Lady to Queen

“You…!”

As soon as she saw Patrizia, Rosemond let out a sharp sound through her teeth. She stared at Patrizia in a resentful manner, as if she had fallen into a trap. Patrizia was amazed by the attitude Rosemond showed towards her. This was clearly a mental problem. Why did she not think even a little about her own faults, and instead just looked at the person who was about to punish her with those kinds of eyes? Patrizia asked her, not hiding the bite in her words.

“Even in prison, your mind still remains the same. How can I fix your frivolous habits?”

“Your Majesty, the noble Empress, can not dare to accomplish such a feat no matter how hard you try.”

Rosemond laughed beautifully, and mocked Patrizia, but she did not even blink in surprise. It was not like the situation was going against her so that she would fall for such a level of provocation, and she had been the one to plot half of this situation after all. Patrizia instead put on a pretty smile that resembled Rosemond’s smile, and showed Rosemond a pretense of comfort.

“It will be very difficult for you now. No one will be able to help you.”

“Before I became the Marchioness of Ethyller, I am still the daughter of the Efreni household. My adopted father cannot forsake me.”

“It is not like the Duke really cared for you, and that was the reason why he adopted you as a daughter?”

Patrizia already made a wicked smile on her face, as if she were piercing the inside of Rosemond’s mind, but Rosemond responded casually.

“What would be the point of that? The important thing is that he will never be able to forsake me.”

“You know, Rosemond.”

Patrizia spoke to her with an amused expression on her face.

“I know why you believe in Duke Efreni so much.”

“Hmm?”

Rosemond made a sound in order to casually hide her bewilderment, but Patrizia had already penetrated her thoughts. Patrizia smiled in a charming manner, and whispered into her ear.

“What I mean is, that I know all about the content that you have used to threaten the Duke.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about, noble Empress, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, you do not have to know.”

Patrizia shook her head as if it did not matter.

“The important thing is, you should not be relying on the Duke for his support.”

“… Why is that?”

“The Duke will not have the power to protect you now.”

“You speak as if you are someone that plans to take away the Duke’s title or something.”

“That is not in my line of duty. As you know, that belongs to the Duchess of Efreni.”

With those words, Rosemond had no choice but to realize that Patrizia already knew everything that she knew. ‘January, what in the world did she…!’ Rosemond grinded her teeth internally.

“It is really up to her in regards to what will happen to him. Perhaps, if you had some kind of affinity with the Duchess as well… Otherwise, it would be difficult to expect any help to come from the Efreni family.”

“… Ha!”

“But the Duchess of Efreni I know, is not a fool. Would there be any worth in saving you while receiving hatred from the Empress? More than that…”

Patrizia smiled coldly and finished her sentence.

“The young Efreni is dead. Will a mother who has lost her son, try to protect a woman who was in cahoots with her husband’s mistress?”

“… Are you seeing this through to the end, now?”

“That is my plan, Marchioness Ethyller.”

Patrizia continued with a tired expression.

“I am so exhausted from this constant friction with you, and above all, I cannot overlook the situation you brought about, where the livelihood of the people I love was threatened. Would it not be easier to finish it like this?”

“I would only be easier for Your Majesty. I am going to put up a fight until the end.”

“Do as you please. But to fulfill the meaning of ‘putting up a fight’ needs some kind of possibility. Is it possible that you will be reincarnated now? I am going to give you the death penalty for trying to assassinate the Empress, and spread the Duke of Efreni’s shameful secrets. The society of the nobility will be engulfed in chaos.”

Patrizia spoke matter-of-factly. As though Patrizia was someone who had prepared for all of this for a very long time, she did not show any sign of hesitation or wanting to pause, as she continued to speak.

“But it does not matter. The drought can only be resolved after a storm, and the air will then become clean.”

“… ”

“Even if the storms belonging to you and the Duke of Efreni make the Marvinus Empire a little hectic and noisy, it will soon be more stable than before. I believe so.”

“Who said that? That the storm will easily subside.”

“You did not back down until now. It was difficult enough for me.”

Patrizia told her in a quiet voice.

“Every situation is telling you that the storm will be subsiding soon, is there a need to be scared anymore?”

“Usually, it is the last blow that is most terrifying, Your Majesty.”

Rosemond spoke to Patrizia with a twisted smile on her face.

“Do you think I will end like this? Do you think I am going to die alone?”

“I have no interest in who you will drag with you to your ruin. At least, not even one of my loved ones has played a role in your ugly deeds. There is nothing that can hurt me, so why should I care about your words?”

“Do it as you please, Your Majesty, the Noble Empress.”

Rosemond stared at Patrizia with her cold eyes, but this time Patrizia did not even say anything. In her eyes, even Rosemond’s words could only be seen as the final struggle from the loser. There was nothing else that could be considered by the woman who had been assured the victory. Patrizia whispered in a soft voice.

“When I get a confession from the assassin, and your crimes are proven, you will not be able to avoid punishment. Probably, you will officially be put on trial. Until then, Rosemond, there is nothing you can do, absolutely nothing.”

“…”

“Just… look carefully to see how this pointless story ends. Since, that is the only thing that you will be able to do.”

