The Evil Empress Adores Me

What?

My eyes flickered in embarrassment.

The empress had a proud look on her face.

Isnt Charlize pretty? Isnt she cute? I prepped her myself.

I came to a standstill.

No, its.Ive never seen the empress goofing off like this.

So, are you grateful to me?

This time*sigh*, yes, replied Damian with eyes closed.

Damian kept his mouth shut for a while but when he spoke, he spoke with the likeness of a general defeated by his enemy even if it was for three words.

The empress had a victorious expression.

Turning away from the empress, Damian asked me in a friendly voice.

Did you get those earrings and necklace from grandma?

Oh, right. You knew?

I fiddled with one of the earrings for no particular reason.

The accessories the empress dowager herself gave were pink pearls.

Its a bit quaint since I had seen one when I was younger, but the quality wasnt bad and had a charm to it.

Damian, who was quietly looking at me with a beaming smile.

You look so pretty today.

Ah..thank you.

Normally I would say Are you complimenting me now? as a joke and brush it off.

Only this time, I felt a little embarrassed for some reason and bowed my head just for the sake of it.

Was it because this was the first time Im going out to a large social gathering as his fiancee?

Damian was still looking at me.

Just in time, the empress waved her hand in disgust.

Stop squinting your eyes, go out already.

Then she rolled her eyes and added another word.

Youll be escorting my Charlize, so do well. Got it?

Got it.

Damian answered bluntly but his expression softened when he turned to look at me. It was different from when he spoke with the empress.

Lets go, Lize.

Ah, yes. Until then, your Majesty, Ill see you later at the ball.

All right, see you later, Charlize.

The empress gently waved goodbye.

Damian and I headed to our destination of the night.

Beyond the wide open door, was a grand ballroom with scintillating chandeliers visible from a distance.

It was beautiful, like a dream.

But Im sure.its going to be like a silent warzone.

I tensed up.

Damian glanced down at me when that happened.

Something wrong, Lize? He said with a voice full of concern.

I smiled brightly at him.

No, Im fine.

This was going to happen eventually, I might as well get it over with sooner than later.

I entered the ballroom with determination.

Presenting, the Crown Prince, and his fiancee, Lady Charlize!

The booming voice announcing our titles reverberated across the hall.

My eyes turned to Damian in an instant.

My shoulders stiffened too.

At the same time, all the nobles who had arrived at the hall beforehand bowed before us.

.in all my eighteen years, I never imagined I would see something like this.

I pretended to be as relaxed as possible by smiling.

Then, I heard whispers.

My God,LadyCharlize?

They mean to tell me shes the commoner who became the Crown Princes fiancee?

Oh, that maid?

From their tone and despite what they said becoming blurred at the end, I could feel the contempt they had for me.

Damian looked at them with a sharp expression.

Oh, were going to get into trouble!

I hurriedly try to get Damians mind off of their remarks.

Your Highness, Im fine.

But theyre talking about you.

Well, didnt I myself say Im a commoner and a maid?

Of course, I dont know how much theyre talking behind my back.

I shrugged my shoulders.

Before I knew it, Damian was squeezing my hand ever so gently as if to comfort me.

Really, Im fine, dont mind me.

Damian looked at me with a profound look in his eyes, like he wanted to say something but decided against it as he pursed his lips.

Oh my, I told you I was fine.

Why are you the one getting angry? If anyone has the right to be angry, it should be me.

Shaking my head, I pressed my finger onto Damians lips.

If you bite your lips like that, youll hurt those pretty lips.

I said so sternly as I narrowed my eyes.

Your Highness.

.okay, I got it.

Damians temper began to subside.

Phew, this isnt as easy as soothing a child.

I shook my head again but noticed something off, the ballroom had become perturbingly quiet.

What?

I slowly looked around.

People were looking in our direction with wide-open eyes.

However, as soon as I made eye contact with those staring, I quickly averted my gaze.