Chapter 133

“…” 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…’ muttering to himself. He looked 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 continued, “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 exactly like that, but decided not to. When her permission was granted, Rothesay asked her in 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 answered with a slight frown. “I will send someone to the Count’s estate. How about that?”

“Sounds good,” he replied with a big, bright smile, as if he didn’t care what the time might be, and Petronilla laughed out loud without realizing it. When Rothesay saw that, 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 in a pleasant, baritone. “It is the first time you laughed while looking at 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 on one knee, sitting in front of Petronilla. As Petronilla looked at him with a dazed expression, he kissed the back of her right hand. Petronilla’s face showed she was taken aback by the chivalric kiss. Ignoring her reaction, Rothesay laughed and said sweetly, “Then, I will come to see you tomorrow, my Lady.”

“…”

<hr />

The gentleman who was polite to the end left; Petronilla sat there for a long time. After a while, Petronilla regained her senses, and shook her head as she stood up.

Marchioness Grochester inquired once her daughter left the reception room, “How was it, daughter?”

“What, what?”

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

“D… Do not say useless things, Mother.” Petronilla shouted with a reddened face, hurrying 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 had worn last.

<hr />

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 was a novelty.

Petronilla laughed awkwardly and nodded. Soon, Mirya brought a bunch of snacks for the two of them to eat while they talked.

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

“Huh? What does that mean?”

“The mistress’ name is January,” Petronilla 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?’ And so forth. 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 that. 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 writer, as you will read, is Rosemond.”

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

Dear January, it’s Rosemond.

I heard rumors that the Duchess of Efreni will be leaving soon. 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.

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Translated by Haeli

Edited by RED

Editor’s Note: Hello! My name is RED, and I’m the new Editor for this book. There’ll be some minor tweaks to the style as a result, but hopefully they make the story a more enjoyable experience. Be patient with us as we work out the minor kinks! ????