Patrizia turned back with no regrets, leaving only those words. It was a conversation with no reason for her to have any regret. The victory was already hers. Any more anxiety was meaningless to her. Now it was Rosemond, not her, who had to be concerned. Rosemond continuously tried to brainstorm for a way out, with a more frustrated look on her face than before.

“In case you did not know, a confession will be obtained later this afternoon.”

“Not too fast. Even so, not too late as well.”

Patrizia was walking down the marble hall, as she murmured in a low voice. If the Duke of Efreni tried to set up a scheme, everything would become warped. Patrizia made a request in a stern voice.

“Strictly prohibit contact between Marchioness Ethyller and any outsider. Not only letters, but any sort of speech cannot come and go. All means of communication with the outside world must be cut off completely.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. Do not worry.”

Mirya reassured Patrizia with a supportive voice, and soon gave a report in a hurry.

“Lady Grochester is said to be on her way now, Your Majesty. It seems that since the matter is quite the imperative one, she has hurried her movements.”

“I do not know if she is being too worried for no reason. I told her so many times that it would be alright…”

When Patrizia spoke in a slightly uncomfortable voice, Mirya comforted her.

“Your Majesty said that, but is it not heartbreaking news anyway? Do not be uncomfortable with this.”

“My parents must be very worried.”

“With that in mind, I have already sent a maid to deliver the news to the Grochester family. They have been told not to worry too much, so they should not worry too much.”

“Indeed. Since I am perfectly fine like this.”

Patrizia replied with a dry voice, and as she turned a corner, suddenly stopped walking when she faced an unexpected character. It was that person.

“Your Majesty… the Emperor.”

“Your walk was hurried. Where are you coming from?”

At the end of Lucio’s words, Patrizia paused momentarily. She did not feel much inclined to tell him where she had been, but she could not lie as well. She replied calmly.

“I am on the way back from the dungeon, Your Majesty.”

“…”

He seemed to grasp the whole situation with those words, and asked nothing more. Patrizia got tired of waiting, and ended the conversation first.

“Then I will…”

“How… do you plan to go about it?”

“… What do you mean, how?”

Patrizia asked as if she did not understand.

“I am sorry, but I am not sure what Your Majesty is talking about.”

“…”

“If Your Majesty’s words are referring to what will become of the Marchioness of Ethyller… That is Your Majesty, undecided as of yet. Since I have not been able to get a confession from an assassin.”

‘Of course I will get one soon,’ Patrizia muttered to herself internally.

“But if it becomes clear that she was trying to assassinate me, the Empress of this Empire, then she will be punished for the crime of daring to kill the Moon of the Empire with the death penalty.”

“…”

He said nothing, and Patrizia had a slightly twisted smile on her face as she asked him.

“Why. Do you not like that?”

“No. If the crime is clear, it would be the right thing to do.”

His voice saying this, was neither helpless nor sad, but he gave off some sort of a feeling of bitterness. Patrizia did not like that, so spoke in a much colder manner.

“Even if Your Majesty does not want a punishment such as that, it cannot be helped. It is not just her. If anyone tries to assassinate the Imperial Family, it is right to rule with this kind of punishment.”

“I did not say anything, Empress. If the results come out that way, then that is how it should be handled.”

He spoke with a little sigh mixed in his voice, and then changed the topic.

“You seem to be busy, and I got in your way. Where were you heading towards?”

“… Nowhere.”

Patrizia replied.

“I was just on my way back to my quarters.”

“The places you got hurt? Are you alright now?”

“I am alright now thanks to your concern.”

Originally, it was Patrizia’s intention to make those wounds. Therefore, only the length of the wound was long, but the depth was not relatively deep. Shallow and wide wounds healed quickly. The problem was a deep, narrow wound. It did not even show up well. Patrizia ended the conversation.

“Then I will take my leave.”

Patrizia resumed her walk, leaving only those words. Mirya also followed her. Patrizia walked about twenty steps, then looked behind with a glance. He was still standing there. Like a person with his feet glued to the floor. Patrizia had a strange and complex look on her face, as she took in his appearance.

Petronilla stepped foot into the Imperial Palace shortly after Patrizia’s own arrival to her quarters.

“Lizzy, you are really fine, right?”

She asked Patrizia with an expression of concern. Patrizia replied calmly.

“This was not a sudden thing. I had told you about it beforehand.”

Even Petronilla knew this of course, so she had been bracing herself, but when it had actually happened, she could not help but be worried. Petronilla replied.

“But I can’t help being worried. I am glad you are fine, anyway. Is Ella alright?”

“Ella is alright. She was injured though.”

“As you can see, I am quite strong, Nil. Her Majesty is overly concerned.”

When Rafaella murmured as if to complain, Petronilla chuckled as she laughed.

“Yes, that is a relief anyway. I am really glad that you are safe.”

“Father and Mother must have been very worried.”

“Words cannot even describe it.”

Petronilla sighed.

“They were extremely worried. I told them not to worry too much, as I would come here and see you. Father did not even make it obvious, but you could tell he was very worried.”

“Tell them I am well, Nil.”

Patrizia spoke these words, and looked as if she was contemplating for a moment, until she opened her mouth.