Lady to Queen

Chapter 94: CHAPTER 47 (2). ARE WE STRANGERS?

“It is a letter from Her Majesty to you, Duchess. She expressed great regret for what has happened to the Duchy of Efreni.”

“Oh my goodness…”

Instead of reading the letter, the Duchess of Efreni began to cry. Petronilla was embarrassed by her sudden reaction, but soon calmly began to soothe her.

“Your Majesty is very concerned, Duchess. If you need anything, please say it.”

“SOB… Thank you, Lady Petronilla. Really…”

Petronilla, to be honest, could not adjust to this. In her memory, the Duchess of Efreni was always a tight person. A person who was not tolerant of mistakes, and strict.

When such a person shed tears like this due to her son’s illness, she forgot that she was also a person. Petronilla continued to comfort her casually, trying to shake off the sense of how strange it felt.

“No, Duchess. I hope your son will recover as soon as possible.”

“I cannot face Her Majesty. At this point, at a time for such a serious task, I gave Her Majesty such trouble…”

In response to Duchess of Efreni’s words, Petronilla seized the opportunity and asked.

“More than that… In the meantime, who will take over the work of the Efreni household, is that not more of a problem?”

“…”

With those words, Duchess Efreni’s face, that had only looked depressed before, suddenly turned wretched. Petronilla intuitively noticed that she had certainly touched a nerve with the Duchess of Efreni.

“Oh, and the Duke had a concubine. Was she 13 years younger than the Duke? She was ten years younger than the Duchess. The concubine’s son had just celebrated his first birthday the previous year.”

Petronilla struggled to hide her awkward expression and waited for her reply, and the Duchess of Efreni was worked up with a rather disgusted expression.

“I am worried about it too. Anyways, I have to leave the house, but I have no siblings and no acquaintances. I wish I had a daughter…”

The Duchess of Efreni looked at Petronilla with a sad face.

“How nice it would be to have a daughter like this. What was the point of having a grown son? When he was dying of illness abroad…”

The face of Duchess Efreni was momentarily choked up, slightly distorting her face. It seemed that all the complex emotions had come all at once. Petronilla comforted her and spoke warm words.

“It is okay, Duchess. You do not have to put up that front with me. Are we strangers?”

Of course, they were strangers. However, in such a situation, these words were a perfect catalyst for breaking down the other’s vigilance.

“SOB…”

Her expectations were just right. The Duchess of Efreni began to cry. It was an unimaginable thing, when she looked at her with a strong expression and authoritative appearance, but not impossible. There was no one in the world who had no flaws. Moreover, if the flaw was due to the jealousy of the beloved son and concubine. Petronilla comforted her with a sad expression.

“It is alright. You are alright, Duchess…”

“SOB… Lady, what should I do. Will my son be alright? Without him, I…”

“Yes, Duchess. Do not worry. I am sure he will recover.”

“But even if you say so, I am worried. What sort of mess will that vulgar thing do while I am away from this house…”

The Duchess of Efreni was so worked up that she even mentioned the mistress, which she would never normally speak about. Petronilla did not miss this chance and told her.

“I know that the Duke has a mistress.”

“…”

There was no way she couldn’t know. It was true that even an illegitimate child must be known in society. To be honest, it was more strange if the Duke of Efreni had no mistress in his position, but the insult she felt was probably beyond imagination, as the Duchess of Efreni was also a daughter of a deeply-rooted Marquis.

Petronilla took advantage of that. A proud woman like the Duchess of Efreni would never have been sensitive to this subject.

“You must be worried. Originally, one loach can dirty up all the water.”

“…”

“It is even worse since you do not have anybody you can trust.”

“Lady Petronilla.”

The Duchess of Efreni called out to Petronilla in an unpleasant voice. Petronilla did not change her expression.

“What is it that you want to say?”

“There is no such thing, Duchess. I was just concerned. My younger sister, Her Majesty is also feeling rotten about something similar…”

This time Petronilla was the one to sniffle with tears, and the expression of Duchess of Efreni changed her expression. Petronilla continued to sniffle and watched the Duchess.

“Ah, it seemed to be done.”

“Lady Grochester.”

Duchess Efreni called out to Petronilla. Petronilla made a smile internally, while staring at her with tearful eyes, and responded, “Yes, Duchess?”

“If it is not rude of me…”

She asked Petronilla with a serious look.

“Could you take care of my house while I am away?”

“… Yes?”

Petronilla asked back with a blank expression, and the Duchess of Efreni asked her again with a serious look.

“I would like to ask you, Lady Petronilla. I have to go see my son. That child is my whole life. But while I am away, I do not know what kind of trick that woman will use to threaten my position.”

The Duchess of Efreni spoke in a choked-up voice.

“So please, Lady. Please help me for a bit, Lady. I will do anything as thanks.”