Chapter 69 - DID YOU FIND ANY FATEFUL ENCOUNTERS?

“…”

Petronilla had a feeling that the man’s demands would become greater. When Rothesay saw Petronilla’s expression, he was disappointed and thought, ‘Seems not…’ and muttered to himself. He appeared to look like an abandoned baby cat, which made Petronilla uncomfortable. Eventually she sighed and opened her mouth.

“Alright.”

With that one word, his dead facial expression suddenly came back to life. He asked.

“Really?”

“I do not speak two contradicting words with one mouth.”

Petronilla gave a condition.

“Instead, there is a condition to send me home before it gets dark.”

“Of course, my Lady. I am not such a disorderly person.”

Petronilla wanted to reply that he looked like that, but decided not to. When Petronilla’s permission was granted, Rothesay asked her with an excited voice.

“When would be best, my Lady? If only my Lady is alright with it, right now…”

“Ah, I am sorry, but it is difficult right now…”

Petronilla said this with a slight frown.

“I will send someone to the Count’s estate. How about that?”

“Sounds good.”

He replied with a big and bright smile, as if he didn’t care whenever the time may be, and Petronilla laughed out loud without realizing. When Rothesay saw it, he pulled up one side of his mouth and asked with a smile.

“Uh? You just laughed.”

“…”

“Right?”

“… Is that important?”

“Yes, it is important.”

He explained the reason in a pleasant, baritone voice.

“Because it is the first time you laughed looking towards me.”

“…”

She didn’t think it was the first time… While she dug through her memories, Rothesay slowly stood up. Petronilla asked him.

“Are you leaving already?”

“You said that you are busy? I also have no intention of taking the precious time of my Lady.”

“…”

“So, that will be it for today.”

Rothesay spoke while kneeling on one knee, and sitting in front of Petronilla. As Petronilla looked at him with a dazed look, he kissed the back of her right hand. Petronilla’s face showed she was taken aback by the kiss that symbolized chivalry. Disregarding her reaction, Rothesay laughed and spoke in a sweet voice.

“Then, I will come to see you tomorrow, my Lady.”

“…”

The gentleman who was polite to the end left, and Petronilla sat there for a long time. After a while, Petronilla regained her senses, and shook her head as she stood up. Marchioness Grochester asked her daughter a question once she left the reception room.

“How was it, daughter?”

“What, what?”

“The Count’s lad. I really liked him indeed.”

“D… Do not say useless things, Mother.”

Petronilla shouted with a greatly reddened face, and then went up to her room. Why would her mother suddenly say that! Petronilla determined she should go to the Imperial Palace, and patted down the dress she wore last.

Eventually, it wasn’t until two o’clock that Petronilla could visit the Empress Palace. Patrizia welcomed her.

“Why are you so late today, Nilla?”

“Ah…”

Petronilla was briefly flustered by Patrizia’s question, but soon responded casually.

“Just… I slept in.”

“How rare. For you to oversleep.”

Patrizia murmured as if it were a novelty. Petronilla laughed awkwardly and nodded her head. Soon, Mirya brought a bunch of snacks for the two of them to eat while they talked, and Patrizia opened up the topic while biting onto a chocolate-flavored dacquoise in her mouth.

“I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

“The… The Duke of Efreni’s mistress.”

“Ah.”

Petronilla finally figured out what she was trying to say, and intercepted her words.

“If it’s about that, I’ll say it first.”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

“The mistress’ name is January.”

Petronilla soon concluded with a serious voice.

“And Madam January is conspiring with Rosemond.”

“Oh my goodness. I knew it!”

Patrizia shook her head, as if her expectations had been met. Petronilla asked her.

“How did you know?”

“By coincidence. I heard two people talking on the terrace, but I could not hear the details. What about the plan… etc. They said stuff like that.”

“I think this woman named January is more involved in everything than I had thought.”

Petronilla handed something over to Patrizia as she said this. It was a letter she had found in January’s room. Patrizia asked her.

“What is this, Nil?”

“It’s a letter I found in January’s room. The recipient, you can tell with a glance, is Rosemond.”

Patrizia quickly opened the letter and read through it. The following was written there.

Dear January, it’s Rosemond.

I also heard rumors that the Duchess of Efreni will be leaving soon. The fact that Petronilla will be taking care of the house. Ha, really. It’s clear that the woman has finally lost her mind. To leave the care of the house to a woman of her husband’s opposing family. Does she even know how dangerous that can be?

