Chapter 148

At that time, Lucio’s words stopped. Rosemond smiled with triumph after seeing his reddening face and his frowning expression, as if he was in pain. I should give a prize to the Imperial physician. She didn’t miss the opportunity and went over to him again, leaning her body against his side.

“Oh my, Your Majesty? What is wrong?”

“You… What did you put in the wine?” He seemed to have difficulty even speaking his words.

Rosemond pretended to know nothing with a wicked smile. “Oh my, Your Majesty. What are you talking about? I am completely fine.”

“Haa… Get out now.”

“Oh dear, Your Majesty. Don’t do that.” Rosemond sat on his lap and whispered as if she was blowing air into his ear. “Once you do it, you will become comfortable quickly, Your Majesty.”

“…”

“No one knows Your Majesty like me, right? No one knows me as well as Your Majesty, as well.”

“It may have been so in the past.” He barely suppressed his desires and released a painful moan through his teeth. It was amazing that he had managed to hold on. “But that is not so anymore.”

“You are foolish.” Rosemond looked pleased as she smiled, and directly placed her lips onto his. Rosemond, who kissed with more sincerity than ever before, whispered to Lucio as he was just about to be unraveled. “Just give me one prince, Your Majesty.”

“Is that what you are scheming for? I commend you for that passion alone.”

“I would be happy if you would compliment me in bed.”

“Get out now.” He snarled with a low volume in a suppressed voice, but Rosemond laughed and raised up the medicine to him. “I do not want to.”

“Oh really?” Lucio laughed with a miserable expression. “If you do not want to, I will have to go out then.”

As Lucio said these words, he shook off Rosemond and left the room. Currently affected by the aphrodisiac, he seemed to have a difficult time taking even one step, but he managed to do it. Rosemond, who was left alone, frowned and raised the corners of her mouth slightly.

“What to do about this? Even if you struggle, it is obvious that you will end up in my arms!”

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Mirya caught on that Patrizia was upset. The Empress was pretending that she was not, but unless one was a fool, anyone could see that she was on high alert about what was happening at the Central Palace. If she just acknowledged it, she could be more comfortable. Mirya let out a sigh and asked her, “Should I try going to the Central Palace?”

“What do you mean by that, Mirya?” Patrizia asked her, a disgruntled expression on her face. “Why are you saying that you will go over there?”

“…”

“Obviously they are in the midst of taking care of their business, and I would not be fulfilling the Empress’ role if I interrupted right now… ”

Patrizia’s words stopped momentarily. She was standing there with her gaze fixed elsewhere; Mirya’s gaze naturally turned in the direction of Patrizia’s.

Mirya soon muttered in a strange voice, “That person… is it not His Majesty, the Emperor?”

“I think so, but… what is going on?” Patrizia cocked her head with a puzzled look, and slowly moved in that direction without her knowledge. She was constantly reminding herself that this was only out of curiosity. Mirya and Rafaella followed suit and also walked over.

When Patrizia finally reached Lucio’s location, she looked at Lucio’s appearance and asked in a voice that was clearly taken aback, “… What are you doing right now?”

He had a flushed face, and harshed, ragged breathing that anyone could hear and discern. The expression on his face showed something was too strenuous, and his legs were shaking as well. Patrizia intuitively realized that Rosemond must have played some kind of impertinent prank again. She scoffed internally, Ha, Rosemond. You are really going all the way.

“The Marchioness seemed to have committed a vulgar act.”

“… Haa.”

“Go on ahead and embrace her, Your Majesty. Then you will feel better.”

Patrizia spoke to him with cold eyes, but even in the face of such a difficult struggle, Lucio muttered with a smile, “I am sorry, Empress, but I am not able to do so.”

“… What do you mean?”

“It means that I have absolutely no intention of taking the Marchioness Ethyller into my embrace.”

“If so, then you can embrace someone else in the palace. Congratulations, Your Majesty. If things go well, perhaps there will be an addition of one more concubine tomorrow.”

“Haa… I have no intention of doing so.”

“If so,” Patrizia asked, unable to hide how absurd she thought this all was, “what are you going to do? The aphrodisiac will not lose its efficacy unless the desire is satiated. Do you want to faint at this rate?”

“I do not care about that, either. This is not any of your concern, is it not?”

“…”

Patrizia felt herself burst, as she fired back at him. “That is true, Your Majesty. I crossed the line and forced myself into Your Majesty’s affairs. I apologize.”

“…”

“However, I am Your Majesty’s official Empress. Your Majesty is in trouble, so I must surely help you somehow.” Patrizia gave Mirya an order.

“Mirya, bring over the Marchioness of Ethyller.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Hurry up! You would dare go against my order?”

However, Mirya shook her head with eyes that seemed to say that was the only order she would not carry out.

Lucio broke into a smile and spoke to her, “Unfortunately, it was my side that refused the Marchioness first.”

“Mirya, bring one of the maids from the Empress’ Palace that has a surpassingly beautiful appearance. A good and pure woman at that.”

“Your Majesty… How could I do such a thing…”

“At once! His Majesty is wasting away, is that what should be a problem right now?”

“…You have quite a talent in making me feel miserable.”