The Evil Empress Adores Me - Side Story 24

A few days later, Charlize visited the townhouse of Rochester.

 

She was there to meet Lisa.

 

“Oh my, Your Majesty the Empress.”

 

Lisa, who was nursing the baby, opened her eyes wide.

 

Charlize approached Lisa’s side with gentle steps.

 

“Duchess Rochester, are you feeling well?”

 

“Yes, I am. I am truly delighted that Your Majesty has come to visit.”

 

Lisa gave a bashful smile.

 

“I heard that the baby is a boy… Have you given him a name?”

 

“Oh, yes. His name is Joshua.”

 

“Joshua… It’s a beautiful name.”

 

Charlize smiled broadly as she carefully observed the little squirming baby.

 

However, at that moment,

 

The door swung open, and the Duke rushed into the room.

 

“Lisa!”

 

“Oh, darling.”

 

Now, Lisa had no hesitation in calling the Duke “darling.”

 

“I heard you wanted some pudding. So, I brought…”

 

Only then did the Duke notice Charlize and awkwardly feign surprise.

 

“Oh, Your Majesty, you’re here.”

 

“The Duchess has just given birth, so naturally, I had to come.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

The Duke expressed his gratitude and quickly turned to Lisa.

 

“Is there anything else you need?”

 

“No, thank you.”

 

“But just in case…”

 

The Duke fidgeted nervously.

 

Seeing him in that state, the Empress, who was also in the room and had never seen him like that before, gave her brother a meaningful look.

 

“Oh, brother, please have a seat and calm down.”

 

“It’s really quite amusing, isn’t it?”

 

At his younger sister’s teasing, the Duke finally sat down with a plump face.

 

Lisa smiled happily and placed the baby in the Duke’s arms.

 

“Our Joshua wanted to see his daddy.”

 

“R-Really?”

 

As the Duke held the child in his arms, he carefully gazed at his son’s face.

 

A slow smile began to spread across his usually stern face.

 

“…So, this is what parents look like.”

 

I wonder if Damian and I would be like this when we have a child?

 

Charlize suddenly became curious.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

At a point when Charlize’s due date was less than a week away,

 

Damian had delegated most of his tasks to the Duke and stayed close to Charlize’s side.

 

Perhaps due to the guilt he felt over the incident when Lisa gave birth, the Duke obediently accepted Damian’s forced absence.

 

Charlize, feeling somewhat helpless, attempted to send her husband back to the council meeting…

 

“I am fine, so please go and work.”

 

“I refuse.”

 

“Damian, are you truly going to do this?”

 

“Until I can confirm your safe delivery, I’m on an imperial work strike.”

 

…Damian remained resolute and unyielding.

 

And as time passed, Charlize gave birth to their child.

 

Although it was her first childbirth, it was smooth enough to be called an easy delivery.

 

The newborn baby was undeniably lovely, to the point where one would want to nibble on her.

 

She inherited her mother’s shimmering silver hair and the unique golden eyes of the Winsor royal family.

 

For a long while, Damian gazed down at his daughter, who closely resembled Charlize in facial features.

 

Then, in a trembling voice, he murmured,

 

“It is truly fortunate.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I believe she resembles you more than me.”

 

Charlize smiled wryly at the sincerity laced in his words.

 

“I had hoped she would resemble you more, Damian.”

 

“What nonsense is that? Naturally, she should resemble you!”

 

Damian frowned.

 

Coincidentally, the two matriarchs of the royal family, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Consort, entered the birthing chamber.

 

“Charlize!”

 

“How are you, my dear?”

 

After inquiring about Charlize’s well-being, the two women met the newborn baby.

 

Their eyes shimmered like stars.

 

“Oh, she is incredibly beautiful.”

 

As the great-grandmother cradled the baby in her arms, tears welled up, and she whispered softly.

 

The Empress Consort, who was observing the baby by the Empress Dowager’s side, also spoke with a voice full of emotion.

 

“The color of her eyes, they resemble the golden dahlias.”

 

Thus, the young princess was named ‘Dahlia.’

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

Early in the morning,

 

Lady Bennett, no, Leona, opened her eyes wide and stared at the ceiling.

 

For some reason, she woke up early.

 

“Should I go for a walk or something?”

 

After all, lying here any longer seemed unlikely to bring more sleep.

 

Leona got up, slipped out of the house, and ventured outside.

 

As she leisurely walked along the path behind the house, the refreshing scent unique to the grassy forest tickled her nose.

 

“Ah.”

 

Leona took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the pristine air, which seemed to cleanse her very being.

 

The place she currently resides is in a secluded countryside far away from the capital.

Having experienced quite a tumultuous event in the capital and having made a promise to live quietly, she intentionally sought out this secluded place.

 

The royal family had provided comprehensive assistance for her settlement here. 

 

‘You’re disposing of the Bennett Estate… Are you sure about this?’