Anyways, be careful Jan. Petronilla is the twin sister of the Empress. Not only that, she is not a stupid woman. It will only take a moment to get caught if the slightest suspicious behavior is shown.

Don’t forget, Jan. We are accomplices, and we are destined to board the same ship.

I believe in you.

Burn this letter.

Your Rose.

“The accomplice…”

Patrizia frowned as she read the prominent word. Perhaps this woman helped with all the evil deeds Rosemond had planned. Petronilla spoke as if she had read Patrizia’s mind.

“There is a possibility, Lizzy. I know what you’re thinking.”

“…”

“Even if they are accomplices, they surely cannot trust each other completely.”

“I think so too.”

Rosemond had definitely said to burn the letter. However, January did not burn it. So, this was the January’s safety pin,just in case something went wrong. Was that it? Patrizia laughed. Indeed, a villain cannot trust another villain. Because it was a daily occurrence to stab each other’s backs.

“For now… it will not be bad to observe them for a while. How long will you be going to that house, Nil?”

“Actually a message came yesterday. From the Duchess of Efreni.”

She sighed and continued speaking.

“Her son’s condition seems very serious. The Duchess seemed very worried.”

“…”

Patrizia felt a bit of irony here. Apparently, she and the Duchess of Efreni were in a relationship of political opposition, but it was the twin sisters who were helping to manage the house. What an absurd situation. However, the world didn’t function in a way that everything had to be presented in a dichotomous fashion.

“It will not be bad to act after watching over the situation.”

“Believe in me, Lizzy.”

“I believe, of course.”

Patrizia smiled lightly, and then placed the letter in the jewelry box. Patrizia judged that it would become useful someday, instructed Mirya to hide the jewelry box in a secretive location as possible, and then began to continue to talk with Petronilla in a relaxed expression.

“So Sister, did you find any fateful encounters yesterday?”

“…”

Petronilla’s face turned red at Patrizia’s words. In response, Patrizia, as well as everyone who was there, predicted the answer. Oh, there was something. Patrizia smiled and asked.

“Who is it?”

“There is no one.”

“Such lies.”

Patrizia laughed as if it was funny, and Petronilla remained silent. Instead of teasing Petronilla more, Patrizia released some low laughs, and changed the topic.

“Got it, got it. Anyways, Nil is too…”

“Your Majesty!”

It was then that someone urgently ran into the room where Patrizia was. Surprised by the sudden ruckus, Patrizia opened her eyes wide. Mirya scolded the maid who had come in a hurry.

“Your Majesty and the Lady are here, but to act so frivolous.”

“It is fine, Mirya.”

Patrizia calmed Mirya down, and asked the servant, while slightly narrowing her forehead.

“What is the matter?”

“That is… Lady Efreni appeared at the council meeting being held now…”

Rosemond? Patrizia’s impression once again wrinkled slightly. Then, at the subsequent words of the servant, her face crumpled down completely.

“Lady Efreni insisted that Your Majesty is infertile, and claimed that a concubine must be brought in.”

“…”

Everyone’s facial expressions naturally hardened. For a while, there was only silence, and Patrizia was the first to break it. She asked calmly.

“Please talk more in detail.”

“It is exactly as I just said, Your Majesty. This just from the council meeting. That Your Majesty is infertile, so a concubine must be taken… The Duke of Efreni as well as other nobles are insisting on this.”

“Ha.”

Patrizia gave out an absurd breath, and Petronilla had a serious look on her face. Mirya and Rafaella also did not look pleased. Patrizia thought about this seriously.

‘What is the reason for her to stick to infertility like that?’

Patrizia was worried. Rosemond was not a woman who would risk her life for no reason. She was not so stupid. If so, then…?

“I…”

Patrizia murmured to herself. Was she really…

“Am I really infertile…”

Nonsense. This was… Patrizia muttered to herself as if it was unbelievable, and then someone else ran into the room. What was going on this time? Ominous feelings poured down without giving her a break.

“Your Empress Majesty.”

The maid who came to deliver the news looked almost like she was about to cry. Patrizia swallowed her dry saliva.

“What is it?”

“It has been concluded that Your Majesty’s fertility will be tested.”

In a trembling voice, the maid delivered the remaining words.

“Your Majesty, if really… really…!”

“Enough.”

Patrizia cut off her words. She stood up suddenly after making a serious expression on her face. Everyone looked at her, and Patrizia muttered with a cold facial expression.

“If that really is the case, then I will have put in place a countermeasure.”