The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 90

“Today, I’ll let you go like this, but I’d like you to visit more often in the future.”

“Of course, I will.”

Ignoring the dampness around the elderly woman's eyes, Diamid replied.

“I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

“Alright, be careful on your way back.”

Before leaving the Empress Dowager's quarters, Diamid gave her one last, tight hug.

The Empress Dowager patted Diamid's back with her wrinkled hand.

After leaving the Empress Dowager’s palace, Diamid headed straight for the Empress’s palace.

It was to meet Charlize.

‘Hmm?’

As Diamid approached the Empress’s palace, his eyes widened slightly.

In the distance, Charlize could be seen with a basket hanging on her arm.

It seemed like she was out running an errand.

But then—

‘...Why isn’t she alone?’

Diamid furrowed his brows.

That was because there was a young trainee knight, who appeared to be following her around like a shadow.

‘Who is that man?’

With his eyes burning with curiosity, Diamid quickly walked toward Charlize.

Just as he approached, the trainee knight greeted Charlize.

“Hello, Miss Charlize.”

“Oh, hello.”

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They must have been familiar with each other, because Charlize responded somewhat indifferently.

At that moment, Diamid felt a knot twist in his stomach.

The back of the trainee knight’s neck, visible through his collar, was a bright red.

The trainee knight, in a sweet voice, asked Charlize a question.

“You look like your basket is heavy. Would you like me to carry it for you?”

It was clear he was trying to strike up a conversation with her.

Diamid, much to his relief, saw Charlize simply staring at the knight like he was a strange person.

“I’m sorry, but my basket is actually empty.”

“Oh, I see!”

“Thank you for your consideration, but I can carry this little basket by myself.”

Charlize responded with a soft yet firm voice.

The trainee knight stammered and stepped back.

With that said, Charlize took the lead and walked ahead of the knight.

But the trainee knight was persistent.

“Miss Charlize!”

Charlize glanced back at him.

By now, the trainee knight was following closely behind her, his face flushed, hesitating as he spoke.

“I... I know this must sound strange, but...”

Charlize stared blankly at him.

The trainee knight squeezed his eyes shut and shouted.

“I have been in love with you, Miss Charlize, for a very long time!”

“...What?”

Where did this sudden confession come from?

Charlize felt a bit dazed.

Meanwhile, Diamid’s heart sank.

‘If this goes on, Charlize might actually become involved with another man!’

The trainee knight, with a trembling voice, continued.

“If it’s not too forward...”

“Charl.”

Unable to watch any longer, Diamid quickly interjected between the two.

Charlize, who had been indifferent until now, looked up at Diamid with wide eyes.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince?”

“I, I greet His Highness the Crown Prince!”

The trainee knight, startled by Diamid’s sudden appearance, quickly bowed his head.

But Diamid ignored him completely.

Instead, he flashed a bright smile at Charlize, who was still in shock.

“I’ve been looking for you, Charl.”

“For me?”

“Yeah. All day...”

Diamid stole a quick glance at the trainee knight and naturally walked up to Charlize.

He reached out and gently fixed her tangled hair.

His touch was incredibly tender.

‘See? I’m on such intimate terms with Charl.’

...That was essentially the message behind the gesture.

Diamid spoke in the softest voice he could muster as he addressed Charlize.

“...We agreed to spend time together, right?”

When did I say that?

Charlize almost asked but quickly closed her lips, realizing Diamid was likely trying to help her get rid of the persistent trainee knight.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

She nodded quickly.

“Of course, I remember. I’m just out for an errand for a moment.”

“Then let’s go back to the Empress’s palace.”

Diamid proudly threw his arm around Charlize’s shoulder.

“I’ll escort you.”

Huh, this doesn’t really need to be so dramatic.

Charlize looked up at Diamid with an ambiguous expression.

As soon as their eyes met, Diamid gave her the most charming smile he could muster.

“Hm?”

“...”

...For now, Charlize decided to go along with whatever Diamid wanted.

That knight was too persistent, not because Diamid was too handsome.

