Chapter 45.1 \nā€œā€¦ … Is it strange?ā€\n
ā€œYes. ā€˜Because there are certain characteristics in ā€˜that’ someone that’s why I like this person.’ There’s no such thing as that.ā€
I, I see.
Listening to Damian, I felt…….
I felt a little down.
ā€œPeople like someone, not just because of their characteristics… ā€¦ā€
Damian tilted his head slightly and looked at me.
His bright scarlet eyes conveyed how forthright he would be.
ā€œAren’t you supposed to like someone just because of who they are?ā€
Somehow I felt like Damian’s calm voice had touched the deepest part of my soul.
However I still couldn’t fully understand so instead of answering, I tried hard to smile, hoping that my smile would look the same as usual.
Ā 
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 is…….
ā€œMaid Hayden.ā€
ā€œYes, Your Majesty,ā€ she replied.\n
ā€œI think Charles has been avoiding me lately…… Do you know the reason why?ā€
The Empress looked at Maid Hayden, her face still bearing a vexed expression.
ā€œWhenever I try to get close to Charlize, she runs away quickly.ā€
The empress once again pondered Charlize’s actions so far.
When I ask her to eat a snack together, she says, ā€œOh, I’m sorry. I have something to clean up right now!ā€ and runs off again.
The empress felt frustration well up within her.
ā€œIs the work at the Empress’s palace too much that she’s so busy these days?!ā€
ā€œWhat? That’s not true. ā€œIt’s the same as usual.ā€
ā€œThen why is Charlize so busy?ā€
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.
ā€œWell, she seems to be taking the initiative and working hard these days.ā€
ā€œEven after replacing the maids the other day, is it possible the new maids were mean to Charlizeā€¦ā€¦ā€ asked the Empress.
ā€œIt could be possible. Rest assured, I’ll look into it.ā€
Hayden maiden spoke as if she were appeasing the empress.
However, from the standpoint of the handmaiden, Charlize’s actions were understandable.\nā€œIt’s not a bad thing to work hard, so I just left as she wasā€¦ā€¦ā€
A deep wrinkle was formed on the maid’s forehead.
ā€œIt’s definitely a little weird.ā€
ā€œRight. What’s wrong with her? She usually doesn’t pass up a chance to be with the Empressā€¦ā€ pondered maid Hayden.
The Empress stood up from her chair, her rose-colored hairs slightly covering her face. A hoarse voice came out.
ā€œCharlize, don’t act like this…..if something’s wrong you should tell me, I don’t have the energy to look after you all the time.ā€
The maid smiled awkwardly as the Empress turned to face her.
Silence enveloped between the two but was soon pierced by the Empress’s sudden interjection.
ā€œI can’t do this,ā€ said the Empress, it was clear to her that Charlize wouldn’t talk about what bothered her, so she would ask Charlize directly at the right time.
ā€œPardon?ā€ said maid Hayden.
The Empress raised her head.
ā€œI’ll have to talk to Charlize.ā€
ā€œOh my god, that’s a great idea.ā€
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.
Ā 
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.
ā€œJust because I didn’t return sooner, the Empress won’t throw a fit, right?ā€ said Charlize.
Although Damian complained for no reason while I was at the Crown palace, he didn’t seem to dislike my long stay.
ā€˜Empress isn’t here, is she?’
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.
ā€œI can’t avoid the Empress like this foreverā€¦ā€¦ā€
I looked down at Pippi with mixed feelings.
Come to think of it, the Empress’s 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?
\nā€œWho are you… Huh?ā€
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… …
ā€œYour Majesty!ā€ I exclaimed with eyes wide open.
… … It was the Empress! She’s here!
No, why are you here all of a sudden?
In a state of bewilderment, I posed a question to the Empress.
ā€œUm, did something happen?ā€
When asked that question, the empress’s face had a look of disappointment but also expressed sadness.
ā€œWhy, can I come to you only if something happens?ā€
Her hoarse voice rang in my ears.
Taken aback, I shook my head in a hurry.
ā€œNo, it’s not like that……!ā€
ā€œI just came because I missed you, Lize.ā€
Huh? Wh-what are you saying?
You came because you missed me?