The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 32

"Well... I'll eat it well..."

I carefully put the cabbage into my mouth, making an effort not to scrunch my face.

But then.

"H-Huh? It's... delicious?"

No way.

I widened my eyes.

Was cabbage always this good?

The crisp texture blended with the various seasonings, becoming more savory the more I chewed.

Diamid poked my puffed cheek with his finger.

"Hey, seriously... Does it taste that good when you stuff your mouth like that?"

"Ofh courff, Hwangtaeja Jeonha gave it to mhe!"

Diamid was blatantly making fun of me.

I glared at him with all the strength in my eyes.

This was so unfair! He was the one who personally fed me!

If my mouth weren’t so full, I’d have shot back a retort right away!

But instead of stopping, Diamid just chuckled and wiped the sauce off my cheek with a handkerchief.

"You're like a little squirrel, honestly."

"......."

Wow. So now I'm not even being treated as a person?

I squinted my eyes at him.

Meanwhile, Diamid aggressively picked up his fork.

The piece of food he speared was none other than the meat dish I had been yearning for.

"Since you ate the cabbage, I'll give you some meat."

What’s up with him today? He’s just a kid too, so why is he treating me like a baby?

Gulp.

I swallowed down the cabbage in my mouth.

Diamid, as if waiting, placed a piece of meat into my mouth.

"But, Hwangtaeja Jeonha, why aren’t you eating? You're just feeding me."

I asked while chewing on the meat.

Diamid simply shrugged.

"I told you, today I'm taking care of you."

"But..."

"I'll eat on my own, so don't worry about me."

And just like that, he continued tending to my meal.

Ugh, this feels like it's going to give me indigestion...

I mean, 'a maid being served by the Crown Prince’?

...This is way too much pressure!

Yet, somehow, Diamid perfectly picked out only my favorite dishes and fed me, and I ended up completely entranced by the heavenly food of the Empress’s palace.

"Uh... I really think Hwangtaeja Jeonha should eat too now..."

After eating for quite some time, I finally managed to escape the temptation of food.

Now that my stomach was completely full, my conscience started poking at me.

But Diamid wasn’t paying attention to my words.

Instead, he furrowed his brows and looked behind me.

"Jeonha?"

I tilted my head.

Hey, if someone calls you, you should answer!

At that moment, a cold voice rang out.

"I only granted Charles permission to visit the Crown Prince's quarters."

...Wait, this voice?

I turned around in shock.

My eyes immediately widened.

"I never gave permission for the Crown Prince to personally feed Charles."

Because standing right behind me with an air of authority was none other than the Empress!

Wait, why was she here?!

The Empress’s expression was clearly displeased as she looked at Diamid and the spread of food in front of us.

Then she rolled her eyes toward me, her gaze strangely filled with longing...

No, why are you looking at me like a puppy abandoned by its owner?!

"I ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) haven’t even once personally fed Charles before..."

Uh, excuse me? Why do you sound so aggrieved about that?

Flustered, I glanced up at the Empress.

And at that moment.

"Oh, really?"

Diamid smirked triumphantly.

Standing tall with squared shoulders, he addressed the Empress.

"I’ve already fed Charles pudding before, though."

"......."

"......."

Is that really something to say with a victorious smile?

I was speechless.

But what shocked me even more was the Empress’s expression.

She looked at Diamid with a face full of absolute, crushing defeat.

A moment later, her eyes flared as she spoke.

"Hwangtaeja."

"Yes, please speak."

"Celebrating victory just because you've fed Charles a few times is premature."

"...What do you mean by that?"

Diamid frowned deeply.

What was with this weird tension?

While I was still bewildered, watching the two of them warily—

The Empress lifted her chin and declared.

"Charles and I sleep under the same blanket, in the same bed."

...Excuse me? That’s news to me?!

How could a mere maid share the same bed as the Empress?!

But considering the Empress’s dignity, I couldn’t exactly blurt out, That’s not true, though?!

"And tonight as well, Charles will be sleeping with me."

