Patrizia felt like her body was beyond heavy, once she returned after finishing the meeting. It was probably because she remained tense, preparing hard for her work today, but was still nervous about the possibility of unknown variables. In addition, it was also because she had to worry about stopping Rosemond’s tactics.
Anyways, as a result, the terrible things she had expected didn’t happen, and her hospitality had ended brilliantly.
But it was definitely too close for comfort. No matter if she had been reborn, it had not been herself who was the Empress, but her sister, Petronilla. So, information available to Patrizia was limited, and she had no choice but to not know what would happen in the future.
So the fact that she had returned to the past was not so much as an advantage for her, but a catalyst would play a role in being a little more careful in the future.
But it was an undeniable advantage that she had a new opportunity to change the future and that she would be more cautious about things related to Rosemond.
Anyways, today’s work would have led to a big catastrophe if she didn’t pay attention to the dynamics of Rosemond. She sighed tiredly, thinking that she should focus all her nerves on the movement of the Vain Palace. Rafaella approached her then and talked to her.
“You look tired, My Empress.”
“Yes. I am tired, Sir Rafaella. I completed a big job today.”
“Right. It would have been a big deal of trouble because of that nasty mistress.”
Even as she thought about it now, she inevitably gound her teeth at her hatefulness.
“Oh my world, how could she think about doing something like that? There should be a limit to so much recklessness. In the end, a war could have happened. Thinking about changing into pork steaks for noblewomen from a country where pork is taboo, is she sane? Plus, if Lady Phelps’s tactics had become reality, it’s not only you who would have been harmed. His Majesty also would have suffered damage.”
“I know. That’s why I had blocked it. Anyways… Looking at the result, nothing has happened now.”
“How easygoing.”
Rafaella clicked her tongue and then sat down calmly next to Patrizia. She then asked her in a soft voice, “Your Majesty, are you really not going to tell His Majesty anything? You could take away the Baroness’ title with this.”
“There isn’t anything that would change if news of this went into His Majesty’s ear. He would never publicize this matter unless His Majesty was an insane person. Before saving Lady Phelps, he would need to save this country. He wouldn’t show recklessness by trying to cause trouble.”
“Ha. That is true.”
Rafaella sighed as if she was frustrated, and in fact, Patrizia was also frustrated. It was certainly a good opportunity, but the subject was too sensitive to publicize it.
There was no choice but to cover it. Anyway, after giving Rosemond enough warnings, it would become quiet at least for the time being.
“Your Majesty, His Majesty, has visited.”
At the time the voice of Mirya was heard, both Patrizia and Rafaella were both surprised. He wouldn’t have heard all of their words, right? As they were waiting nervously, Lucio appeared through the open door. Rafaella stood up tactfully and then greeted him, “The humble sword greets Your Majesty. Glory to the Sun.”
Then she left the spot without looking back. It was the polite thing to do for her to leave now. And in fact, she was not confident that she would not say some rude words to the Emperor.
Well, she would rather get out of the way than put out some words that would bring misfortune to Her Majesty.
Rafaella moved to the room where she was staying, thinking to herself that she should have some rest.
Eventually, only the two people were left in the room, and Patrizia’s heart pounded strangely in the case that he had heard the conversation between her and Rafaella.
Of course, she had done nothing wrong, so there would not be a problem with him asking her about it, but nevertheless, she felt like she had said something she shouldn’t have. It was a strange situation.
“I greet the Sun of this precious empire. Glory to the Father.”
Immediately after she greeted him, she asked for the purpose of the visit.
“What is the reason for this visit? You must be exhausted from the meeting with the envoys.”
“…”
Lucio said nothing about what he was thinking, and Patrizia suddenly recalled her interaction with Rosemond. Surely he hadn’t come to blame her for that.
If so, she was planning to utter all the details of her work without delay. She had no intention of protecting Rosemond if it meant she was to be harmed.
“… I just came to ask if you had a good meeting with the envoys’ wives today.”
Fortunately, it wasn’t what she had expected. She sighed in relief without realizing and then gave him the answer he wanted to hear.
“It ended well.”
Of course, something big could have happened, but… she quit trying to add it on. She thought that this would just make the story longer. She wanted him to return quickly so she could take a bath.
“Is that so?”
She noticed that when he finished saying that, he felt awkward, and she had to worry about whether she had to excuse him to leave first. Fortunately, however, the worries were meaningless, and he told her what she wanted to hear.
“Then, you must be tired today. Take a rest.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Your Majesty should also rest comfortably.”
She bowed politely, and the Emperor stared at her blatantly, then soon turned back and left silently.
What, he had come here just to say those words? It wasn’t even a short distance from the Central Palace to the Empress’ Palace? She was shocked and at a loss for words, but since he had left quickly, the amount of time she had to rest had increased.
Patrizia thought that it was simply a relief as she carefully pulled the tiara off from the center of her head.