Lady to Queen

Chapter 92: CHAPTER 46 (2). PLEASE HELP ME

Patrizia was so busy with work that she didn’t have the time to be unhappy with the results of the recent events. Since the day of celebrations was to be held two months later, she had no choice but to focus on her work. It was quite nerve-wracking for her, because it was the first time she took on the role of planning this event as Empress, and it was an international event.

“Your Majesty, a letter has been sent by the Duchess of Efreni stating that it will not be possible for her to participate in this event.”

“What?”

Patrizia asked in surprise. She was a woman who was powerful enough to compete with Patrizia in the Inner Palace. Aside from other things, few women like her were familiar with this. That she couldn’t participate in the preparation for the event. Patrizia quickly asked her.

“What is the reason?”

“The son of Efreni is studying abroad, but he is currently suffering from an endemic disease. It is a situation where he cannot go anywhere, and he only asks for his mother.”

“So the Duchess of Efreni will be leaving the country? Does this mean that her position at the Duke of Efreni’s estate will be empty?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The situation is dire, where he is straddling life and death, and that this was not a situation to care about the work of the Duchy.”

“For it to be so serious. Has that been allowed by Duke Efreni?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. In the meantime, the affairs are scheduled to be taken over by the Duke of Efreni’s mistress.”

“Oh my goodness.”

Patrizia mumbled with a sad voice. Patrizia was thinking about something for a moment and then turned to Petronilla.

“Nilla, can you write a letter to the Efreni estate that I will support them if they ever need anything?”

“I can write it for you, but… The Duke of Efreni?”

Petronilla frowned and asked in response. She also knew that the Duke of Efreni was in opposition with her little sister. But this kind of reaction. Petronilla could not comprehend such an incomprehensible response.

“But that hard work… I don’t like that much.”

“No need for the pettiness. It is not even hard work. Please.”

“Well… If that is how you feel.”

She replied that she would do so with a grim face, and then pulled out a letter paper from the drawer. Patrizia again focused on her work and then asked Mirya.

“Then, who should I entrust the work that Duchess Efreni was in charge of? I am in a fix.”

“I’m going to search for people, Your Majesty. First, pass over that part and start with the smaller things.”

“If things are going to be like this, I should.”

Patrizia nodded her head, responding with a voice that expressed she had no choice. In that moment, she heard Rafaella’s voice outside of her door.

“Your Majesty, this Rafaella. May I come in?”

“Come in.”

Rafaella came into the room with a ball of sweat on her forehead. ‘She must have practiced very hard.’ Thought Patrizia, as she asked a question.

“Would you like a glass of water? You look very heated.”

“I am alright, Your Majesty. More than that…”

She still gasped for breath and talked to Patrizia.

“I just found a bit of a strange sight.”

“A strange sight?”

“The Duke of Efreni came out of Vain Palace. Maybe they are scheming something strange again?”

“…”

Patrizia sighed inwardly, thinking that she was a diligent woman. It was diligence that she did not dare to follow. After all, she was hit by so many duties, while she had no responsibility or work to do, so was it natural? But Patrizia thought that if she was in the opposite position, she would still not be as diligent as her.

“Sir Rafaella, please do your best this time. What is she scheming this time…?”

Patrizia’s words were filled with worry, and Rafaella reassured her to not worry.

“Do not worry, Your Majesty. I will keep an eye on the area around Vain Palace.”

“Sure.”

Patrizia nodded as though to show she was grateful, and Petronilla, who had finished writing the letter, told Patrizia.

“I finished writing, Lizzy. Since you’re sending this, I will just go to the Duke in person.”

“Do you need to do that? You can just order people…”

Patrizia’s puzzled voice made Petronilla give a small smile and explain.

“I still have to go home for a while. It won’t take long. Can I go there?”

“Of course. Have a safe trip.”

Upon receiving a friendly greeting from Patrizia, Petronilla left the Empress Palace. While holding a letter to the Duchy of Efreni, Petronilla rode in a carriage with her head leaning against the back, with a slightly tired look. She had slept a little yesterday and it seemed to have not been enough.

She closed her eyes to get a little sleep while on the way to the Efreni estate. When her consciousness gradually eroded away and she was about to drift into sleep…

“Ahhh!”

Petronilla screamed and woke up. The carriage shook violently at a strong shock. She opened the window and checked the situation.

“What’s going on?”

“Oh, Lady. I am sorry. Because we almost hit the opposing carriage…”

The driver spoke with an embarrassed voice, and immediately, the other carriage’s driver yelled at him.

“Oy, be careful! Do you know who’s riding in here right now?”

“Come on, I said I am sorry!”

“Who is the one that did something wrong, to be then shouting so loudly?”

Things did not seem good. Petronilla sighed and got out of the carriage. Her driver looked at her with embarrassed eyes, as if he was wondering why she came out.

“Oh, Lady. You should just stay inside…”

“I am fine. Do not fight. More than that, is the person riding inside alright?”

While Petronilla’s gaze focused on the opposing carriage, someone stepped out of it.