Of course, I will do my best.

All right. Then Ill be preoccupied with state affairs, so lets call it a day.

Busy huh?

The empress restrained herself from laughing.

The fact that the emperor was sitting around while delegating his responsibilities to his subordinates was not a secret among the nobles of the court.

The empress saw the emperor going outside of the empresss palace.

The head maid said as she saw the back of the emperor, as he went away.

Your Majesty, Charlize has returned.

Really? Tell her to enter the room.

The empresss face began to brighten up at that moment.

Shes so happy to have Charlize.

The maid thought so as well.

***

On my walk back to the imperial palace, I happened to come across a man.

He was a handsome man with dark brown hair and gray eyes.

Oh, no way?

I drew my brows together.

Is that person the emperor?

In the novel, he was described as handsome despite his cruel heart.

The man in question matched that description quite well.

Charlize of the empresss palace greets His Majesty.

I bowed my head slightly and greet him.

But rather than looking at me, the emperor passed by me as if he was dazed.

Hmm, is he not fond of children?

I squinted my eyes.

But its a relief.

If he showed any sign of being interested in me

Wow, thats something Id despise.

I shuddered and entered the Empresss Palace.

Is that you, Lize?

The empress welcomed me with a big grin on her beautiful face.

Perhaps because she was drinking tea, there was a pungent bitter scent of tea around her.

Huh?

I took a whiff.

I dont think this is the tea she usually drinks.

I believe this is the first time Ive seen this kind of tea.

Yes, thats right.

The empress grinned bitterly while touching the rim of the teacup.

Ive been debating whether or not to drink this tea, but Ive finally decided to do so.

Decided?

I was a bit perplexed.

Is it necessary for her to make up her mind whether or not to have a cup of tea?

What kind of tea is it?

Is it an incredibly expensive tea?

..

The empress smiled in embarrassment.

Then she shook her head.

You dont have to know Lize.

What?

Ill teach you when youre a little older, okay?

Yes, I understand.

I responded quickly.

At first glance, it was a soft voice, but somehow it was mixed with firmness.

The empress added another word.

And Lize, you should never drink this tea.

Why? Is it due to the bitterness?

Thats

I narrowed my eyes.

Normally, the empress would have responded immediately.

However, she seemed to be having trouble responding this time.

If its hard for you to answer, you dont need to.

Yes.

The empress just nodded with an ambiguous smile.

At that time, I didnt know the fact that the empress started drinking tea with contraceptive effects from that day on to avoid leaving any heirs. I was simply curious about what the empress had talked with the emperor earlier.

Well, about that, Your Majesty.

I approached the empress.

I asked her carefully.

Y-Your Majesty. Have you met the emperor yet?

Yes, I did.

Ju- just in case youre in trouble because of me

Its not like that.

The empress shook her head repeatedly.

Afterwards, she knelt beside me and spoke, her gaze fixed on me.

Leaving the crown prince in that state had been troubling me, so it all worked out in the end for the best.

But

I hate having you feel useless guilt because of what you did. Okay?

With that said, the empress gently stroked my cheek.

But I felt bad so I kept watching the empress.

If I hadnt continued to visit Damian, the empress wouldnt have had to be questioned by the emperor, right?

At that moment, the empresss attitude seemed to have taken a turn.

If youre sorry to me, lets sleep together today as a token of apology.

Eh? Are you serious about what you said to Damian?

The empress glanced at me with an envious and sorrowful expression.

Did you think I was joking?

Yes? Oh no. That is

Come to my bedroom at eight oclock in the evening. Understood?

The empress, predictably, was firm.

My eyes began to shake.

Werent you just trying to tease Damian?

Am I going to sleep together with the empress?!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep