The Evil Empress Adores Me - Side Story 17

“Oh my God, is that a letter from Her Majesty, the Empress?”

 

“Sigh. I knew you’d react like this.”

 

Damian narrowed his eyes and glanced at Charlize.

 

“You are more pleased by a letter from the Empress than by me, aren’t you?”

 

“It’s only natural I’d be after this long!”

 

“What, natural?”

 

Damian frowned.

 

But whether she did or didn’t, Charlize was occupied tearing the letter open.

 

As she unfolded the letter, the distinctive, elegant calligraphy of the Empress caught her eye.

 

‘To my dear Charlize.’

 

A tender smile spread across Charlize’s lips when she read those words.

 

‘My Charlize, are you in good health?’

 

‘Are you eating well and getting enough sleep? I’m not so certain.’

 

‘I am writing this letter from the city of Leman in the western part of the empire.’

 

‘After traveling around various parts of the empire, I’ve finally stopped for a long-awaited leisurely rest.’

 

‘As of late, I’ve taken pleasure in strolling.’

 

‘Every corner of the city is beautiful, and just wandering around brings me considerable joy.

 

‘It would be truly wonderful if you could come with me later.’

 

Just by reading the letter, it felt like a tender voice was whispering in Charlize’s ear.

 

Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.

 

‘After this city, I am considering returning to the capital.’

 

‘I have traveled here and there, and now there seems to be a reason to go back.’

 

A reason to return to the capital?

 

What on earth could that reason be?

 

Charlize tilted her head in confusion and continued reading the letter.

 

‘I hope you liked the accompanying gift.’

 

‘I prepared it myself, and I’d be glad if you liked it.’

 

‘With love, Eloise.’

 

With the signature, the letter came to an end.

 

Charlize sighed with a sense of longing as she tore open the parcel.

 

At the same time, a gentle smile adorned her face.

 

“Wow…”

 

Inside the well-packaged parcel, there was a glass bottle filled with beautifully dried rose petals.

 

As Charlize examined the glass bottle, she discovered a small note tucked beneath it.

 

‘The first blooming rose of the year in Leman.’

 

‘While picking and drying the petals, I kept thinking of you.’

 

‘I carefully selected the most beautiful ones to put inside. I wonder how they will look in your eyes.’

 

‘It would bring me great joy if you occasionally gazed upon these petals and thought of me.’

 

…How does the Empress sound so beautiful in her words?

 

Damian looked at his wife with a pouted look.

 

“Do you like it that much?”

 

“Yes, I do.”

 

Charlize replied with all the sincerity she could muster.

 

“If the Empress had been a man, or if I had been a man…”

 

The lilac-colored eyes grew hazy.

 

“Perhaps I, too, would have fallen for Her Majesty, the Empress?”

 

“What, what did you say?!”

 

Damian exclaimed in disbelief. 

 

“No, please no!”

 

“Well, since me and the Empress are of the same gender, it’s a pity,” shrugged Charlize.

 

She turned the lid of the rose bottle with a sense of resignation.

 

Pop!

 

The lid came off, emitting a cheerful sound.

 

As the sweet fragrance wafted out, Charlize’s expression turned blissful.

 

Damian gazed at Charlize, still in disbelief.

 

In his heart, he wanted to remove that rose bottle immediately, but since Charlize was happy…

 

‘Yes, it’s better for the person who loves her more to relent,’ Damian thought.

 

Just as he managed to control his emotions by reminding himself of his usual standpoint…

 

“Damian, why don’t you smell it too?”

 

Charlize smiled innocently and handed Damian the glass bottle.

 

“It’s so fragrant, it seems Her Majesty, the Empress, paid great attention to it.”

 

“……Damian?”

 

Caught off guard by Charlize’s teasing, Damian reluctantly opened his mouth, his expression grim.

 

“It…is.”

 

Hmm.

 

With a puzzled expression, Charlize couldn’t hide her embarrassment as she looked at her husband, who seemed to struggle with conflicting emotions.

 

Must Damian become absurdly childish every time he gets involved with the Empress?

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

A few days later.

 

Charlize received a gift larger than the rose petals personally dried by the Empress.

 

And that gift was none other than…

 

“Your Majesty, the Empress!”

 

It was the Empress herself, Eloise.

 

Charlize dashed toward the Empress, just like she did when she was five years old.

 

The Empress beamed, opening her arms wide.

 

“Charlize!”

 

“I’ve missed you so much!”

 

Charlize rushed into the Empress’s embrace.

 

“My Charlize still acts like a child, huh?”

 

The Empress playfully opened her mouth.

 

However, as the Empress’s hand gently brushed against Charlize’s back, her touch was far softer than her playful tone implied.

 

With her head nestled in the Empress’s arms, Charlize whimpered.

 

“With whom else can I behave like a child other than you, Your Majesty, the Empress?”

 

“Oh my, you saying that makes me so happy.”

 

During their long-awaited reunion, when the two were enjoying a rare moment of tranquility, Lisa Wember gracefully approached the Empress, bowing her head with utmost courtesy.

 

“Your Majesty, it’s been a while,” she said.

 

“Oh my, Chamberlain Wember!” The Empress drew near with a delighted face. 

 

“It truly has been a long time. I trust you’ve been well?”

