Chapter 39 - CHAPTER 37. ARE YOU THE CULPRIT BEHIND THIS?

Although Patrizia did not hold any friendly feelings towards the Duke of Efreni in particular, she had honestly expected him to be wise and calm as a Duke that served the Empire. For Patrizia, her expectations were beginning to falter.

Was it simply a problem in her thinking? Patrizia quickly thought about the current political situation in the Marvinus Empire. The present Emperor was the only son of the previous Emperor, and there was no immediate heir that followed. If Lucio continued like this and closed his eyes forever, a member of the distant families in lineage would take over the throne.

That fact was that Lucio was the last remaining heir from the direct line of Marvinus along with being the previous Emperor’s son, granted him incredible legitimacy, and this legitimacy meant the authority of an Emperor in a monarchy.

Lucio had exercised this tremendous Imperial power over the nobility, carried on with political affairs without realizing the concept of political opponents, and the fact that this was going to change with Patrizia becoming Regent was a bit strange.

That was why the Duke of Efreni was static in his servitude to the Emperor, and since she was his Empress and the Regent, opposing her was a little outrageous.

Then what in the world could it be, and as Patrizia wondered this, she realized she was making too quick of a conclusion and decided to quit this way of thinking.

Patrizia thought that she had gotten too sensitive, and as a result, had made premature assumptions.

Just because of one opposition, it may have been too early to question the Duke’s political intentions. Patrizia immediately moved on to the next matter.

“Then, the discussion on that matter should be reported separately by the Ministry of Finance. What is the next topic?”

“The issue to be discussed next is a part of those that Your Majesty has not read in a report yet. It would be best to discuss it at the next advisory council meeting.”

“Very well, then is there no urgent matter to discuss right away?”

“No, Your Majesty. There is one of the most important things that is left. The one that has been put off, I mean.”

At the end of the Marquis of Brinkstone’s words, Patrizia nodded twice, as if to encourage him to say it. Soon the angry voice of the marquis could be heard.

“To dare try to assassinate the Empress of an Empire and put the Emperor in such a state, we must find out who the culprit behind this, Your Majesty. It is not right to still keep such a scoundrel alive.”

At the Marquis of Brinkstone’s words, Patrizia made a small smile on her lips and calmly replied to him.

“Yes, that too. I was also about to bring that part up to discuss.”

Patrizia began to talk in a collected manner, “Currently, Knight Rafaella is currently searching around yesterday’s hunting grounds with the Knights of the Guard. But more than that… I think Lady Phelps is the culprit behind this.”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a thought, but a conviction, but no one would believe it with just a strong belief. In addition, Rosemond and Patrizia were in a rival relationship in the eyes of others. So someone might think that Patrizia was trying to frame Rosemond. Nevertheless, Patrizia steadfastly pushed on with her intentions.

“Your Majesty, I am also looking into this matter seriously. This is someone that tried to assassinate the Emperor and a member of the Imperial Family. The culprit should be flushed out and be punished to the utmost.”

“I agree, Duke of Witherford. As it is difficult to ignore the confession of the assassin, I also plan to start questioning and investigating into her. What do the other nobles think about this?”

“I think it is the right judgment, Your Majesty. It is necessary to go through a thorough investigation, as it is more serious than any other matter.”

“Those who dared to ridicule the Imperial Family of Marvinus must not be forgiven.”

Patrizia nodded her agreement at the overall consensus, and for some reason turned and asked the Duke of Efreni his opinion about the matter.

“What is your thought on this, Duke?”

“Your Majesty…”

Duke of Efreni opened his mouth with a tense look.

“However… What would you do if she was not guilty?”

“…What?”

While Patrizia was flustered by his unexpected words, the Duke of Efreni continued.

“As there is a lack of clear evidence that indicates Lady Phelps is the one behind the scenes, that might…”

“Duke.”

Duke of Efreni seemed taken aback by the momentary interruption, but soon he calmly talked on.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Are you the culprit behind this all?”

“What?”

“I asked if you were the culprit behind this all.”

As Patrizia asked, her facial expression did not have a single trace of warmth. The Duke of Efreni stammered his words.

“That, Your Majesty… What is that…”

“If you were not the one behind it, the name that came from the mouth of the assassin should be the most accurate. Ah, do you think that I would risk my life, and throw on this show, just to get rid of a mere mistress? Even putting the Emperor in that state?”

She seemed to be heated, as her voice slightly shook and her pupils were dilated, with a voice that was louder in volume than usual. She had never raised her voice in a situation like this before, but she had to at least, for the present one. How he dared.

“Ah, then are you saying that I am the real culprit behind this?”

“Your Majesty, that is an excessive assumption…”

“No, Duke. So then, what should I think about this situation? I had heard from the assassins that Lady Phelps was the real culprit with these two ears. Who else should I point to in this situation? Duke, tell me. If there is someone else, then I am more than willing to investigate that person too.”

“…”

“Do not tell me that you said that without offering other possibilities? Like just before?”

“Your Majesty… I am just worried that someone who is innocent could get victimized…”

Patrizia was forced to burst into laughter as she looked at the Duke of Efreni slowly killing his voice as he spoke.

