The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 82

Diarmid gently brushed over my fingers before hooking his pinky around mine.

A promise gesture that only children would make.

But in that simple act, there was no doubt—Diarmid’s sincerity was woven into it.

"I promise, Charl."

His voice carried growing strength.

"I will return safe and sound."

"...Really? You promise?"

"Of course. If only to see you again, I will."

As he whispered, Diarmid lowered his head deeply.

His voice was thick with emotion.

He had been acting composed all this time, but in the end, this was just as hard for him.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to keep my tone light.

"Actually, I have another gift for Your Highness."

"...A gift? Besides the handkerchief?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"That’s a secret."

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I smiled playfully.

Diarmid, who ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ had been staring at me quietly, eventually let out a small chuckle.

Even if it was just a little,

I hoped the gift I had prepared for him could bring him some comfort as he left.

I wished for it desperately.

Under the twinkling dawn stars,

I hurriedly made my way through the dark imperial palace.

In the distance, the flickering glow of a red lantern could be seen.

The one holding the lantern was a maid from the Empress Dowager’s palace.

Behind her stood the Empress Dowager herself, along with the head lady-in-waiting.

Both of them had veils draped over their faces, following the etiquette for visiting the shrine.

"Your Majesty, I have come to escort you."

I bowed my head.

The head lady-in-waiting of the Empress Dowager’s palace gave me a small, apologetic smile.

"I’m sorry for calling you out at such an early hour."

"It’s no trouble at all. This is something I should be doing."

The Empress Dowager was heading to the shrine for an early morning prayer,

praying for Diarmid’s safe return.

However, unless it was a special occasion like the Harvest Festival, the shrine was usually off-limits.

Technically, the Empress Dowager wasn’t restricted from entering, but...

‘With the Emperor treating the Empress Dowager as a thorn in his side, how could she come and go freely?’

Thus, the Empress had granted her permission for the Empress Dowager’s visit.

And to prove that permission had been given, I, a maid from the Empress’s palace, had to accompany her.

A short while later,

I escorted the Empress Dowager into the shrine.

The surroundings were silent.

The Empress Dowager bowed before the grand statue of the Divine Beast, wings spread wide.

I glanced around discreetly.

By now, the fact that the Empress Dowager had come to the shrine...

‘...must have already reached the Emperor’s ears.’

That was why both I and the Empress Dowager’s head lady-in-waiting stood close to her.

To avoid raising suspicion.

"Charl."

The Empress Dowager called my name softly, extending a hand.

I carefully handed her the incense.

As the Empress Dowager lit the incense, she clasped her hands together and bowed her head once more.

Smoke carrying the scent of the incense slowly spread through the air.

Breathing in the faint fragrance, I fell deep into thought.

‘It was truly fortunate that all the maids in the Empress Dowager’s palace were replaced earlier.’

Five years ago, on the day of the tea gathering hosted by the Empress Dowager,

an incident occurred between me and the maids of her palace.

Using that as an excuse, every last one of the Emperor’s spies within the Empress Dowager’s household was purged.

Since then, five years had passed.

Over those years, the Empress Dowager’s palace had gained a little more freedom from the Emperor’s influence.

That was why this meeting could take place.

‘Did Diarmid meet the Empress Dowager safely?’

I gazed at the Empress Dowager’s profile.

Through the long veil, a faint glimpse of her face was visible.

But the one disguised as the Empress Dowager was actually the head lady-in-waiting of the Empress’s palace.

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Diarmid rode toward the main gates of the imperial palace.

For a Crown Prince departing for battle, his send-off was disgracefully modest.

There was no outpouring of cheers or well-wishes—there wasn’t even a single shadow of a person in sight.

Yet, Diarmid’s face remained calm.

He had never expected anything different.

The only regret was...

‘...Charl.’

The image of Charlize last night, biting her lips instead of shedding tears, was still vivid in his mind.

"Sigh."

Diarmid let out a short breath.

At least he had seen Charlize’s face before leaving,

but he hadn’t even been able to say goodbye to his grandmother.

She had already looked so much older when he saw her at the Harvest Festival.

Now that he was leaving like this, who knew when he would see her again...?

"Diann!"

Just then, someone called out his childhood nickname.

It had been so long since he had heard it.

Startled, Diarmid turned around.

