The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 28
Charles had once been asked about the Crown Prince.
More precisely, she had been asked what she thought of him...
The Head Maid continued speaking.
“She was curious about where the Crown Prince’s quarters were, so I told her without much thought.”
“And?”
“At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but then I saw her regularly taking food out of the palace...”
The Head Maid fell into contemplation.
After a brief pause, she spoke again in a cautious, doubtful tone.
“...This is only my speculation, but could it be that Charles has been visiting His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“No way. How could that even be possible? The Crown Prince has been confined to his quarters.”
The Empress shrugged.
Five years ago, on the day Vincent seized the throne.
From that moment on, the Crown Prince had been locked away in the smallest palace within the imperial grounds, never once stepping outside.
His residence was under strict surveillance, its gates barred.
All of the servants who had once attended to him had been driven out.
The Emperor himself sent his meals, and it was strictly forbidden for anyone to approach the Crown Prince’s quarters.
“There’s no way Charles could have slipped through the security surrounding the Crown Prince’s palace...”
“Well, that’s true.”
The Head Maid, Hayden, gave a small nod.
The Empress, lost in deep thought for a while, finally rose to her feet.
“Your Majesty?”
“But once something catches my attention, I can’t simply ignore it.”
“Then...”
“Don’t concern yourself with it. I’ll look into Charles personally.”
The Empress’s tone was resolute.
The Head Maid’s eyes widened.
Startled, she tried to dissuade her.
“What? No, Your Majesty, how could you trouble yourself with such a thing? Please leave it to us...”
“No, I want to do it myself.”
Hayden swallowed a sigh.
In all the years she had served the Empress, she knew that when the Empress was this determined, no one could change her mind.
The Head Maid lowered her head.
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
“Good.”
The Empress approached the window.
Beyond the glass, Charles was there.
She was sweeping the garden, swinging a broom taller than she was.
The sight was so endearing it almost hurt.
“It’s probably nothing, Head Maid.”
The Empress spoke suddenly, her voice filled with unwavering certainty.
“Yes, I think so as well.”
“Then, let’s just observe for now.”
Resting her chin in her hand, the Empress murmured.
Because this was Charles.
The Empress narrowed her eyes.
“Ah, I just want to throw all this work away and spend time with Charles.”
Even as she muttered in mock annoyance, a smile she couldn’t quite suppress lingered on her lips.
From that day on, the Empress began watching Charles’s movements closely.
But there was nothing out of the ordinary.
‘Nothing particularly suspicious... right?’
The Empress’s expression became puzzled.
Charles was simply as lovely as ever.
And, perhaps in an effort to live up to her previous words about earning recognition, she worked diligently.
‘My Charles, she’s too adorable!’
Watching Charles bustle about, the Empress found herself clutching her chest countless times.
She had almost convinced herself to let go of any doubts when that incident happened.
‘Huh?’
The Empress’s eyes widened.
She saw Charles discreetly storing away her pudding instead of eating it.
Considering how much Charles loved sweets, it was an unusual sight.
Was she saving it for later?
Trying to brush off her suspicions, the Empress then caught sight of something else.
Charles snuck into the kitchen and gathered a sandwich and juice.
‘...Just as the Head Maid said.’
The amount of food Charles had taken was too much for one person. At least two portions.
With careful hands, Charles packed the food into a cloth bag, glanced around, and scampered off outside.
Without thinking, the Empress followed her.
Charles moved with practiced ease, as if she had taken this route many times before.
At first glance, it seemed like she was heading toward the Empress’s own quarters.
But that wasn’t it.
‘That place is...’
The Empress bit the inside of her cheek.
Because the place Charles finally arrived at was none other than the Crown Prince’s quarters.
Looking around cautiously, Charles shoved the cloth bag under the thick shade of an overgrown wall.
Then, she crawled on the ground and disappeared through the wall’s gap.
“......”
The Empress remained silent.
So Charles really had been visiting the Crown Prince.
Her mind turned cold.
‘...But I can’t escalate this.’
If she opened the palace gates to investigate, the Emperor would undoubtedly hear about it.
And he would never forgive anyone associated with the Crown Prince.
That couldn’t happen.
Clenching her lips tightly, the Empress took a step forward.
When she reached the shaded part of the wall where Charles had disappeared, something caught her eye.
“This hole...”
Beneath the tree’s shadow, a small hole was hidden.
Just large enough for a small child to crawl through.
How had she even discovered something like this?
The Empress let out a sigh.
‘For now, I’ll wait until Charles comes out.’
She settled herself beside the hole.
And despite the situation, she found herself chuckling.
Before meeting Charles, she would never have imagined sitting on the ground like this.
After some time, footsteps approached.
Soft voices carried over.
“Alright then, Your Highness, see you next time!”
“Be careful going back.”
It was the first time she had ever heard the Crown Prince’s voice.
The Empress blinked.
His voice was so young.
Of course, he was only eight years old...
A rustling sound followed.
A cloth bag popped out of the hole first, then a small body wriggled its way out.
“Ugh, this is so tiring...”
As she struggled to free herself, Charles muttered in complaint.
At the same time, the Empress spoke.
“Charles.”
“Gasp.”
Charles froze mid-movement.
Kneeling on the ground, she stared at the Empress in shock.
“Y-Your Majesty?”
Her face went completely pale.
The Empress, gazing at her, closed her eyes tightly.
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Why was the Empress here?!
I opened my mouth.
“Your Majesty, how are you here...?”
“Shh.”
With a cold gaze, she raised a single finger to her lips.
I swallowed dryly.
It was the first time she had ever looked at me like that.
A strangely calm voice rang out.
“Follow me quietly, Charles.”
“...Your Majesty.”
“I have no intention of making a scene.”
It was an unfamiliar face.
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Not Rose Unni, but the Empress as she was meant to be.
But.
I bit my lip.
I was the one who had made her wear that expression.
Even if I tried to explain that I had done this to protect her...
‘...To the Empress, it would sound like nonsense.’
Besides, I couldn’t explain it. I was the only one who knew about the ‘original story.’
She must be feeling incredibly betrayed right now.
I took a step forward.
Or at least, I tried to.
“Charles?”
Because at that moment, a voice stopped me.
It was Diamid.
I stiffened, and the Empress turned to look behind her with cold eyes.
After hesitating for a moment, Diamid spoke.
“The person outside... Is it Your Majesty the Empress?”
“...Yes, Crown ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) Prince.”
I held my breath.
In the original story, the Empress and Diamid met only once.
That was when he completed his revenge and killed her.
The Empress let out a quiet sigh.
“This is the first time we’ve spoken, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s correct, Your Majesty.”
A heavy silence followed.
The Empress waited patiently for Diamid to speak.
“I am saying this to Your Majesty because...”
Diamid hesitated.
Then, with a firm voice, he continued.
“I ask you not to blame Charles.”
What?
Stunned, I widened my eyes.
But Diamid wasn’t finished.
“Because all of this is my fault.”
“My fault?” The Crown Prince’s?
“Yes. Charles never wanted to come to the Crown Prince’s palace in the first place.”
With a calm voice, Diamid continued his lie.
What are you saying?!
My eyes shook violently.
“She told me again and again that she shouldn’t meet with me, that she had to obey Your Majesty’s orders...”
I was frozen in place.
