The Evil Empress Adores Me-Chapter 87

"Just a little bit..."

Diamid exhaled deeply.

And for some reason... I felt terribly sorry for Diamid.

How much emotional turmoil must he have gone through to be so obsessed with a mere nightmare?

Even with the real me right in front of him, why does he still tremble in fear...?

"...Your Highness, I'm here."

After hesitating for a while, I carefully raised my hand.

As I gently ran my hand down his tense back, the tension in Diamid's body slowly began to fade.

Phew.

Eventually, Diamid let out a long sigh.

It was a sigh of relief.

"That's right, you're here."

Only then did Diamid release me.

However, his gaze still relentlessly lingered on my face, as though he were waiting for me to say something.

...But what am I supposed to say?

I couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward.

At that moment, Diamid spoke in a gruff voice.

"Do I really have to ask you myself?"

Huh? What do you want to ask?

Confused, I looked at Diamid.

Diamid continued with a pout.

"I've been feeling like, I was the only one who wanted to see you."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Isn’t it true? You’ve been indifferent the whole time, while I’ve been all anxious..."

Is he seriously saying this?

I unconsciously raised my voice in frustration.

"Of course, I wanted to see you too, Your Highness!"

"Really?"

At that moment, Diamid’s expression softened with a smile.

I lost my words.

Even though it felt like I had just spoken as if I were forced into it, why does he seem so happy?

...But well, the fact is, I did want to see Diamid.

Since we’re on the subject, I decided to indulge him a little more.

"I missed you so much, Your Highness, that I even drenched my pillow with tears every night."

"...Really?"

"Of course. Don't you believe me?"

I puffed my chest out and met Diamid's gaze.

Diamid couldn’t hide his skeptical look, but despite that, the corners of his eyes and lips seemed a little more ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) honest.

Hey, Diamid.

You’re really smiling like a fool right now, aren’t you?!

"...Your Highness, you must be really grateful for your unbelievably handsome appearance."

I muttered with a sulky voice.

I had just realized for the first time that overwhelming beauty even cancels out a silly expression like that.

Then Diamid gave a sly grin.

"Does that mean I’m handsome enough in your eyes?"

"Yes, I suppose so..."

I nodded reluctantly.

Well, anyone with normal eyesight would probably agree.

After hearing my response, Diamid’s face lit up as if he had won the entire world.

"All the effort I put into not damaging my face has finally paid off."

"Huh? What effort?"

"You like handsome people, don’t you?"

Ah, does he really have to hit the nail on the head like this?

I became flustered.

But then, at that moment.

Diamid suddenly asked me.

"So, how about it? Am I more to your liking than Duke Rochester?"

"..."

Is he joking?

I looked at Diamid with a stunned expression.

But Diamid’s face was completely serious.

"Hurry up and answer me."

"Your Highness, really..."

"Am I better than Duke Rochester, right?"

No, how much of an age gap is there between me and Duke Rochester!

But Diamid seemed determined not to back down until he got an answer.

I nodded reluctantly.

"Yes, Your Highness, you’re better."

"Good, that's what I wanted to hear."

Diamid raised his nose high as if he were on top of the world.

I narrowed my eyes.

...It seems like Diamid has become a lot more childish since I last saw him.

Is that just my imagination?

Diamid and I sat down under the shade of the blooming lilac flowers.

Throughout, Diamid had been holding my hand tightly, like a chick following its mother.

Hey, I’m fine, but...

I glanced at Diamid’s profile from the side.

What are you going to do if someone sees you?

We’re both adults now, holding hands like this is a bit... strange, isn’t it?

"Isn’t it uncomfortable to keep holding my hand?"

I couldn’t take it anymore and subtly hinted at Diamid.

But...

"No, it’s not uncomfortable."

...Diamid’s solid defense blocked me completely.

Ugh, Diamid.

In the end, I gave up on letting go of his hand.

Well, it’s not like anyone is watching.