In the distance, a veiled woman was stumbling toward him.

"Diann, my Diarmid...!"

"...H-Halma-mama?!"

His crimson eyes widened in shock.

Diarmid hastily jumped down from his horse.

The woman pulled back her veil.

Tears shimmered in the eyes of the Empress Dowager.

...Impossible.

Diarmid stood frozen, staring at her in disbelief.

"Is it really... you, Halma-mama?"

"Yes, it’s me."

The Empress Dowager nodded, swallowing her sobs.

She bent down to meet Diarmid’s gaze.

Her wrinkled hand gently caressed his cheek.

"H-How...?"

Diarmid stammered.

"...Halma-mama, is it alright for you to be here?"

His crimson eyes, filled with concern, searched hers.

"His Majesty surely wouldn’t have allowed you to see me off."

The Empress Dowager felt her heart clench painfully.

Even after all this time, the first words out of her grandson’s mouth were filled with worry.

"Don’t worry. The Emperor doesn’t know I’m here."

"What...?"

"He thinks I’m at the Divine Beast’s shrine."

The Empress Dowager suddenly pulled Diarmid into a tight embrace.

"I left the palace under the pretense of praying for your safe return."

Diarmid’s body stiffened.

At the same time, he asked urgently,

"Did you go through all this trouble because of me?"

"No. Charlize and the Empress had a much harder time than I did."

"...Charl and Her Majesty?"

Hearing something unexpected, Diarmid’s eyes wavered.

The Empress Dowager nodded firmly.

"If not for their help, I wouldn’t have been able to come see you."

"Then... Charl is..."

"She’s at the shrine with my lady-in-waiting, disguised as me, to deceive the Emperor’s spies."

"...I see."

His voice trembled as if he was struggling to hold back his emotions.

"Once again, I owe Charl and Her Majesty."

"...Diarmid."

"I never imagined... I would get to see you like this."

Tears slowly welled in his thin voice.

The Empress Dowager held him close, unable to put into words what she felt.

He was still so young.

Even if he had awakened the power of purification, sending him to such a dangerous land...

After a long embrace, the Empress Dowager finally spoke.

"You must return safely."

"Of course. Until I return, you must take care of yourself too, Halma-mama."

"...My dear child. You’ve grown so brave."

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly.

My dear child.

It had been so long since he heard that endearment.

Diarmid, before he realized it, smiled back.

Then, reluctantly, he pulled away from her embrace.

"Now, Halma-mama, you should return before it gets dangerous."

"Yes, I should."

The Empress Dowager, though reluctant, let him go.

"Ah, and one more thing."

Just before mounting his horse, Diarmid glanced at her.

"Please... take care of Charl in my absence."

"Charlize? Are you talking about Charlize, the maid?"

The Empress Dowager’s wrinkled eyes softened as she smiled.

"You’re worried about that child, even as you’re leaving. You must care for her a great deal."

"...That’s..."

Suddenly, Diarmid’s face flushed bright red.

"She’s been taking care of me, that’s all."

"I know, I understand."

The Empress Dowager chuckled with a playful look in her eyes, gazing at her embarrassed grandson.

"Don’t worry, I’ll take special care of her. I owe her as well."

Her smile deepened.

"You don’t have to say it. I was already planning on looking after her."

"Thank you."

Diarmid finally relaxed, relief filling his eyes.

"Well then, I should go now."

"Be careful and take care of yourself."

Diarmid gave a respectful bow and then rode his horse out of the palace gates.

The Empress Dowager stood in place, gazing at her grandson’s disappearing figure for a long time.

A tear fell slowly down her wrinkled cheek.

...By now, Diarmid must have already departed for the north.

Back in my room, I looked at the little chick doll placed carefully on my bed.

A ribbon was tied around its neck.

"Beep-beep."

I crawled onto the bed and hugged the chick doll tightly.

The ribbon Diarmid had given me rustled softly.

I buried my face in the doll.

I hoped the Empress Dowager had met with him safely and said her goodbyes.

I wished he would stay healthy on his long journey.

I had heard the north was very cold; I wondered if Diarmid would be able to adapt.

I feared he might be hurt by the monsters that roamed the area.

A whirlwind of thoughts spun in my mind.

I bit my lip tightly.

A voice, as if from a sigh, slipped into the air.

"...I already miss Diarmid."