"Y-Your Majesty..."

I tried to intervene before the misunderstanding grew any bigger.

But the Empress continued.

"Nothing makes me sleep better than holding Charles in my arms."

I stood there, mouth agape, staring at the Empress as she shamelessly lied without blinking an eye.

"Isn’t that right, Charles?"

And now she was even seeking my agreement.

What do I do in a situation like this?!

My pupils trembled.

Before I knew it, the expressions of the Empress and Diamid had completely flipped.

Diamid now had the face of a loser, while the Empress had the face of a victor.

Diamid bit his lip before pretending to be unfazed.

"So, did Your Majesty come all the way to the Crown Prince’s quarters just to tell me that?"

"Hmm, considering how bitter you sound, I’d say it struck a nerve."

The Empress shrugged.

Seemingly unable to refute, Diamid glared at her.

Aaah, I can’t handle this!

Just as I was sinking into confusion—

A composed voice cut through the tension.

"Your Majesty, Hwangtaeja Jeonha."

Huh? Now even Hayden, the Head Maid, was here?!

Why was everyone suddenly gathering in the Crown Prince’s quarters?

Diamid, surprised that someone from the Empress’s palace had addressed him with formality, looked momentarily taken aback.

"...I see."

Normally, he would have thrown in some snide remarks, but now he just seemed stunned.

The Head Maid took a step closer to the Empress and spoke in a cautious voice.

"The Emperor is looking for you, Your Majesty."

"For me?"

The Empress’s face hardened.

W-Wait, the Emperor?!

The very same Emperor who would one day take me as a concubine and get me killed by the Empress?!

I nearly choked.

The Empress sighed.

"When did he arrive?"

"He is currently waiting in the Empress’s palace."

"Hah. He never even steps foot near the Empress’s palace, yet now that I’ve been interacting with the Crown Prince, it suddenly bothers him?"

The Empress let out a cold chuckle.

The Head Maid, looking nervous, glanced around before speaking.

"Your Majesty."

"...I understand. I’ll go now."

As she turned away in irritation, the Empress suddenly looked back.

Her deep green eyes settled on me with warmth.

"Stay as long as you’d like, Charles."

Unlike her earlier sarcasm about the Emperor, her voice now was as soft as a feather.

I swallowed dryly.

Would she really be alright?

If she went, she’d be alone with the Emperor.

I mean, sure, he was her husband, but still...

"Sh-Shouldn’t I go with you?"

"You don’t need to worry about this. It’s a matter for adults."

A matter for adults.

Even in those words, I could feel her considerate effort not to burden me.

"...Yes, understood."

Not that I could do anything even if I went.

Feeling helpless, I nodded.

Just then, Diamid spoke up, lips pressed together.

"I apologize, Your Majesty."

The Empress’s gaze sharpened slightly.

She gave a small shrug.

"What are you apologizing for?"

"Because of me, the Emperor might become angry, and you may suffer because of it..."

"No. That is not something you should apologize for."

She dismissed the concern outright.

Diamid’s eyes trembled slightly.

"As the Empress of this empire, it is my duty to care for the Crown Prince."

"...Are you saying..."

"I am simply fulfilling my duty, so you need not feel burdened or guilty."

Her voice was dry, yet that very detachment felt like consideration for him.

Was I reading too much into it?

After a long moment of silence, Diamid nodded.

"Then, please send Charles back when the time is right."

With those last words, the Empress walked away.

Diamid remained standing still, watching her retreating figure.

"What are you thinking, Hwangtaeja Jeonha?"

"Hm? Me?"

At my casual question, Diamid finally looked down at me and smirked.

"...I think I understand why you like the Empress."

See? I told you, our Empress is amazing!

Feeling proud, I grinned.

Good. If things kept going like this, the Empress might avoid Diamid’s revenge altogether!

...But why did the Emperor suddenly call for her?

Would he really leave her alone?

Updat𝓮d from frёewebnoѵēl.com.

Biting my lip, I couldn’t shake off the unease.