The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 23

"Charles. Did you have fun without me?"

"Huh?"

"It's okay, your happiness comes first. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t play with me..."

...It seems like I was misunderstood, thinking I had gone off to play somewhere.

The Empress looked at me with a sulky face.

She must have been disappointed that I had spent time on my own without her.

"I'll play with you next time, Your Majesty."

"Okay, let’s make sure to play together."

With that answer, the Empress smiled brightly and pulled me into an embrace.

If she misunderstood the time I spent alone and forgave me... then I’m grateful.

Ugh, Rose Unni.

I was so tired today.

Feeling a bit spoiled, I sharpened my gaze.

Did you think I would give up here?

Hey, Diomid. Just wait right there.

I’ll definitely hook you in!

The next day.

I went to find Diomid again.

I brought with me my favorite white bread and a jar of apple jam.

"...What is it, you?"

Diomid couldn't hide his surprise as he looked at me, crawling through the hole again.

Why are you staring like that?

I said we’d see each other again, didn’t I?

I always keep my promises.

Brushing off the dirt from my clothes, I said confidently.

"What? I told you I’d come back."

"Well, yes, but..."

...I really didn’t think you would come.

Diomid muttered under his breath.

I pretended not to hear that.

"Anyway, why is the crown prince here?"

At that moment, I tilted my head in confusion and asked Diomid.

I mean, seriously.

Did you expect me to stand guard here in front of this hole, waiting for you to show up?

When Diomid heard my question, his face looked slightly awkward.

"Wait... Did you wait for me?"

"No!"

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As I narrowed my eyes and asked, Diomid raised his voice in irritation.

Ugh, so noisy.

Either it's yes or no, why the fuss?

But Diomid’s face flushed bright red as he scowled again.

"I—I was just 'coincidentally' passing by!"

Who’s even saying anything? Why did you emphasize 'coincidentally' so much?

I shrugged and nodded.

"Okay, I believe you."

"You believe me...?"

Diomid seemed agitated.

Ugh, why is he so sensitive? I have much more important matters to discuss here!

"More importantly, I—"

"...What is it?"

Diomid's eyes widened as I pulled out a bag.

Inside it was...

"I'm sorry, I didn’t bring a lot of food."

"...Bread and milk?"

Diomid, who took the bag, looked confused.

The ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) freshly baked white bread was giving off a delicious aroma.

Heh, how does it smell? Doesn’t it look good?

Even I was drooling just thinking about eating it, and I almost ate it all on the way here.

But I brought it here to feed you!

"The crown prince, you look like you’re too skinny."

"...Did you bring this for me?"

Yep, I did! So you should thank me!

I spoke with confidence, looking directly at Diomid.

"If you had tried the candy yesterday, you would’ve known it didn’t have any poison..."

I trailed off, looking at Diomid suspiciously.

Wait, did you still not eat the candy I gave you yesterday?

Are you still doubting me and haven’t touched it?

"Did you eat the candy?"

"I ate it."

Diomid, avoiding my gaze, replied in a hurry.

Oh, so he ate it after all?

"It was delicious."

"What flavor was it?"

"Strawberry... no, why do you need to know this?"

Diomid got a bit irritated for no reason.

Well, I’m just making sure you’re not lying.

I nodded, satisfied.

The candies I gave him were both strawberry and apple flavors.

He mentioned one of the flavors, so he must have really eaten it.

You’re lucky, I’m impressed.

I glanced at the palace side and asked him.

"Should we go inside and eat?"

"..."

"What about you?"

Why are you suddenly sealing your lips like a clam?

I tilted my head in confusion.

Diomid glanced back toward the palace, then seemed to fall into deep thought.

He shook his head resolutely.

"Thanks for bringing it, but I’m not hungry. So..."

Grrr, grr...

At that moment, a loud growl came from Diomid's stomach.

My eyes went cold.

"...You’re hungry."

"No, that’s not it!"

Grrr.

Diomid quickly tried to defend himself, but he ended up covering his face with his hand and lowering his head.

Wow, I’ve never seen him so red. He looks like a ripe tomato.

It looks like he’s reluctant to go inside the palace... Why?

I cautiously asked.

"Is it because the palace is dirty, and you’re embarrassed?"

"No!"

...The way he snapped, I guess I was right.

Sigh, he’s still a kid. His pride is way too strong...

How can an eight-year-old clean the entire palace anyway?

I approached him and tugged at his sleeve.

"Don’t be like that, let’s go have some bread."

"..."

"Huh?"

I smiled softly, making eye contact, and Diomid reluctantly let himself be pulled.

Is this how it’s going to be? Would it be better if you were more obedient from the start?

With that, I stepped into the Crown Prince's palace for the first time.

The first thing I saw was...

"Ugh..."

I couldn’t help but scrunch up my face.

There were cobwebs hanging in the corners of the ceiling.

And the webs were so old that the remains of bugs caught in them were all too obvious.

Disgusting, this is disgusting!

"I—I told you it’s fine!"

Diomid, flustered, raised his voice.

Who cares?

Stop getting embarrassed and causing a fuss.

"It’s okay. How could I clean those webs so high up?"

Well, this isn’t really your fault.

I nodded generously.

Honestly, unless they bring a ladder, there’s no way to reach that height.

The places where my hands could reach were already cleaned, though, so it wasn’t uninhabitable.

Though, that doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.

‘Are there cleaning tools around?’

I scanned the area like a hawk.

At least a broom and mop seem to be there...

Well, I might as well clean up a little while I’m here.

Just then, Diomid led the way, walking briskly.

The back of his neck was completely red.

"This way to the dining room."

"Ah, okay!"

I used my short legs to run as fast as I could to catch up with Diomid.

So there is a dining room here?

A few moments later.

I was left stunned by the sight before me.

I squinted and said.

"...Wait, Crown Prince."

Why?

Diomid turned to glance at me, as if asking why I was questioning him.

Are you fooling me?!

I marched toward the table.

On the table was a lavish spread of food.

A beautifully roasted chicken with golden crispy skin, mashed potatoes loaded with butter, and fresh salad!

Even our Empress doesn’t eat meals this fancy every day!

The white bread and jam I brought felt so pitiful next to this!

"Look, look! Why are you starving when there’s all this food!!"

I pointed at the table and shouted.

Diomid furrowed his brow.

He shook his head firmly.

"You can't eat this food."

"Why?!"

It looks so delicious!

But Diomid didn’t even seem to budge.

I shot him a sideways glance and walked toward the food.

It looks perfectly fine to me.

It may have cooled down from sitting out, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem to eat.

I turned around and said to Diomid.

"If you’re not eating it, I will."

"No."

"Why? I’m starving after coming here since the morning."

Are you seriously going to be petty about food?

I narrowed my eyes.

You’re not going to eat, right?

"If you leave food, there will be a punishment, Crown Prince."

Since you’ve been a Crown Prince from birth, do you not understand the value of food?

But Diomid just stared at me with cold eyes.

I shrugged and glanced back down at the food.

Hmm, what should I eat first?

Those tender chicken drumsticks look so delicious, I can almost imagine taking a big bite!

Just as I reached for the chicken leg, Diomid stopped me.

"I told you not to."

Thwack.

Diomid smacked my hand away.

I looked up at him with an aggrieved expression.

What’s the deal with that?!

"I didn’t want to show you this kind of thing..."

With a heavy sigh, Diomid took out the dagger he had tucked at his waist.

Eek. I instinctively flinched.

What, what’s that? Isn’t that the same dagger you pointed at my neck earlier?

Diomid furrowed his brows.