The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 8
"What is everyone doing?"
"Ha, Head Maid Hayden!"
The maids were startled.
I, too, turned around in surprise.
Ah, it’s her! The person I saw yesterday!
"Why are you all running your mouths so recklessly?"
Seeing the unexpected appearance of the head maid, I widened my eyes.
I didn’t expect her to come out here!
"No, that’s not it..."
"No excuses. Everyone, get out of the way now!"
The head maid raised her voice.
The maids scattered like sparrows hit by a water splash.
Oh no.
I shrank back and glanced around, trying to gauge the situation.
The whispers of the maids echoed in my ears.
‘How dare they try to compete with the title of "maid" without understanding their place...’
...What if the head maid thinks of me the same way?
I felt my mouth go dry.
"Is your name Charlize?"
But fortunately, the head maid’s voice asking my name was gentle.
I quickly bowed my head.
"Ah, hello! I’m Charlize, a trainee maid!"
"Ah, nice to meet you."
"I’ve been assigned to the Empress’s Palace. I hope to work well with you!"
I wanted to speak clearly, but my tongue wasn’t cooperating at all.
Sigh, when will I graduate from this tongue-tied state?
At that moment, the head maid spoke.
"Look up."
I cautiously lifted my head.
The head maid, with a kind gaze, beckoned me over.
"We met yesterday, didn’t we?"
"Yes..."
I flinched slightly.
Well, what happened yesterday wasn’t exactly a pleasant event, was it?
The head maid smiled.
"Don’t be nervous. Honestly, it’s hard to forget a young maid like you."
Well, the youngest maid in the palace is usually over fifteen.
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As for me, I ended up becoming a maid because my mother, a maid in the palace, abandoned me...
Then, the head maid added.
"The Empress specifically told me to take care of you."
"...For me?"
"Yes. To help you adapt well to the Empress’s Palace."
The Empress, did she consider me?
I nodded quietly, feeling «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» an indescribable emotion.
"By the way, is this all your belongings?"
"Yes? That’s right."
I shook the bag I was holding a few times.
It was heavy for someone my size, but objectively, it was quite light.
The head maid’s gaze deepened at my answer.
She asked again.
"...You’ve lived in the palace for five years, and this is all you have?"
"Yes, but I did bring a change of clothes and boots!"
Well... as someone who has lived as a maid all her life, how many personal items could I have?
I had never even seen my salary in physical form, since it was directly deposited into my bank account by the palace’s internal office.
"How can someone live with just a maid’s uniform and boots? Don’t you have anything else?"
"Um, do I need anything else? Meals and a place to sleep are provided by the palace."
When I tilted my head, the head maid sighed deeply.
Oh, did I say something wrong?
"Then, are your clothes and shoes enough? How many sets do you have?"
"Two sets!"
At my innocent answer, the head maid’s pupils seemed to shake.
Her voice grew urgent.
"Then you’ll need to wash them as soon as they get dirty, right? That must be tough for you..."
"It’s fine, I’m good at laundry and ironing...!"
I took the chance to show off some of my skills as a maid, but the head maid’s expression seemed to grow more and more pitying.
After a brief moment.
The head maid spoke in a firm voice.
"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you have enough clothes."
"Th-thank you so much..."
Well, I’d be happy if she did.
I looked embarrassed.
At the same time, the head maid extended her hand.
"And I’ll carry your bag too. Can you hand it to me?"
"No, I can carry it myself!"
"A five-year-old child carrying a bag bigger than her own body, how could I just ignore that?"
"Th-then, how could I possibly have you carry it, Head Maid?"
As we were arguing about this.
A woman, as beautiful as a single rose, approached.
"Charles."
...It was the Empress.
Not Rose Unni in her maid uniform, but the Empress, elegantly dressed in a luxurious indoor gown.
I froze for a moment, then quickly bowed my head.
I recited the greeting I had practiced many times.
"I humbly greet Your Majesty, the noble Moon of the Empire, and the beloved mother of all."
One must always prepare for the worst.
So, I had studied the proper way to greet royalty in advance.
Of course, I never thought I would actually go to the Empress’s Palace, but just in case... I thought it would be good to be prepared.
But it made me feel sad.
My wish was never to have to say this greeting in my life.
"It’s been a long time since I’ve heard such a formal greeting."
"..."
"I thought you’d never need to speak so formally in your life."
The Empress replied in a complicated tone.
I avoided her gaze.
I, too, never thought I would have to use that greeting in my life.
At least, not to the Rose Unni I loved.
"...Welcome to the Empress’s Palace."
The Empress, still staring at me, said this before turning away.
I bit my lips and looked at the Empress’s retreating back, feeling strangely upset.
At that moment, the head maid called me.
"Charles, let’s go inside."
"Ah, yes."
The head maid led the way.
My bag swung in her hand.
I quietly followed behind her.
The interior of the Empress’s Palace was more than extraordinary.
Elegant furniture, luxurious wallpaper, and every little detail reflected the owner’s sophisticated taste.
I was completely mesmerized.
"First, let’s put your things in your room. After that, I’ll introduce you to the other maids."
"...What? Yes, understood."
I had been so absorbed in looking around that it took me a moment to respond.
Ugh, I probably looked so foolish just now.
I had a feeling my guess was right because as soon as I answered, the head maid turned around to look at me.
And then, she smiled lightly!
Oh no, so embarrassing!
I frowned.
‘At least I wanted to look smart for my first impression!’
But, hey, looking around doesn’t hurt, right?
I tried to maintain a confident expression, but then.
"This is the room you’ll be using from now on."
The head maid pushed open the door.
The door opened silently, and the view inside the room unfolded before me.
"Wow."
At the same time, a gasp escaped my lips.
I stared at the head maid, my eyes sparkling.
"This room, really... it’s mine?"
How could someone like me be allowed such a nice room?
Through the half-open window, a gentle breeze blew, making the white lace curtains flutter.
A pretty walnut table, a wardrobe, drawers for organizing things, a desk lamp, a rug on the floor, and even a single bed.
The bedding on the bed was pure white!
The blanket, which looked as fluffy as a cloud, was so mesmerizing that I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
The head maid nodded with a smile.
"Of course, every maid gets a room like this."
"R-really..."
I was dying to jump into the room right away.
Now I kind of understood why everyone wanted to be promoted to a full maid.
Living in such a nice room!
Just as I was about to be swept away by the overwhelming emotions, I caught something strange in the head maid’s words.
Didn’t she just say "maid"?
"Uh... I’m not a full maid yet?"
I tried to hide my disappointment, but I’m sure it was still obvious.
‘Maid’ usually refers to a full maid, after all.
No, I’m still a trainee maid!
Does this mean I can’t use this room?
I felt a little let down.
As I was sulking inwardly, the head maid shook her head.
"No, from today on, you’re a maid."
...Huh? What is this now?
I blinked, confused.
The head maid smiled brightly at me.
"When you were assigned to the Empress’s Palace, the Empress promoted you to a maid."
"Really...?"
"So, from today, this is your room."
Oh my gosh!
A thrill of happiness filled my whole body, and I trembled with excitement.
This room is mine!
The head maid, looking at my happy face, gave me some time alone.
"Go ahead and change, and take a little rest here."
"Change clothes?"
"Of course. Now that you’re a full maid, it’s time to get rid of your old maid uniform."
Ah, so that’s why she said she’d get me enough clothes!
I nodded eagerly, filled with joy.
"We’ll introduce you to Head Maid Weber and the other maids later this evening."
"Yes, understood!"
With that, the head maid left the room.