Charlize stiffly leaned her body against Diamid.

At that moment, a huge shock registered on the trainee knight’s face.

He couldn’t even make a sound, his lips just trembling as he muttered, “Miss Charlize...!”

Diamid, with a voice full of triumph, commanded.

“Step back.”

“W-what? ...Yes, Your Highness.”

The trainee knight tried his best to hide his hurt expression and quickly withdrew.

Diamid glared at the direction the knight left, his eyes fierce.

Why does he look ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ so scared?

Charlize, who had tilted her head in confusion, quickly turned to thank him.

“Thank you for your help, Your Highness.”

After all, Diamid had been instrumental in helping her shake off the annoying knight.

But Charlize’s thanks were met with a completely out-of-place question.

“Charl. Have you, by any chance, developed an interest in romance recently?”

Charlize narrowed her eyes and glared at Diamid.

“Do you not think that’s an incredibly random question?”

“Anyway, answer me first.”

“I just rejected that trainee knight. Do you still have doubts?”

Even so, Diamid showed no sign of letting up.

“But you know, I’ve heard that you’re extremely popular among the knights and attendants.”

“...Where did you hear that?”

“Where else? Everyone’s talking about it.”

What does my popularity have to do with Diamid getting jealous?

Charlize was internally confused.

But Diamid’s jealousy had already been ignited.

“Also, why do you call me ‘Your Highness’?”

“Huh? Well, because you are His Highness the Crown Prince...”

“We agreed to call me Diamid when it’s just the two of us, didn’t we?”

...Wasn’t that just a one-time thing?

Charlize glanced at Diamid, gauging his reaction.

But Diamid showed no signs of backing down.

“Hurry up.”

Charlize sighed deeply.

‘Diamid is really acting strangely today.’

Well, it’s not that difficult to just say his name...

Charlize subtly looked around.

Luckily, there was no one around.

She cautiously called him.

“...Diamid.”

Finally, Diamid’s expression softened a little.

“You haven’t called any other man by his name, have you?”

“Of course not.”

Charlize shrugged.

The truth was, unless they were pretty close, she usually called people by their title or family name.

It was rare to call someone by their first name.

‘...But Diamid did ask me to call him by his name.’

Feeling somewhat moved, Charlize stared at Diamid.

Diamid, meanwhile, had already broken into a bright smile and was holding her hand tightly.

‘And, somehow...’

Since they reunited, it felt like there had been a lot more physical contact.

Charlize tried to gently pull her hand away.

But at that moment—

“Why are you trying to pull your hand away?”

Diamid tightened his grip on their joined hands and looked at Charlize with a longing gaze.

Charlize, with a troubled voice, called his name.

“Your Highness... No, Diamid.”

“Hm?”

As soon as she called him by his name, Diamid’s face lit up with a bright smile.

Charlize shook their joined hands.

“Other people are watching.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“...”

Diamid looked at her as though he didn’t understand what the problem was.

Charlize was at a loss for words.

“Well, don’t you think it’s better to be cautious in places where people are watching?”

“Well, I don’t think so.”

Diamid looked down at their joined hands.

Then, he gave a satisfied smile.

“I actually want to show it off to others.”

“Show what?”

“That I’m this close to you.”

Charlize’s mouth fell open.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not okay with that.”

Charlize said that, without even realizing it, in a serious tone.

“Even though I have no interest in romance, if it’s you, His Highness the Crown Prince... then...”

“If I’m the one doing this?”

“My romance is basically doomed from the start!”

Charlize, in disbelief, raised her voice.

With the Empress as a hurdle, having Diamid involved would make things impossible for me!

But Diamid, on the other hand, seemed satisfied by her disgusted reaction.

“Guess that’s how it is, huh?”

“What do you mean ‘guess that’s how it is’?!”

Charlize raised her voice once again.

But Diamid just smiled, showing no intention of releasing her hand.

‘Alright, enough. What’s the point of arguing about this.’

In the end, it was Charlize who gave up first.

She shook her head internally.