Perhaps it’s because of the eight-year gap, but our conversation continued without interruption.

"So, by the way, recently in the Empress's palace, we changed the curtains..."

I chattered about even the smallest things.

Even though it wasn’t anything special, Diamid listened intently to everything I said.

"By the way, Your Highness."

"Mm?"

Diamid, who had been focusing on my words, finally lifted his head slightly.

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"I feel like I’ve been the one talking all this time."

"Really? It’s fine, I want to hear anything about you."

"Same here."

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I looked at Diamid with a nonchalant glance.

"I also want to hear your story."

"...My story?"

"Yes. How have you been doing up in the north until now?"

I asked while lightly shaking the hand Diamid was holding.

Diamid answered in a relaxed tone.

"Well, it was the same every day."

"What was the same every day?"

"Hmm... I’d purify the monsters invading Anteres, sometimes I’d inspect the villages."

...Somehow, it seems like there have been too many varied events for it to just be called ‘the same every day.’

Is it just me thinking that?

"Actually, it wasn’t just the monsters; the damage from wild animals was significant. So I also had to hunt them down sometimes..."

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

Diamid, who had been lost in thought, finally continued with a bright smile.

"Oh, and I’ve also supervised the repairs to the city walls."

Ah.

Without realizing it, I made a disgusted expression.

It seems like the Duke of Anteres has really been putting Diamid to work.

But then.

Diamid added with a smile in his voice.

"Oh right, I also had a bet with Siena about catching wild boars, and I won."

...Siena?

Does Diamid call the Baron of Anteres 'Siena'?

Are they that close?

A cold chill spread deep in my heart, like swallowing a chunk of ice.

Diamid puffed his chest with pride.

"I did well, didn’t I?"

"Y-Yes. You did well."

I hurriedly fixed my expression and forced a smile.

Yeah, I kind of expected this.

Siena is the female lead of this world and Diamid’s...

"Someone he’s going to spend his life with."

I knew that, but for some reason, my heart was aching.

No, I shouldn’t think like that.

I quickly gathered my thoughts.

As a friend, it’s only natural to support their relationship.

"I’m glad, though, that the Baron of Anteres is there with you, Your Highness."

"...Mm?"

"Having someone of the same age to rely on, it seems like that’s why you’ve been able to stay so healthy, Your Highness."

I smiled brightly as I asked.

"By the way, how was purifying the monsters?"

"Well... it was alright."

"...It was alright?"

"People are animals of adaptation, you know? Eventually, you get used to it."

Diamid shrugged lightly.

For him to say it so nonchalantly, how many tough and painful moments must he have endured?

While I’ve been safe and comfortable by the Empress’s side...

"Diamid must have crossed the line of death so many times."

Feeling sorry, I tightened the hand I was holding with Diamid.

Then Diamid smiled faintly.

"But there’s one thing I couldn’t get used to."

"What was that?"

"Not having you by my side."

I stared at Diamid in silence.

How strange.

If someone else said something like that, I would definitely think, "What’s wrong with them?"

But why is it that now...

"My heart is racing."

I quickly raised my hand and pressed it against my chest.

My heartbeat was so fast that I worried Diamid might hear it.

Just then, fortunately, Diamid shifted the topic.

"By the way, at the improvement ceremony earlier..."

...But the topic itself wasn’t exactly pleasant.

I stiffened and tensed up.

"Why did you avoid looking at me?"

"Oh, that..."

I trailed off, unsure of what to say.

No, both the Empress and Diamid...

Why do they keep asking questions that are so hard to answer?

I have my pride, you know?

I can’t just say it was because the Baron of Anteres was on my mind!

"U-uh... I think Your Highness might be mistaken."

"Do you think I’m mistaken?"

"Well, of course. There’s no way I’d avoid Your Highness."

Ahaha.

I forced a smile.

But Diamid was still looking at me with a skeptical gaze.

I felt a cold sweat running down my back.

Oh no.

I have to distract him...!