Chapter 64 - WILL YOU NOT GET MARRIED, OLDER SISTER?

Meanwhile, Petronilla visited the Efreni estate after a long time had passed. This was because the Duke’s butler had reached out to her. Petronilla entered the Duchy in a plain, light yellow dress with only one ribbon tied on her waist. The butler welcomed her politely.

“You have arrived, Lady Petronila. Come this way.”

“Hello, butler.”

Petronilla, who responded with the same courtesy in her greeting, gracefully entered the household. It didn’t seem to have changed much from her last visit. The butler led her to the reception room. She sat down, and asked a question after taking a sip of peppermint tea that one of the maids had brought to her.

“What has happened?”

“It is not a big deal, but it is not a problem that can be handled by myself. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“No, butler. Originally, I was asked by the Duchess to take over. Since there was also the Duchess’ word, it would be right to do this. What is the matter?”

“It is because of Madam January’s luxury spending, Miss.”

The butler coughed and refined his voice. Soon, he began to explain the matter in a clean voice.

“For the first half of the budget, the amount of the expenditure was too large, but it is difficult for me to lower the budget with my authority.”

Oh dear. Petronilla dropped a bit of surprise. It was a complicated problem.

“I want to hear what the Duke’s situation is on this.”

“The Duke… He is always like this, but he is generous in that regard.”

“Ah.”

She had asked pointlessly. Petronilla nodded with such an expression on her face. It was only natural. Originally, the nobility were human beings who would do anything to their wives for the sake of their mistresses. Like the Emperor now. Petronilla barely concealed her contempt and asked the butler.

“Then what would you like me to do…”

“Oh my, Lady Petronilla.”

In that moment an extremely high voice interrupted the two of them, and while Petronilla had only heard this voice once, she figured out who the owner of the voice was like a ghost. She forced a smile and greeted January.

“Hello, Madam. It has been a while.”

“Yes, my Lady. It’s been a long time.”

She asked, slightly smiling.

“But what’s going on here…?”

“I requested her presence.”

At the end of the butler’s words, the expression of January slightly chilled. Nevertheless, the smile remained the same.

“Ah, you did. For what reason…?”

“I have no reason to explain up to that point. Is that not right, Madam?”

“…”

She seemed offended, but the butler looked on stiffly, without showing any care for her reaction. Petronilla thought that the butler was quite a great person, and quickly made excuses.

“It is nothing. It is a trivial matter.”

“… Ah, is that so.”

Didn’t know. Sorry about that. January gave a thin smile, and disappeared with the words, “Then comfortably stay and depart.” After she disappeared, the butler sighed. Perhaps he had confirmed that Petronilla was on his side. Petronilla spoke to him.

“The most important thing is the position of the Duchess.”

“…”

“Now butler. Tell me. What is the Duchess’ position on this matter?”

“You ask when you already know everything, Lady.”

Petronilla smiled brightly at the butler’s words.

“I am not sure. I do not know why you have determined that I already know about this.”

“Is it not a matter of common sense?”

“Sometimes there are houses where common sense does not apply. If so, the Duchess would not want it, if my thoughts are right. Is that correct?”

“It is correct, Lady. The Duchess is constantly wary of Madam January. She hates her spending so much, more than anyone else.”

“Then the decision is already made, is it not?”

“It is not that simple. Because of this, the Duke and the Duchess fight a lot.”

Alas, that was possible. Petronilla nodded her head.

“It is very likely.”

“Yes. I have to find a compromise, but that is not easy. It is a difficult issue.”

“I see that.”

Petronilla nodded her head, and then asked a question.

“Mr. Butler, do I have to give an answer right now on this matter?”

“That is not necessary. I just hope you will give an answer quickly.”

Madam January’s behavior was too much. Petronilla nodded as if she understood the butler’s words.

“Do not worry. I can give you an answer in three days.”

After Petronilla said that, she stood up from her seat slowly.

“I will see you again in three days. Hopefully I will come up with a satisfying answer for everyone.”

“Thank you very much, Lady.”

“You are welcome.”

Petronilla smiled lightly, and left the reception room.

“… So I need your help, Lizzy.”

Upon hearing Petronilla’s explanation, Patrizia nodded. Obviously, it was a troublesome problem. Patrizia thought about it.

‘How could our side benefit?’

“Anyways, we have to choose one of the two.”

Patrizia responded to Petronilla’s words.

“Alright. The wife and the mistress can never become close. You don’t have to have a hostile relationship with the person left over, but at least you need to stay cordial.”

“I think so too.”

In any case, the Duchy of Efreni was currently on the opposing side of Patrizia. Not only that, she already had the Duke of Witherford. Even so, the choice was difficult because the fact remained that both the wife and the mistress were the Duke’s women. But nevertheless, choosing the wife was the best option anyone could come up with.

