Chapter 176

“In case you did not know, a confession will be obtained later this afternoon.”

“Not too fast. Even so, not too late as well,” Patrizia murmured in a low voice as she was walking down the marble hall. If the Duke of Efreni tried to set up a scheme, everything would become warped. Patrizia requested in a stern voice, “Strictly prohibit contact between Marchioness Ethyller and any outsider. Not only letters, but any sort of speech cannot come and go. All means of communication with the outside world must be cut off completely.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. Do not worry,” Mirya reassured Patrizia with a supportive voice, and quickly reported, “Lady Grochester is said to be on her way now, Your Majesty. It seems that since the matter is quite the imperative one, she has hurried here.”

“I do not know if she is being worried for no reason. I told her so many times that it would be alright…”

When Patrizia spoke in a slightly uncomfortable voice, Mirya comforted her, “Your Majesty said that, but is it not heartbreaking news anyway? Do not be uncomfortable with this.”

“My parents must be very worried.”

“With that in mind, I have already sent a maid to deliver the news to the Grochester family. They have been told not to worry too much, so they should not do so.”

“Indeed. Since I am perfectly fine like this,” Patrizia replied with a dry voice, and as she turned a corner, suddenly stopped walking when she faced an unexpected character. It was that person.

“Your Majesty… the Emperor.”

“Your walk was hurried. Where are you coming from?”

At the end of Lucio’s words, Patrizia paused momentarily. She did not feel much inclined to tell him where she had been, but she could not lie as well. She replied calmly, “I am on the way back from the dungeon, Your Majesty.”

“…” He seemed to grasp the whole situation with those words, and asked nothing more.

Patrizia got tired of waiting, and ended the conversation first. “Then I will…”

“How… do you plan to go about it?”

“… What do you mean, how?” Patrizia asked as if she did not understand. “I am sorry, but I am not sure what Your Majesty is talking about.”

“…”

“If Your Majesty’s words are referring to what will become of the Marchioness of Ethyller… That is, Your Majesty, undecided as of yet. Since I have not been able to get a confession from an assassin.”

Of course, I will get one soon, Patrizia muttered to herself internally.

“But if it becomes clear that she was trying to assassinate me, the Empress of the Empire, then she will be punished for the crime of daring to kill the Moon of the Empire with the death penalty.”

“…” He said nothing.

Patrizia had a slightly twisted smile on her face as she asked him, “Why. Do you not like that?”

“No. If the crime is clear, it would be the right thing to do.” His voice was neither helpless nor sad, but he gave off some sort of a feeling of bitterness.

Patrizia did not like that, so said in a much colder voice, “Even if Your Majesty does not want a punishment like that, it cannot be helped. It is not just her. If anyone tries to assassinate the Imperial Family, it is right to rule with this kind of punishment.”

“I did not say anything, Empress. If the results come out that way, then that is how it should be handled.” he replied with a little sigh in his voice, and then changed the topic. “You seem to be busy, and I got in your way. Where were you heading to?”

“… Nowhere,” Patrizia replied. “I was just on my way back to my quarters.”

“The places you were hurt? Are you alright now?”

“I am alright now, thanks to your concern.”

Originally, it was Patrizia’s intention to make those wounds. Therefore, only the length of the wound was long, but they were not deep. Shallow and wide wounds healed quickly. The problem was a deep, narrow wound. It did not even show up well.

Patrizia ended the conversation, “Then I will take my leave.”

Patrizia resumed her walk, leaving only those words. Mirya followed her. Patrizia walked about twenty steps, then glanced behind her. He was still standing there, like a person with his feet glued to the floor. Patrizia had a strange and complex look on her face as she took in his appearance.

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Petronilla stepped into the Imperial Palace shortly after Patrizia’s arrival at her quarters.

“Lizzy, you are really fine, right?” she asked Patrizia, concerned.

Patrizia replied calmly, “This was not a sudden thing. I told you about it beforehand.”

Petronilla knew this, of course, so she had been bracing herself, but when it had actually happened, she could not help but be worried. She replied, “But I can’t help being worried. I am glad you are fine, anyway. Is Ella alright?”

“Ella is alright. She was injured, though.”

“As you can see, I am quite strong, Nil. Her Majesty is overly concerned.”

Rafaella murmured as if complaining, and Petronilla chuckled,”Yes, that is a relief, anyway. I am really glad that you are safe.”

“Father and Mother must have been very worried.”

“Words cannot even describe it,” Petronilla sighed. “They were extremely worried. I told them not to worry too much, as I would come here and see you. Father did not even make it obvious, but you could tell he was very worried.”

“Tell them I am well, Nil.” Patrizia said, and looked as if she was contemplating for a moment, until she opened her mouth.