“…”
That was so. The Duke of Efreni would choose Rosemond, and the Duke of Witherford, on the contrary, chose her. Whether the Duke of Witherford wanted Rosemond and chose Patrizia, or whether he wanted to choose her in the first place, the only thing that was certain was that he supported Patrizia, at least at this point. And Patrizia also felt that no further reason was necessary.
The important thing was that she was being supported by his side, and she was also willing to protect them. All the other emotional things are unnecessary and worthless.
Patrizia would not be tied down by these things in this fight, and even if someone offered it, she would refuse. Those things are rather disturbing. At least she thought for now.
“I also do not care to pay mind to all of you that have sided with me. I do not want to try to show them a good side as well. Since I already have all of you. Am I wrong?”
“Not at all, Your Majesty.”
Duke Witherford smiled with his distinctive smile and emptied the cup of the drink he had completely. The tea had already cooled down, and it must have been tasteless, but he made an expression as if it was the most delicious taste ever. Patrizia stared at this and soon opened her mouth again.
“I think there is a plan you have thought about, Duke.”
“I would never have visited Your Excellency without even thinking about it otherwise, and that would be a disgrace to Your Majesty? There will be a lot of things to worry about besides this.”
“You are a competent servant.”
“It is your servant’s duty to take care of the burdens for who they serve. Of course, I also have people like that.”
He laughed and put the mug under the table. He soon began speaking with a face half-mixed between laughter and seriousness.
“Anyways it is impossible to completely destroy Lady Phelps unless there is a clear sign, Your Majesty… His Majesty’s favor cannot be ignored. Without proof, taking away Lady Phelps’s Baroness title would be the biggest benefit we could possibly earn.”
“Even that will not be easy. She is much more cunning than we think.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I am aware. She might try to escape this situation somehow, using the power of the Duke of Efreni. So the important thing is…”
Soon words that did not match his generous smile popped out of the Duke of Witherford’s mouth.
“It would be fabrication. All of this.”
“Fabrication…”
Patrizia, looked out the window, murmuring to herself. Unlike her complicated inside, the sky that was outside was clean and simple. Patrizia thought about how she was envious about the clouds and moved her finger against the window without her knowledge.
“Seems to be worrying about something, Younger Sister Majesty?”
“Nil.”
Patrizia smiled faintly and turned around towards her. As always, Petronilla slowly walked towards her with something to snack on in her hands. Patrizia reflexively sat down at the table. She then asked.
“It must have just been baked. Dacquoise?”
“Yup. It tastes like strawberry. Do you not like it?”
“I like it. Thank you, Nil. I will eat it well.”
Patrizia bit off a mouthful then asked Petronila with a curious glance.
“You will not eat together with me?”
“I ate a lot earlier. More than that…”
Petronilla, who had been hesitating, carefully asked Patrizia.
“His Majesty has awakened. I think the work needs to be finished somehow, what are you thinking?”
“You are right, Nil. It is our side that will be at a disadvantage if we take too much time on this.”
Patrizia, who worried for a moment, shared the conversation that he had with the Duke of Witherford with Petronilla.
“We do not expect to reap a lot of good results from this. The sin is terrible, but it is full of suspicions, and there is no physical evidence.”
An attempt to assassinate the Empress, nothing else. In addition, the side that suffered substantial damage would actually be this country. Nevertheless, due to the nature of this incident, it was not easy to uncover the background, since the place where the incident occurred was a relatively large hunting ground. But had almost had to throw away her life, and it would be too wasteful for it to be buried like this. Patrizia spoke coldly.
“The Duke of Witherford hopes to get a result from this even by fabricating the evidence. I also never want to just cover this up. Obviously, I warned Lady Phelps at that time, and it would make me into a laughingstock if I just let it go from here.”
“I didn’t just tell you to cover it, Lizzy. Perhaps… Nothing like that will happen, but did you say that because you were conscious of me?”
“What does that mean?”
“You have changed, Lizzy.”
Petronilla said so calmly. Upon hearing that, Patrizia became upset and spoke to her sister in a stinging manner.
“I changed.”
“Yes, you have changed.”
“You mean in a bad way?”
“You can see it that way, and you can not.”
“What does that mean?”
The little trembling voice was pathetic. Petronilla knew. Patrizia has definitely changed. A woman who has barely returned from the border between life and death. It would be weird if she hadn’t changed. She was also aware of the change, but there was one thing she didn’t know.
“To be honest, I like your change. You’re harder and tougher than before.”
“…”
“But you don’t like that too much. Am I wrong?”
“…”
Patrizia’s face was slightly distorted. As if she was about to burst into tears, a few tears were gathering near her eyes. At the moment, when Petronilla saw her face, she wanted to cry together with her, but she pledged to herself again and again not to do so. Who would soothe this poor child once she even cried? It was obvious that this good child would make sure to soothe her, forgetting to cry herself if she sheds tears.
“So don’t cry, Petronilla. You made this child cry so much. Isn’t it now your turn to wipe this child’s tears?”
“I…”
Patrizia grabbed the table with a trembling voice. The metal table was slightly shaken due to how hard it was held. Patrizia confessed, not looking at her hand where the bones had turned white.
“You are right. To be honest, it is not good.”
She was not a wicked person by nature, and even when she was born, she could not become a wicked person. She was quiet, calm, and gentle like a flower.
