Chapter 71 - I SHOULD HAVE BECOME THE EMPRESS INSTEAD

Rosemond remained in Vain Palace despite being given the title of Marchioness of Ethyller. This was because Rosemond did not want to move to a larger palace. After she became a Duke’s daughter, she even received a Marchioness title, and she was living the most comfortable life these days.

“Marchioness, a servant from the Empress Palace has arrived.”

Rosemond, who was in the middle of reading a book, frowned slightly at those words. This was not a very welcome guest, but because she had come from the Empress Palace, would be impossible to ignore. She said in a blunt voice, “Bring her in.” Soon, Mirya soon entered the room, carrying a box tied with a pink ribbon. Rosemond asked arrogantly.

“What is the matter? It is very rare for the Empress to send anyone here.”

“When my Lady became a Duke’s daughter, she regretted not congratulating you separately, and since you have been granted the title of Marchioness this time, she felt she could not push it back any longer and sent a gift.”

“A gift.”

Rosemond shook her head with an amused expression. Although it was an arrogant attitude to the show towards the chief of the maids from the Empress Palace, even for a Marchioness, Rosemond opened the gift box sent by Patrizia without any concern. Rosemond, confirmed that it was a lame perfume, and crinkled her eyes.

“Barely… perfume?”

“It is a perfume made from an herb called sterin. It is only grown in the East, but it is said to be quite valuable.”

Mirya was very upset by Rosemond’s reaction, but politely explained it without revealing this with her tone. Rosemond, tested the perfume by spraying the scent into the air, and soon made a satisfied expression.

“The smell is very good. Her Majesty has taste.”

“Thank you, Marchioness.”

Mirya immediately stepped left Vain Palace, and Glara stared at the gift that Patrizia had sent with a dissatisfied expression on her face. Rosemond sprayed the perfume sent by Patrizia on her wrist and smelled it, and when she noticed Glara’s expression, she asked her with a puzzled face.

“Why do you make a face like that? You don’t like the Empress’ gift?”

“Rather than that… Suddenly, to act like this, seems suspicious.”

“She is being wise.”

Rosemond smiled and closed the lid of the perfume.

“The Empress is infertile right now. It’s a miracle to just keep the Empress position. As of now, I am the only one woman in the Imperial Palace who has been acknowledged to be able to produce an heir. If I were her, I would try to save myself as well.”

“Is that so.”

“Indeed. All we have to do now is make sure I give birth to an heir, and see to it that he becomes the Crowned Prince. When His Majesty dies, we can poison the Empress, and won’t the Empress Dowager’s seat naturally become mine?”

“Yes, Marchioness. You are right.”

Glara pulled the ends of her mouth up and laughed. There was only one point that worried her. It was the fact that after the day Rosemond and Lucio argued, Lucio had completely cut off his visits to the Vain Palace. Glara let out a sigh, and Rosemond asked her.

“Why are you suddenly sighing again?”

“His Majesty… has not visited Vain Palace in such a long time.”

“My age is still at twenty-seven years. I still have a lot of time for my age to have children.”

Rosemond said that as she took out the sterin perfume and sprayed it around her neck area. It smelled sweet and elegant.

“Anyways, since things have become like this, His Majesty, who values tradition, cannot produce an heir with someone who is not even a concubine. Even if that happens, it’ll be enough to go and put a hand in making sure there is a miscarriage.”

“You have a trick.”

“Whether it be using a drug or an aphrodisiac.”

Rosemond said this in a voice that said there was no problem.

“Whatever it may be, it just has to be done.”

Meanwhile, Petronilla decided to visit Count Bradington herself after thinking it over. It was because the situation was as it was these days, and the date with Rothesay had already been pushed back for a long time. Anyways, she had even told him that she would contact him first, so she had to keep the promise. At Petronilla’s visit, Count Bradington’s butler seemed quite surprised.

“Oh dear, Lady Petronilla. You really came. Actually, I was a little surprised when I got the message…”

“Ah… Is the young Sir inside?”

“He is waiting in the reception room. Please come in.”

Petronilla arrived at the reception room in a graceful manner, without making any mistakes, even though she felt awkward visiting the Count’s home for the first time. As the door of the reception room was opened, Rothesay, who was well-dressed, caught her eye. Petronilla laughed awkwardly without her knowledge.

“It has been a long time, Sir.”

“I thought my neck would break off from waiting. Please take a seat.”

Rothesay said this and then brought out the tea himself. Petronilla burst into surprise after tasting the tea.

“The brewing of the tea here is amazing. I have never tried such delicious tea as this before.”

“Thank you for your compliment, Lady Petronilla. I was worried as I had not brewed tea in quite a while, but that is a relief.”

“… I am sorry?”

The flustered Petronilla stuttered. Wait, then this tea… While Petronilla couldn’t speak, Rothesay spoke for her instead.

“I brewed the tea myself. I am glad it seems to fit your tastes.”

That said, Rothesay looked towards her with a friendly smile. Petronilla muttered with a shocked face.

“No, I… I am very taken aback as I never considered that you would have brewed the tea. That is… I have never seen a man in my surroundings who knows how to brew tea.”

“Yes. I am actually a very rare case.”

