The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 25

"You sure do blush easily, huh?"

"I-I can clean it myself."

"But there's no mirror... just leave it to me, okay?"

"Forget it."

With that, Diamid snatched the handkerchief from me.

Watching him rub his mouth vigorously, I couldn't help but smile a little.

He's surprisingly childlike in some ways.

I poured milk into a cup and handed it to him.

"Drink some milk too."

"Why do you take care of me?"

Then, while holding the cup of milk, Diamid suddenly said something odd.

Hmm?

I was a bit puzzled.

"You look pretty young, though..."

"Huh?"

"At your age, you should be allowed to be taken care of by others."

Diamid, who had been observing me closely, suddenly added that.

Taken care of by others?

Me?

But I'm just a maid, though?

After taking a sip of milk, Diamid asked again.

"By the way, how old are you?"

"I'm five years old."

"...Five?!"

Diamid almost spat out the milk at my calm answer.

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, muttering.

"How old is this palace, to have a kid like you working here...?"

Ah, that's something the Empress would say.

For some reason, I could see the Empress in Diamid’s words, and I couldn't help ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) but let out a short laugh.

"What’s so funny?"

"Well, someone once said the same thing as you, Your Highness."

"Who?"

I subtly gauged Diamid’s reaction.

Should I say it?

I remembered the cold expression on his face when I first mentioned I was the Empress’s maid...

Diamid doesn't seem to like the Empress much.

I cautiously answered.

"The Empress."

"..."

I thought Diamid would snap and shout that he didn’t want to hear anything about the Empress, but to my surprise, he quietly stuffed more bread into his mouth without saying anything.

After chewing, Diamid turned to look at me.

"Hey."

"Yes?"

"Your name."

My name?

I tilted my head in confusion.

Diamid, brushing crumbs off his hands, stared at me.

"What's your name?"

"My name?"

"Yeah. I can't just keep calling you 'hey' or 'you,' right?"

Diamid said bluntly.

Ah, I see. We haven’t introduced ourselves yet.

I quietly responded.

"Charlize."

"Charlize?"

Diamid blinked in surprise.

Charlize. Charlize.

He repeated my name a couple of times, then spoke.

"Such a pretty name, unexpected from you."

...It seems Diamid has a habit of adding sharp remarks after giving compliments.

Why say "pretty name" and then add "unexpected"?

Learn from the Empress, will you!

The Empress had hugged me tightly and said, "How nice it is that you have such a pretty name."

But whether I was frustrated or not, Diamid shrugged and grabbed another piece of bread.

"But that name doesn’t really suit you."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, for someone like you, it's too grown-up of a name."

I snapped back.

Hey, do you think I'll always look like a little kid?

Diamid grinned.

"It’s too long anyway, so I’ll just call you ‘Charles’ from now on."

Instead of answering, I glared at Diamid with all my might.

Diamid soon looked away, meeting my gaze.

"What’s the matter, don’t want me to call you that?"

"No, that’s not it..."

I pouted.

I don't mind the nickname 'Charles' at all.

What I mind is you!

"Could you speak more nicely?"

"What?"

"You said, ‘unexpectedly pretty name’ and ‘it’s too long’..."

As I grumbled, Diamid gave me a sharp look.

I frowned.

"Do you dislike me, Your Highness?"

I asked, looking at him with wide eyes.

Diamid flinched and quickly spoke.

"No, that's not it!"

"What do you mean, then?"

"You said Charlize is a pretty name, right? I never thought you were strange at all!"

He continued rambling with explanations, his voice flustered.

"The reason I said it doesn't suit you... is just that you’re too young for a name like that."

I didn’t mean anything bad...

Finally, Diamid shouted, his face looking wronged.

"I can't possibly dislike you!"

Eh?

I blinked, surprised.

Diamid, his face red, fumbled to continue.

"You’re very cute, you’re nice to me, you bring me food, and, and..."

"And?"

