Chapter 101 – Truth Within a Truth
“What?”
Lucio sprang out of his seat, his face pale.
“Your Majesty, please calm down,” the head lady-in-waiting said worriedly.
“Is that true?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied in a calm voice. “The palace doctor said it wasn’t anything severe.”
“…”
All the strength in Lucio’s legs gave out and he collapsed back into his seat. The head lady-in-waiting watched him carefully before bowing and exiting the room as usual. Lucio brought a trembling hand to his head.
“…Damn it.”
*
This was the worst.
“Ugh…”
Patrizia groaned as she gripped the blankets. Truly, this was the worst.
‘I’ll probably be better by tomorrow…’
‘Otherwise, I’ll get behind on work. That’ll be so troublesome…’
‘I’m thirsty.’
Patrizia felt her way across the bed. She tried to get up, but her body was too weak, and she kept on falling down with a groan each time.
“Ah…!”
So frustrating.
She clawed at the bed but there wasn’t anything to grab purchase on. She was only wasting her energy.
‘I need to call Mirya…’
The problem was that her voice was so weak that she couldn’t even speak. The doctor came to check up on her earlier and even gave her medicine, so she couldn’t understand why she was like this. Grunting with effort, Patrizia tried once again to stand.
“Haah…”
Just when she was starting to get delirious, someone came in through the door.
‘Who is that…?’
“Who…”
But before she could finish her sentence, Patrizia had lost consciousness.
*
‘It’s cold.’
Patrizia slowly opened her eyes. Someone was beside her. She felt her way towards the figure and grabbed onto their sleeve.
“…Mirya?”
“…”
There wasn’t an answer. Patrizia blinked. When her vision started to clear, the person who came into view was…
“Your Ma—”
“You’re awake.” He looked haggard. Patrizia blinked again.
“Why are you…”
“I heard you were sick,” Lucio said.
“…”
That’s none of your concern, Patrizia wanted to say, but unfortunately, she didn’t have the strength to do so. She instead let out a small grunt before saying, “…Please leave.”
“I knew you would say that.”
“…”
Patrizia paused and looked at him. Though it was too dark to see very well, she could tell that he looked rather gaunt. Was he always so thin?
“Thank goodness I was able to see you wake up…I was worried,” he continued.
“Why—”
“I thought you got sick because of me.”
“…”
That’s not likely. Patrizia bit her lip. I don’t know if he’s foolish or just stupid.
“Nonsense,” she whispered.
“It’s possible.”
“Thank goodness you’re alright though, Your Majesty.”
“Are…” Lucio started, his lips trembling. “Are you worrying about me right now?”
“…”
Patrizia silently closed her eyes, and Lucio looked moved.
“…Thank you,” he said shakily.
Such needless words, Patrizia thought, inwardly clicking her tongue, before her body was wracked with coughing.
COUGH, COUGH!
“Ah…!”
At that, Lucio became startled, his hands moving back and forth as if unsure what to do.
Patrizia managed to calm her coughing fit and frowned at him. “I’m alright,” she reassured him.
“Should I call the doctor?”
“I’m fine,” she spit out as if she was hammering a nail into a wall. “I’m truly alright. I even took some medicine earlier.”
“…”
At those words, Lucio looked at Patrizia with a rather gloomy expression. Patrizia merely looked at him.
“Why did you come?” she said after a lengthy pause.
“I’m sure I’ve already told you before,” he murmured, pushing back her hair that had fallen in front of her face, “When I heard you were sick, I rushed over here. I was worried.”
“…Was that intentionally done?”
“Maybe. For all I know, I could have been trying to gain your favor. I’m…a bit of an opportunist,” Lucio muttered bitterly, and Patrizia continued to stare at him. “If you want to blame me…you’re welcome to.”
“…”
“And if there’s anything you want to say to me, then say it. It’s a request from me.”
“I’m alright,” Patrizia said with a slight cough. They sat in silence before an awkward expression crossed Patrizia’s face, and she repeated, “I’m alright.”
“Stop lying. You’re not alright right now.” He let out a short breath. “It seems that you’re not able to rest properly with me here. If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll leave.”
“…”
“If you don’t want me here, I won’t come back. So… just rest.”
Patrizia continued to stay quiet, and Lucio, already used to her lack of responses, stood up from his seat and headed out. The door clicked shut, and it was then that Patrizia, who was now alone, suddenly let out a cry as if she remembered something.
“Ah…”
I needed to return his jacket. Patrizia tried to get up, but her body felt as heavy as lead. She only managed to get up a little before she flopped back onto the bed with a sharp exhale.
“Haah…damn it.”
With a concerned expression, she started pulling at the duvet when someone came in the room. It was Mirya. When she saw Patrizia struggle, a shocked expression overcame over Mirya’s face as she hurried over to her side.
“Goodness, Your Majesty!”
“Ah…”
Mirya helped Patrizia up, her voice noticeably upset. “Why did you not call me? I apologize, Your Majesty. I should have arranged for some maids to remain inside, but I thought that would bring you discomfort when you were resting…”
“It’s fine. Could you bring me a glass of water?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Soon, a servant girl handed Patrizia a glass of lukewarm water. Patrizia downed half the glass, then turned towards Mirya.
