“…”
Patrizia was momentarily taken aback. The sudden courtesy felt strange, and that person was her husband that had no interest in her. Thank goodness she was not offended by this. If her feelings for him had fallen to this extent, it would have been difficult even if she had a plan to live her days being careful where she breathed. Fortunately, it hasn’t crashed down to that extent yet.
“It would be a lie to say it’s not difficult, but it’s fine.”
“Thank goodness.”
He seemed awkward. Both of them had nothing to say to each other. The couple was barely tied together in appearance only, but he already had a woman he loved, and she had no interest in him. What they shared was that both of them were members of the Imperial Palace. So when the conversation about common interests was over, it was natural that they didn’t have anything else to say.
Of course, he would say whatever he wanted to Rosemond, but not to herself. So their conversation was bound to end there. Patrizia spoke to him with a lifeless face.
“I will make sure that I do not dishonor the Imperial Palace and His Majesty.”
“…”
“So you do not need to worry.”
“…sure.”
He turned his back, leaving only that word. Patrizia did not pay attention to the Emperor that distanced himself. With this, she had kept the utmost respect she could muster, and would be careful so as to not be gossiped about. Patrizia turned her attention to the challenge of the problem in front of her.
THUD.
The sound of the door closing carelessly sounded around.
“The envoys’ wives are entering the palace?”
Rosemond listened attentively to the unexpected news. Glara nodded with a flustered expression and whispered in her ear, “It has just been determined as a fact. It was originally supposed to be only the envoys that visited, but there has been a sudden change.”
At Glara’s words, Rosemond made an expression as if she was thinking of something. Christa. The Empire of Christa … Rosemond, who seemed to chew on that name for a while, spoke with a look as if she had been reminded of something.
“Is the Christa Empire where they don’t eat pork for religious reasons?”
“Ah, yes. That’s correct. They say pigs symbolize their god.”
Glara, who replied to Rosemond’s words, glanced up as if she had suddenly thought of a good idea. She talked to Rosemond with a dark smile on her mouth.
“My Lady, why not use that aspect to our advantage?”
“You’re smart, Glara. You know my thoughts so well.”
She smiled quietly and stroked Glara’s head. Rosemond soon instructed Glara in a secretive voice, “Try to find out what dishes the Empress will prepare for the dinner as soon as possible, Glara. If you can find out anything trivial, do that as well. It is not long before the date that the envoys decide to visit, so we must hurry.”
“Yes, Lady. Please don’t worry.”
After she finished speaking, Rosemond smiled a cheered up smile. Christa Empire was a mighty nation that could square off with the Marvinus Empire. More so, when dealing with religious issues, it would be hard to end things with a simple apology. Hopefully, this one event would be able to bring the Empress down completely.
A woman that brought enormous damage to her own nation, if public opinion was manipulated well, she might even be dethroned. Rosemond laughed in a satisfied manner, imagining a future that had not yet arrived.
“I think it could end up becoming a pretty big event.”
“The steaks that will come out for the supper have been carefully discussed, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you, Mirya.”
Patrizia looked up and answered, and then gave her attention back again to what she had been working on. Mirya, who was looking at this, asked her with a puzzled look.
“But Your Majesty, what are you doing right now?”
“I’m writing the invitations.”
“Invitations…?”
Mirya looked at the Empress with a look that thought she was random, but Patrizia didn’t give any care, and placed the invitations in their envelopes one by one, and stamped the Empress’ seal with a relaxed look. She handed over several of the invitations to Mirya and said, “The receivers are written on the outside of the envelope. Will you deliver it, Mirya?”
“That’s not difficult, but suddenly an invitation? It has not been long since you opened the tea party.”
“It’s not a tea party invitation. It’s an invitation to the dinner that will happen in a few days. No matter if this is a matter for the Empress alone, I can’t take care of all the women by myself, don’t you think?”
That was true. Mirya gave an accepting look and began to tear open and look at each of the names written on the outside. Marquess Grochester, Marquess Brinkstone, Duchess Vashi, Marquess Divar, Countess Arzeldo, and Duchess Witherford. Mirya’s expression wrinkled without her knowing when she confirmed the last name. She quickly called out to Patrizia.
“Your Majesty.”
“Talk to me.”
“There is a strange name mixed in here.”