The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 26

Since he’s still in his growth phase, Diamid ate the sandwich well.

Actually, it seems like he’s not particularly picky about food.

I think I now understand that feeling of being full just by watching someone else eat...

I think I’m beginning to get it.

After waiting for him to finish, I confidently said.

"Today, there’s dessert too."

"Dessert?"

I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a jelly-like milk pudding.

Diamid looked at the pudding with a curious gaze.

Even though he’s the Crown Prince of the Empire, seeing him gaze so eagerly at pudding like that...

Once again, my heart fluttered, and I quickly lowered my head.

After drizzling caramel syrup over the pudding, I presented it to him.

"Tada! It's milk pudding!"

"Milk pudding?"

"Yes! I also put caramel syrup on it!"

I handed him the spoon, and Diamid stared at it with unfamiliar eyes, then back at the pudding.

After a brief moment, swallowing his saliva, he poked the pudding with the spoon.

When the pudding wobbled, a smile appeared in Diamid's eyes.

He spoke in an excited voice.

"Pudding... I’ve only heard about it. It’s my first time seeing it in person."

"This is super delicious. It melts in your mouth."

I said proudly.

That’s why I made the effort to bring it all the way here.

I wanted to give Diamid something delicious to eat.

Just like how every day felt new and joyful after meeting the Empress, I wanted Diamid to remember the time we spent together as something happy too.

"Yeah..."

Diamid, trailing off, carefully scooped a spoonful of pudding. When he put it in his mouth, his eyes widened.

Ah, I recognize that expression.

I couldn’t hide my pleased smile.

When you eat something for the first time and it's that delicious, you react like that.

I had the same reaction when the Empress first introduced me to chocolate chip cookies.

Diamid, almost hypnotized, scooped another spoonful.

He put it in his mouth, and then another... and another...

It looks like he really likes it, I’m glad.

As I was watching him, Diamid suddenly met my eyes.

"Why aren’t you eating the pudding?"

Seeming a little embarrassed, Diamid blushed and asked.

I shook my head slightly.

"Oh, I’m fine. There's only one pudding, you see."

That’s because you secretly took mine!

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Diamid’s eyes widened in realization, and he quickly set the spoon down.

"I-I’m sorry. I..."

"No, it’s okay, Your Highness, you eat it all."

I waved my hands in refusal.

Diamid, at a loss, looked at me.

I added a little more.

"Well, I brought it for you to eat, anyway."

"Even so, how can I eat it alone? I mean..."

"No, it’s fine."

Come on, how could I eat your snack when it’s touched by your nose?

I laughed generously.

"How is it? Tasty?"

He nodded obediently.

"Yeah, you eat plenty."

Just as I was satisfied, Diamid spoke again.

"...But I still want to eat it with you."

"Huh? But isn’t it for you, Your Highness?"

I tilted my head in confusion.

Diamid, with a determined expression, alternated between looking at the pudding and the spoon.

"If you’re not eating, I won’t eat °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° it either."

He then even set down the spoon.

Huh? What’s this?

I was puzzled, so I tried to calm him down.

"Well, you can still eat it all, though?"

"But I don’t want to eat it alone."

...I wonder who he takes after; he’s so stubborn.

I sighed deeply and walked over to Diamid.

"Okay, then let’s eat it together."

With a smile, Diamid made room for me.

Oh my.

I was stunned by that smile.

How is he so beautifully made? His smiling face is truly enchanting.

Without realizing it, I blurted out.

"Would you smile like that more often?"

"Why?"

"Because, Your Highness, your beauty is too precious to be hidden behind a frown!"

I clenched my fists.

If I had looks like that, I would smile all the time, such a waste to frown!

"Of course, Your Highness, you look handsome even with a scowl, but still..."

I stopped mid-sentence.

Diamid gave me an exasperated smile.

"Yeah, I guess I am pretty handsome."

"....Well, I guess it’s true, so I’ll let it go."

