

 

He gazed with longing at the handkerchief. 

 

As if holding onto something priceless, he gently swept his fingers over the embroidered lilacs. 

 

Sienna spoke with an inquisitive voice.

 

“That handkerchief, you’ve never let that out of your reach, not even for a moment.”

 

“Yeah, it’s very precious to me.”

 

Damian who answered firmly tucked the handkerchief back into his pocket. 

 

Charlize saved him as a child and made him feel warmth again. 

 

She was the only one who gave him back his happiness. 

 

He had promised her. 

 

To come back healthy and with a smile. 

 

And he wanted to raise her to a position of greater honor than a princess of Rochester. 

 

He had endured until now to keep his promise…

 

‘I’m finally in a position to fulfill that promise.’

 

Scarlet eyes shined with resolve. 

 

In the distance, stood the Emperor and Empress dowager. 

 

The Empress dowager was still in the process of wiping tears from her eyes. 

 

But there was only one person in Damian’s sight. 

 

‘Lize.’

 

Charlize looked at Damian with an anxious gaze. 

 

Feeling his heart pounding, Damian swallowed his breath. 

 

Eight years had passed. 

 

Still, she was instantly recognizable. 

 

Her elegant silver hair glimmered like moonlight and those lustrous lilac-colored eyes. 

 

The last time we parted, she was definitely a small tearful kid….

 

‘…..when did she grow up to be so dazzlingly beautiful?’

 

He felt choked up as his heart began pounding. 

 

Damian was convinced. 

 

He had never been so excited about anyone before. 

 

And….there will never be another. 

 

‘I want to hold Charlize in my arms right away.’

 

His heart was beating so wildly, that he wondered if he would collapse at any moment.

 

Damian jumped off his horse and smiled vibrantly at Charlize. 

 

He hoped that his ardent feelings would reach her even just a bit. 

 

But unexpectedly. 

 

Charlize paused, stiffening her shoulders, and quickly averted her gaze.

 

Damian’s face hardened. 

 

‘What? Just now, Lize…’

 

She seemed to avoid me. 

 

As soon as he thought that, his heart sank. 

 

And at the most inconvenient timing, the Emperor spoke. 

 

It was a shrill voice that couldn’t hide its displeasure. 

 

“I commend the crown prince for his outstanding accomplishments in cleansing the beasts of the North.”

 

“It’s all thanks to the Emperor’s trust and support.”

 

Damian who came to his senses bowed humbly before his Majesty.

 

AAAAHHH!

 

Applause, cheers, and more cheers came pouring in. 

 

The Emperor who witnessed such a warm welcome, felt his stomach twist. 

 

Glancing at Sienna, the Emperor was unable to recover for even a slight moment and furrowed his brow. 

 

“I would like to extend my gratitude to Antes, who has been at the forefront, heroically fighting the beasts for so long. 

 

“Thank you, it’s all due to the grace of his Majesty.”

 

Sienna, who dismounted from her horse, placed her fists to her chest and bowed her head in respect. 

 

A subtle expression crossed his Majesty’s face for a split second. 

 

The reason being, her greeting was one not of a lady’s but rather one of a vassal’s.

 

She had no reason to conduct such a greeting unless she was next in line for the title of Marquess. 

 

‘…..despite the appearance of a girl, she’s as arrogant as her father.’

 

The gall this child has, assuming she’ll inherit the title of Marquess. 

 

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

 

However, no matter what the Emperor may have desired, the succession of said title was a right that belongs entirely to the head of a family and the chosen heir. 

 

It was a matter that not even the Emperor could recklessly intervene in. 

 

Hence, the Emperor twitched his lips in discontent. 

 

Just then, the Empress stepped forward. 

 

“You’ve worked hard, Crown Prince.”

 

“Thank you, your Majesty.”

 

Damian bowed before the Empress. 

 

The Empress turned to Sienna, smiling radiantly. 

 

“Countess Antes has also done well.”

