The Evil Empress Adores Me

The Emperor, who tapped the chair’s armrest with his index finger, had a wicked smile on his face.

“Knowing the Rochesters are very wealthy, are they planning on establishing another empire?”

The Emperor was cognizant of the Empress’s divergence from the imperial family lately. 

All in all, it was bound to happen. 

The solid relationship the Rochesters and the Imperial family once enjoyed, had devolved after the previous duke’s passing. 

It only went from bad to worse as time passed. 

And why wouldn’t it? The Duke of Rochester and the Empress were so different from their father from the start. 

So now, the Empress intends to clearly distance herself from the imperial family. 

“…how graceless, daring to rebel against me,” the Emperor muttered in a spine-chilling voice, the corners of his lips rising crookedly.

“Well, it’s no matter.”

The Emperor’s smile deepened a little.

“If the Empress comes up with something worthwhile, I’ll spice things up.”

‘As of now, the Empress is no of no worth to me anymore…’

Thinking so, the Emperor calmly contemplated.

Charlize.

The one name that had been occupying the Emperor’s mind lately. 

Although initially a simple maid, she attained the strongest legitimacy by awakening the power of the divine beast. 

If only he could make her his own…

The Emperor’s eyes glimmered with insidiousness. 

***

Recently, news of the library being built by the Rochester family and the Empress had become a hot topic in aristocratic salons. 

“Did you hear? There’s going to be a library for children.”

“Ah, that’s right. Word is they’re building it in the central square.”

“Uh-huh, it’s also funded entirely by the Rochester House, no help whatsoever from the Imperial palace.”

“They’re really going all in. I hear they’re giving all their attention to the construction efforts, so far as to use magic tools.” 

It meant that the Rochester family was pouring all their energy into the project. 

Expectedly, curiosity took the people by storm. 

“Will there be a huge collection of books?”

“It sure will. It’s not just the number of books, but the genres are going to be very diverse.”

“From fairy tales to encyclopedias, right?”

“Goodness.”

One lady covered her mouth as she was left wide-eyed at the information. 

It was not without cause, for among books, encyclopedias were relics among the upper-class nobles. 

Unaffordable for even the children of aristocrats, they contained countless illustrations and the efforts of scholars. 

Another noble lady opened her mouth in a voice full of anticipation.

“I’m thinking of taking my children to see the library when it opens.”

“You’re planning to attend the opening ceremony?”

“Of course. Don’t you all intend to attend?”

At the other noble lady’s question, the other ladies who were each seated nodded in affirmation.

Everyone waited eagerly for a library founded by the Empress, the mother of the empire, and the Rochester family, a house that contributed immensely to the current Emperor’s ascension. 

And they would be right to attend, what better opportunity to impress not only high-ranking officials but the Empress herself? 

However, the one thing that left everyone scratching their heads was…

“By the way, the library isn’t going to be dedicated in the name of the imperial family, but rather the Rochester’s name…”

“That’s odd. Considering Her Majesty, the Empress, is the one conducting the event, I figured it would have been all right to dedicate it in the Imperial family’s name.” 

“I suppose the relationship between the Rochester House and the Imperial family isn’t what it used to be.”

The ladies looked at each other.

Well, the Emperor and the Duke of Rochester showed different reactions to Lebane’s flood problem.

Didn’t the Emperor offend the Empress at the harvest festival’s ball afterward?

Just from an outward view, it was clear the Emperor’s relationship with his wife wasn’t the epitome of a happy marriage. 

Actually, it was never picture-perfect, to begin with…

After a moment of silence passed.

The noble ladies laughed it off and changed topics.

“Well, my children are looking forward to the library’s opening. Are yours?”

“Oh, definitely.” 

“Ah, how about our families attend the opening ceremony together?”

“I’m sure my family would be glad too.”

More loud laughter broke out. 

In the midst of the lively atmosphere, each noble lady did her best to conceal any awkward suspicions. 

For soon…

The day might come when they had to choose allegiances between the Emperor and the Duke of Rochester. 

****

Time flew by, and the momentous day arrived. It was quite chilly. 

The library finally opened its doors. 

Exposed beneath the clear blue sky, the library had that characteristically new building smell. 

“My God, the Rochesters have shown how much they care.”

“I have never seen such a large library.”

