Chapter 181

“…”

Petronilla thought an answer would come right away, but surprisingly, Duchess Efreni kept her mouth shut. Petronilla did not think that love was her reason for doing so. Petronilla filled the silence. “Since it is not true, you will just need to reveal the truth in front of everyone someday, Duchess. Do not worry.”

“… Who in the world spread such a rumor? Is this not a sinful crime?”

“Duchess, please calm down.” Petronilla knew the very person who had spread the rumors, of course. “Is this not the very nature of society? Even groundless gossip is discussed as if it was the truth.”

“…”

“Please do not worry too much. It will fade away soon.”

But would it really? Petronilla was convinced that even if such gossip disappeared, the seeds of doubt that had already started to take root in Duchess Efreni’s mind would not wither. Human beings were creatures like that. Once they started to have doubts, they could not be rid of them. Petronilla thought that things might run smoother with this development, and continued, “I think the Duchess needs some rest, so I will be taking my leave now.”

Petronilla bowed respectfully. Before leaving the room, Petronilla expressed her sympathies to Duchess Efreni sincerely. “What happened to the young Duke Efreni… I offer my condolences.”

“…”

“He must have gone to a good place.”

“… That should be the case,” the Duchess replied almost automatically. Petronilla once again bowed her head, and left the room.

Outside, Petronilla encountered January, who had clear nail marks on her face. She greeted January casually, “Hello, Madam. I have not seen you in a long time.”

“Yes. It has been quite a while since our last meeting.”

Instead of asking her about the condition of her face, Petronilla brought up another topic. “I think the Duchess is having a hard time with the young Duke’s passing.”

“Yes. Thanks to that, I am in this kind of condition.”

“Oh dear.” Petronilla brazenly comforted her. “Madam please understand. Maybe… it is envy.”

“Yes. I will have to understand.”

“Then I will be taking my leave. Please take good care of your wounds.” After saying so, Petronilla left the mansion, and boarded her carriage. Now that the first stage was over, it was time for the second stage: breathing fire into those doubts. Petronilla sighed, and leaned against the back of her seat with a tired expression.

<hr />

In the late afternoon, Lucio heard that the captured assassin had confessed that Rosemond was the one behind everything. He accepted the news more calmly than he thought he would, and then nonchalantly returned to his seat to devote himself to state affairs.

“…”

He was quite aware that the assassin was fake, but he did not make that known. Even if he stepped forward and tried to argue about it, the evidence was otherwise insufficient, and he intuitively knew that it was time to end it all. He closed his eyes and sighed inwardly.

“Your Majesty,” the voice of the chief maid called out to him.

“What is it?” he replied.

“Her Majesty has arrived.”

“…”

Why was she looking for him? He casually called out, “Escort her in.”

The door opened, and Patrizia walked in. She was wearing a navy blue dress that made her look somewhat mysterious. He asked her, “What is it?”

“The date for the trial has been set,” Patrizia said calmly. “Three days from now, at noon.”

“… ”

“I am here to be granted authorization. I decided there was no need to drag this out any further since the confession has come out.”

“I will grant the permission.”

“…” Patrizia did not say anything for a moment, but soon parted her lips and told him, “She will receive the death penalty.”

“I am aware.”

“You do not seem to be affected by that. Still… she was once Your Majesty’s lover.”

“God only knows if I really loved her, or if she really loved me,” he replied in a monotonous tone. “Maybe even that is part of my misfortune.”

“I do not know what you are talking about.”

“It is fine. Actually, I also… do not know.”

Patrizia thought he looked painful as he said those words, or perhaps it was all an illusion. She realized that he pretended to be fine when he had complicated feelings about something. She moved her lips silently, and let out what she wanted to say. “I know Your Majesty will not do this, but even so…”

“…”

“There is no forgiveness. I cannot be such a merciful person.”

“Beyond mercy, it is a matter of the law. No one can survive after attempting to assassinate the Empress,” he replied in a dry voice. “Do not mind me. Even if I was still in love with her, I could not ask you to save her life, like I did in the past.”

“… That is fortunate,” Patrizia replied, and turned around. Suddenly, she felt a great amount of fatigue lifting from her, but she managed to retain managed to regain her composure. She knew it would all be over now, in a little while. So, she just had to hold on a bit longer.

<hr />

The atmosphere in the Ducal estate was cold ever since the Duchess of Efreni had returned home. The fight between Duchess Efreni and January had played a part in the tension, but the household was also in mourning. The official proceedings for the funeral would last for three days, starting tomorrow.

“Where is the Duchess?” Upon returning home from the Imperial Palace, the Duke of Efreni looked for her. The butler kindly told him that she was resting in the room, and he went straight there. When he knocked on the door, he heard a tight voice answer. “Who is it?”

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Translated by Haeli

Edited by RED