Rothesay laughed as if he was admitting this, and added more tea to Petronilla’s empty cup.

“Being complimented by you feels better than anything else. It is an honor.”

“…”

No, well, to go so far as honor. An awkward smile returned to Petronilla’s face due to his excessiveness. After drinking a few more sips of tea, she revealed why she hadn’t been able to contact him in the meantime.

“These days my mind has not been sound. If you are interested in the situations of the palace, you would know, recently…”

“Yes, I know. I try not to pay much attention to politics or the affairs of the Imperial Family, but it is undoubtedly a big deal for His Majesty to formally bring in a concubine.”

Rothesay spoke this far, and muttered in a slightly lower voice.

“I am worried about Her Majesty.”

“That child pretends to act fine, but she has surely been deeply hurt.”

Petronilla said this, and shook her head with a depressed look.

“I should have become the Empress instead…”

“I am sorry?”

“It is nothing.”

Petronilla, who had let those words mistakenly come out, soon showed her usual smile. Rothesay did not ask further about the smile, and smoothly led the conversation.

“I understand. Anyways, you were busy enough because it was quite a matter. Just being by Her Majesty’s side alone as well.”

“Thank you for your understanding. Lately it was both really difficult mentally and physically.”

“Oh no, then we should postpone our date.”

“It has already been prolonged so much, so I visited because I thought I could not prolong it anymore. Anyways, a promise is a promise…”

Petronilla brought her voice down a little, and then spoke with a much clearer voice.

“I thought I had to keep it. I will match the time that you would prefer.”

“I told you then, but I do not care about any time, and any day.”

If he could just spend that time with her.

Petronilla, whose resistance to the sweet words from a man was close to zero, eventually turned bright red in the face, although it was but for a moment. Petronilla let out some coughs. Why was he suddenly invading her heart? It was embarrassing.

“Then… Ah when would be good…”

“It is fine, Nilla. Do as you please.”

“I am sorry?”

Petronilla asked him in surprise, and Rothesay made a sheepish smile and tried to excuse himself.

“Ah… If it bothers you…”

“…”

“Indeed it is too soon for nicknames… right?”

“Uh…”

Petronilla felt distressed. Based on the mood, if she blamed him for something like this, she would seem like a stuck up woman. Petronilla thought for a moment, and then sighed.

“It is still a bit soon… Can you call on me later, Sir?”

So, it was not a complete rejection. Rothesay happily received her offer.

“It would be an honor, my Lady.”

“Well, to go so far as honor…”

Petronilla looked awkward as she turned her eyes elsewhere, and Rothesay laughed happily as he looked at her. When she saw the man who seemed to laugh almost every two minutes, Petronilla had no choice but to laugh.

“Tomorrow… Please come to the estate of Marquis Grochester.”

As she said this, Petronilla thought constantly.

‘Nilla, Nil. It would be only this one time. Do not give your heart. Do not open your heart. Be alert and suspicious. Be careful and alert.’

“I will be waiting.”

Despite that Petronilla thought this way again.

‘Ah, my heart hadn’t pounded like this in a long time.’

“… So you cannot come tomorrow?”

Patrizia listened to Petronilla’s story with a smile. Petronilla nodded her head quietly, and Patrizia burst into laughter.

“Is Nilla finally going to get married? You do not have to come in all day, Nil.”

“Don’t tease me.”

Patrizia laughed once again at how cute her sister was, with her face getting red as she shouted “Don’t tease me”. Walking around the garden leisurely, Petronilla called her sister’s name.

“Patrizia.”

“What, Petronilla.”

“I think you are a little different.”

At the end of those words, Patrizia stopped walking. As a result, the steps of the people around them also stopped. Patrizia asked nonchalantly.

“I have?”

“Mhm.”

“In what aspect? Can you tell me?”

“Something about you looks more relaxed than before.”

“Relaxed.”

Patrizia laughed.

“Right, I am relaxed.”

“Why?”

“That is because I…”

Patrizia thought about it for a while, and then pulled up the corners of her mouth and laughed.

“Because I am infertile?”

“…”

Petronilla was frightened momentarily by the gloomy content that did not go well with the smile, but the party who had said those words seemed undisturbed. Patrizia continued to speak calmly.

“If you abandon greed, you can relax.”

“…”

“And people who have nothing to lose can also relax.”

Patrizia did not lose her smile and told Petronilla.

“Older Sister, I have nothing to lose, and nothing to be greedy about. This position will be mine forever unless God forsakes me, and as a result the Grochester family will never be harmed.”

“…”

‘Yes, this has changed, Patrizia. What are you…’

“So I am in a position to do anything right now.”

She had changed. A little more secretly. Petronilla muttered in her mouth.

“What is it like now? Are you satisfied?”

“Does that even matter?”

Patrizia gave a low laugh.

“There is nothing that is more useless here than personal satisfaction. If I want to find some sort of satisfaction here… Nil as well as the others who follow me… to that extent?”

“… I see.”

Petronilla could only respond in that way, and the walk continued. When Patrizia reached the familiar, very familiar part of the garden, she discovered another familiar person. The smile that had settled on Patrizia’s mouth until then disappeared in an instant. So Petronilla figured out who it was immediately.