Chapter 41 - CHAPTER 39. YOUR MAJESTY, CONGRATULATIONS

“This is a map of the hunting ground, Your Majesty. Can you see the part marked there?”

Rafaella pointed to a red circle that was drawn on the map. Patrizia asked a question.

“What is that?”

“It is another passageway into the hunting grounds, Your Majesty. We managed to find it after an extensive search, and definitely not something a regular person would be able to find. To the point that, naturally, no one would know about it.”

“Then… the assassins came through this?” Patrizia instantly felt dizzy. How on earth had Rosemond known about it? No, did the assassins knew about it? However, even from a topographical point of view, this place was not easy to find. So either Rosemond or the assassins had to have known about it beforehand…

The only problem was that none of them would talk about this matter, and Patrizia didn’t even know where the assassins had gone.

Mountains beyond mountains. Patrizia pinched her forehead with an expression revealing her headache. The situation seemed to be going awry.

“Then it would be easy to destroy the evidence. Rosemond is quite impressive.”

“But Your Majesty, is it not strange? This is a place that was nearly impossible for us to find.

How could Lady Phelps have known its existence?”

“I believe that is strange as well. As you said, someone else should have used the passage before.”

“I wondered that as well, and interrogated those responsible for guarding the forest, but none of them have seen anyone. That is why it is even more mysterious”

“Hmmm…”

Patrizia made an expression deep in contemplation. How had Rosemond known about it? With what method? It was impossible unless she had clairvoyance. Patrizia struggled with various thoughts, but nothing seemed plausible, so she sighed internally and turned back towards Rafaella.

“Anyways, well done Sir Rafaella. It is apparent in my eyes that you have worked hard these past few days. You should go and get some rest today. The other knights can take over, as they have been doing a good job as well.”

“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”

Rafaella must have been really tired because usually, she would insist she was alright and guard Patrizia by her side, but she had left the room right away.

Patrizia also made a tired face and closed her eyes while thinking again. How in the world did that woman scheme such a plot such as this?

The search results were revealed to everyone at the next advisory council meeting. The nobles couldn’t hide their bewildered faces when they heard the results. It was natural. Because the results of Rafaella’s efforts provided confidence that things would not end easily. However, Patrizia spoke out at the advisory council meeting, as if nothing had happened.

“In addition to a search, there are other ways to conduct an investigation. In fact, I didn’t expect much results from the forest search. Duke Witherford, is there an update on Lady Phelps?”

“Aside from this search, there are many other ways to investigate. In fact, finding evidence in the forest was something I did not expect. Duke Witherford, what has happened with the investigation of Lady Phelps?”

“We have been conducting investigations, including the Baron and others around her, but so far, the results have been minimal, Your Majesty. However, I am sure that I will be able to deliver good results soon.”

Duke Witherford looked a little exhausted as he said these words.

After seeing this, Patrizia silently drew a small circle on the table with her finger and then opened her mouth.

“Even if it takes a long time, the truth will have to be revealed. Does everyone not think so?”

“Your Majesty.”

Then someone called out to her. She looked up and saw the Duke of Efreni. A man who was continuing to oppose her work these days. Patrizia nodded and gave a signal as if to speak. He spoke.

“It feels like you are pushing too much for a specific person to be the culprit.”

“…”

With those words, the inside of the conference room was utterly silent. Patrizia laughed as if it was funny. That was true. She was driving a specific person into being the suspect. Of course, this was possible because she was convinced that she was the culprit.

But Patrizia knew that she would have done the same even if she hadn’t heard from the assassins regarding who was the real culprit. Her intuition was telling her that Rosemond was the culprit, and most of all, no one else would have such hateful feelings toward her.

However, now more than ever, her thoughts about chasing that woman out was strong.

She has been constantly trying to destroy her since she entered the palace. Perhaps the string of her reasoning had already been cut off little by little since the meeting with the wives of the group of envoys and had been completely cut off with this event.

Anyway, this was a useless assumption.

It was meaningless and useless to assume about what would not happen and what had not happened.

Patrizia smiled casually as if nothing was wrong, and asked in turn, “Why do you think that way, Duke?

“Others can be questioned as well. To be only doing that to the people in Vain Palace…

“I was looking forward to your past experience as an investigator, but today, those expectations have been terribly broken down.”

Patrizia had cut off his words in a dry voice, then stared straight into the eyes of the Duke of Efreni as she spoke again.

“Is it not true that the interrogation of people who were motivated to commit crimes should be conducted before anyone else? Someone who dared to assassinate this Empire’s Sun and Moon, and the motivation to do, who could that be? A jealous Lady Vashi who had been unable to become the Queen? If not that, did I create this plot myself, is that it?”

“No, Your Majesty. I just…”

“Duke, I remember what I said at first, but I hate criticism without alternatives. So what do you want me to do now? Tell me an alternative.”

