The Evil Empress Adores Me - Side Story 21

‘To my beloved friend, Sienna.’

 

 

 

Hello, Sienna.

 

This is Charlize.

 

I hope you’re doing well. 

 

Are the North and Margrave Antes doing well?

 

In my previous letter, I mentioned that I was concerned about Damian’s poor health, but it turns out there was no need to worry.

 

The reason for Damian’s ill health was all because of me.

 

So, you see, the reason for his poor health was…

 

‘…I’ve written up to this point, why should I hesitate any longer?’

 

I have… I am with child.

 

I’m still in the very early stages, and I’ve decided not to make it public yet, so only the elders of the royal family and the Duke of Rochester are aware.

 

But because you are my precious friend, Sienna, I felt it was right to inform you in advance.

 

Damian, it seems, was suffering morning sickness on my behalf.

 

I feel a bit sorry that he suffered while I was fine.

 

Interestingly enough, as soon as he found out about my pregnancy, Damian’s loss of appetite and weariness vanished completely.

 

Instead, I have these intense emotions that come and go. 

 

They say it’s a common condition for pregnant women.

 

It’s just that whenever the fact I’m having a child is mentioned, I can’t help but start shedding tears. 

 

Sometimes it feels surreal.

 

That Damian’s and my child, our child is growing inside my womb.

 

Although there is still a long road ahead before the child is born, I’m already curious about what the child will look like.

 

Oh dear, this letter has gotten too long.

 

Until we meet again, take care of yourself.

 

With longing,

 

Charlize.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

And a few days later.

 

Charlize stared blankly ahead, her eyes fixed on the two women standing before her.

 

“…Sienna? And Your Majesty?”

 

Hold on, the Empress being here is understandable, she’s back in her hometown. 

 

But, why is Sienna here?

 

Isn’t she supposed to be in the North?

 

More importantly, what are the two of them doing here together in the palace? When did they get in?

 

Sienna approached briskly and firmly grasped Charlize’s hand.

 

Then she urgently asked a question.

 

“Charlize, are you okay?!”

 

“What? What?”

 

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Charlize couldn’t hide her bewildered expression.

 

“Isn’t His Majesty being too harsh? How could he push you to go through this, Charlize?!”

 

“Um… pardon?”

 

“To just have a child on a whim without any regard for your well-being? He should try conceiving and see how it feels!”

 

At Sienna’s desperate outcry, Charlize was left speechless.

 

Well, um…

 

She wasn’t the one who had been suffering, it was Damian.

 

Frankly, she had been enjoying good food, and sufficient rest, and she even bore a radiant glow on her face when Damian suffered the morning sickness that came over him. 

 

Yet Sienna did not see it that way. 

 

“Oh, Charlize, to be losing weight like this…”

 

“……I’ve actually gained a little weight since getting pregnant.”

 

“That can’t be true, you have such slender wrists!”

 

Sienna was seemingly not listening to Charlize anymore. 

 

Then the Empress chimed in.

 

“My Charlize is carrying a child in her womb!”

 

“And I couldn’t come to offer my congratulations any sooner!” 

 

Since when did the two of them get along so well……?

 

“Shouldn’t you be in the North right now Sienna, wouldn’t Damian berate you once he finds out?”

 

“These things require going against the man in charge, isn’t that right, Countess Antes?”

 

“Right, moreover, isn’t it natural for close friends to visit especially when one of them will be expecting a child?”

 

And then.

 

“….By any chance, are you not happy that I came to see you?” asked Sienna

 

“Wh-Why would you say that?! Never!” 

 

Trying to console the dejected Sienna, Charlize broke out in a cold sweat.

 

At times like this, Sienna’s dejected look was the same as when she was Damian’s friend. After a while, she regained her energy and spoke cheerfully.

 

“I bet the child will resemble Charlize and be as beautiful as an angel.”

 

“Undoubtedly. On a different note, do you know how adorable Charlize was when she was young?” remarked the Empress.

 

The Empress’s voice reminiscing became nostalgic. 

 

In an instant, Sienna’s pupils widened. 

 

“Oh, come to think of it, Your Majesty has been with Charlize since she was five, right?” 

 

“That’s right.” 

 

“What was Charlize like?” 

 

“She was truly like a fairy.”

 

The Empress declared so, wrinkling her brow. 

 

“Just thinking about how the Emperor took her away so abruptly, I still get angry to the point where I can’t sleep properly.” 

 

“Oh, I can understand that sentiment.” 

 

Sienna nodded earnestly. 

 

“No matter how I think about it, Charlize is too precious when comparing her to the Emperor.”

 

Ahaha… 

 

A puzzled Charlize smiling awkwardly, interjected into the conversation between the two women. 

