Chapter 74.1

Hearing that from the Empress warmed my heart. 

However. 

I shook my head. 

“I can’t, it’s a burden on her Majesty.”

“Lize!”

“Even so, the Duke’s at the center of the aristocracy, the Duke attracts the attention of everyone including those who don’t approve,” I stated calmly.

The Empress’s forehead wrinkled but she couldn’t refute me. 

“If we do something wrong, we need to be given some space.”

“Space?”

“Yes, space to think and redo things. I think it’s better if her Majesty does not favor me too much and give me numerous privileges.” 

“It doesn’t matter at all. You’re still ten years old. To be thinking that way…

“I’m sorry but I am a part of this.”

With a bitter smile, I continued. 

“Your Majesty, you’ve chosen me as your candidate for this festival, turning down plenty of ladies from good families.”

“That’s, I mean…”

“It’s okay. It’s her Majesty’s right to choose a candidate of her choice. “

The Empress looked at me with sunken eyes. 

“But no more.”

“I don’t want her Majesty to be misunderstood by others, all because of me.”

I added my next words resolutely. 

“I want to be of help to her Majesty, not be a burden.”

I thought about it over and over again. This is the best I can do. 

Even before, the ladies from the tea party recognized me as ‘The Empress’s maidservant’. 

In a situation like that, what would happen if the Duke of Rochester adopted me?

People would be proven right in their judgment of me and the Empress. 

If I was adopted, the Duke would also have to shoulder the same burden. 

“And…”

I took a deep breath, finishing on a high note. 

“I can’t leave the crown prince alone.”

There was silence. 

The Empress ruminated on what I had to say, eventually giving me a quiet nod. 

“I see. The crown prince is precious to you…”

A heavy voice rang out. 

“Then I’ll respect your wishes, Lize.”

“Thank you.”

“Just promise me.”

The Empress placed her hand on my cheek, gently caressing it.”

“I won’t be greedy, hogging you all to myself and I won’t ask to be the most precious person in your life.”

“…your Majesty, the Empress.”

“But whenever you’re going through a rough time or having problems, lean on me and we’ll discuss it.”

The Empress’s gaze was as endearing as ever. 

“Just as you want to be my strength, I want to be your strength as well.”

“….I will, thank you.”

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I gave an energetic nod. 

The Empress smiled a bittersweet smile as she and I embraced tightly. 

Somehow I felt like I was going to break into tears so I nuzzled myself into the Empress’s arms, shedding tears. 

The Empress’s embrace is so comforting…it was heartfelt. 

 

***

 

Time has passed since then. Today is the day of the harvest festival. 

The Empress palace has been functioning non-stop since morning. 

It wasn’t just because the Empress would be performing the rite herself but being a candidate, I had to dress up too.

After I finished getting ready, I stood in front of the mirror. 

Instead of a maid uniform, I wore a colorful dress commonly worn by candidates which included beautiful ornaments for my braided hair. 

Well, this is the first time ever I’ve worn such luxurious clothes. 

‘I really…I’m really going to the harvest festival as the Empress’s candidate.’

I have to do well. 

I fixed my mind on that alone.

The reason I became a candidate was because of the Empress’s and Damian’s consideration. 

Don’t make a mistake. 

I put on a determined face and checked my clothes for anything out of place. 

“Lize, are you having a snowball fight with the mirror?”

Just then. 

A voice that just couldn’t contain their laughter was heard. 

Oh, this voice!

I looked back in amazement.

It was the Empress.

“Your Majesty!”

Attired in a silver-white robe that symbolized the divine beast, the Empress was pure as a white rose. 

I grabbed my chest. 

Our Empress, she is the most beautiful person in the world today!

“In retrospect, I think it’s the first time I’ve seen you, Charlize, in anything else other than a maid uniform.”

The Empress observed me closely, closing her eyes as she prepared to say something. 

It was sincere. 

“…really, you’re so cute, you know?”

“Thank you.”

Hehe. I giggled embarrassed. 

I’m no one special but when someone compliments me, I can’t help but feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 

The Empress’s eyes sparkled as she clenched her fists and spoke to me with an eager look. 

“My hands are itching to give you a hug, whatever shall I do?”

“Hey, please bear with it for now…” I tittered nervously. 

I actually want to be hugged by the Empress right now but….

Considering all the time and effort I went through to prepare, I couldn’t do that. 

What if my makeup or dress gets ruined?

“Yes, I’ll hold it in. We can’t go ruin Charlize’s cute appearance, now can we?”