“The woman’s background is also obscure, and we know nothing about that mistress. There is nothing wrong with being careful.”

“Right. Either way, I have to finish this in a direction without any trouble.”

“I plan to ask her to submit a proposal detailing the items to be spent in the future. Review it, discard the parts that are not necessary, and only accept the parts that are. That is the best for now.”

“I think that way too. It would be better for the future to choose a direction that would benefit Duchess Efreni as much as possible.”

Anyways, as soon as she accepted the request of Duchess of Efreni, January also considered her as one of the Duchess’ people. Petronilla changed the topic.

“Now let’s stop talking about this… Lizzy, is there anything interesting here? I have not been to the Imperial Palace much these days, so I don’t know any of the news.”

“There is nothing I can call news… Oh, there is one. No, is it two?”

“What is it?”

“Rosemond returned to the Imperial Palace earlier than expected. And soon she will become an adopted daughter of Efreni.”

“… What?”

What was this situation? Petronilla’s face that hardened with the shock was remarkable to behold. While Patrizia replied with an undisturbed face.

“Well, it was something I expected. From going to the Baron’s estate…”

“Oh, Lizzy. But why are you being so easygoing?”

“I cannot say I am taking this easily, but it has already happened. She is probably thinking about attacking me with her higher status as a weapon.”

Not only that, but she came over in the morning and made a ruckus. When she heard Patrizia’s words, Petronilla made an expression as if she was in pain. How long had it been since she had returned, to be making the palace so noisy already.

“You have to tie this situation up. Whenever, and surely.”

“I know. But it is still too early. I have to wait for the opportunity to ripen.”

Until then, she would peek at the timing while faithfully doing her job. Petronilla nodded at Patrizia’s words. After all, she was truly a mature twin sister. Petronila asked.

“The celebration is next week, are the preparations finished?”

“It is almost over. There are really only a few things left. Things you do not have to worry about now.”

“That’s a relief.”

Petronilla smiled lightly and asked her sister.

“Will you have a date with your sister that day?”

“Well… no. I am sorry, but let us do it next year.”

“Why?”

“I will feel very tired that day. I will have to face bump into the nobles all day.”

“That is true.”

She nodded as if she understood. Then Patrizia asked her.

“Will you not get married, older sister?”

“… What?”

Petronilla asked Patrizia with a taken aback expression at the sudden topic, and Patrizia recounted casually.

“Well… No, I did it too, but I was thinking if it was time for you as well.”

“Oh my gosh. Lizzy, do you want your sister to go so quickly?”

When she got married, she couldn’t be her maid anymore? Patrizia smiled and explained with a voice full of sadness.

“No, Nilla. Of course I do not mean that.”

“Then?”

“Well… It is because I just want you to meet a good person quickly and be happy.”

“Useless words.”

Petronilla dismissed the possibility with a stern voice.

“I am happy even now.”

“Really?”

“You are by your side, and our parents are by my side. This is happiness. Just because one more man gets involved in my life, it will not determine my happiness.”

“Oh, Nilla you were so cool just now.”

“I know.”

Petronilla grinned, said to her younger sister.

“I like this time with you more than anything else. I still want to enjoy this freedom.”

“You do not plan to never get married right?”

“If a good person appears, I can do it in five minutes.”

Five minutes was a bit harsh. Patrizia laughed in a fit of giggles.

“I want to see my nephew or niece soon.”

“I also want to see my nephew or niece soon.”

Petronilla, who said that, teased Patrizia.

“Little sister, isn’t it more realistic for you than me?”

“Why?”

“I am single and you are married.”

Mirya, who was listening to the conversation of the two sisters on this most sensitive subject, had a shocked expression, but Patrizia was so calm as she responded.

“Nilla, my husband and I will not have a child in at least five years. I will wait until I can get pregnant and then have a son.”

“Who said they will give you a son? Your dream is wild.”

“What… I will have to try until I give birth to one.”

Patrizia, who finished the topic roughly, told a different story.

“Anyways, look for a nice groom at this time of the event. You never know? Your fated person might appear?”

“Bullcrap. If it’s fate, I’m sick of it now.”

“Huh?”

Patrizia asked with a puzzled look.

“Why are you saying ‘now’?”

“I don’t believe in such a thing as fate. No, even if I believe in it, it’s not my decision.”

That was true. Patrizia nodded silently. At that time, Petronilla raised her body from the seat with a ‘cha’ sound, and Patrizia asked her.

“What is it?”

“I want to eat bread. Do you want to as well?”

“I will if it is freshly baked.”

At Patrizia’s words, Petronilla’s mouth broke into a smile. Her little sister was indeed cute.

“Sounds good, Lizzy. Wait a little bit.”