 

“Well, I hope the child resembles Damian a bit…”

 

“It would be a loss for humanity if we couldn’t pass down Damian’s beauty to future generations, don’t you think?” 

 

She sincerely believed that. 

 

However… 

 

“No, it wouldn’t be.” 

 

“Just resembling the baby resembling Charlize is enough.”

 

The two women had no intention of compromising on this matter.

 

Thud. Thud.

 

At that moment, a knock echoed.

 

The Empress and Sienna turned their heads simultaneously to look at the door.

 

‘Who dares to interrupt our pleasant time with Charlize?!’

 

Their glances carried a meaning similar to that statement.

 

Simultaneously, the door opened.

 

“Charlize!”

 

“Y-Your Majesty, no, Emperor!”

 

The people stepping into the room were Damian, the Duke, and another.

 

Damian rushed to Charlize’s side in one go.

 

“How are you feeling today? Is there any discomfort?”

 

“I have called for a physician. It would be advisable to undergo a check-up to assess your current condition… No, let me correct myself. There’s no need to rush..”

 

Damian halted his steps, narrowing his gaze at Sienna while constricting his smile.

 

“…S-Sienna, no, Countess Antes?”

 

“Greetings, Your Majesty, the Emperor.”

 

Sienna emitted an aura that conveyed, ‘I’m not pleased with you at all,’ as she respectfully greeted him.

 

Damian likewise shared the same sentiment deep inside.

 

“Why is the Countess, who should be in the Northern Region at this time, here at the Empress’s palace?”

 

“Well, it’s not like I came to see Your Majesty, per se.”

 

Sienna retorted with a cautious expression on her face.

 

“I was concerned about the scoundrel that had swooped my one and only dear friend.

 

“…When referring to that ‘scoundrel,’ you aren’t speaking about me, are you?”

 

“Goodness, no. I have never once referred to Your Majesty as a ‘scoundrel,’ I assure you.”

 

Sienna deliberately emphasized the word ‘scoundrel.’

 

Then, she asked Damian with a sly tone.

 

“Is there any part of you that feels ticked off?”

 

In a situation like this, the first to become agitated is the loser.

 

Aside from that, isn’t Charlize with him in the same room, watching him anxiously?

 

‘Don’t fight, please.’

 

Damian knew that.

 

The Empress and Sienna were very precious friends to his wife.

 

Suppressing his boiling emotions, Damian turned to the physician.

 

“Take care of the Empress’s health.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Thus, while Charlize was undergoing examination by the physician, the Empress fixed a chilly gaze upon her brother.

 

“Brother.”

 

“…Empress.”

 

“Your constant fussing about Lisa’s daily check-ups wasn’t enough, and now Charlize has to deal with you as well?”

 

It was understandable, considering the renowned hypochondriac the Duke was, he often relayed the health concerns regarding his wife. 

 

“The Duchess and the baby in her womb are both in excellent health.”

 

The physician repeated the diagnosis numerous times, yet the Duke couldn’t sleep without verifying Lisa’s well-being. 

 

No matter how much he was the father, deep down, the Empress secretly thought it was excessive…

 

Upon the Empress’s remark, the Duke’s face contorted in surprise.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

After thoroughly examining the Empress’s health, the physician responded with certainty, “Both the baby and the Empress are in excellent health.”

 

Once the physician departed with such words, Charlize gazed at her attendants with a desolate expression on her face.

 

The Empress, who was displaying their sibling dynamic with the Duke, along with Damian and Sienna, who were bickering like cats and dogs.

 

In the end, Charlize became overwhelmed and threw a suggestion.

 

“Um, should we all have tea together?”

 

And so, at present.

 

The five influential figures who could sway the entire empire were gathered around the tea table.

 

‘I must find a way to lighten the atmosphere.’

 

With a heavy sense of responsibility, Charlize spoke.

 

“You know, Damian.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“When do you plan on visiting the orphanage this year?”

 

“Ah… is it already that time?”

 

Since the spring party hosted by Sienna, where orphans were invited, the Emperor and Empress had regularly visited the orphanage.

 

Especially the puppet show performed by His Majesty was popular among the children.

 

‘Damian is still somewhat inexperienced in dealing with children.’

 

Oddly enough, the children seemingly got along well with Damian.

 

Charlize then posed a provoking question.

 

“Surely, Your Majesty, the father of the empire’s people, wouldn’t be neglecting his promise to the citizens, would he?”

 

“Well, um, Charlize…”

 

“It would be even more beneficial for prenatal education if ‘Papa’ demonstrated his ability to keep promises.”

 

At the sound of her honeyed voice, Damian’s expression instantly changed.