It was because everyone would gossip that Damian would be deposed as a Crown Prince.
‘But, I know that he’s going to ascend beyond the Crown Prince title and become the Emperor.’
And even if that doesn’t happen, he was still the Crown Prince, he should be called politely.
It’s not that I don’t know about that, I just thought it’s the least I could do for him.
After pondering for a long time, Damian asked again carefully.
“… You don’t mind it?”
“Why should I? You’re the handsome Crown Prince after all.”
Damian was silent.
I faced him with confidence.
Right now, I’m being generous.
He said I was ugly, but I tolerated it. After a while, Damian quickly turned his head away.
Huh?
I opened my eyes wide.
Damian’s ears… are turning red?
“That’s funny, truly.”
A moment later, Damian muttered begrudgingly, but I decided not to hear it.
“Ah, I have to go back now!”
Then, I got up from my seat.
I didn’t plan on staying for too long.
Actually, I never thought I’d run into Damian like this.
I picked up the bundle of clothes placed on the bench.
“I have to get some clothes for the maid Weber.”
“Maid Weber?”
“Yes, she’s the senior maid in the Empress’ Palace. She’s a nwice person.” (Yes, she’s the senior maid in the Empress’ Palace. She’s a nice person.)
I think I have regained some strength in my legs now.
I took a couple of steps and looked back at Damian.
“Twen, I’ll come back next time.” (Then, I’ll come back next time.)
“Enough, don’t come back.”
“No, I’ll come back.”
When I answered stubborny, Damian looked at me with squinted eyes.
He asked me again.
“You said you were a nice kid before?”
“Well, umm, coming to you is what a nice kid does.”
I didn’t say I was nice.
When I said I was nice, I meant I’m nice to myself!
Upon hearing my answer, Damian sighed.
He’s still young, yet he kept sighing.
I smiled brightly.
“See you later!”
“… Okay.”
After a while, Damian answered with a small voice.
Ah, I got permission to come next time, right?
After bowing down, I crawled back into the doghole.
Ah, really.
I’m so tired!
***
Damian stared intently at the doghole through which Charlize had disappeared into.
‘What the hell is she doing?’
At first, he thought the kid really was an assassin.
Of course, after their exchange, he felt pathetic for worrying about being assassinated by a kid like that.
Besides, no matter how surprised he was, the act of pointing a knife to her neck first…
‘… I was wrong about that.’
Damian frowned involuntarily.
The little girl that looked up to him looked like a rabbit.
Her frightened look kept lingering in his mind.
‘Ah, come to think of it.’
He didn’t even ask for her name.
… Will she really come back next time?
Damian blinked.
He know he’ll be disappointed if he look forward to it, but the words “See you again” left behind by that kid replayed over and over again in his head.
‘Nevermind, what do I expect?’
She will soon disappear.
Just like bubbles disappear, not even a trace will be left behind.
Damian’s expression quickly turned cold.
Then, the boy felt something in his pocket.
‘This is…’
When he put his hand in his pocket and took it out, his expression crumbled in an instant.
A candy was in Damian’s pocket.
It was a candy wrapped in colorful paper.
How did she do it so discreetly?
After some time, Damian peeled the candy and put it in his mouth.
Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since he had eaten candy.
The pink candy tasted like strawberries.
Maybe it’s because of the taste, but it tasted strangely sweet in his mouth.
***
When I returned to the Empress Palace, I was immediately caught by the two maids.
The maids who saw me were surprised.
“Oh my God, Charlize! What is this!”
“Did you get grass on your apron?”
“Also, your clothes are a mess because of the dirt!”
“I, um. I fell on the road on the way here…”
Ehehe.
I tried to cover it up with a smile, but the Empress, who had just come out of the room, joined in.
“You fell on the road? Are you hurt?!”
“No. I’m not huwt.” (No, I’m not hurt.)
The only problem is that I almost died…
I mean because of Damian, that little boy.
How dare he aim a dagger at someone so recklessly?
Fortunately, the Empress and maids were only concerned about whether or not I was seriously injured, and didn’t question anything else.