Chapter 175

“You…!”

As soon as she saw Patrizia, Rosemond let out a sharp sound through her teeth. She stared at Patrizia resentfully, as if she had fallen into a trap.

Patrizia was amazed by the attitude Rosemond was showing. This was clearly a mental problem. Why did she not think even a little about her own faults, and instead just looked at the person who was about to punish her with those kind of eyes?

Patrizia asked her, not hiding the bite in her words, “Even in prison, your mind still remains the same. How can I fix your frivolous habits?”

“Your Majesty, the noble Empress, can not dare to accomplish such a feat, no matter how hard you try!” Rosemond laughed beautifully, mockingd Patrizia, but she did not even blink in surprise. It was not like the situation was going against her so she would fall for such a level of provocation, and she had been the one to plot half of this situation, after all.

Patrizia instead put on a pretty smile that resembled Rosemond’s own, and showed Rosemond a pretense of concern, “It will be very difficult for you now. No one will be able to help you.”

“Before I became the Marchioness of Ethyller, I am still the daughter of the Efreni household. My adopted father cannot forsake me.”

“It is not like the Duke really cared for you, and that was the reason why he adopted you as a daughter.”

Patrizia had already put a wicked smile on her face, as if she were piercing the inside of Rosemond’s mind, but Rosemond responded casually, “What would be the point of that? The important thing is that he will never be able to forsake me.”

“You know, Rosemond.” Patrizia spoke to her with an amused expression on her face, “I know why you believe in Duke Efreni so much.”

“Hmm?” Rosemond made a sound, trying to hide her bewilderment, but Patrizia had already penetrated her thoughts.

Patrizia smiled in a charming manner, and whispered into her ear. “What I mean is, that I know all about the things that you have used to threaten the Duke.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Yes, you do not have to know.” Patrizia shook her head as if it did not matter. “The important thing is, you should not be relying on the Duke for his support.”

“… Why is that?”

“The Duke will not have the power to protect you now.”

“You speak as if you are someone that plans to take away the Duke’s title or something.”

“That is not in my line of duty. As you know, that belongs to the Duchess of Efreni.”

At those words, Rosemond had no choice but to realize that Patrizia already knew everything that she knew. January, what in the world did she…! Rosemond ground her teeth internally.

“It is really up to her in regards to what will happen to him. Perhaps, if you had some kind of affinity with the Duchess as well… Otherwise, it would be difficult to expect any help to come from the Efreni family.”

“… Ha!”

“But the Duchess of Efreni I know is not a fool. Would there be any worth in saving you while earning the hatred of the Empress? More than that…” Patrizia smiled coldly and finished her sentence. “The young Efreni is dead. Will a mother who has lost her son try to protect a woman who was in cahoots with her husband’s mistress?”

“… Are you seeing this through to the end, now?”

“That is my plan, Marchioness Ethyller.” Patrizia continued with a tired face, “I am so exhausted from this constant friction with you, and above all, I cannot overlook the situation you brought about, where the livelihood of the people I love was threatened. Would it not be easier to finish it like this?”

“It will only be easier for Your Majesty. I am going to put up a fight until the end.”

“Do as you please. But to fulfill the meaning of ‘putting up a fight’, needs some kind of possibility. Is it possible that you will be reincarnated now? I am going to give you the death penalty for trying to assassinate the Empress, and spread the Duke of Efreni’s shameful secrets. Noble society will be engulfed in chaos.”

Patrizia spoke matter-of-factly, as though she had prepared for all of this for a very long time. She did not show any sign of hesitation or wanting to pause as she continued to speak.

“But it does not matter. The drought can only be resolved after a storm, and the air will then become clean.”

“… ”

“Even if the storms belonging to you and the Duke of Efreni make the Marvinus Empire a little hectic and noisy, it will soon be more stable than before, I believe.”

“Who said that? That the storm will easily subside?”

“You did not back down until now. It was difficult enough for me.” Patrizia told her in a quiet voice. “Every situation is telling you that the storm will be subsiding soon, is there a need to be scared anymore?”

“Usually, it is the last blow that is most terrifying, Your Majesty.” Rosemond replied to Patrizia with a twisted smile on her face. “Do you think I will end like this? Do you think I am going to die alone?”

“I have no interest in who you will drag with you to your ruin. At least, not even one of my loved ones has played a role in your ugly deeds. There is nothing that can hurt me, so why should I care about your words?”

“Do as you please, Your Imperial Majesty, the Noble Empress.”

Rosemond stared at Patrizia with cold eyes, but this time Patrizia did not even say anything. In her eyes, even Rosemond’s words could only be seen as a final struggle from the loser. There was nothing else that need be considered by the woman who had been assured the victory.

Patrizia whispered in a soft voice, “When I get a confession from the assassin, and your crimes are proven, you will not be able to avoid punishment. Probably, you will officially be put on trial. Until then, Rosemond, there is nothing you can do, absolutely nothing.”

“…”

“Just… look carefully to see how this pointless story ends. Since that is the only thing you will be able to do.”

Patrizia turned back with no regrets, leaving only those words. It was a conversation holding no reasons for her to have any regrets. The victory was already hers. Any more anxiety was meaningless to her. Now it was Rosemond, not her, who had to be concerned. Rosemond continuously tried to brainstorm for a way out, with a more frustrated look on her face than before.

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