Chapter 169

“Yes,” Patrizia replied shortly, as the Marchioness smiled in front of her.

“Do not feel embarrassed. You are all grown up now.”

“It is still an embarrassing subject to discuss in front of my mother.”

“Oh dear. More than that, it is quite amazing. In fact, your attitude toward him seemed so cold, that I thought you had not done anything until now.”

“… It was something that happened by accident.”

Honestly, it was something like that. She had spent the night with him because of an unexpected occurrence, but it was closer to an accident or coincidence. Patrizia added on, “It was simply because I had to do something in an unavoidable situation, and not because our feelings were involved.”

“It seems that way.” Although she said that quietly, Marchioness Grochester appeared a bit sad then. It was not easy to hear this from her own daughter’s mouth. The Marchioness sighed secretly to herself, and spoke to Patrizia softly, “Well, no one knows what will happen in the future.”

“At the very least, there will be no signs of me being in love with that man.”

“That is also something that cannot be guaranteed, Lizzy,” the Marchioness smiled, showing the wisdom of her years of experience. “It is too early for such a hasty conclusion. Has it not been less than a year since you have become his Empress?”

“It is more amazing that it has not been more than a year’s time. It feels like I have already spent a decade of my time there.”

“It is proof that you are tired of this situation,” the Marchioness replied to Patrizia in a bitter voice, and continued to talk to her cautiously. “I always felt uncomfortable because you seemed to have been burdened so heavily at a very young age.”

“It was not only me; the other Empresses of the past had to go through this kind of ordeal… Someone had to go through it in the end.”

Looking at her adult daughter speaking so calmly, the Marchioness of Grochester spoke as if making a request, “This mother of yours is ignorant, so does not know much about politics, and also does not know about the bloody quarrels of the Inner Palace. But I would just like you to be happy. I hope you do not get hurt, and live both happily and comfortably, in the Imperial Palace.”

“I am trying to do that.”

But, at least in the Imperial Palace, ‘comfort’ and ‘happiness’ were two words that could never be compatible. If someone tried to pursue comfort, that person would soon be removed from the situation, and if happiness was pursued, they had to move ahead of the others to protect themselves. It was a fact that neither outlook was a very pleasant option.

Patrizia said to her mother, “I have to get going now. If it gets too late, the people that serve me will be the ones to suffer.”

“Yes, that would be best.” The Marchioness of Grochester struggled to hide her sadness as she rose up from her seat, and hugged Patrizia. “How long has it been since I have hugged you like this?”

“…”

“You have to stay healthy and make sure nothing happens to you, until we meet again. Understand?”

“I will do that,” Patrizia replied, her voice colored with laughter, and placed her lips on the Marchioness of Grochester’s forehead.

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After saying her farewells to each family member, Patrizia finally got into the carriage. After the carriage door was closed and Patrizia was left alone, she looked like she was contemplating something serious. After she met with her family, her thoughts seemed to have gotten deeper.

She sighed without knowing it, and murmured, “I do not want to go back.”

If she followed her desires, she would just want to stay at the Grochester estate. But that could not be. It was just her acting like a child.

“Did I leave too late? As Mother mentioned, you seem to be the one that is suffering too much.”

“Do not say such things, Your Majesty. I would much rather have Your Majesty stay a little longer.” Rafaella asked her, “Why not stay here a bit longer? It is also too dark and dangerous to move now.”

“The more time I spend leaving the palace empty, the more difficult it would be to monitor Rosemond… Most of all, it is not good for others to see that the Empress of the Imperial Family is away from the palace for more than a day.”

“Well, that is true.”

After those words, the conversation stayed closed for a while. In her mind, Patrizia recalled the discussion she had shared with Duke Witherford yesterday afternoon. Rumors would be spread by his wife, and the Duchess of Efreni would be taken care of by Petronilla. Then all that was left was for Patrizia to take care of the Emperor…

‘Is he going to believe my words?’

There was evidence. It was not difficult to insert herself with it. But will he be able to accept it with his mind, and his heart? Due to her unexpected worries, Patrizia recoiled without realizing it. Why am I even worried about this?

Whatever shock he receives, it has absolutely nothing to do with me.

In the first place, the relationship between Patrizia and Lucio only amounted to that much. Patrizia fiddled with the hem of her dress, her face uncomfortable.

“Who dares to go there!?” Rafaella’s sharp voice was heard. Patrizia quickly opened the window, a startled look on her face.

“What happened… Ah!”

They were masked assassins. Seven of them? Eight, no… There were about ten people. Patrizia twisted her lips without realizing it. She was so fed up with this unoriginal scheme, that laughter threatened to spill out.

“Rafaella, are you alright?”

“Your Majesty.” Rafaella replied calmly. “I believe in Your Majesty.”

Yes, believe in me. Patrizia casually leaned against the back of the seat. But she still seemed anxious, as there was a trembling at her fingertips that could not be hidden. Patrizia closed her eyes, and recalled what had happened two days ago.

<hr />

The Empress of the Marvinus Empire was escorted by the Second Rank of Imperial Knights. However, it was rare for all of the Knights within that rank to move in order to protect the Empress. It was not only because there was rarely such a dangerous situation, but also because it was troublesome to do so.

Two days ago, Patrizia had spread the word that she would be leaving the palace with only a small entourage in tow. If her predictions were correct, there was a person in the Empress’ Palace who communicated with Vain Palace. Since she had already given Mirya instructions beforehand, it was more than likely that she had found the traitor by now. Of course, even if she failed, all she needed to do was to switch out all the servants.

Anyway, after she had kept her words like that, she had secretly given instructions to Rafaella. Only one-third of the Knights of the Second rank would escort them from the start. If Patrizia had them accompany the entourage from the start, there was obviously a risk of the opposition catching on to the plan, and since Rosemond only had a chance to nab her while she returned to the palace in the middle of the night, Patrizia had already sent the orders for the rest of the Knights to be on their way to her location at a specific time.

Hopefully they would not come late.

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