NOVEL WEB Chapter 50
Chapter 50: CHAPTER 48. DO YOU MEAN TO BECOME A SPY?
No one could have expected this. Who could have expected her to ask me this? However, people were originally more sensitive than anyone in front of their biggest problems.
In front of such a problem, a person would become desperate in nature and even rely on a person who they believed was an enemy. Petronilla spoke in a relaxed voice.
“Ah, Duchess. Compensation is not necessary. Do you not know? The situation in our household is not in need.”
“But just to ask as a favor… I also have a conscience”
“If you insist, please do me a favor later, Duchess. That is all.”
“However… Will that really be enough?”
“Yes, Duchess.”
Petronilla smiled gently and grabbed tightly onto her hand. However, she expressed concern to her in a voice that showed she was worried.
“But I am inexperienced and immature… Rather, I am not sure if I will just be a nuisance to you instead.”
“At least, you will do better than that thing. She does not know anything about this either. So I would rather be relieved and leave it to you, who was educated in a prestigious family.”
Moreover, this person was the sister of the current Empress. It seemed that even if she caused a problem, there was enough room for compensation. Of course, because of her sister’s status, she would never make a mistake. Even the Duchess of Efreni wasn’t speaking without having calculated the situation.
“I think it will be a good experience, Duchess. It may not be enough, but I will do my best as you have left it to me.”
“Thank you, Lady. It will not be a big deal. But the little stuff … It will just be a bit annoying.”
“It is okay, Duchess. If there is nothing big, I can do it.”
After Petronilla said that, she stood up. There was nothing good about staying too long today. At her movements, Duchess Efreni seemed to show it was unfortunate.
“Oh, are you already leaving? You should stay longer, Lady”
“No, Duchess. Her Majesty will be waiting for me. She might be worried because I did not tell her I would be here for such a long time. Moreover, because I have to stop by our home for a while as well…”
“Oh, then there is no helping it.”
There must have been some awkwardness and discomfort at first, but these things were now meaningless. Petronilla was now the one who would take over the temporary work of the Duchess. And that, of course, meant that Duchess Efreni had friendly feelings for Petronilla. With this fact, Petronilla could barely control herself from laughing.
“My goodness, the wife, and my husband had such different plans.”
“Then I will be going now, Duchess. You also need to rest. Preparations must be made for departure…”
“You are thoughtful, Lady. Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. I just wish you all the best. Then…”
Petronilla left through the door shortly after she had said that. The Duchess of Efreni sent her off to the end, and Petronilla showed the smile she had kept hidden as soon as she left and turned her head. She did not know yet what the unexpected harvest would bring.
“I’m back, Lizzy.”
“Older sister.”
Patrizia was looking at the papers at her desk when she welcomed back Petronilla. Petronilla spoke while hugging her naturally.
“There was a lot of that happened, Lizzy”
“Come on. I am dying of curiosity.”
“I came with such good news.”
Petronilla sat down, giggling. Patrizia waited for her older sister’s mouth to open, looking towards her. Petronilla started from the conclusion.
“When the Duchess of Efreni leaves the country, I will take care of the rest of the household.”
“…What?”
Patrizia asked with a dumbfounded look. What did this mean again? Petronilla calmly explained to her younger sister, who didn’t understand.
“I know, Lizzy. It is not easy to understand. In fact, I was very upset when I first received this offer.”
“Why? Why on earth did this happen?”
“Listen. The Duke has a mistress, and the mistress has a son. The Duchess hates the pair terribly.”
“Maybe it is normal.” Petronilla muttered and then continued to speak calmly.
“The Duchess of Efreni is afraid that the mistress will threaten her position in her absence. Of course, the position of the Duchess is high enough for the mistress to not even dare to look. Anyways, the Duke seems to care for her quite dearly.”
The mistress was the problem here and there. No, it was the men’s problem. Patrizia nodded with an expression of understanding.
“Not only that, the son who is supposed to succeed, is extremely ill. Isn’t it natural to be anxious?”
“Is that enough to ask my older sister to take care of the chores in the household? That is quite serious.”
“That’s what I thought too. But I can’t interfere with how she thinks.”
“So did you say yes?”
Petronilla nodded to Patrizia’s question.
“Mhm. I said I would do it.”
“Why?”
Patrizia asked with a frown. To be honest, there was no reason why she should accept the Duchess’ proposal. Even her husband, Duke of Efreni, was currently in opposition with the Empress Patrizia. In this state, where was the need to get along with the enemy? She already had the Duke of Witherford.
Petronilla spoke in a calm voice as if she had penetrated Patrizia’s thoughts.
“I know what you’re thinking, Lizzy. When I said I would accept this, I may have nothing to lose if I refuse, but if I accept, at the very least I might have something to gain.”