Exclamation after exclamation flowed from the people’s lips. 

The children were most of all taken aback; their eyes flickered with enthusiasm.  

“Nanny, are there many books inside?”

“Yes, there are.”

“I wanna go in quickly!”

“It hasn’t opened yet, so you’ll have to wait a bit.”

The nannies were occupied pacifying the nobles’ rowdy children whilst their parents had their attention held elsewhere. 

Their eyes were set on the caretaker and the children from the orphanage standing in the distance. 

“Can I meet Sister Charlize today?”

“You should say, Lady Charlize, not Sister Charlize.”

“But she said I could call her Sister Charlize.” 

At the caretaker’s correction, the little girl pouted her lips. 

Even so, she couldn’t hide her anticipation. 

“Anyway, I want to see her soon,” the girl said in a clear voice.

“Me too!”

The children chirped in unison.

The children were upbeat today; they were usually more reserved due to the stigma of being orphans. 

Watching the scene, the noble ladies gathered in groups of twos and threes and started chattering.

“Why are they commemorating the opening by inviting children from the orphanage?”

“I heard those children were those who lost their parents in the northern subjugation…”

“Beginning with this orphanage, they’re planning on supplying books to other orphanages.” 

The noble ladies each nodded their heads.

“This undertaking has Lady Charlize’s influence all over it, doesn’t it?”

“Well, at Viscountess Antes’s spring tea party last time, she showed herself to be quite splendid at caring for the orphans.” 

“It’s probably more because Her Majesty, the Empress, and Lady Charlize are so close.”

The two were so inseparable, rumors spread that Lady Charlize was closer to the Empress than to the Crown Prince. 

A faint smile appeared on the lips of the noble ladies.

“Lady Charlize and His Highness, the Crown Prince… they must care a great deal about public sentiment.” 

“I guess the same ‘care’ was also the reason behind saving Lebane.” 

“You’re right. And who could have known Lady Charlize would manifest the very power of the divine beast?”

Then, one of the ladies gasped, having an epiphany. 

“Maybe the Crown Prince already knew of Lady Charlize’s power?”

“It’s plausible. It’s been ages since His Highness, the Crown Prince, awakened the power of the divine beast.” 

Their speculation would have sent Charlize into embarrassed laughter if she had heard them. 

In the meantime, the lady who first spoke out shrugged her shoulders.

“Good. It’s not a bad thing for the prospective crown princess to care about the people of the empire.”

“Shh, be quiet.”

The other lady jerked her head and placed her index finger on her lips. 

“If the Emperor hears that, he’ll throw a tantrum.”

“Oops.”

Having received the rebuke, the lady covered her mouth with a puzzled look. 

Just in time, colorful confetti began to scatter all around. 

“Ah, it looks like it’s about to start!”

Then, the Duke of Rochester and the Empress stood in front of the library that was about to open.

The crowd’s curious gazes were fixed on two individuals.

*** 

“Thank you all very much for coming to this opening ceremony.”

The Empress took a step forward and spoke in a clear voice.

*Sigh* How can our Empress’s voice be so euphonious like marbles rolling back and forth on a silver platter?

I couldn’t hide my excitement inside.

“We open this library in the hope that all children in the empire will be able to have a wonderful time reading.”

“I hope you have a sublime time.”

The Duke of Rochester added a final word to the Empress’s speech. 

The two held a scissor, each holding the opposite end.

Snip.

The sharp-edged scissors cut right through the ribbon leading to the entrance of the library. 

Clap, clap, clap!

Wow-!

Loud applause and cheers rang out.

Damian and I clapped hard until our palms were on fire.

Just in time, Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager, took a step forward and delivered some words of congratulations.

“Empress. The Duke of Rochester.”

“Salutations, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”

“Salutations, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress and the Duke bowed to the Empress Dowager.

A bright smile hung over Her Majesty’s face.

“Really, how did you two come up with such a fantastic idea?”

“You’re too kind, Your Majesty.”

“You don’t know just how reassured I am that you and your sister are in the empire.” 

The Empress Dowager’s eyes were like half-moons when she smiled. 

But then.

“You’ve both done a terrific job. Really. His Majesty also congratulates you.” 

Huh?

Damian and I involuntarily stiffened our shoulders, gauging the Emperor with a cautious look. 

What’s he doing here?