Lady to Queen

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.”