Chapter 167

He was simply not visiting the Empress Palace, but he was still a father who knew the doings in the Imperial Palace very well. She asked him, “How did you know about that?”

“Just because someone chooses to lead a quiet life does not mean that person lives by covering up their ears, Lizzy.” The Marquis of Grochester laughed in a low voice. “And I have also heard that His Majesty is showing interest in you these days.”

“… Did you plant a spy in the palace or something?” As if it was something amazing, Patrizia chuckled as she asked, and the Marquis of Grochester just shrugged his shoulders.

“Everyone can learn that much. It is not some incredible knowledge. Rather, that means this was not just a rumor that I heard, then?”

“It is just a passing interest, Father. Even if his favor stays with me, I would not know when that favor will leave… like it did with the Marchioness of Ethyller, for example?”

“That is the wise attitude, Lizzy. Originally, monarchs are all people like that.”

At the end of the Marquis of Grochester’s words, Patrizia just laughed. She made a face as if she was thinking about something, then opened her mouth after a long time had passed. “But this fight may very well end soon.”

“Why, did the Marchioness get some kind of incurable illness or something?”

How good would that be?, Patrizia muttered to herself, knowing that outcome was unlikely to occur, and answered her father, “It is not that. I just have procured something that can grab her by the nape of the neck.”

“You are certainly competent.”

“It is all thanks to Nilla.”

“It is something to be happy about.”

The Marquis of Grochester seemed very happy at her words. The affection between the two sisters was truly a delight for their parents, so this was not unusual.

Patrizia spoke further, “I will have to make sure that no harm will come to our family.”

“But if you are willing to take the damage in our stead, then I want to tell you Lizzy, that there is no need for that.”

“… Yes. Of course.” Patrizia smiled complacently, and asked the Marquis of Grochester, “How has our family been these days?”

“You know Nilla better… There really is not much that happened to us, my child.”

No news was good news, as they said. He laughed like a silly person. Her father was still the same person. Patrizia followed suit, and laughed with him, “That is truly a relief.”

“That is the only way you will not worry. If we can not be of help to someone in charge of having to accomplish big things, the least we can do is to not bother you in any way?” the Marquis of Grochester replied, and then asked hesitantly, “More than that, do you have absolutely no feelings for His Majesty, at all?”

“…” Patrizia did not say anything for a moment, but she soon answered nonchalantly, “I am not sure. If hate, compassion, and sympathy, can be considered feelings.”

“What is the compassion and sympathy you feel?”

“… Father, do you know about His Majesty’s ‘dirty laundry’?”

“What are you talking about?”

“He has a shameful secret.” Patrizia said quietly. “And I sympathize with that. But that can never turn into love.”

“So it is like that.”

“Father, you seem to want me to have feelings for him. Is that not true?”

“That is your freedom. But from the parental point of view, if His Majesty does not love you, I would hope that you also did not give him your heart. But if that is not the case, then I would want you to create a happy and harmonious family as you live on.”

“If that is what filial piety is, I do not think I can do that, at least for the time being.” This was due to the existence of Marchioness Ethyller. Patrizia sighed to herself internally. “Fortunately, I do not think it is too bad right now. I have an older sister, and my family that I can sometimes see like this…”

“Yes, then that is enough.” With a warm smile, the Marquis of Grochester nodded to her. “Because happiness does not necessarily have only one form.”

“Yes!” Patrizia laughed. “More than that, Father, have you prepared a gift for Mother’s birthday?”

“Have you prepared something?”

“Absolutely. Surely… you did not forget?”

“I would not be such garbage as that. Put your worries aside.” The Marquis of Grochester laughed graciously, and said to her, “Let us try unwrapping the birthday gifts during dinner time. I wonder what you prepared for her birthday, as well!”

“It is nothing special.”

When Patrizia blushed, the Marquis of Grochester looked at her with eyes overflowing with love. Fortunately, even after his daughter had entered the Imperial Palace, she did not seem to have changed much. He said to Patrizia in an affection-filled voice, “Now, let us go back to the rest of our family.”

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“This time, there should be no mistakes.”

When Rosemond said this to Glara with a sharp voice, she responded with a low voice, telling Rosemond not to be worried.

“Do not worry, Marchioness. It will be certain this time.”

” I have to finish everything. If I delay this any more, the damage on my end will only get worse.”

She had reached twenty-seven this year. It was not that good of a time to be having a child. She had to produce a prince before she reached thirty years, at all costs, and had to make that prince the Crown Prince, and make a seat for herself as his mother. That was all she currently wanted at present.

“And you have clearly told them to clean up everything well afterwards?”

“Madam January is not a fool, Marchioness. Do not worry.”

“Yes, that is right. She is a pretty smart person.” Rosemond, after muttering to herself with a thoughtful expression on her face, spoke again, “If the Empress dies, the arrow of doubt will be aimed towards me. But well, what of it? Who could corner me as the culprit, unless there was some kind of clear evidence?”

“If only January’s mouth remains closed, everything will unfold as desired by the Marchioness.”

“January cannot betray me. If I fall, that would mean that the Duke of Efreni will also reach his end, so where would January go then?”

Rosemond chuckled to herself, and downed all of the remaining green tea in the cup that had been placed on the table. She felt the heat permeate her throat, but even that seemed to be overshadowed by the thoughts of her upcoming victory. Rosemond spoke happily, “Oh right, and to the Duke of Efreni…”

There was a rustle of movement.

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Translated by Haeli

Edited by RED