 

“Of course, Your Majesty. It’s thanks to your care and attention,” Wember, the Lady-in-Waiting of the Empress’s Palace, replied with a beaming smile.

 

As the Empress left the palace, her trusted chamberlain, Haiden, followed her. 

 

Thus, Lisa inherited the position of lady-in-waiting in the Empress’s palace and became Charlize’s attendant.

 

“The atmosphere between you and my brother has been more than pleasant, hasn’t it?”

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

At the Empress’s cheerful question, Lisa’s face turned noticeably red.

 

“Well, that…!”

 

“I know, I know.” The Empress clapped her hands as if understanding everything. 

 

“Because of the two of you, I suppose I had to cut short my enjoyable journey and return to court, didn’t I?”

 

Huh? What is she talking about exactly?

 

Charlize cautiously observed the exchange between the two without drawing attention. There seemed to be some kind of conversation going on between them, but she couldn’t grasp it at all.

 

The Empress smiled with sparkling eyes.

 

“You haven’t told Charlize yet, have you?”

 

“Oh, no…”

 

“What’s this? I feel like I’m being left out now,” Charlize said with an impatient gaze, alternating between the two.

 

Noticing Charlize’s remark, the Empress subtly winked at Wember.

 

“Well, it would be best if we all sat down.”

 

The Empress’s rose-colored lips traced an elegant curve, hinting at a graceful tone.

 

“Perhaps… It might turn out to be quite a lengthy tale.”

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

And so, the three women sat facing each other, with a tea table placed in the center.

 

Ahem.

 

With a brief clearing of her throat, Wember, the chamberlain, opened her mouth to address Charlize.

 

“Your Majesty, may I speak freely?”

 

“Please, go ahead.”

 

Charlize couldn’t help but feel a slight tension in the voice that sounded so serious.

 

And then…

 

“I have decided to resign from my position as Chamberlain.”

 

“Oh, my goodness!”

 

In response to the sudden bombshell declaration, Charlize’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

“Why, why are you saying this all of a sudden? Have I disappointed you as Empress…?”

 

“Oh no, how could such a thing be true?”

 

A tender smile graced Chamberlain Wember’s comprehensive countenance.

 

“I have been truly happy, having both of you as perfect empresses.”

 

“Then why are you saying this in the first place?”

 

“That… well…”

 

Chamberlain Wember struggled to find the right words.

 

After contemplating for a while, she blushed and bowed her head deeply.

 

“…I am with child.”

 

Wait, what did she just say?

 

Charlize doubted her own ears.

 

Noticing the Empress’s confusion, Lady Wember reaffirmed it with gentle and measured words.

 

“I am pregnant with the Duke’s child.”

 

“So, you mean…”

 

Charlize hesitantly opened her mouth.

 

“The Duke Rochester’s?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Oh, a child?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Wow, oh my.

 

How did this relationship escalate so rapidly?

 

Charlize couldn’t fathom the bewildering emotions within her.

 

Of course, she was aware as well.

 

The day they tried to bring the two together, that same day they were met with Matthias’s disdainful gaze.

 

Since then, Matthias and Lisa have met alone several times, eventually progressing into an official relationship.

 

The two lovers harmonized far better than expected.

 

So, Charlize understood in her mind.

 

Two consenting adults with affection for each other would naturally come together intimately.

 

Moreover, it had been quite some time since the two began their courtship.

 

So, in her mind, she understood, but…

 

‘No, it’s His Grace, the Duke of Rochester, who’s sped things up! Too quickly, in fact!’

 

And for the Duke to do this—someone who seemed as stoic as can be—the last person you expect this from! 

 

At that moment, Lady Wember opened her mouth with a remorseful expression.

 

“As we are preparing for the wedding in earnest, I’m afraid I can’t continue serving Her Majesty any longer. I am truly sorry.”

 

Then she bowed her head slightly.

 

“No, no, it’s not like that. If you’re pregnant, I should be the one to congratulate you.”

 

As Charlize quickly tilted her head, she discreetly gauged Lady Wember’s reaction.

 

“When did… when did the pregnancy…?”

 

“According to the Duke’s physician, it has been approximately two months since my child’s conception.”

 

“Goodness gracious!”

 

Charlize once again parted her lips in astonishment.

 

“That being said…”

 

At that moment, the Empress gracefully set down her teacup and interjected into the conversation.

 

“I would like to decorate the wedding venue for them. How does that sound?”

 

“For me, Empress?”

 

“Yes. I recently decided on something I want to do.”

 

The Empress flashed a sly smile.

 

“I want to pursue a career as a florist.”

 

“It suits you remarkably well, Empress.”

 

Charlize nodded her head.

 

Indeed, the Empress had always possessed a sense for such matters.

 

The Empress’s Palace, rumored to be the most beautiful place in the Imperial Palace, was personally adorned by the Empress herself.

 

“So, in celebration of the two, I would like to adorn the wedding venue with floral decorations.”

 

As the Empress spoke, she clenched her fists tightly.

 

“After all, it is the wedding of the Duke of Rochester, isn’t it?”

 

“Um… yes?”

 

“Then there is no better opportunity for me to showcase my skills. Isn’t that right?”

 

Observing the fervor in the Empress’s passionate eyes, Charlize blinked her head in surprise.

 

Well, it seems like she’s doing this more for ‘publicity’ rather than ‘celebration.’

 

Or is it just my misconception?