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Chapter 82.2




The Empress swallowed her tears and nodded. 
Bending a bit, the Empress dowager’s gaze met Damian’s. 
Her wrinkled hands gently felt Damian’s cheek. 
“Hey, how are you here
”
Damian licked his lips. 
“
.grandma, how can you be out here?”
Those scarlet eyes looked at his grandmother, filled with concern. 
“I’m sure the Emperor would never let you see me off.”
The Empress dowager felt her heart shatter. 
It was because she felt sorry for her grandson, who visibly fretted over her when she finally could see his face for the first time in a long time. 
“Don’t worry, the Emperor doesn’t know I’m here.”
“What?”
“The Emperor thinks that I’m at the shrine of Aurelia now.”
The Empress dowager who answered in that way held her grandson tightly in her arms. 
“I left the palace under the pretense of praying to Aurelia for your safe return.”
Damian’s body froze at those words. 
In his frozen state, he urgently asked his grandmother. 
“Aren’t you overdoing it?”
“No. Charlize and the Empress suffered more than I did.”
“
Charlize and her Majesty?”
At that unexpected answer, Damian’s eyes flickered. 
The Empress dowager nodded her head. 
“Without their help, I wouldn’t have been able to see you like this.”
“Then Charlize
”
“To fool the Emperor, I had my handmaiden go to the shrine of Aurelia, dressed as me.”
“
.okay.”
Damian’s suppressed reply rang out, seemingly conflicted. 
“Once again, I owe Charlize and Her Majesty.”
“
.Damian.”
“Ha, grandma mama
I didn’t expect to see you
”
At that faint voice, tears began to slowly well up. 
The Empress dowager embraced Damian with an indescribable joy. 
He’s still so young.
No matter how much he’s awakened the power of purification, he’s going to dangerous lands

After a long hug, the Empress dowager spoke solemnly. 
“You must come back safely.”
“Sure. And until I come back, grandma mama must be healthy too.”
“
.yes, pup. Be brave and pray.”
The Empress dowager smiled softly.
Pup. 
It was a nickname he hadn’t heard in a long time. 
Damian laughed involuntarily. 
After such a long hug. 
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Damian parted from his grandmother’s embrace with a saddened face. 
“I have to get going, shouldn’t you be going too?”
“Oh, I should.”
The Empress dowager also let go of Damian with a regretful expression. 
“Ah, by the way.”
Before getting on his horse, Damian glanced back at his grandmother. 
“While I’m away, please take good care of Charlize.”
“Charlize
you’re talking about maid Charlize?”
Her wrinkled eyes squinted as an eyebrow curled slightly. 
“You’re worried about her when you’re the one leaving? Do you like her that much?”
“W-Well
:”
Damian’s face immediately burned bright red.
“It’s just that Lize, she’s taken good care of me all this time.”
“Yes, I know that.”
The Empress dowager stared at her embarrassed grandson with a playful look. 
“Don’t worry, with the numerous times I’ve been indebted to her-”
The Empress dowager’s smile grew wider. 
“Even if you didn’t say that, I would still look after her.”
“Thank you.”
Damian became relieved after hearing that. 
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
“Yes, remember to be careful.”
Damian, with his head down, passed through the imperial gates, riding his horse. 
The Empress dowager stood there as if glued to the spot, staring at the back of her grandson as he rode further and further away into the distance. 
A single tear fell from her wrinkled eyes. 
 
***
 

By now Damian must have departed for the North. 
When I returned to my room, I glanced at the chick doll nestled in the pillows on my bed. 
A ribbon was wrapped around its neck.
“Pippi.”
I climbed onto the bed, hugging Pippi tightly in my arms. 
The ribbon that Damian gave me made a small rustling sound. 
I buried my face in Pippi, thinking to myself. 
He safely met the Empress dowager and said his goodbyes. 
Traveling such a long distance, please remain in good health. 
I heard it’s freezing in the north, hopefully, Damian can adapt well to it. 
I’m afraid he’ll get hurt by beasts.
Numerous thoughts were running through my mind. 
I bit my lip. 
With a sigh, her voice broke the silence in the room. 
“
..*sigh* I want to see Damian already.”