The Evil Empress Adores Me - Side Story 16

Interlude

 

 

 

Time flowed swiftly.

 

Charlize, who was reviewing documents in the Empress’s office, suddenly lifted her gaze.

 

‘Unbeknownst to me, it has already been a year since I became the Empress.’

 

It was late spring, and the season had ripened like ripe fruit. 

 

Outside the window, a vibrant red rose blossomed in the garden.

 

It was a splendid rose, reminiscent of Eloise.

 

She felt a faint smile form on her lips, as if even the air carried a sweet fragrance.

 

“Truly, I wonder how the former Empress managed such an immense workload.”

 

She shook her head inwardly.

 

Internally, she shook her head in awe.

 

Charlize, too, had grown accustomed to her role as the Empress.

 

However, adaptation did not imply that the work was not challenging.

 

Unlike Damian, who remained dutiful to the empire’s affairs as an emperor, the former Empress showed no interest whatsoever in governance.

 

How heavy the burden must have rested on her delicate shoulders during her tenure.

 

Charlize couldn’t even begin to fathom it.

 

“…Where might the former Empress be at this moment?”

 

Gazing at the trembling red rose, she suddenly felt a deep yearning.

 

Currently, the former Empress is traveling throughout the country.

 

It had already been six months since she left the capital.

 

She expressed her desire to see and experience every corner of the empire with her own eyes.

 

Through that time, she hoped to discover what she truly wanted to pursue.

 

‘I have served the empire as the Empress so devotedly. Now, may I live a little for myself?’

 

The former Empress’s hesitating voice resounded in her ears.

 

Mulling over her words, Charlize smirked.

 

“Oh my, is there something delightful happening?”

 

A mischievous voice shattered Charlize’s contemplation.

 

“Ah, Lady Mayna.”

 

Lady Mayna shrugged her shoulders.

 

“You were smiling contentedly as you looked out the window.”

 

“Oh… Did I smile so visibly? My apologies.”

 

Charlize, while gently touching her lips, let out a fleeting chuckle.

 

“When I see roses, it reminds me of someone dear.”

 

“Someone dear?”

 

“Yes. Someone as beautiful and wise as a rose.”

 

Charlize nodded and extended her hand towards Lady Mayna.

 

“But, more importantly, where is the compiled version of the admission applications I requested?”

 

“Oh, here it is.”

 

Lady Mayna handed over a well-organized file.

 

As Charlize flipped through the documents, her eyes widened unexpectedly.

 

“Surprisingly, there are quite a few prospective students.”

 

“That’s because these young women strongly desire a formal education.”

 

Lady Mayna smiled with a hint of mischief.

 

It had been over a year since she joined the court to assist the new Empress.

 

The project Charlize intended to undertake was about “women’s education.”

 

The empire, in truth, was quite conservative.

 

For women, only acquiring refined manners from governesses was permitted, while pursuing specialized education was discreetly frowned upon.

 

Lady Mayna herself was a prime example.

 

Women were not even allowed to enter medical school.

 

Confronted with an unattainable reality, Mayna, despite possessing exceptional talent, could not become a doctor.

 

Thus, Charlize remembering her encounter with Mayna, called her forth.

 

“Long time no see, Mayna.”

 

Even though she had become the mother of the empire, Charlize still maintained her modest demeanor.

 

“I have decided to establish a school where women can attend.”

 

“…Your Majesty.”

 

“However, I alone can do very little. So… will you help me?” Charlize asked, gazing at Mayna with unwavering eyes.

 

“I shall accept the task.” Mayna could not refuse her request.

 

Why? Because… the world where women can receive formal education and pursue their ideals, the world Mayna had dreamed of for a long time, was being presented by Charlize.

 

Thus, the two women worked tirelessly day and night to establish the first women’s university in the empire.

 

“In truth, I wanted to revise the provisions to allow women to enroll in the Imperial University… but for now, we must be satisfied with this.” Charlize narrowed her eyes.

 

Finding builders and plots of land for the university, recruiting professors, and organizing the surroundings were relatively easy tasks.

 

The most challenging part was, without a doubt, the people’s prejudice.

 

The sheer struggle the female university candidates would have to endure to qualify for the national exams would be nigh immeasurable.

 

Nevertheless, in the long run, they intended to make it possible for female students to enter the Imperial University as well.

