âYes. âBecause there are certain characteristics in âthatâ someone thatâs why I like this person.â Thereâs no such thing as that.â
I, I see.
Listening to Damian, I feltâŠâŠ.
I felt a little down.
âPeople like someone, not just because of their characteristics⊠âŠâ
Damian tilted his head slightly and looked at me.
His bright scarlet eyes conveyed how forthright he would be.
âArenât you supposed to like someone just because of who they are?â
Somehow I felt like Damianâs calm voice had touched the deepest part of my soul.
However I still couldnât fully understand so instead of answering, I tried hard to smile, hoping that my smile would look the same as usual.
Â
The Empress had been uncomfortable all day today.
Her expression was so fierce that even the maids who usually followed the empress went to lengths to avoid the empress.
And the reason isâŠâŠ.
âMaid Hayden.â
âYes, Your Majesty,â she replied.\n
âI think Charles has been avoiding me latelyâŠâŠ Do you know the reason why?â
The Empress looked at Maid Hayden, her face still bearing a vexed expression.
âWhenever I try to get close to Charlize, she runs away quickly.â
The empress once again pondered Charlizeâs actions so far.
When I ask her to eat a snack together, she says, âOh, Iâm sorry. I have something to clean up right now!â and runs off again.
The empress felt frustration well up within her.
âIs the work at the Empressâs palace too much that sheâs so busy these days?!â
âWhat? Thatâs not true. âItâs the same as usual.â
âThen why is Charlize so busy?â
The Empress asked a question to maid Hayden in a rare sharp tone.
The maid blinked her eyes, flinching because of the question posed by the Empress.
âWell, she seems to be taking the initiative and working hard these days.â
âEven after replacing the maids the other day, is it possible the new maids were mean to CharlizeâŠâŠâ asked the Empress.
âIt could be possible. Rest assured, Iâll look into it.â
Hayden maiden spoke as if she were appeasing the empress.
However, from the standpoint of the handmaiden, Charlizeâs actions were understandable.\nâItâs not a bad thing to work hard, so I just left as she wasâŠâŠâ
A deep wrinkle was formed on the maidâs forehead.
âItâs definitely a little weird.â
âRight. Whatâs wrong with her? She usually doesnât pass up a chance to be with the EmpressâŠâ pondered maid Hayden.
The Empress stood up from her chair, her rose-colored hairs slightly covering her face. A hoarse voice came out.
âCharlize, donât act like thisâŠ..if somethingâs wrong you should tell me, I donât have the energy to look after you all the time.â
The maid smiled awkwardly as the Empress turned to face her.
Silence enveloped between the two but was soon pierced by the Empressâs sudden interjection.
âI canât do this,â said the Empress, it was clear to her that Charlize wouldnât talk about what bothered her, so she would ask Charlize directly at the right time.
âPardon?â said maid Hayden.
The Empress raised her head.
âIâll have to talk to Charlize.â
âOh my god, thatâs a great idea.â
Maid Hayden nodded enthusiastically.
It was because she knew it would be better than to have to watch the Empress go through mood swings twelve times a day.
Â
That evening.\nVisit wuxiaworld.eu for extra chapters.
I returned to the Empress Palace a little later than usual.
It was because I had dinner with Damian.
âJust because I didnât return sooner, the Empress wonât throw a fit, right?â said Charlize.
Although Damian complained for no reason while I was at the Crown palace, he didnât seem to dislike my long stay.
âEmpress isnât here, is she?â
Surveying the surroundings, I retired quietly to my room.
My whole body felt heavy, exhausted from spending the whole day, cleaning just to take my mind off of the Empress.
After a quick bath and changing into my pajamas, I climbed onto the bed.
I held Pippi tightly in my arms and felt a little more secure.
âI canât avoid the Empress like this foreverâŠâŠâ
I looked down at Pippi with mixed feelings.
Come to think of it, the Empressâs fingers were all covered in scars because she was making Pippi for me.
I was lost in thought until-
Knock, knock.
At the sudden sound of knocking, I lifted my head and looked towards the door.
Huh, Who could it be at this hour?
\nâWho are you⊠Huh?â
I called out but there was no response.
Without much thought, I got up from bed and opened the door only to be startled by-
The person looking down at me with a determined face⊠âŠ
âYour Majesty!â I exclaimed with eyes wide open.
⊠⊠It was the Empress! Sheâs here!
No, why are you here all of a sudden?
In a state of bewilderment, I posed a question to the Empress.
âUm, did something happen?â
When asked that question, the empressâs face had a look of disappointment but also expressed sadness.
âWhy, can I come to you only if something happens?â