The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 72

"Oh, what should I do? Your fingertips are a mess..."

"This much will heal quickly, so it's fine."

"It's not fine at all!"

I forgot about manners and raised my voice.

"How can you keep wearing gloves until the tea party is over?!"

"J-just calm down a little—"

"Calm down? How can I possibly calm down right now?"

"Charl."

"Really, Your Highness, does it not even hurt?!"

Diamid called my name in an awkward voice.

But I couldn't suppress my frustration and clenched my lips tightly.

The more I examined the gloves, the clearer the Emperor's malice and cruelty became.

‘He used black, stiff leather so that even if blood seeped through, no one would notice.’

The Emperor's calculations were perfect.

No one realized that Diamid was wearing gloves embedded with needles.

Not even me.

I was beyond furious.

Why does that old man torment Diamid so much?

He's the one who stole the throne in the first place!

Diamid, who had been silently watching me, exhaled a quiet sigh.

"I didn’t take them off because I didn’t want to make you worry for no reason..."

"For no reason? It's only natural to worry about the Crown Prince."

At that moment, the Empress cut in with a firm voice.

Of course, the only one who truly understands my feelings is our Empress.

I turned to her ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) with teary eyes.

With a conflicted expression, she continued.

"First, let's treat your fingers. And..."

The Empress, who had been watching me with her red rabbit-like eyes, narrowed her gaze and glared at Diamid.

"Since you made my Charl cry, be prepared to pay the price."

I treated Diamid's fingers.

Well, I can't exactly say I didn't let my emotions interfere with the process.

When I poured disinfectant over his wounds, he flinched and curled in on himself.

"Ugh, it stings."

"Endure it."

I responded coldly.

Hearing my sharp tone, he drooped his shoulders and weakly muttered.

"Charl, aren't you being too harsh on me?"

"But you wore those needle-filled gloves like it was nothing."

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I narrowed my eyes.

"And yet, now you're complaining about a bit of disinfectant?"

"Honestly, it wasn’t nothing. It hurt quite a bit."

Diamid hesitated, stealing glances at me, and murmured softly.

"Then why did you endure it?!"

I ended up raising my voice.

Ugh, this is infuriating!

"Ah!"

At the same time, Diamid let out a yelp.

I had pressed a cotton swab firmly against his injured fingertips.

Fortunately, the wounds weren’t too severe.

If he applied medicine properly and rested from training for a couple of days, they would heal well.

Diamid pouted and said,

"Because quietly wearing those gloves was the best choice."

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you think the Emperor went through the trouble of having those gloves made and presenting them to me as a gift?"

"...What?"

I blinked in confusion.

Diamid sighed and continued.

"Not to mention, he carefully chose the setting for the gift—where everyone’s eyes would be on me."

His words caught me off guard, and I bit my lip.

Now that I thought about it, I had been so furious about what happened to Diamid that...

‘I didn’t even consider that part.’

Diamid shrugged lightly.

He spoke in an even tone.

"He was testing my obedience."

"...Your obedience?"

"Yes. He wanted to see how much I would comply with him, how much injustice I would silently endure."

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His words were chilling—far too cold for a mere thirteen-year-old boy.

"If I hadn’t worn those gloves willingly, the Emperor would have started suspecting me."

"B-but."

"I don’t care if he suspects me. But I don’t want to cause trouble for you or Her Majesty."

Diamid stared down at his bandaged fingers and muttered quietly.

A dull ache settled in my chest.

He's still just a child.

Why is the Emperor so cruel to him?

"Your Highness."

I spoke as I tidied up the first aid kit.

Diamid glanced at me.

I smiled brightly at him.

"You say you’re causing me trouble... but I don’t mind at all."

"What do you mean?"

"Because I like you very much."

"...W-what?"

For a moment, Diamid’s breathing grew erratic.

Huh? Did I say something weird?

I blinked in confusion.

"I said, I like you."

Diamid looked at me with blatant suspicion.

After a brief silence, he narrowed his eyes.

"And you like Her Majesty too?"

"Of course! Who in the world wouldn't like our Empress?"

I clenched my fist and declared passionately.

Hearing my words, Diamid let out a long sigh, looking deflated.

He muttered something like "Of course," under his breath, but... what’s with him?

Whatever. I continued speaking.

"I’m really grateful that you’re considerate of me and Her Majesty. But..."

I hesitated for a moment.

Every time I saw how thoughtful he was, I felt both proud and heartbroken.

Because I knew why.

Diamid was afraid we would abandon him.

"But even so, I don’t want to see you hurt or struggling."

I gently placed my hand over his.

Diamid didn’t pull away. He simply lowered his gaze.

I meant every word.

Until now, Diamid had suffered too much, endured too much.

"So please, take care of yourself a little more. Alright?"

"But... if staying close to me makes things harder for you..."

"So what if things get a little hard? I like you enough to handle it."

I said it with confidence, deliberately acting tough.

Diamid lowered his head slightly, but his ears had turned bright red.

Heh, he’s actually pretty shy, isn’t he?

I smirked mischievously and added,

"Your Highness."

"What?"

"Do you like me that much? Your face is as red as a ripe tomato."

"..."

Normally, Diamid would have snapped back immediately.

But this time, he remained silent.

Huh?

I cautiously observed him.

Surely, he wouldn’t get mad over a little joke, right?

I trust that you’re not that petty.

"...Of course."

"Huh?"

"I like you a lot."

Diamid met my eyes as he spoke.

His voice was much firmer than usual, leaving me momentarily stunned.

Uh... I mean, I appreciate it, but why does he sound so determined?

Then, as if swallowing back his emotions, Diamid added,

"And even if you’re no longer by my side."

...Huh?

I looked at him, puzzled.

His lips trembled slightly before he spoke with conviction.

"I will still like you."

Though he tried to sound unaffected, his voice trembled faintly.

Oh.

I blinked in realization.

"Are you... talking about Duke Rochester’s adoption proposal?"

"..."

Instead of answering, Diamid averted his gaze.

After a moment, he cautiously said,

"Becoming a member of House Rochester... is a great opportunity for you."

"Your Highness?"

"Her Majesty cares for you, and Duke Rochester seems to have taken a liking to you as well."

Diamid finally met my gaze.

"Go, Charl."

"...What?"

"Wear nice clothes, eat delicious food, sleep in comfort, and surround yourself with beautiful things..."

His words trailed off.

Biting his lip hard enough to draw blood, Diamid whispered,

"I just want you to live like that."

"But I’m planning to reject the offer."

"What?!"

Diamid whipped his head toward me in shock.

What’s with that reaction?

Did I say something so strange?

I shrugged.

"I thought it over."

"A-and?"

"Her Majesty has Duke Rochester, the Empress’s court, and me."

His desperate red eyes didn’t leave my face.

Earlier, Diamid had looked like an abandoned, resigned puppy.

But now...

‘Like a puppy who just realized its owner might come back.’

He was both adorable and pitiful.

I let out a soft, bittersweet smile.

"But Your Highness... you only have me."

"...Charl."

"How could I ever leave you?"

As I finished bandaging his fingers, I smiled warmly.

And I meant every word.