“…”

There would be no alternative. Duke Efreni’s words were saying to investigate everybody now. That would be crazy. It would be a huge waste of time and useless effort. Nothing was more inefficient than an investigation where there weren’t clear suspects. Patrizia spoke to him as if to stop thinking about such useless things.

“If there are other candidates, please bring them over, Duke. Then I shall investigate that person in the same way. Even if it is my relative by blood.”

“…”

“Duke WitherFord, please spur on the investigation more than now. Should the truth not be revealed before His Majesty wakes up?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will do my best.”

When the issue was settled to some extent, Patrizia took a slow breath and flipped over the papers to move on to the next agenda. It was an agenda concerning the celebration of the founding of the Empire that would take place soon. It was an Inner Palace issue. Patrizia opened her mouth.

“As you all may know, in a couple of months, the celebration for the Founding Day of the Empire will take place in the capital. It is too much for an Empress to prepare alone, and the ladies of the Inner Palace will help me as customary, but I will need the help of the nobles regarding matters related to the merchants. Is there anyone that will volunteer?”

“…”

There was only silence for a long time as if they were weighing the matter. Patrizia waited patiently, and as she began to get tired of waiting, someone opened their mouth. It was a familiar voice.

“Your Majesty, can I take that glorious position?”

Patrizia called to him with a voice that seemed to be surprised.

“Duke Efreni.”

“Our family used to run a merchant trade, so we can help Your Majesty with all our heart. I will do my best if you grant your permission.”

“Hmm…”

Patrizia was honestly a bit taken aback. It could be inferred to some extent through the meetings until now that Duke Efreni hated her. But suddenly he wanted to help her?

Patrizia was curious about what the inside of Duke of Efreni’s mind looked like, but unfortunately, there was no way to know about it. She pondered for a moment and then asked the other nobles.

“What do the others think about this?”

“Is Duke Efreni not a better person suited for this than anyone else, Your Majesty? Bestowing your grace onto him will also be beneficial for the Imperial Family and the Inner Palace.”

At the words of the Duke of Vashi, who was famous for maintaining a neutral attitude, Patrizia couldn’t help but feel shivers. Anyway, there was no time to pick at this and that, when there were no other applicants. Patrizia spoke in a voice that showed her acquiescence.

“In that case, with this matter, the Duke of Efreni will help me…”

At that moment, the door opened, and Patrizia’s words naturally ceased as someone came inside. It was such a sudden move that everyone there, including Patrizia, was startled.

Patrizia stared intently at one of the young servants, who gasped roughly for breaths and then asked him in a displeased voice.

“What is the matter?”

“Please excuse me, Your Majesty. It’s urgent, so I had no choice but to…”

“I understand, so tell me. What is going on? Did Lady Phelps confess?”

He shook his head as if to say that wasn’t the case, and soon spit out the words that would silence the inside of the conference room.

“His Majesty, the Emperor has awakened.”

“…”

With those words, the inside of the conference room became quiet like a rat that had died. It was not the fact that Lucio had awakened that was unpleasant. They were just surprised. The Emperor had recovered, after nearly a month of absence. The first person to regain their senses was the Duke of Vashi.

“Your Majesty, congratulations.”

“…”

Only then did Patrizia also regain her senses. She tried to hide her flustered expression and ended the meeting.

“It is better that we end today’s meeting here. We can discuss this again later. You are all free to go back now.”

At Patrizia’s words, the nobles all rose and left their seats. Everyone had left, but Patrizia remained there alone. Mirya thought this was strange, and asked her a question.

“Your Majesty, what is the matter? His Majesty has awakened, and you must go there quickly.”

“…I should go.”

Patrizia spoke with a dazed voice, then got up from her seat slowly. After leaving the conference room, Patrizia slowly walked down the hall.

Her eyes were like a child who didn’t know what to do. Not everyone could catch on to this, but the only person that could was Mirya, who had been serving her for a long time, and she noticed and asked.

“Your Majesty, is there something wrong?”

Patrizia, who was walking quietly, stopped walking at the question. Then she turned her head to the side, staring at Mirya and asked her, “I, you mean?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What does that mean?”

“Your expression does not look that pleased.”

“…Be careful with your words.”

Patrizia quickly replied. She was saying dangerous words. It was like she was saying that she didn’t want to step down from the Regent’s position, and therefore not happy with the Emperor’s recovery.

“For what reason are you saying that I am not happy?”

“…I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Only then did Mirya realize her mistake and quickly apologized, but she soon followed up with more words.

“Just… I had said this because your complexion had become uncharacteristically dark. Please forgive me, Regent Majesty.”

“…Be careful in the future.”

Patrizia spoke shortly and began to walk again. As if she was aware of Mirya’s words, her steps were noticeably faster than before. However, for a moment, her pace slowed down again as she got closer to where Lucio was staying.

Mirya noticed this, but remembered the previous situation, and said nothing further.