Chapter 88 – Are You Trying To Bring This To An End Now?
“You—!”
As soon as she saw Patrizia, Rosemond made a sharp sound with her teeth. She glared reproachfully at the queen as if she were a trap.
Patrizia was amazed at the resentment in her enemy’s eyes. Rosemond clearly had a mental problem. Why was the concubine looking at her like that, as if she were being punished unfairly? Patrizia did not bother to hide her distaste.
“Even in prison, you still have that attitude. How can I mend your vulgar manners?”
“Your Royal Majesty, no matter how hard you try, you cannot accomplish that,” Rosemond jeered with a mocking laugh, but Patrizia did not bat an eye. She wouldn’t fall for such lowly provocation, and in any case, she was responsible for half this situation. Instead, she wore a pretty smile resembling Rosemond’s and pretended to be sweetly consoling.
“You must be going through a lot. You have no one to help you.”
“Before I became Marchioness Ehtylaire, I was princess of the Ephreney family. My father wouldn’t forsake me.”
“I don’t think Duke Ephreney cared enough for you to make you his adopted daughter.” A smile drew across Patrizia’s face, but Rosemond casually waved her hand.
“What does that matter? What’s important is that he can never abandon me.”
“What I mean, Rosemond,” Patrizia said with a strange expression on her face. “Is that I know why you believe in Duke Ephreney so much.”
“Hmm…?” Rosemond made a dismissive sound to hide her sudden doubt, but Patrizia had already pierced through her facade. Patrizia smiled enchantingly and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
“I know that you’re blackmailing the Duke.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, you don’t have to,” Patrizia said, shaking her head. “The important thing is, you cannot rely on the Duke.”
Rosemond’s curiosity got the better of her. “…Why?”
“The Duke won’t have the power to protect you.”
“You talk like he’s going to lose his position.”
“That’s not my job. As you know, that’s Duchess Ephreney’s responsibility.”
At that, realization crashed over Rosemond. Patrizia already knew everything she knew.
January, what the hell have you been doing?!
Rosemond ground her teeth, and Patrizia continued.
“What will happen to the Duke is strictly up to Duchess Ephreney. I don’t know if you have a relationship with the Duchess…otherwise, it would be hard to expect any help from the Ephreney family.”
“…Ha!” Rosemond spat.
“But the Duchess Ephreney I know is not a fool. Is it worth saving a concubine just to be hated by the Queen? Above all…” Patrizia finished her words with a cool smile. “Prince Ephreney is dead. Will the mother who lost her son try to protect the woman associated with her husband’s concubine?”
“…Are you trying to bring this to an end now?”
“I believe so, Lady Ethylaire,” Patrizia said, showing her tiredness for the first time. “I am tired of this constant friction with you. Most importantly, I cannot overlook a situation where the people I love are threatened. Wouldn’t it be easier to finish it definitively?”
“You’re the only one that thinks that. I’m going to play until the very end,” Rosemond vowed.
“Do as you wish. I want you to struggle desperately for this to have some meaning. But what if you come back again? Therefore, you will be executed for attempting to assassinate the queen and spreading disgrace for Duke Ephreney. Aristocratic society will be up in arms.” Patrizia continued calmly. “But that doesn’t matter. That will be the storm to erase the drought and clear up the air.”
“…”
“Even if you and Duke Ephreney cause a storm, the Empire will be more stable in the aftermath. I believe that.”
“Who said it was easy for a storm to subside?” Rosemond said.
“It’s true you haven’t backed down so far. It’s been hard enough on me.” Patrizia’s voice quieted. “But all the circumstances point towards the storm coming to an end. Is there reason to be scared anymore?”
“Usually, the last blow is the most terrifying,” Rosemond said with a twisted smile. “Do you think it’s just going to end like this? Do you think I’m going to die alone?”
“I don’t care who you bring with you to your ruin. At least none of my loved ones have sympathized with your ugly deeds. There is no harm to me, so why should I care about what you say?”
“Do as you wish, Your Royal Majesty,” Rosemond said with a cool look, but Patrizia remained unfazed. In her eyes, Rosemond’s words were the final death throes of a loser. There was nothing else to be seen by a woman confident of victory.
Patrizia continued in a low whisper. “Once I obtain the confessions from the assassins and prove your crime, you will not be able to avoid punishment. Perhaps you’ll be put on trial. Until then, Rosemond, there is nothing you can do. Nothing.”
“…”
“Just sit back and watch this pointless play end. Because that is the only thing you can do.”
With those final words, Patrizia turned around. She did not have any regrets about the conversation she just had. Victory was already hers, and any further concern was meaningless. Now it was Rosemond, not her, who should be worried.
Rosemond, more anxious than before, kept wracking her head for a way out.
*
“As long as there isn’t anything unexpected, a testimony will be obtained by this afternoon,” Mirya said.
“Not too fast. Not too late, too,” Patrizia murmured, her footsteps echoing against the marbled floor. She couldn’t let Duke Ephreney pull off a trick and twist up her plans at this time. She gave a command in a stern tone. “Strictly prohibit any contact between Lady Ethylaire and any outsiders. No words, no letters. All means of communication with the outside world must be cut off.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. Do not worry,” Mirya said in a reliable voice, then she shifted conversation. “Lady Grochestor has departed from the Grochester residence. I believe she was in a hurry because of work.”
“I wonder if she’s worried. I told her that I was fine…” Patrizia said uncomfortably.
“You may have, but it’s shocking news in any case. Do not feel ashamed.”
“My parents might be worried.”
“I sent a servant girl to tell the news to Marchioness Grochestor. Please, do not worry too much.”
“Yes. I’m fine,” Patrizia replied in a meager voice, then stopped talking as soon as she turned a corner and ran into someone unexpected.
It was him.
“Your Majesty…the Emperor.”
“You look busy. Where are you going?” Lucio asked.
Patrizia paused. She wasn’t happy to tell him where she had been, but she couldn’t lie. “I’m on my way back from the dungeon, Your Majesty.”
“…”
He didn’t reply, as if he understood the full meaning of her words without her having to say anything else. Patrizia, tired of waiting, decided to end the conversation first.
“Well then—”
“What…what are you going to do?” he interrupted.
“…What?” She looked at him in confusion. “I beg your pardon, but I don’t know what you’re saying.”
“…”
Patrizia took a gander. “If your statement about Lady Ethylaire is true…well, it’s not decided yet, Your Majesty. I didn’t get a confession from the assassins,” she said.
But I’ll get it soon, Patrizia muttered to herself.
“If it becomes clear that she attempted to assassinate the queen of this empire, then she would be put to death.”
“…”
He said nothing, and Patrizia’s lips pressed into a smile. “Why? Do you dislike that?”
“No. If the crime is obvious, then that would be right.” His voice sounded neither helpless nor sad, but there was a note of bitterness somewhere. Patrizia didn’t like that.
“Even if you do not wish for such measures, the law cannot be helped,” she said. “It’s not just her. If anyone attempted to kill a member of the royal family, they would be severely punished.”
“I didn’t say otherwise, Queen. If that is the result of the investigation, then let it be done.” He gave a small sigh, then changed the topic. “You looked busy, so I shouldn’t have interrupted you. Where were you going?”
“…Anywhere,” Patrizia replied. “I was just on my way back to my palace.”
“How are your wounds? Are they alright?”
“Thank you for your concern. I’m fine.”
That was Patrizia’s intention all along when she cut herself. The wounds were long, but they were shallow and would quickly heal. The problem would be deep and narrow wounds. They wouldn’t show up as effectively.
Patrizia decided to end the conversation. “Then I’ll take my leave.”
She started walking forward again, Mirya following her shadow. When Patrizia was about twenty steps ahead, she glanced backwards. Lucio was still standing on the same spot. Like a person with his feet stuck. She looked at him with a strange expression.
*
Petronilla stepped foot into the palace shortly after Patrizia arrived at her chambers.
“Rizi, are you really alright?” Petronilla fretted.
Patrizia replied in a calm voice. “This didn’t happen out of nowhere. I told you in advance.”
Petronilla knew, of course, but that didn’t stop her from worrying. “I can’t help it. I’m glad that you’re fine, anyway. Is Ella alright?”
“She’s fine. She did get hurt.”
Raphaella grumbled from the side. “I’m strong, Nil, you see. Her Majesty worries too much.”
Petronilla chuckled. “Alright, that’s a relief. I’m glad that you’re alright.”
“Mother and Father must have been worried,” Patrizia said.
“Yes,” Petronilla sighed. “They were very concerned. I told them not to be, and I would come and see you. Father didn’t show it, but he was very sick with fear.”
“Let me tell you something, Nil.” Patrizia’s expression furrowed in concern, and she soon opened her mouth to speak.