 

As Charlize organized her thoughts for the future, she involuntarily puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

 

“It may sound naive, but the empire has drawn up many boundaries, declaring what women cannot do.”

 

“But Your Majesty is here, isn’t she?” 

 

Huh? Charlize turned to Lady Mayna with a bewildered expression.

 

“If Your Majesty hadn’t taken a stand and supported, women might have never had a proper opportunity for education.” Lady Mayna spoke in a soft voice.

 

“I am truly glad to be by Your Majesty’s side,” she declared sincerely. 

 

No matter how hard she tried to climb the dark wall in front of her, regardless of how loudly she raised her voice, no one turned to look at her.

 

But at least Charlize had listened to her voice.

 

“You’re too kind.” On the other hand, Charlize couldn’t conceal her elegant expression.

 

“If Her Majesty hadn’t supported me, I wouldn’t have been able to step forward so boldly.”

 

Charlize’s actions naturally sparked opposition from those in power.

 

“Taking care of the household and raising children excellently within the estate is a woman’s duty.” 

 

That was their argument.

 

Damian was the one who protected Charlize from their fierce opposition.

 

“In the empire I govern, women and men shall rightfully stand as equals,” declared the emperor, who commanded the trust of the imperial subjects, leaving no room for opposition. 

 

Despite this, a few noblemen conspired to obstruct the rise of the new empress…

 

“I believe that the words of Her Majesty the Empress are correct,” proclaimed the leader of the noble council, Duke Rochester, expressing his support for the empress’s intentions. 

 

In that situation, no one could impede the empress’s progress.

 

“Wait a moment.” 

 

Charlize, who was meticulously reviewing the admission applications once again, widened her eyes in surprise. 

 

“Even the ladies of the noble families have submitted admission requests?”

 

“I, too, was quite astonished upon seeing that,” replied Lady Mayna. 

 

Although the number was insignificant, the fact that conservative young ladies of the noble families were inclined towards admission showcased remarkable development.

 

However, just then, there was a gentle knock.

 

“Who could it be? No one should be visiting me at this hour,” Charlize mentioned, perplexed. 

 

“Please come in.”

 

Simultaneously, an unexpected person stepped into the study.

 

“Damian?”

 

That person was none other than her husband, who should have been preoccupied with official duties at this time. 

 

Lady Mayna, taken aback, respectfully greeted him with a bow of her knee.

 

“Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty.”

 

“Rise.”

 

Damian’s face as he spoke appeared rather solemn, a countenance befitting an emperor who governed an entire empire. However…

 

Charlize motioned for Lady Mayna to step back with a gesture of her hand.

 

“Lady Mayna, you may leave now.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty, the Empress.”

 

As soon as Lady Mayna vacated the premises, Damian’s expression immediately softened.

 

“Charlize!”

 

Approaching his wife in a few quick strides, Damian embraced her tightly. 

 

Charlize became truly curious.

 

‘No, how did he maintain such a solemn expression?’ 

 

Observing him with a boyish and carefree smile, it almost felt like he was an entirely different person from the serious Damian just a moment ago.

 

After gently kissing Charlize on the forehead, Damian finally released her from his embrace.

 

“Is everything going well?”

 

“Well, I’m doing my best,” Charlize casually shrugged.

 

“Since it is the task bestowed upon me by the former Empress, I wish to give it my utmost effort.”

 

Currently, Charlize is simultaneously pursuing two endeavors. 

 

The first was the operation of a school where women could attend, and the second was the continuation of the library project initiated by the former empress. 

 

Fortunately, both projects were progressing stably.

 

“Yeah, you’ll do great.”

 

“Hmm, aren’t you placing too much faith in me?”

 

Damian responded with a cheerful demeanor to Charlize’s mischievous question.

 

“Naturally, for whom else am I favored?”

 

“Truly, you are something else.”

 

Charlize let out a wry laugh and changed the subject.

 

“But what brings you here? You should be attending the council meeting right now.”

 

“Ah, there is something I must personally convey to you.”

 

Damian handed a parcel and a letter into Charlize’s hands.

 

“It is a gift. One you will surely adore.”

 

“Something I will adore?”

 

Charlize examined the name written on the letter with a puzzled expression.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Eloise Rochester.

 

In an instant, Charlize’s eyes widened with astonishment.