The Evil Empress Adores Me

es with a look that was lost for words. 

Damian spoke calmly. 

“If her Majesty, the Empress finds offense, you’ll certainly have offended the Duke of Rochester too.”

“…erm.”

When the Empress’s brother was mentioned, the official seemed to back down. 

Damian nailed it. 

“Give me a deadline instead.”

“A deadline?”

“Yes.
The Emperor’s wishes must be carried out,” declared Damian. 

Damian!

I glanced back at him. 

Don’t tell me, you’re actually going to obey that unreasonable order?

Are you serious!?

However, Damian’s expression remained unchanged. 

I was in absolute disbelief. 

“All right.
But you must leave the palace within a week.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

After some back and forth, the official went away. 

I grabbed Damian by his collar. 

“Your Highness, what on earth are you talking about!”

“Lize, calm down.”

“A week?! You have to leave in a week?!”

I wiped away the tears with my sleeve. 

But as my tears continued to stream, my vision began to blur. 

I strengthened my grasp, holding onto Damian with all my might. 

If I don’t do that, Damian might disappear from me. 

“How…how could his Majesty, the Emperor do this to his Highness!”

“Don’t worry so much…”

Damian came closer, reaching out and wiping away my tears. 

His fingertips were wet from my constant sobbing. 

There’s no use in arguing like this. 

It wasn’t Damian’s fault. 

It’s the Emperor pushing him to accept…

“In a situation like this, how can you expect me not to worry?!” 

“Well, that’s true, isn’t it?”

Damian replied with laughter at my concern for his well-being.  

Why are you laughing about this!?

I stared at Damian with a bewildered expression.

Gently wiping the corners of my swollen eyes, he muttered to me. 

“It’s nice though, having you be worried for me.”

“…how many times have you made me worry, and you just go and say that?”

“Oh, the guilt! My conscience hurts now.”

Damian put on an awkward smile, something between a frown and a smile. 

Just as I was about to yell at him again. 

Damian stretched out his arms, hugging me tightly. 

…what’s this?

I opened my watery eyes.