 

Contrary to the displeased voice of the Emperor, the Empress had a calm and gentle tone to her. 

 

And unlike Sienna’s stern attitude to the Emperor, she responded with a kind smile. 

 

“It’s a great honor to have Her Majesty, the Empress say so.”

 

“For now, both of you should rest up.”

 

“Yes, we will. We’ll set up a separate palace for the knights who came with us.”

 

The Empress dowager hurriedly interjected herself into the conversation. 

 

She was still wiping away her tears with a handkerchief, the wrinkled corners of her eyes drenched. 

 

Damian, the Empress, and Sienna as well couldn’t hide their saddened expressions. 

 

Only the Emperor had an aversed expression in this situation. 

 

‘Must mother make such a scene? She’s not right in the head.’

 

To the Emperor, it was an unpleasant sight to see his mother cry increasingly upon seeing her grandchild.  

 

‘No…what if he gains too many sympathy votes from the people?!’

 

The Emperor cut off the conversation with a cold voice. 

 

“You’d better get plenty of rest before the celebration starts.”

 

“Thank you for your concern.”

 

“I take everything into account.”

 

The Emperor who answered in a suppressed but spiteful voice, took his leave as if he had done his part. 

 

But shouts of joy from the public continued to resonate. 

 

“Long live Winsor!”

 

“Long live his Highness, the Crown Prince!”

 

“They love you so much, will you keep pretending you don’t hear them?”

 

Sienna couldn’t help but nudge Damian to step forward. 

 

Damian albeit reluctantly, gently waved his hands to the crowds of people. 

 

In response, a loud cheer erupted. 

 

“YEAAAA!”

 

The reaction invoked discomfort in him, but he couldn’t turn his back after sticking out his hand. 

 

Damian smiled embarrassed. 

 

The Empress dowager encouraged her grandson with slight laughter. 

 

“Say something to the people.”

 

“….um, but.”

 

“They’re the ones who came all this way to see one person. You.”

 

The Empress dowager’s warm gaze was focused solely on Damian. 

 

“Wouldn’t it be better to take this opportunity to address the people of the empire?”

 

Just after that, the Empress dowager spoke in a hushed voice. 

 

“Because you’re the next Emperor.”

 

Damian’s shoulders stiffened upon hearing those words.  

 

Scarlet eyes sharpened. 

 

There was truth in that. 

 

He wanted to be emperor. 

 

Only by rising to the top could he protect Charlize and all those close to him. 

 

He would inevitably have to fight the Emperor down the line to do so.

 

Furthermore, in the present situation, the greatest weapon he had at his disposal that the Emperor didn’t have was…

 

‘The love and support of the people.’

 

Damian clenched his fists and took a step forward. 

 

All eyes were on Damian. 

 

“Everyone be quiet!”

 

“The Crown Prince is here!”

 

The sea of people became silent in an instant. 

 

Damian gazed at the multitude of people gathered before him. 

 

The people’s faces were full of anticipation and trust for their hero.  

 

…..it all felt unusual. 

 

Damian then corrected his posture and spoke in a composed manner. 

 

“Without the support of the empire’s citizens, these accomplishments would not have been possible.”

 

Damian didn’t raise his voice or express his emotions passionately. 

 

Nevertheless, Damian had the ability to overwhelm everyone with his voice.  

 

“Therefore, all my victories belong to the people of the empire.”

 

Damian lowered his head having said that. 

 

“Thank you.”

 

“AHHHH!”

 

“Hooray, his Highness, the Crown Prince!”

 

“Hooray!”

 

A sincere ‘thank you,’ with no rhetoric attached was met with constant resounding cheers. 

 

Despite the Empress dowager gazing at Damian with pride. 

 

All of Damian’s attention was directed toward Charlize. 

 

‘Lize.’

 

He turned to look at Charlize again. 

 

However, Charlize bowed her head, pretending to be occupied with serving the Empress and thus avoiding Damian’s gaze once more. 

 

Damian was befuddled.