TL/Editor: Eastwalker/Greatape
Its not like Im so broken faucet.
So what is it that is causing my tears to flow uncontrollably?
The empress reached , caressed my tear-stained cheeks and wiped my tears away.
I could see the feeling of regret in those erald eyes.
Dont cry, Lize.
Your Majesty, Im sorry.
Lize, you already apologized earlier.
The empress furrowed her brows.
I sniffled and clung on to the empress.
What should I do? Im so upset.
This ti did I disappoint you?
What?
Ill behave myself from now on, empress. I will listen carefully to what you say. I will also work diligently.
I pleaded with all my heart.
The empress eyes widened in surprise.
But what I would like to say the most is.
So please dont throw away.
Youre worried about that?
The empress pursed her lips.
Then, she placed her hand on my shoulder and locked her gaze on .
Lize. Look at .
Your Majesty.
I will never abandon you.
You will never abandon ?
I looked up at the empress with glistening eyes.
She said that even though I caused such a big trouble?
You dont have to worry about that.
Re-really?
Yes. I cant believe youve been thinking like that all this ti Im sorry.
The empress was right.
I think this is the first ti I have seen such a serious expression on her face throughout my ti spent with the empress.
I really dont have to worry?
My eyes welled up with tears once more as my emotions surged.
Oh no, I cant show her such expression.
When I rubbed my eyes roughly, the empress gently clasped my wrists.
Then, she gently shook her head.
You shouldnt rub your eyes like that, or else your eyes will swell.
Her voice that comforted was so gentle.
I struggled to hold back my tears.
Here, Lize. Co here.
The empress spread her arms.
Can I really hug the empress?
Is it okay for to be forgiven so easily?
When I hesitated and looked into her eyes, the empress nodded with a gentle expression on her face.
Its okay, hurry up.
But I like the Empress so much.
I finally buried my head in the empresss arms.
It felt very warm.
* * *
After crying for a long ti, Charlize finally fell asleep.
The empress left the room only after she confird that Charlize was asleep.
Maid Hayden, who was waiting for the empress outside the room, asked a question carefully.
Is it okay for Your Majesty to do this?
Her voice was filled with concern, however, the empress rely smiled in response.
She dismissed her concerns with a wave of her hand.
I know, the emperor will not be pleased hearing it.
Your Majesty.
How can I ignore her when she had such a dejected expression on her face?
At those words, the maid had a perplexed expression.
Charlize.
The maid knew how much the empress cared for the child.
The child even changed the complicated sentints that the empress had for the crown prince.
I heard the princes voice for the first ti earlier.
Pardon?
I went after Charlize to the crown princes palace, and we happened to converse.
Damians voice ca back to the empress mind.
His voice was not that of a typically upbeat eight-years-old, but rather a somber one.
Also,
Even though it must have been difficult as the emperor to keep him in check, he tried to protect Lize.
The empress cast her gaze downwards.
The maid bit her lower lip with a strong sense of remorse in her heart.
Although I am an adult and the empress of this country I continued to turn a blind eye to the crown prince.
The crown prince was treated like a ghost in the imperial palace.
Anyone who knows of his existence avoided him so as to not stir up trouble.
No one had ever embraced the little boy.
Even the empress herself.
The empress continued.
In any case, Im the one who is responsible for how the crown prince is currently acting.
Oh my goodness, please dont say that.
Well, isnt it true?
The empress let out a remorseful laugh.
After the death of the late emperor, there were two people who decided to imprison the young Crown Prince and usurp the throne.
The empresss father, the Duke of Rochester, and Mod, the late emperors brother, who was still a Marquis at the ti.
After MarquisModtook the throne, the Duke of Rochester elevated his daughter status by marrying her to the emperor.
Anyway, its alright. His Majesty is more wary of Duke Rochester than .
The emperor and the empress had a very complicated relationship.
The emperors attention was focused not on the empress, but on the Duke of Rochester.
In other words, as long as the dukes influence remains strong, the emperor cannot give her up.
And now, the Duke of Rochester stood at the top of the pyramid among nobles.
Even if I offended the emperor, he cant let go of , since Im the only link he has to the Duke family, right?
Your Majesty
Besides, my father, who was kind to His Majesty, is now no longer in this world.
As a result, he has no choice but to keep her close by his side even more closely.
The empress let out a sigh.
Her older brother inherited the title and beca the new Duke of Rochester, succeeding her father.
Her older brother also shared the sa guilt as the empress.
They both felt guilty towards thelateemperor and empress, as well as the crown prince.
The empress closed her eyes briefly and opened them again.
A firm voice ca out of her.
Charlize will take care of the crown prince for the ti being. So please take good care of them.
Yes, your majesty.
The maid Hayden bowed her head.
The empress kept staring into the room where Charlize was in.
***
The next day.
Maybe because I skipped dinner and went to bed early, I woke up earlier than usual.
So I went to the kitchen to eat sothing, also taking so food to bring with when I go to et Damian
What?
I was taken aback.
Good morning, Lize.
D- did you have a good nights sleep?
The head maid, Hayden, was also in the kitchen this early.
Whats going on?
Charlize. Take this first.
What she handed into my arms was a heavy cloth bag.
It emitted a delicious sll that filled the room.
This Isnt this food?
It is. Arent you planning to visit the crown princes palace today?
The head maid inquired politely.
Ah.
I blinked and my heart was thumping with excitent.
Can I really go to the crown princes palace with confidence now?
The head maid patted on the head affectionately.
Dont take only slices of bread every ti, but take sothing more nutritious.
W-would that be fine?
Of course. Her Majesty gave you her permission.
In response, my cheeks flushed red.
Thats right, the empress had forgiven .
She assured that everything was fine.
While I was stunned, the maid burst into laughter.
Oh my, your eyes are swollen. Let the swelling subside a bit before you go out.
Thank you.
. My eyes were swollen from crying yesterday.
The maid gave an ice bag for my eyes.
Wow, this is so refreshing.
The maid continued to explain.
If you head to the crown palace today, the gate will be open.
Fo- for real?
Yes. If you say that youre from the empress palace, theyll let you in.
I nodded my head happily.
My heart fluttered because my relationship with Damian seed to have been acknowledged a little.
After a while, I grabbed the cloth bag and ran outside.
The fresh air of early sumr tickled my cheeks.
I was walking slowly at first, but soon, I found myself walking faster unconsciously.
I want to see Damian.
Damian.
His voice lingered in my ears.
That voice filled with dread when he begged for forgiveness and said that everything was his fault.
Damian may have felt lonely and betrayed again as a result of the incident.
And it was because of .
Before I knew it, I was dashing towards his palace.
***
Damian had gotten up early today.
Perhaps because he had been awake all night, a dark circle had ford beneath his eyes.
Is Lize okay?
A hoarse voice ca out from him.
Charlize.
To him, the little girl who arrived at his palace was sothing out of a fantasy.
When he first saw the child, he couldnt tell her how surprised he was.
He was never close to anyone, and now he had been abandoned by everyone
He believed that he would die alone.
Damian bit his lower lip as a wave of lancholy washed over him.
He could feel the taste of blood in his mouth.
She taught so many things.
It was my first ti he enjoyed spending ti with soone and bursting into laughter.
Charlize was the first person who made him feel warm inside.
Even though Charlize gave him so much, Damian couldnt do anything in return. He curled up into a ball.
Now we will never see each other again.
Reviews
All reviews (0)