"...You came to visit the Crown Prince’s palace again."

Diamid’s voice, at that moment, became sincere.

He raised his head, and my face reflected in his calm eyes.

Those eyes were unwavering, honest, and direct.

"I was really happy that you came back..."

"Really?"

"I’m serious. It’s so hard to meet someone like you here."

Ah.

As soon as I heard that, I understood.

I get it now.

Diamid was just happy that I came to visit.

Having been so lonely and struggling until now, he couldn’t help but open his heart, even to the Empress's maid, who’s technically an enemy.

Thinking that way, Diamid seemed so pitiable.

I tried to smile.

"I promised, didn’t I? I’ll come often from now on."

"...I suppose so."

"Just trust me, I always keep my promises."

After hesitating for a moment, I placed my hand over Diamid’s.

I knew it was disrespectful for a maid to make physical contact with the Crown Prince, but...

I still wanted to share a little warmth with Diamid.

...Just like I was comforted with the Empress.

Diamid didn’t pull his hand away.

He just shyly avoided eye contact.

"By the way, were you really that happy when I came?"

A little while later, I asked playfully, and Diamid shot me a look of disbelief.

"What?"

"You just said you were so happy when I came!"

"When did I?!"

Diamid was flustered.

Pff.

I held in my laughter.

Oh, so you can be cute too?

"Hey, you!"

"Haha!"

I burst out laughing.

Diamid stared at me for a long time, then eventually joined me in laughter.

Yeah, Diamid is still just an eight-year-old boy.

It’s much better to show emotions like that than to put on an expression as if he’s seen it all.

We laughed for a long time.

I came in and out of the Crown Prince’s palace like a sparrow at a mill.

Diamid pretended to dislike it, but every time I came through the small door, he was always standing in front of it...

It seemed like he was waiting for me in front of the door every day.

Sigh, how pitiful.

I should take better care of him.

I handed him a bag.

"Ta-da!"

"...What’s this?"

Diamid tried to keep his expression neutral, but his eyes showed he was happy to see me.

I grinned.

"Sandwiches today!"

"Sandwiches?"

"Yes! The Empress's head chef made them personally!"

At that, Diamid's eyes sparkled like stars.

I felt proud.

I’ve been fattening up Diamid by bringing him all sorts of food lately.

And these foods were rumored to be the best in the entire palace, made by the Empress’s own kitchen, no less!

I tugged on Diamid’s sleeve as we walked.

"Let’s eat quickly!"

"...Alright."

Diamid pretended to give in as I dragged him along.

But his excitement was clear to see.

"So, what kind of sandwich is it?"

Even asking that shows he’s interested.

I thought for a moment whether I should tease him and say "It's a secret," but I just answered.

"It has bacon, fried eggs, cheese, and minced beef."

"Really?"

At my answer, Diamid's face lit up.

Oh, he’s in a good mood.

I smiled contentedly.

After a few tries bringing food to Diamid, I learned that he preferred meat over vegetables.

A boy who knows good taste, huh?

We chose a sunny spot and laid out a cloth to sit on.

With the sandwiches and drinks spread out, it felt almost like a picnic.

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I said.

"Eat quickly."

"Thanks, I’ll enjoy it."

Diamid didn’t even pretend to refuse, immediately grabbing a sandwich.

As he chewed, his cheeks puffed up.

Watching him, I felt a strange déjà vu.

‘This feels like...’

Like when I was taming a skinny, hungry kitten on the street...

Is this how it feels when a wary cat rubs against your hand, purring?

Diamid, so cute!

After being engrossed in his sandwich for a while, Diamid suddenly looked up.

With a slightly embarrassed expression, he glanced at me.

"Aren’t you going to eat?"

"Oh, I’m fine. I already ate with the maids earlier."

I had tea with the other maids before coming here.

I pushed a plate toward Diamid.

"I’ll bring you more tasty food in the future."

"Forget it."

Diamid replied, but honestly, it was clear he liked it.