The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 58

I swallowed my laughter.

"Oh my, are teacups being used as vases?"

The Emperor might have been fuming, but the Empress was gazing at the floral decorations with sparkling curiosity.

The tea tables were adorned with teacups, each brimming with delicate blooms.

The small clusters of flowers nestled within the teacups made it look as if miniature flower beds had been placed upon the tables—utterly charming.

"What a fresh idea. The flowers look so abundant."

"It's thanks to the Empress’s excellent guidance of her maids."

"Pardon?"

The Empress blinked in surprise at the Dowager Empress’s amused response.

"Charles was the one who arranged these tea tables."

"Ah, really?"

A warm smile spread across the Empress’s eyes.

I straightened my shoulders.

Yes, today, I deserved all the praise I was getting!

‘If there aren’t enough vases or enough flowers...’

Then I just had to find a way to use as few flowers as possible while replacing the vases with something else!

And the solution I came up with was using chipped teacups as makeshift vases.

Since it was a tea gathering, it didn’t seem too out of place. In ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ fact, the advantage of using small containers like teacups was...

‘Even with just a few flowers, the tables would look full and vibrant.’

To add variety, I also used transparent wine glasses as floating basins, placing a couple of flowers inside.

Just using teacups might have felt a bit dull.

Watching the wine glasses catch and reflect the sunlight, I had a sudden realization.

‘Wait... Do I have a hidden talent for interior design?’

Feeling rather pleased with myself, I suddenly noticed an intense gaze burning into the side of my face.

Huh? Who is that?

I instinctively turned my head.

And in that instant, I locked eyes with the Duke, who was looking at me with an expression of surprise.

‘Why is he staring at me like that? Do I have something on my face?’

Feeling self-conscious, I scratched my cheek.

As soon as our eyes met, the Duke quickly averted his gaze.

Seriously, what’s his problem?

I pouted slightly.

Regardless, the guests gradually took their seats.

After that, what followed was... well, a relatively pleasant tea gathering.

At first, anyway.

"By the way, Mother."

"Yes, go ahead."

"I heard that you recently broke your seclusion to meet with the Margrave of Antes."

The Emperor spoke in a voice laced with thorns.

"I wasn’t aware you had such an interest in socializing outside the palace."

Instantly, the atmosphere turned icy.

The nobles seated at the table exchanged wary glances.

Crossing his legs, the Emperor continued.

"As your son, I only wish you would avoid overexerting yourself."

"You must be exhausted yourself, managing state affairs."

However, the Dowager Empress simply shook her head, unfazed.

"If I had not attended that banquet, Your Majesty’s reputation might have suffered."

"...Are you saying you attended for my sake?"

"Of course. That goes without saying."

At her gentle voice, the Emperor’s brow furrowed sharply.

"What kind of mother would sit idly by while rumors spread that the Emperor ignored a grand lord visiting the Imperial Palace?"

The Dowager Empress placed a hand on her chest and gave a slight bow.

"It was a great honor to attend the banquet in Your Majesty’s stead."

As expected of the Dowager Empress—what a masterful way to turn the conversation!

I felt a refreshing satisfaction settle in my stomach.

"Oh my, Dowager Empress. This tea has such a lovely fragrance."

Just then, the Empress interjected with feigned innocence.

I had to suppress a giggle.

After all, the tea had been sent by the Empress herself!

At her playful remark, the Dowager Empress chuckled lightly and nodded.

"To hear such praise from the Empress fills me with joy."

And then—

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed with cunning.

"Now that I think about it, Mother..."

Ugh.

I sighed inwardly.

Whenever the Emperor opened his mouth, my heart dropped.

Judging by the subtle furrow in the Dowager Empress’s brow, she probably felt the same.

"It has been a while since I last visited to pay my respects. I couldn’t very well come empty-handed."

"What do you mean?"

The Dowager Empress carefully studied the Emperor’s expression.

"You are my son, Your Majesty. You may visit at any time."

"Even so, as the Imperial Matriarch, you deserve to be treated with due respect."

I nearly choked.

If he really cared about respect, he should start by fixing the dilapidated Dowager Empress’s palace!

...More importantly, what was he trying to get at with all this posturing?

Just as I was puzzling over his intentions, the Emperor made a show of gesturing with his fingers.

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Immediately, a servant stepped forward and silently placed a large wooden box on the table.

"Please accept this. It is a batch of Resitan fruit from the southern regions of the empire."

Inside the box, round, orange fruits the size of fists were neatly piled.

A sweet, ripe fragrance drifted from the box.

"Whenever Resitan was brought to the palace in the past, I remember you enjoying it."

The Emperor smiled, as if he were the most devoted son in the world.

"I thought of you and wanted you to have some."

Wow...

Even for the Emperor, this was incredibly petty.

I barely managed to smooth out my expression.

That fruit—it was Resitan!

Resitan was an exotic tropical fruit, cultivated only in the southern islands, making it extremely rare.

Its characteristics? Sweet and refreshing taste. Crisp texture.

And...

‘It’s really, really hard.’

Because it was so difficult to acquire, even the Empress’s palace rarely had any.

The only time I’d ever had a piece was when the Empress shared some with me.

‘It was unbelievably delicious. My mouth is watering... No, focus!’

I snapped out of it.

From what I’d noticed before, the Dowager Empress seemed to have some trouble with her teeth.

Offering such a hard fruit to someone like her—how shameless could he be?

The Dowager Empress clenched her fist.

"...Thank you. I believe it has been over five years since I last had Resitan."

"Oh dear, has it been that long? I should make sure you receive it more often."

The Emperor’s eyes glowed with a nasty sense of victory.

"After all, one’s tastes do not change so easily. I hope you still enjoy it."

His voice dripped with mockery as he casually gestured toward me.

"You there, come here."

M-Me?

I forced myself to keep a neutral expression as I hurried over.

"Go slice some Resitan."

At that, humiliation flashed across the Dowager Empress’s face.

Watching her expression, the Emperor smirked.

"Make sure there’s enough for all the guests to enjoy."

In the kitchen, I frowned down at the Resitan fruit.

‘Bringing it out as is wouldn’t be right...’

If I simply cut it into slices, the Dowager Empress wouldn’t be able to eat it.

And the Emperor would enjoy watching her struggle.

I didn’t want to see that.

I sank into deep thought.

‘Should I chop it into tiny pieces?’

But for the Dowager Empress to eat it comfortably, I would have to cut it small enough to be scooped with a spoon...

That wouldn’t look very dignified in front of all these high-ranking nobles.

And that was exactly what the Emperor wanted—to embarrass her in public.

Just as I was chewing my lip in frustration, my eyes landed on a clear glass cup.

‘Ah!’

I shot to my feet.

Standing before the tea table, I clasped my hands and bowed politely.

"The Resitan you requested, Your Majesty."

At the same time, the maids silently placed plates on the table.

The plates were filled with elegantly sliced fruit.

"Oh my, to think I would get to taste such a rare delicacy."

"Resitan? Even in the South, this is difficult to find."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The oblivious nobles showered the Emperor with gratitude.

Meanwhile, the Empress and the Duke discreetly gauged the atmosphere.

The Dowager Empress stared at the fruit plate with eyes full of disdain.

Watching her reaction, the Emperor smirked triumphantly.

"Please, help yourselves."

He acted as if he were the gracious host of this gathering.

I spoke in the most natural tone I could manage.

"And this is Resitan juice, blended with ice."

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At the same time, the maids placed glasses in front of each guest.

The Dowager Empress’s eyes widened as she turned to look at me.

I demurely added,

"I thought everyone might be feeling a bit parched, so I took the liberty of preparing some."