Chapter 161

Meanwhile, Rosemond had just woken up, and asked Glara in an angry voice, “Say that again. What did you say?”

Glara reported the news again to Rosemond, clearly intimidated.

“There has been news that Their Majesties spent the night together in the Central Palace yesterday.”

“Spent the night together. Yesterday? How? Why?”

“His Majesty had another episode yesterday.”

“Then you should have woken me up!”

I did wake you up… Glara made a face as if she was about to cry, and provided an excuse. “As a matter of fact, the people from the Central Palace came here. However, Marchioness said to not wake you up, that you would sleep more…”

“…”

“Damn it all,” Rosemond swore openly. If something like that had happened, it would have been possible for them to spend the night together. If in an extremely weak state, and therefore wanting to rely on compassion… In addition, if they spent the night together, then that would be enough… ! Rosemond screamed in rage, “Aaaauuggh!”

“Marchioness, please calm down!”

“Why is everything not working out as planned?”

Of course, the important thing was that the Empress was a barren woman. So she didn’t have to worry about the issue of a pregnancy… Rosemond just felt bad. This was a man who she had thought belonged only to her. Although the relationship had gone south, she thought he would just lay low and be quiet for the time being…

Did I make the wrong decision? “Glara.” Rosemond called out in a shaky voice.

Glara replied quickly, making sure that the fire did not spread over to her as much as possible, “Yes, Marchioness.”

“Contact January and hire an assassin.”

“Your Majesty, again?”

But the allotted amount of time was too short… Although Glara timidly tried to make excuses, Rosemond was simply obstinate.

“Hurry up! If this continues, the Empress’ seat may forever remain distant from me. Is that what you want?”

“If it is looked at for the long term, Marchioness, there are still many other ways. This is way too dangerous a method…”

“The last time I failed, but I did not get caught,” Rosemond said in an eerie voice. “Just do not get caught this time as well, Glara. A secret can only be innocent.”

“…I understand.” Glara nodded at Rosemond’s stubbornness. “I will send a letter to Madame January. But Marchioness, the timing should be…?”

“I have to watch out for the right moment. Write to her that I will inform her of that part of the information later. Tell her to pay the funds using my name.”

“Yes, Marchioness. I will do it like that.”

Rosemond saw this as an opportunity to finally end everything. She wanted to finish all her work on this occasion. Her patience was gradually hitting rock bottom, and she was continuing to get older…

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“Does she think I am just a servant for errands or something?…”

January had received the letter, secretly complaining to herself. Although they had joined forces for mutual benefit, Rosemond was pushing it too far these days. She muttered to herself as if she had no choice in the matter, “Well, it will be all over if Rose becomes the Empress, and I become the Duchess.”

Until then, she had to bear with it a little more. As January quietly mumbled to herself, she placed Rosemond’s letter in her jewelry box once again. She always wrote ‘Burn this letter’ at the end of the letters, but there was no way she would do so. As a woman who knew the nature of Rosemond better than anyone else, it was absolutely impossible for her to do so.

How could I believe you? January let out a snort of laughter.

Rosemond was a woman capable of ditching her as soon as she got in trouble, or asked for help. No, she might even go so far as to place all the blame on January instead.

In order to prevent such a situation, where she would not have to die alone, January had been steadily collecting all the evidence. Of course, this was a secret to take to the grave in all other situations.

Knock knock…

In that moment, someone knocked on the door of the room. She let out an ‘eek!’, and quickly closed the lid of the jewelry box. She called out quickly, “Yes, come in.”

The butler appeared when the door was opened. She asked him with a casual expression on her face, “What is the matter, butler?”

“Lady Grochester brought these precious cookies, and said that she wanted to eat them with Madam January. How should I relay your answer to her?”

“Precious cookies?”

“It is a snack that is made only for the Imperial Family, and it is said to taste superb.”

“Is that so?”

It was enough news for January, who loved sweets, to widen her eyes. She nodded, while humming a tune. “Sounds good. I will go down.”

She was so excited that she immediately went down the stairs, forgetting that the jewelry box containing the letters had to be returned to its original location.

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“Oh my, it is so delicious.” January exclaimed in admiration as she bit into the sweets that Petronilla had brought. The sweet and savory flavors were perfect for January’s taste buds. Petronilla smiled and told her, “Eat a lot of them, Madam. If you want, I will send more to the estate.”

“Oh my, really?”

“Of course.” Petronilla laughed awkwardly at January’s words.

“But all of a sudden, why are you doing such a favor for me…”

“Oh my, suddenly you say, Madam. That makes me sad to hear that.” Petronilla evoked the people skills that she had unconditionally exerted in front of many young ladies in her past life. “I had originally wanted to get along with you, Madam.”

“With me?”

Even facing the doubtful glance, Petronilla replied without being affected by it. “Yes, Madam. Because you are such a beautiful person.” Petronilla said this, slurping the black tea she was holding. Was it Keemun tea? Petronilla murmured to herself, and proceeded to add on, “I am someone who likes beautiful people.”

“Oh my, how good you are with lip service.”

Petronilla’s emergence didn’t feel so unpleasant to January, who had lived a daily life full of frustration, always been confined to the home because of her position as a mistress. January slowly began to let go of her wariness, the sweets brought by Petronilla the starting point, and by the end of their conversation, she started to naturally talk with her.

“So the dress I bought this time after having begged for it was…”

“Ah, one moment please.” Petronilla gave a pretty smile, and told January, “Please excuse me, Madam. I seem to have drank too much tea.”

Petronilla’s voice came out awkwardly, and January nodded in understanding. She said in a benevolent voice. “Please go on ahead. I will be waiting.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Madam.”

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