Chapter 30 (1/2)

Chapter 30

TL/Editor: Eastwalker/Greatape

It’s not like I’m some broken faucet.

So what is it that is causing my tears to flow uncontrollably?

The empress reached me, caressed my tear-stained cheeks and wiped my tears away.

I could see the feeling of regret in those emerald eyes.

“Don’t cry, Lize.”

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry.”

“Lize, you already apologized earlier.”

The empress furrowed her brows.

I sniffled and clung on to the empress.

What should I do? I’m so upset.

“This time… did I disappoint you?”

“What?”

“I’ll 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 don’t throw me away.”

“… You’re worried about that?”

The empress pursed her lips.

Then, she placed her hand on my shoulder and locked her gaze on me.

“Lize. Look at me.”

“… Your Majesty.”

“I will never abandon you.”

You will never abandon me?

I looked up at the empress with glistening eyes.

She said that even though I caused such a big trouble?

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Re-really?”

“Yes. I can’t believe you’ve been thinking like that all this time… I’m sorry.”

The empress was right.

… I think this is the first time I have seen such a serious expression on her face throughout my time spent with the empress.

I really don’t have to worry?

My eyes welled up with tears once more as my emotions surged.

Oh no, I can’t show her such expression.

When I rubbed my eyes roughly, the empress gently clasped my wrists.

Then, she gently shook her head.

“You shouldn’t rub your eyes like that, or else your eyes will swell.”

Her voice that comforted me was so gentle.

I struggled to hold back my tears.

“Here, Lize. Come here.”

The empress spread her arms.

Can I really hug the empress?

Is it okay for me to be forgiven so easily?

When I hesitated and looked into her eyes, the empress nodded with a gentle expression on her face.

“It’s okay, hurry up.”

… But I like the Empress so much.

I finally buried my head in the empress’s arms.

It felt very warm.

* * *

After crying for a long time, Charlize finally fell asleep.

The empress left the room only after she confirmed 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 merely 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 sentiments that the empress had for the crown prince.

“I heard the prince’s voice for the first time earlier.”

“… Pardon?”

“I went after Charlize to the crown prince’s palace, and we happened to converse.”

Damian’s voice came 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, I’m the one who is responsible for how the crown prince is currently acting….”

“Oh my goodness, please don’t say that.”

“Well, isn’t 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 empress’s father, the Duke of Rochester, and Mod, the late emperor’s brother, who was still a Marquis at the time.