Perhaps if she hadn’t entered the Imperial Palace and sat in the seat of the Empress, she might have lived in full bloom until the end. However, Patrizia had already decided to walk on the prickly path towards becoming the Empress on behalf of her sister.
Patrizia nevertheless tried to remain as a flower until the end, but as always, the surroundings did not help. On the thorny field road, rain continued to shake her roots, and the wind continued to blow and tear off her petals. In this situation, it was neither pure nor beautiful to remain as a flower to the end. It was ugly and cruel.
So she had to be a weed. Noble orchids and beautiful roses were not suitable in this situation. Moreover, if it was the same situation as it was now, without the Emperor’s favor. Unless it was Rosemond.
Nevertheless, she was disgusted with the change she had no choice in. She wanted to remain a flower forever. Noble and noble again, she wanted to comfortably stay in the Imperial Palace without suffering any difficulties, without worrying about anything. Right until she had entered the Imperial Palace she had those feelings, but as always, living in the world was not as green or comfortable as one thought. Sadly, that path that Patrizia had taken was even more so.
“When I entered the Imperial Palace, I did not want to get involved in politics. I just wanted to stay in the corner of the backroom like the Empress, to have a child who would succeed the Emperor, and seem to be there, and not there again.”
However, at the time she had that dream, she probably already knew. That the things she dreamed about were just fantasy. As long as she decided to become the Empress, and decided to take the place of Queen, those thoughts were futile and even selfish.
If she wanted to live forever as a flower, someone would have had to block the rainstorm that would pummel her.
“Now I know for sure. That way, it would not only be me, but all my precious people will be harmed.”
She did not cry wailing. She didn’t even shed tears. Just a drop of tears was carefully dropped onto her cheek. It was as if that was the best consolation she could provide herself. Petronilla felt bad for her sister and was also sorry.
“… Sorry.”
If she had become Empress in the first place, would it have been different? Why had she been so foolish in the past? Why couldn’t she say she was going to be the Empress, and fling away her sister’s goodwill? She was the one that was selfish.
“Let us stop, Nil. There is no end to these kinds of regrets.”
Patrizia looked like she was at peace, and smiled. No, maybe it was resignation. Anyways, what was important was that she was no longer the same. Of course, she was still nice, gentle, and beautiful, but now that was only the remaining essence, and the external cover surrounding it had changed completely.
Petronilla thought that her sister’s change was for the better. The feeling of sadness that bloomed in her heart because of that was a separate matter. Petronilla nodded quietly and agreed with her words.
“You’re right. With these kinds of regrets, there is no end. Let’s stop.”
“Sure. Let us stick to the present, Nil. Regret is … something to do after winning. The regret after a victory is a glorious wound from the past, but the regret after a defeat is a pathetic excuse for the loser, nothing more, and nothing less.”
“I hope that in the future when we talk about this again, it will not be as an excuse, but as a story.”
“To do that, I’ll help you, Lizzy.”
As Petronilla said that, her voice had both softness and toughness. It was strong like a reed. Soft but not demanding, slight but unbreakable. Patrizia felt it. Not only herself but her sister was definitely changing. She didn’t know if her sister was aware of her own change, but it was certainly a good change for anyone to see. Unlike herself. She made a sad smile to herself internally and spoke.
“Thank you for saying even the words.”
“Evidence fabrication is one of those things that is easy to talk about, but difficult to enact. There is no guarantee that it will lead to success, and if you get caught up in it, you will not only be disgraced but also damage your dignity and authority. Well… Will you be able to do it?”
“Even if it cannot be done well, it must be done, Nil. I have no choice. At least at this moment.”
“You will do well because you are not alone. Do you believe in the Duke of Witherford?”
“I want to believe in him, but I plan not to.”
“… Got it.”
Petronilla nodded quietly at the end of Patrizia’s words. Believing in or not, was that even important? If she believed, would something change? If she didn’t believe, would something else change? Anyways, their relationship with each other was just a strategic means of a relationship. The important thing was not such a beautiful idea. It was about fulfilling each other’s expectations to the fullest.
“I don’t have a smart mind like you, so it would be difficult to expect a decent solution from me. I’m sorry.”
At that, Patrizia just gave a small smile. Did Petronilla really think she wouldn’t be able to help her? She denied her words as if that wasn’t even close to the truth.
“Even if it is not like that, you are enough to help me. You know that.”
“Still. Anyways, I also want to be helpful in this area. I just can’t help it because I don’t have the ability…”
“It is fine. By the way, this dacquoise is really delicious. It would be nice to share it with the maids.”
“Actually, everyone had a taste of it. If you like it, I will tell them to bake it again.”
After finishing what she had to say, Petronilla stood up with the empty plate. When she was heading to the doorway, she heard Patrizia’s voice from behind.
“Thank you, Older Sister.”
“…”
Petronilla seemed to not be able to breathe at the moment. No, Lizzy. Don’t say that to me. I don’t deserve to hear that from you. I’m the one who made you like this.
Petronilla did not hide her sad eyes and dropped a tear. It was a relief that the tear just dropped onto her. If her sister saw this, she would have run forward with a worried face. Her younger sister had said she had changed, but in the end, the essence had not changed. She struggled to part her lips and as she only uttered the words, “Not at all.”