Ugh, I can’t even compliment him properly.

I shook my head in frustration.

Then, Diamid gently looked at me, his gaze softening.

A gentle breeze blew.

His dark blue hair flowed smoothly over his pale forehead.

Underneath his long lashes, his scarlet eyes looked warm like the afternoon sun.

I stared at him, mesmerized, before quickly snapping myself out of it.

Am I seriously getting fluttered by an eight-year-old boy?

This is ridiculous!

"U-uh..."

I quickly lowered my head to look at the pudding.

At the same time, I realized we had a problem.

"...There’s only one spoon, isn’t there?"

I had only brought one spoon because I originally planned to give the whole pudding to Diamid!

But Diamid didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

He casually asked, "So what?"

"Huh?"

"Like this."

Diamid scooped a spoonful of pudding and held it out to me.

My eyes shook like there was an earthquake.

"Why not just eat together?"

"...How could I possibly eat from the same spoon as you, Your Highness?"

"Why? Don’t you want to eat with me?"

Diamid made a pouty face and looked into my eyes.

I was stunned.

Using that beauty like that is cheating, you know?

But Diamid brought the spoon closer and said,

"Come on."

"..."

"Hurry, my arm hurts."

But the one who lost was me.

Because I’m hopelessly smitten.

How could I possibly win when an even more beautiful boy than the Empress smiles at me like that?

I ended up eating the pudding from Diamid’s spoon.

"You eat well."

While chewing, Diamid’s smile grew a little brighter.

Ugh, my heart hurts.

Without realizing it, I clasped my chest.

The original story never described the male protagonist as being this irresistible!

After finishing our meal, I suddenly stood up.

Diamid looked at me, puzzled.

"What’s going on, why are you getting up suddenly?"

"I’ll clean up."

"..."

At my firm voice, Diamid froze for a moment.

A few moments later, he waved his hand dismissively.

"How can a kid like you say you’re going to clean up?"

"I’m a palace maid, you know. I can do it well."

I’ve been a maid since birth, so how could I not be able to clean?

I smiled confidently.

"Well, I’m fine with it. It’ll take a lot of time to clean there anyway..."

"No, I’m fine."

I shook my head.

Today, I’m Charlize with the determination of a pumpkin.

I spoke resolutely.

"I can’t just keep watching you live in this dusty pit."

At that, Diamid paused for a moment.

You wouldn’t want to live in such a filthy place either, would you?

Just watch, I’ll make it shine!

Then, Diamid suddenly spoke.

"...Then let’s do it together."

"Huh? Why would the Crown Prince clean?"

"This is where I live. I can’t just leave it all to you, it’s not right."

With that, Diamid stood up.

And then, he started walking ahead of me!

Wait, seriously? He’s actually going to clean? Even though he’s the Crown Prince?

Flustered, I hurried after him.

"Wait, wait!"

"Hurry up. If you want to clean and leave, you need to move fast."

As he slowed his pace to match mine, Diamid added annoyingly.

Hmph, like I don’t know that.

Three hours later.

I adjusted my evaluation of Diamid a little bit.

Well, he’s still better at cleaning than the Empress.

Unlike the Empress, who didn’t even seem to know the first thing about cleaning, Diamid handled sweeping and mopping very well.

How should I put it? It seems he’s become good at cleaning, forced by survival.

I sighed and stood up from the floor, wiping down the large space with a mop.

"Ah."

I glanced around.

Alright, this should be enough. At least the dust isn’t noticeable now.

As I thought that, I suddenly lifted my head.

The corner of the ceiling had been bothering me for a while.

Now, it’s time to deal with that spiderweb.

"Your Highness..."

I turned around absentmindedly, but then stopped in my tracks.

Now that I think about it, Diamid left to clean the living room earlier.

So, I’m the only one who can fight the spiderweb now, right?

I clenched my fist.

Well, then the weapons I need right now are a broom and a ladder!