 

‘Yes. If I continue to hold onto the Bennett Estate, I feel like I’ll never be free from my father’s memory.’

 

By disposing of the Bennett Estate, she acquired a substantial amount of money that would allow her to live without financial worries. 

 

Enjoying such a comfortable time feels like an entirely new experience…

 

“Leona!”

 

In the distance, a middle-aged lady waved her hand towards Leona. Leona greeted her with a smiling face.

 

“Ah, Mrs. Hannah.”

 

Come to think of it, it feels like it’s been a long time since she was called ‘Lady Bennett.’ 

 

The times when she strived to be a useful daughter to her father felt distant, like old photographs stored in an album.

 

Mrs. Hannah often approached Leona with a leisurely gait.

 

“Are you going for a morning stroll?”

 

“Yes, Mrs. Hannah. And you?”

 

“I went to buy milk because I ran out of it this morning.”

 

Mrs. Hannah showed Leona the bundle of newspapers she was holding.

 

“But look at this. Yesterday, the royal family publicly introduced the princess for the first time.”

 

“Really?”

 

Leona eagerly accepted the newspaper. It featured delicate and intricate illustrations of the emperor, empress, and the young princess. And the dress the princess was wearing…

 

“This… It’s the garment I made, isn’t it?”

 

Leona’s eyes widened in astonishment.

 

Mrs. Hannah looked at Leona with a perplexed expression.

 

“Leona, what’s the matter?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“You suddenly made a face like you’re about to cry. Is something bothering you?”

 

“Oh, no, it’s not like that.”

 

Leona tilted her head and replied with a voice full of joy.

 

“…I’m happy.”

 

In response to the sudden and unexpected reply, Mrs. Hannah cast a peculiar gaze at Leona. 

 

However, it didn’t matter.

 

Leona beamed with tears welling up in her eyes, a radiant smile on her face. It was a bright smile.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

A morning bathed in radiant sunlight. 

 

By chance, as Charlize made her way into the living room, she discovered her husband cradling Dahlia in his arms. 

 

He was reading a storybook to their child, rhythmically and soothingly. “Once upon a time, the most beautiful cat in the world said, ‘I prefer roasted chicken over fish soup…'”

 

“Ugh…” 

 

Dahlia, expressing her annoyance, furrowed her brows and let out a small grumble. 

 

Amidst this, Damian hurriedly comforted Dahlia. 

 

“Oh, our Dahlia. What’s bothering you?” 

 

Observing her tireless husband, who was busy soothing and appeasing their daughter, Charlize burst into a soft laughter. 

 

“You’re reading a storybook to Dahlia?” 

 

“Oh, Charlize. Don’t you need more rest?”

 

The reason Damian brought Dahlia out in the first place was because he witnessed his wife having trouble sleeping. 

 

“I’m fine. I’ve had enough rest.” 

 

Charlize, tilting her head, sat down next to Damian, crossing her arms. 

 

“More importantly, Dahlia is too young to understand even if you read to her.” 

 

“No, that’s not true.” 

 

“Pardon?” 

 

“Our Dahlia is a genius, just like you.”

 

…Huh? Charlize was slightly taken aback. 

 

What on earth was this grandiose statement about her daughter? 

 

Moreover, a genius resembling whom? 

 

However, Damian was already engrossed, babbling away as he gazed at Dahlia. 

 

“See? She’s smiling so brightly because I’m reading to her!” 

 

“Well, that’s…” 

 

“And besides, it’s said that it’s good for children to have emotional interaction with their fathers from an early age.” 

 

“…I see.”

 

As Charlize was about to say something, she nodded her head instead. 

 

“Ahem.”

 

Damian cleared his throat a couple of times, adjusting his posture. 

 

Then he resumed reading the storybook. 

 

“A cat walking along the road encountered a spotted puppy. The spotted puppy said to the cat…” 

 

“Awooo…” 

 

Dahlia, who had been mumbling softly, smiled broadly as she made eye contact with Damian. 

 

Damian widened his eyes with delight. 

 

“Did you see that, Charlize? Dahlia smiled at me!” 

 

“Yes, I saw.” 

 

Charlize burst into a chuckle. 

 

Before her eyes, there were the two people she loved most in the world, side by side.

 

So lovely, so exquisitely beautiful.

 

Overwhelmed by an irresistible wave of affection, Charlize involuntarily parted her lips.

 

“Damian.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I love you.”

 

Taken aback by the sudden declaration of love, Damian widened his eyes.

 

Then he gently lowered his eyelashes, forming a mischievous expression.

 

“I love you too.”

 

With one hand securely cradling their child, Damian reached out his other arm and pulled Charlize into his embrace.

 

Resting her head on his shoulder, Charlize thought to herself.

 

‘Finally, I have attained complete happiness in the palm of my hand.’

 

 

 

Epilogue : Serendipity