The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 62

"But self-studying with just books has its limits."

"It’s fine. I don’t want to impose on Your Majesty any further than this."

At Diamid’s answer, the Empress gazed at him with a strange look in her eyes.

How could I describe that look?

Half admiration, half pity?

After a moment, the Empress nodded.

"Alright. Then I’ll grant you access to the Imperial Library."

"What?"

Diamid was visibly startled by the Empress’ unexpected declaration.

The Empress sighed lightly.

"I’d like to arrange a tutor for you as well, but that’s honestly difficult to promise."

Well, of course. The Emperor would surely interfere.

Even if we did manage to find a teacher, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t be under the Emperor’s influence.

Diamid responded with a bright smile.

"No, Your Majesty. I’m already deeply grateful for your generosity."

"There’s no need to be so thankful. After all, you are the next in line for the throne."

The Empress shook her head firmly.

"The fact that you haven’t had a proper education until now is what’s truly absurd."

"I agree with Your Majesty."

At that moment, Duke Rochester, who had been silently observing, spoke up.

Huh?

Didn’t the Duke dislike Diamid until now?

I shot him a curious °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° glance.

"But more importantly, Your Highness."

"Yes?"

"That suggestion you made—pressuring His Majesty with public opinion and securing Antes’ support."

Diamid tensed slightly.

The Duke, in his usual calm manner, asked,

"Was that entirely your own idea?"

"...Yes, is there a problem?"

"No, there is no problem."

For a brief moment, something flickered in the Duke’s eyes as he studied Diamid.

"I owe Your Highness a debt. As does Her Majesty the Empress."

See? Our Diamid is this smart!

I felt ridiculously proud, like a mother whose child had just been praised.

Not used to receiving compliments, Diamid awkwardly scratched his cheek and then turned to look at me.

...Why are you suddenly looking at me?

"But Charl."

"Yes?"

"Speaking of birthdays... when is yours?"

Oh dear.

He’s clearly trying to change the subject because he’s embarrassed by the attention from the Empress and the Duke.

Well, this question isn’t hard to answer.

I answered honestly.

"I don’t know."

"...What?"

Diamid looked dumbfounded.

I explained kindly.

"I don’t even know what my parents looked like. How could I possibly know something as trivial as my birthday?"

"Come to think of it, your records did say ‘unknown.’"

The Empress furrowed her brows.

The Duke’s sharp eyes narrowed as well.

...And Diamid, well, his expression went without saying.

As the mood suddenly turned gloomy, I panicked a little.

No, really, I’m fine!

Then, Diamid suddenly spoke.

"Then let’s make your birthday May 7th."

...Huh?

I blinked at him in confusion.

Diamid continued in a determined voice.

"That was the day we first met."

"That... that was it?"

You actually remember that?

Unlike my flustered self, Diamid’s expression remained firm.

"From now on, I’ll always celebrate your birthday."

"...No, it should be May 28th."

At that moment, the Empress spoke up in an extremely aggrieved tone.

Wait, what’s the difference between May 7th and May 28th?

Where did this random date even come from?

Then it hit me.

W-wait a second...

"Why should it be the day you first met the Crown Prince?"

The Empress clenched her fists.

"If that’s the case, we could use our first meeting instead!"

"......."

"......."

H-how did things end up like this?

I stared blankly at the sudden rivalry forming between the Empress and Diamid.

"I said it first!"

"Just because you said it first doesn’t mean it has to be that day!"

The two of them were now engaged in a full-blown argument over my birthday.

And the Duke...

"...To think I’ve lived my whole life putting up with a sister like this."

He sighed deeply, looking distant and wistful, as if reevaluating his entire existence.

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

Meanwhile, the Empress and Diamid’s bickering was growing more intense by the second.

"Then let’s do this."

"What do you mean?"

"Instead of arguing between ourselves, let’s let Charl choose."

The Empress spoke confidently, as if she had already won.

Simultaneously, both of them turned to look at me.

"Charl, which date would you like for your birthday?"

The Empress’ voice was as sweet as honey, but I wanted to cry.

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Why are you doing this to me?!

She continued gently,

"Just say whichever day you prefer. There’s no pressure at all."

...How could I not feel pressured in this situation?

Since I belonged to the Empress’ palace, should I take her side?

As I was drowning in an ocean of internal conflict, Diamid spoke in a mournful tone.

"I haven’t even given you a birthday present yet."

"...Excuse me?"

"If your birthday is the day we first met, I’d be really happy..."

With pitiful eyes, he trailed off.

The Empress’ face twisted.

That’s not fair!

If you put it that way, I can’t refuse!

In the end, I carefully glanced at the Empress and hesitantly spoke.

"Then... I’ll go with the date His Highness chose..."

"This is just too unfair, Crown Prince!"

The Empress shouted, but Diamid was already smiling triumphantly.

I’m sorry, Your Majesty.

But today is Diamid’s birthday.

The Empress sulked for a while before suddenly smirking.

It was an oddly sinister smile.

"Crown Prince, you know the world is quite cruel, don’t you?"

"...What do you mean?"

"If I want to win Charl’s heart, I’ll just have to try harder."

The Empress lifted her chin haughtily.

...Wait, is this still not over?!

Meanwhile, the Duke looked completely detached, as if he had transcended all emotions.

With a disinterested expression, he silently watched the ridiculous competition unfold.

Tsk. Easy for him to be calm—it’s not his problem.

The Empress suddenly leaned forward to meet my gaze, her voice as sweet as honey.

"Charl, is there anything you want?"

"Something I want?"

"Yes. I’d like to give you a birthday present."

Oh, so now we’re moving on to bribery?

Faced with her wealth and warmth, my cheeks involuntarily flushed.

But still...

"Um, Your Majesty, it’s not my birthday yet."

The Empress shook her head firmly.

"You’ve already missed five birthdays."

"...Excuse me?"

"It might be difficult to make up for all five, but at least I can do something for one."

Her determination was unwavering.

I hesitated, glancing at her.

If she was being this serious about it...

"T-then..."

"Yes, Charl? Anything you want! If you ask, I’ll even bring you the stars!"

The Empress declared grandly.

That was the most romantic thing I’d ever heard. Even a novel’s male lead wouldn’t be able to compete.

"Then... I’d like to study, just like His Highness."

"Study?"

The Empress widened her eyes.

I nodded.

"I want to become a lady-in-waiting who won’t bring shame to Your Majesty."

That meant... I wanted to be worthy of serving her.

After all, I was already taking care of the Crown Prince.

But compared to the nobility I served, I was just an ordinary maid.

Even among palace maids, the most I was expected to know was basic reading and writing.

Only senior attendants had proper education.

And there was no way I’d ever reach that rank.

So if I wanted to grow beyond that, I’d have to study on my own.

"...Charl."

Lost in thought, I only realized belatedly that the Empress’ voice was trembling with emotion.

"You want to become a maid worthy of serving me..."

"Y-Your Majesty?"

"I’m so touched!"

The Empress pulled me into a tight embrace.

U-uhh. Well, if this makes her happy...

I let her hug me quietly.

"Then I’ll find you a tutor."

"Really?"

"Of course. But don’t forget, Charl—you’re already perfect as you are."

She winked playfully.

I smiled brightly at her—then suddenly, a cold shiver ran down my spine.