The Duke continued his words.

Caring for the Crown Prince is an act of great offense in the eyes of his Majesty, the Emperor.

That part has already been forgiven by his Majesty, the Emperor. His Majesty also understood my explanation, answered the Empress.

Yes, I know. But youre in a position where you must consider how other people view you as well, replied the Duke.

I held my breath.

The Dukes words were like shards of glass.

They pierced deep into my heart.

But the saddest thing is.

All of those words It makes sense.

I bit my molars tightly without realizing it.

This whole time spent with the Empress am I merely a hindrance to the Empresss responsibilities?

Since Im young, Im still at an age where she can brush aside my immature demeanor because of my cuteness.

For now, she can dismiss all the inconveniences I cause, but

Suddenly, I remembered the yellow cat I had seen earlier at the palace.

I remembered watching the cat and the voices of the maids passing by, Its not cute anymore now that its all grown up.

Others may think that you have lost your judgment because you are too fond of the little maid, said the Duke.

Stop it, Charlize is like my little sister.

At that time, the Empress cut off the Dukes words in a sharp tone.

Even if youre my brother, I dont want to hear you speak so rudely

Crash!

In an instant, the sound of teacups and teapots clashing rang out loudly.

Oops.

I swallowed my saliva.

My whole body was exhausted, so I lost my balance and ended up slightly bumping into the trolley.

At the same time, the door to the room flung wide open, it was the Empress.

Oh my God, Charlize! Are you okay?

Yes, yes. Im okay!

I answered hastily as I quickly tried to reorganize all the teacups and teapots on the trolley.

However, on account of me being extremely embarrassed, my hands just wouldnt stop fidgeting.

Oh, why did I have to make a mistake now?!

Seeing me in a cold sweat, the Duke had an ominous expression on his face.

But he quickly straightened his expression, opening his mouth ready to capitalize on this moment and speak his mind in a cold and blunt manner.

No matter how young she may be, that child there is a maid of the Empresss palace. Theres standards to uphold and its time for you sister to face reality.

Really, brother! shouted the Empress, fuming.

Why, I didnt say anything I shouldnt have, said the Duke.

That was correct.

I wanted to avoid the Dukes eyes somehow, so I shrugged my shoulders slightly and slowly looked the other way.

Right now Im just Im just pathetic.

The Empress gently patted my shoulder.

Lize, dont worry about what my brother said.

but.

Tea and refreshments, thank you very much. Leave the trolley to me.

Its fine, you can leave now.

The Empress ended it there, finishing her words in a friendly voice.

I nodded my head and hurried out.

Closing the door behind me, the breath I had been holding in the whole time came out.

Huuufff.

After walking some distance away from the parlor, I just stopped, my body leaning against the wall, slowly sliding down to the floor.

I squatted on the floor, straining my eyes and staring at the clean marble floor in anguish.

If I hadnt done that I felt like I was going to cry.

Hey, Lize!

Oh my god!

Startled, I lifted my head.

Chief Maid Weber was looking at me with a puzzled look.

Why the long look, Lize?

..Yes?

Is something wrong? What are you thinking about? asked Chief Maid Weber worried.

Ah.

I bit my lip. I couldnt hear what Chief Maid Weber said, her voice was drowned out by all my thoughts.

At that time, the words the maids whispered in the laundromat remained vivid in my mind, echoing clearly in my ears.

Im still a child, the Empress only cares for me because Im cute.

If I grew just a littlewould I lose the Empresss favor? Would she dispose of me? No, remember her promise! But, what if what the Duke said was true? Maybe

The more I try not to think about it on purpose, the more it lingers in my head .

I keep spacing out.

No, lets not think about it anymore.

I shook my head to shake off my negative thoughts but it was to no avail.

Maybe the feelings that the Empress had for me were really only a fleeting moment of sympathy.

When I grow up and Im no longer young.

Even if its a feeling that will disappear naturally .

Even if she has no sympathy left for me I still want to be with the Empress.

To do that, Ill have to work a little harder. It wont be easy but Ill make it happen! The Empressher majesty means everything to me!

So Ill become the talent needed at the Empresss Palace so that I can stay by her side.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep