The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 41

"Most of all, Her Majesty entrusted me with everything related to the Crown Prince’s palace."

I will make the Crown Prince’s residence as fresh and bright as summer itself!

With quick steps, I left the Empress’s palace.

On my way to the Imperial Household Office, my eyes widened in surprise.

‘Ah, that cat!’

Perched atop the stone wall surrounding the Imperial Household Office was a large, yellow cat.

It was a familiar sight.

Basking in the sunlight, purring contentedly, it looked completely at ease.

"Hey, kitty, it’s been a while."

Feeling pleased, I softly greeted the cat.

The truth was, I had known this cat since it was a kitten.

The story went something like this:

Some time ago, a mother cat had given birth near the Imperial Household Office...

‘The problem was, she left behind the weakest kitten when she moved the rest.’

From the mother’s perspective, she probably couldn’t care for all of them.

And so, the little kitten was left alone. People passing through the Imperial Household Office began feeding it, one by one.

Eventually, that was how this cat made the Imperial Household Office its home.

"Meow—"

The cat, half-lidded eyes gazing down at me, let out a big yawn.

I couldn’t help but smile fondly.

"Wow, you’re adorable..."

Leaping gracefully off the wall, the cat began rubbing itself against my leg.

I hastily rummaged through my pockets.

Was there anything I could give it? Maybe a snack?

"...S-sorry."

Moments later, I looked at the cat apologetically.

Unfortunately, all I found in my pocket was an empty chocolate wrapper and a few bits of lint.

The cat let out a sharp "Meow!" before flicking its tail indignantly and hopping back onto the wall.

I stared at it in disbelief.

So cold-hearted! Seriously!

"Isn’t that cat one of the ones raised at the Imperial Household Office?"

At that moment, a maid walking toward the office pointed at the cat.

I perked up my ears.

"Not exactly. It just gets fed whenever people pass by."

Another maid, walking alongside her, shrugged.

The first maid looked disappointed.

"It used to be so cute when it was little, but now that it’s bigger, it’s not as adorable."

"It’d be nice if they stayed kittens forever..."

Chatting idly, the maids disappeared into the office.

Hmm, is that so?

I tilted my head.

To me, it still looked plenty cute.

"Alright then."

Standing up, I waved to the cat.

"I’ll bring you a snack next time."

"Meow—"

As I walked away, I glanced back.

The cat, meeting my gaze, stretched its body out long.

‘Adult cats are still adorable, no matter what.’

Nodding to myself, I quickened my pace.

If I wanted to visit both the Imperial Household Office and the laundry room before noon, I had to move fast.

After stopping by the office to request new curtains and blankets, I hummed as I headed toward the laundry room.

Unfortunately, my good mood didn’t last long.

"Lately, isn’t the Crown Prince’s palace sending way too much laundry?"

Huh?

Hearing a voice filled with irritation, I instinctively paused.

A group of maids had gathered together, loudly complaining.

"Exactly! The work is already exhausting, and now this?"

...That’s not right.

My eyes narrowed slightly.

How could they stand around, openly badmouthing the Crown Prince’s palace over something that was simply their job?

If anything, they should be grateful that the palace hadn’t sent any laundry before.

Of course, I understood that more work meant more effort, but still...

"You know, that new [N O V E L I G H T] maid from the training hall who joined the Empress’s palace!"

"I heard she’s the reason the workload increased!"

Wait—are they talking about me?

I stiffened.

Then—

"Ah, you mean that brat Charlize?"

A smug, gloating voice cut in.

Wait, that person is...?

My eyes widened.

Becky!

The maids turned toward her in unison.

"Oh, so that maid’s name is Charlize?"

"She’s just making work harder for everyone. So annoying!"

"As if the job wasn’t tough enough already."

One by one, the maids chimed in.

Enjoying the attention, Becky crossed her arms smugly.

"She’s always been like that. There’s just something about her that gets on people’s nerves."

"What do you mean?"

"I still haven’t been promoted to a full maid because of her, you know? I was right on the verge of promotion!"

Becky pounded her chest in frustration.

I was speechless.

After all I did to make sure she didn’t get kicked out of the palace, this is how she repays me?

"And remember those trainee maids who got transferred to the laundry room from the training hall?"

Despite my disbelief, Becky continued in a mournful tone.

"That was all because of Charlize too!"

"Oh my, really...?"

"Why is everyone defending that maid?"

"How many people have suffered because of her?"

The maids looked at Becky with sympathy.

Her expression turned bitter.

"Ever since she was little, everyone spoiled her just because she was young."

"They really treated her that well?"

"Yeah! But it was all for nothing. She got so full of herself, acting all high and mighty..."

Becky tilted her head pitifully, playing the victim.

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"And even the maids who worked in the Empress’s palace got transferred to the laundry room—all because of her!"

"That’s right!"

"I heard about that too!"

The maids agreed in unison.

Hidden in a corner of the laundry room, I quietly observed them.

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Hmm, this feels like I’ve suddenly become the public enemy.

There’s no way I can step out now.

"For now, sure, Her Majesty might favor that brat..."

Becky shrugged.

"But how long do you think that’ll last?"

...What?

I felt my mouth go dry.

What is she trying to say?

"Right now, she’s just a tiny kid, running around all cute. That’s why Her Majesty dotes on her. But wait till she grows up."

Becky’s eyes glinted with malice.

"All that affection will disappear in an instant."

She spoke as if stating an undeniable fact.

I froze in place.

‘Is it really just because I’m young that Her Majesty treats me well?’

I hated that I was thinking this, but the doubt wouldn’t leave my mind.

Because I’m a child, because I’m still immature.

People are usually kinder to children.

If that’s the case...

‘...Will Her Majesty stop caring for me once I’m no longer a child?’

My breathing became unsteady.

"And if you really think about it, she’s quite cunning."

"Cunning?"

"Yes. Just think about it—anyone who wasn’t on her side got kicked out."

Lowering her voice, Becky whispered conspiratorially.

"That means she’s using Her Majesty’s favor for her own gain."

"Now that you mention it..."

"Wow, for someone so young, she’s already scheming..."

The maids let out bright, ringing laughter.

Hearing them, I shrank back as if I had been struck.

That’s not true.

But how could I explain myself?

No matter what I said, they wouldn’t listen.

I felt small.

Then—

"And let’s be honest, does anyone even consider the Crown Prince a real Crown Prince?"

...What?!

My eyes flared.

I snapped my head up.

"Let’s be real, rumors are spreading that he’ll be deposed!"

"Exactly! He’s already been cast aside!"

"Trying to act like a real prince now—it’s just pathetic, isn’t it?"

"Making us serve him is just extra work!"

Hey, if you’re going to talk about me, fine.

But why drag Diamid into this?!

Yet their complaints only escalated.

Unable to stand it any longer, I stepped forward.

"Excuse me."

The room fell silent as if doused in cold water.

Narrowing my eyes, I asked,

"Are you finished talking?"

The room fell into a stunned silence, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over it.

Narrowing my eyes, I asked,

"Are you finished talking?"

"What the—who is this brat?"

"Where does a tiny maid get off interrupting when adults are talking...?"

The maids clicked their tongues, clearly annoyed.

Then—

Becky pointed at me with a scowl.

"You, Charlize!"

"Oh, so this is the Charlize?"

Naturally, the other maids’ gazes darkened.

They surrounded me, throwing sharp words in my direction.

"Would you look at that, staring at us with those big, round eyes!"

"Becky wasn’t wrong about her, not one bit!"

"For such a little thing, she sure is cunning!"

Facing their glares, I barely held back a sigh.

I didn’t even know where to begin correcting them.

Honestly, the fact that they were addressing me—a full-fledged maid of the Empress’s palace—with such blatant disrespect was already a huge problem.

But that wasn’t what I was most concerned about.

"The way you just spoke about the Crown Prince—how dare you?"

That was what I needed to address first.