“What does that mean?”
“To borrow your expression, it is the heart of silence. I can manage it. That part is the wife’s authority, and the Duke will not disagree with her decision. Anyways, whether it is managed by others, or managed by the mistress, it is similar.”
“What, do you mean to become a spy?”
“Did you say you don’t know why the Duke of Efreni hates us?”
When Petronilla calmly asked, Patrizia nodded. Petronilla laughed.
“I might be able to find out. If I’m lucky.”
“Good. Actually, I do not care.”
Patrizia said, slowly holding Petronilla’s hand.
“But I thought it would be a little difficult for my older sister. I am worried about that. It is not an easy task, even if it is temporary, to take care of the Duke’s household.”
“I know.”
Petronilla laughed bitterly.
“But it really is okay.”
“When you are without any experience.”
“It’s okay. Do not worry about it.”
Petronilla replied casually, and Patrizia felt a bit of a disagreement with her, but soon ignored it, and talked about something else.
“Well, actually, something has happened here.”
Two things happened in such a short time. Petronilla smiled and shook her head as an encouragement to tell her. Patrizia explained, “It is nothing. Rosemond will be gone from the palace for a few days from tomorrow.”
“The palace?”
Petronilla asked with an uncertain expression, and Patrizia nodded.
“I do not know why, but the destination is usually Baron Darrow. What is her plan?”
“Yea…”
Petronilla muttered with a voice saying she didn’t know. What in the world was it this time? If it was someone else, she could have answered purely, “probably wanted to see the parents.” But as they had already been victimized enough by Rosemond, they couldn’t see even a little bit of Rosemond’s action as innocent. She thought it was a bit of a bitter situation, and Petronilla talked to Patrizia, “I don’t think there’s any use worrying about it if we don’t know why. You’re so sensitive these days, Lizzy. Please take some time to relax.”
“That doesn’t work, Nil.”
Patrizia said this in a slightly frustrated voice.
“I sometimes have nightmares about that day.”
Petronila’s mood subsided at her dark voice. Even so, it was not strange at all. The Emperor Lucio, who was said to have suffered the most damage, had been in a coma the whole time, so Patrizia most likely suffered the most trauma from the event. Petronilla spoke to her, holding her hand tightly.
“I’m sorry, I want to take some of your burdens off, I am sorry that I can’t.”
“Your existence alone is already enough to give me strength.”
It was actually, sister. The reason she came here was because of her vain hope of saving her sister again. So, even if things were really bad right now, she was still fine. She was alive, and her sister’s neck wasn’t even cut off at the guillotine. Because their parents were safe. Patrizia spoke further.
“So do not think like that anymore. The only thing is that Rosemond has never done anything small without a purpose.”
“I know.”
At any rate, Rosemond was the biggest source of all of Patrizia’s problems. Or maybe Lucio. Petronilla muttered insults internally and told Patrizia.
“Anyway, I think you overdid it too much today. Your complexion doesn’t look good.”
“My complexion was always not good.”
Patrizia laughed with chuckles after she said that. In fact, it wasn’t something to laugh about, but it was her desire to just laugh like this. Petronilla, who noticed Patrizia’s heart, tried to hide her sad feelings and kissed her sister’s forehead. She whispered, “I’m going to the kitchen now to make your favorite strawberry flavored chocolate. Please just eat it and take a rest this evening.”
“Sorry, older sister. Not today.”
Patrizia said to her an exasperated voice.
“I have a lot of documents to send out by tomorrow. I am glad I will have chocolate though.”
Rosemond ordered the maids to pack with a casual look. She watched the maids who were busy packing what she would need for a few days and was lost in thought.
Suddenly she was curious. How had they lived since she had left? Did the Baron boast around that his only daughter was the Emperor’s most beloved mistress? Oh my goodness. If he had a conscience, he would never do that.
An unscrupulous human being. Rosemond clenched her teeth. Glara, who saw this was startled and approached Rosemond.
“Lady Rosemond, are you alright?”
“…”
Rosemond looked at Glara, asking her if she was alright. Glara was a maid from a Baron’s family. Even though Glara and herself both had a Baron for a father, their situations were clearly different.
Rosemond was instantly upset by the fact. She would rather have become an intermediate level maid in the palace like her. If she had lived like that, she would have been happier!
“Lady Rosemond?”
In response to Glara’s voice, Rosemond slowly cut down her anger. She was too emotional, unlike her usual self. This was all because of that human, Baron Darrow. When she thought about half that human’s blood running through her body, Rosemond wanted to tear up her body with a knife and throw all that blood away. Even if she died from that. The blood was dirty and disgusting to her.