“If you put it that way, Duke, the vessel will not be closed unless someone confesses. What will you do if someone is framed? Do you not think so?”

“…”

Patrizia stared at the Duke of Efreni with chilled eyes, and at that moment she reached an epiphany.

Ah, this man, definitely hated her.

“Duke, I really do not know. As Regent, I am the one who is responsible for leading this city, and for the sake of the Emperor, to find out who the culprit is. That is why such a remark just like before is beyond difficult for me. So, Duke, you are telling me to cover yesterday’s events just to save a possible victim? Even if the two masters of the Empire were about to be killed?”

“… I apologize, Your Majesty. My thoughts were short.”

“Yes, Duke. Of course, you should talk like that. The remarks just now were words that could be considered as treason. You must definitely know that.”

“…”

“The Duke of Witherford will take full control of this matter and investigate. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will search for the true culprit with all my heart.”

Patrizia still seemed to be angry as her face showed it slightly, but nevertheless, it was surprising that her voice did not exceed a certain threshold. Patrizia breathed as deeply as she could, calmed herself down, and ended the meeting.

“Because this position was suddenly decided yesterday, I do not know much about the state affairs. Let us end here today, and meet again tomorrow.”

The first thing Patrizia did when she returned to her chambers was to investigate the Duke of Efreni.

“Mirya, could you please look into Duke Efreni’s background?”

“Did something happen today at the advisory council meeting, Your Majesty?”

“Something did happen.”

Petronilla spoke for Patrizia instead. Her face did not look too pleased, as if this situation was greatly distasteful for her.

“The Duke of Efreni picked a fight over every little thing. As if… he had set out to do so.”

“…”

At Petronilla’s words, Patrizia made an expression as if she was thinking about something, and stirred her head. Mirya saw this as strange and asked a question.

“What is wrong, Your Majesty?”

“It is nothing. I seem to have gotten ahead of myself. My mind seems to be off after the events I went through yesterday.”

“Your Majesty… Just what in the world…”

She realized she had not told both of them the specific details of yesterday’s events. Rafaella and she talked about it to a certain extent, but even if they could figure out the general situation from hearing about it from others, they would be unable to know.

Patrizia told them everything about what had happened yesterday without leaving a single thing out. Of course, everything that happened once in survival mode after the river, she kept a secret.

There wasn’t a special reason for that, rather she just thought it was useless information.

“My goodness… Lady Phelps eventually went to that extent…”

“It is difficult though since there is no evidence. It is hard to punish with just suspicion and without any evidence.”

“Right. That is why I am distressed. If there isn’t any sufficient evidence, it should at least be labeled as fixed.”

“Are you thinking of ending things completely this time?”

“If it is possible… definitely.”

There was no reason to drag this on any longer. There was no mercy and no forgiveness. In the past, that may have been necessary, but at least now that would just reveal her foolishness, nothing more and nothing less. Patrizia wanted to end all these problems as quickly as possible. What she wanted was Rosemond’s death. She was too mediocre of a person to have pure thoughts behind that desire. She wanted to pay it back if harmed, and if she almost died, she wanted to retaliate equally.

God had said revenge will be on him, and not to make a hell in this world, well. If she didn’t take revenge immediately, not just this world but her mind would become hell. Even if this meant that she would go to the underworld, she would have no regrets. Patrizia made a sad smile and covered her face with her palm.

The interrogation of Rosemond proceeded immediately. Patrizia was busy dealing with overflowing state affairs, but even during her busy days, she took the time to get involved in her investigation. Rosemond was locked in a dungeon but did not give up her signature arrogant smile, along with the look that seemed to look down on the person. Patrizia disliked this, and it was repulsive, but she decided to endure it. She was going to disappear soon anyway.

She was, of course, unkind to the investigation. She exercised the right to remain silent on all the questions, and even if she answered, the answer was ‘I don’t know.’ At this rate, there would be no progress. Of course, she hadn’t expected it to be easy, but she didn’t know there would be this little progress.

For the first time, Patrizia even thought that she wanted to abuse her power. But of course, it wasn’t allowed, so she soon folded that thought. It was also foolish to hold onto things that would not work anyways.

Patrizia stared intently at the Duke of Witherford interrogating Rosemond, and at one point, directly entered the interrogation room. When the Duke of Witherford discovered her, he asked her with a startled look.

“Your Majesty, what is the matter?”

“There seems to be no progress in the investigation. It has already been the fourth day, but she just will not open her mouth.”

Yes, it was already the fourth day. Lucio was still asleep, and Rosemond’s mouth still did not know how to open.

She was actually a very patient person, but in this situation, her deep patience was not effective. Patrizia spoke to Duke Witherford in a slightly lower voice.

“Duke, I want to interrogate Lady Phelps myself, would that be alright?”

“Of course, Your Majesty. Please do as you desire.”

The Duke of Witherford stepped out, and Patrizia looked at the journal he left behind, with no inspiration on her face. Blank. Still blank. Patrizia was over it and made a poisonous face.