The Evil Empress Adores Me

Come to think of it, a ladder I think I saw it in the warehouse earlier.

As I dragged the ladder behind me while groaning, I noticed something.

For some reason, the ladder seems to be lighter than usual.

Well, Im not heavy so it wont break against my weight.

Leaning the ladder against the wall, I started climbing the ladder with determination.

I held a long broom in my hand.

Almost, Ill be right there

Swoosh!

I made aswiping motion with the broom.

Although the broomstick came close to touching the spiders web, probably because of my short arms, itbarely touched it.

After several unsuccessful attempts at swinging, I stared angrily at the corner of the ceiling.

I think I can reach it, just a little bit more!

Why are my arms so short!

I gritted my teeth.

Do you think Ill give up?

I carefully measured the distance between the web and myself, then swung powerfully.

Swoosh!

The sound of the broom brushing against the wall signaled that the cobweb had been swept away.

Aha, finally!

I was filled with joy at the moment.

All of a sudden, I felt something ominous.

Huh?

I felt goosebumps race down my spine.

That sound just now what was it?

I heard the sound of wood cracking.

As soon as I had that thought, the ladder steps snapped as my foot slipped.

Ahh!

I hurriedly tried to grab hold of something, but it was hopeless.

My hands swayed in vain in the air.

I-Im falling!

I closed my eyes reflexively.

What if I got hurt!

The empress will find out that Im going in and out of the princes palace then!

Please, dont get hurt!

However, I couldnt feel the pain I had expected at all.

Instead, I heard urgent sound of footsteps

Flop!

All of a sudden, my body was safely held in someones arms.

Lize!

A desperate voice called to me.

Are y-you all right?

When I quietly lifted my gaze, I saw Damian with a pale and tired face as if he was about to pass out at any moment.

He raised his voice.

Hey, what are you where did you find these broken ladders?!

Fro-from the warehouse.

Damian was so angry that I was surprised.

He kept frowning while scolding me.

What? The warehouse? Did you drag that ladder from there to here?!

Yes, I did but.

Damian couldnt hide his amazement and stared at me intently.

Do you think youre strong? Thats why I told you not to clean!

That, that

Why arent you afraid of what had just happened? If you hit the floor, you would be done for!

Damians voice trembled softly.

I became teary and reflexively apologized.

Sorry, Im sorry. I made a mistake.

What are you sorry about?

I made things difficult for you

I bit my lips.

What if the empress found out that I was in and out of the imperial palace?

That would not only give trouble for me but Damian as well.

What I had done to help Damian almost made him in trouble.

Stupid Charlize.

I blamed myself.

However, the expression on Damians face as he glanced at me..

It seemed as if he was in pain.

But why though?

Itd be understandable if he was angry.

Damian opened his lips as if to say something, but instead, he gave a sigh and shut his mouth again.

What should I do? I feel really bad.

My body was trembling.

I slowly made eye contact with him.

Im, Im fine with you scolding me.

Thats enough.

Only Damian would act in that manner.

After he placed me back on the ground he quickly turned around.

Why, why did you turn your back on me?

I paced behind him, earnestly calling out to Damian.

Your Highness, are you angry?

At Damians silence, my chest tightened with the tension.

After a while, he muttered,

What kind of person do you think I am?

Huh?

If you get hurt, Ill be in trouble. Thats why I got angry. did you seriously think I would be like that?!

I froze on the spot.

Damian glanced at me.

I mean, you

Damian pondered on what to say for a long time.

His low voice somehow sounded melancholic.

Youre the only good person Ive met after 5 years of being imprisoned in this palace.

Good person.

I bit my lips in response to Damians choice of words.

Damian clenched his fists.

If such a person gets hurt, isnt it natural to worry?

Your Highness

What are you

Damian couldnt finish his words and let out a sigh.

I lowered my head.

Oh no, what should I do, I cant even lift my face.

This was completely my fault.

Damian did me a favor.

In the end, I caused him distress since I was unable to judge clearly.

Im sorry.

Im telling you sincerely. Im sorry.

My words was accompanied by tears.

I took my time approaching Damian and gently grasped his sleeve.

Hey, Crown Prince, Im glad youre nice to me.

Damian was still looking at me with disbelief as heopened his mouth.

When I first met you, I threatened you with a knife. If you dont like me because of that

No!

I was taken aback and raised my voice.

How many times have we met? Why are you still worried about that!

To be honest, I was a little scared at first.

I nearly died because of him, how could I not be terrified of Damian at first?

But

But not now.

I said it clearly.

Damians expression slightly softened.

I continued with a clear voice.

I dont care about that at all. Crown prince, youve saved me.

If it bothers you lets call it even if you forgive my mistake this time.

I let go of Damians sleeve.

This time, I would never let go of him even if he pushed me away.

Damian, who had been hesitant for a long time, looked at me and asked.

Really You dont hate me or anything?

Of course. I like you.

I nodded my head repeatedly.

Damians eyes were shaking.

He opened his lips slightly.

Dont do that next time.

Yes, I promise.

Its the truth, right? You really dont hate me, right?

Its true.

Damian glanced at me.

His clumsy fingers reached out to gently caress my cheeks.

Okay, that will do.

His voice was tiny and muffled at the end.

After hesitating for a while, Damian smiled awkwardly.

The smile he made was dazzling, I unknowingly laid my face on Damians palm.

At that time, unbeknownst to us, someone had come to the Crown Princes Palace.

* * *

Knock, knock.

A knocking sound resonated throughout the room.

The empress, who had been examining paperwork for a while, raised her head.

Who is it?

Its Hayden.

Come on in.

The empress furrowed her brow.

Whats the matter?

She usually doesnt interfere when shes working

Whats going on?

I came here because I have something to tell you about Charlize.

The maid Hayden spoke with a worried tone.

Charlize?

The empress opened her eyes wide.

Tell me.

Well, Charlize has been out a lot lately.

Dont you also go out? There has never been any prohibition or restriction from going out of the Empress Palace.

Yes, but

Even though she initiated the conversation, she hesitated, unable to speak for a long time.

It might not be a big deal.

It might actually not be worrisome, but

She was merely a maid, and she had no authority to judge the gravity of any matter.

It was the job of the empress, the owner of the maids, to judge the severity.

She shut her eyes tightly.

Its a bit suspicious to see her keep packing food and going out.

Shes taking food with her?

For a moment, a suspicious look appeared on the empresss face.

She can eat it at the Empresss Palace, so why take it with her?

Isnt she just taking a little bit to eat as a snack outside?

No, the amount is significant. Its too much for Charlize to eat alone.

She shook her head.

It implied she had more to say.

The empress questioned her.

Thats it? If she was just going out with food, you wouldnt have come to me and even tell me.

The maid raised her head.

The maid, who had been contemplating what to say for a while, carefully added her words.

Recently, Charlize I heard her once ask about His Highness the Crown Prince.

The empress narrowed her eyes.