“His Majesty was here a while ago. Are you aware?” Patrizia asked.
“Ah…” Mirya looked a little surprised. “I apologize, Your Majesty. If you were uncomfortable…”
“…”
“His Majesty stayed here a long time.”
“How long?” asked Patrizia.
“About three hours.”
“…”
His patience is that of a saint. A cynical smile quirked Patrizia’s lips. However, Mirya noticed that her smile wasn’t very cold in nature.
“He diligently nursed you.”
“And what’s your reason for telling me this?”
“It’s simply to inform you of His Majesty’s sincerity. Nothing more, nothing less,” Mirya said in a placid tone, but Patrizia knew that she was trying to get her and Lucio on better terms.
Patrizia sighed. “It must have been troublesome for him to stay so long next to an unresponsive patient.”
“But he seemed rather anxious. Even though both the doctor and I informed him that your condition wasn’t severe,” Mirya responded.
“…”
It’s probably his trauma, Patrizia thought. Since he’s only weak to things like this. She gave another sigh. “Has His Majesty gone back?”
“I was told he had just arrived at the Central Palace.”
“I see,” Patrizia responded, and Mirya carefully changed the topic.
“That aside, how is your health?”
“I don’t know,” Patrizia said insincerely, “I don’t think I feel any better. I doubt I’ll be better by tomorrow.”
“Please do not push yourself. Illnesses tend to go on longer the more one tries to quickly overcome them.”
“You’re probably right,” Patrizia admitted, her head throbbing even worse. “I’d like to rest some more. Try not to wake me before dinner.”
*
It was around 9 o’clock in the evening by the time Patrizia woke up. I slept a lot, she thought. How long has it been since I slept so long, uninterrupted? She called for Mirya. Though Patrizia wasn’t loud, Mirya was able to catch her voice and hurried into the room.
“Your Majesty, are you still coughing?”
“Hm…”
After requesting another glass of water from Mirya, Patrizia slowly tried to get out of bed. Her strength seemed to have returned a little more than earlier.
“Are you feeling better?” Mirya asked.
“Much better than before.”
At the positive answer, Mirya’s expression brightened. “About two hours ago, we received contact from the Central Palace. His Majesty asked if you were alright.”
“How diligent of him.”
“Shall I send a reply?”
“…Might as well,” Patrizia said half-heartedly before moving her body. At that, Mirya looked at her strangely.
“Where are you going, Your Majesty? You are still not fully healed.”
“You’re not wrong, but I’ve been laying down too long. Resting for too long can actually be detrimental.”
Despite her words, her voice was still weak. Mirya looked worried, but she could tell that Patrizia had already made up her mind. Patrizia draped a shawl over her shoulder.
“I’ll be back in ten minutes. I don’t plan on staying out for long.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. If it is only for a few minutes…I don’t see the harm in a short walk.” When Mirya reached for her own shawl, Patrizia stopped her.
“I can go by myself,” Patrizia insisted.
“Absolutely not. If I let you go outside by yourself, I’ll be reprimanded by His Majesty,” Mirya replied firmly. “After what happened before, His Majesty has been all the more concerned over tightening Your Majesty’s security. Having guards and your ladies-in-waiting with you are a must.”
“How troublesome,” Patrizia lamented as she shook her head, but Mirya remained firm.
“Even so, I cannot allow it, Your Majesty. If you dislike it that much, then you should not go outside.”
“There’s no longer anyone in the palace who would hurt me though.” Patrizia laughed self-mockingly.
Mirya didn’t join her. “We must think of hypothetical situations. Moreover…it is an Imperial order, Your Majesty.”
“Alright. If you’re going to go that far, then there’s nothing else I can do.”
Patrizia sighed and nodded her head. Brightening at her words, Mirya draped another shawl over Patrizia’s shoulders.
“The one who will suffer the most if you’re not careful is yourself, Your Majesty.”
“I know.”
*
Patrizia obeyed Mirya’s words, making sure to bring many guards and about six servant girls with her before leaving the Queen’s Palace. The evening air was chillier than she expected, but thankfully, she didn’t feel cold due to the many layers of clothing on her.
“Let’s go to the Central Palace,” she said.
“Really, Your Majesty?” Mirya asked, her voice a little shocked at the unexpected words.
“You say that as if I’m not allowed to go there.”
“That is not what I meant, but…I thought you were not fond of the Emperor.”
“Watch what you say,” Patrizia warned. Mirya wasn’t wrong, but she shouldn’t say such undignified things. She must have been quite surprised, Patrizia thought to herself.
Patrizia shifted the object in her arms. “I must return His Majesty’s coat. I’ve been meaning to return it, but I haven’t been able to up until now.”
“…”
A strange expression crossed Mirya’s face. Is that something that you need to do right now, when you’re in such bad condition? However, she kept that question to herself and instead answered her.
“Then I shall lead the way.”
She might just be confused right now. From his past promise and his current sincerity.