Chapter 211 - Chapter 106 (1) - Do Not Think about Anything Else, Only Focus on Me

It was the first celebratory banquet held since Rosemond’s execution, and Patrizia could certainly feel that interest in her had increased several times more than before. Of course, this was not a bad thing in the public’s eye, but it was not a very good thing for Patrizia as an individual. She had an introverted personality, and did not really appreciate the attention from others, especially those she did not know very well. However, she was the Empress of the Marvinus Empire before she was a single individual, so she had to put her feelings aside and make every effort to entertain her guests. Of course, the process was extremely fatiguing.

-I feel tired.- Lucio told her to let him know whenever she was having a difficult time, but it was a ridiculous suggestion. Just as he was not a child, she was not a child, either. She did not want to behave in such a foolish manner.

“… So, Your Majesty, this new dress that we released in our boutique…”

“Ah, excuse me for a moment, my Lady.” With a smile, Patrizia pleaded to be excused from the lady who ran the largest boutique in the capital, then left so she could go out onto the terrace.

Suddenly her stomach started to ache. Patrizia wondered what the cause of the ache could be. Had she eaten something wrong earlier? But she had not consumed anything that could do that to her. Otherwise, today’s date was…

“Your Majesty.” It was then that she heard a woman’s nasally voice from somewhere.

Patrizia’s whole body tensed up and she subconsciously hid behind a pillar before focusing her attention in the direction the voice was coming from.

There was a young woman with bouncing blond locks that were loose on her shoulders… and she was with Lucio. Patrizia unwittingly panicked as she continuously clenched the hem of her dress.

-What is this, you asked me to just trust you once, and you are already doing something like this?- Patrizia had an incredulous expression on her face as she focused on the conversation between the two of them.

“So, Your Majesty. The new gemstone that I purchased this time…”

Meanwhile, Lucio was feeling quite uncomfortable. He had come out to the terrace for a short while because he was experiencing a small headache after drinking too many cocktails; how in the world had this young blond lady had found out and followed after him? He thought she would leave if he responded to her in moderation, but she was gradually crossing the line at the moment. He felt the need to put an end to their conversation at this point and told her as such. “My Lady, the conversation was fun and all, but I would like for you to take your leave now.”

“I am sorry? But Your Majesty just said that ‘The conversation was fun,’ right?

Lucio released an internal sigh at the brainless young woman who did not understand his polite rejection, then explained, “I would like to be alone for the time being.”

“Your Majesty, why are you acting like that?” the young blonde said as she tilted her head, and linked her arm into Lucio’s with a subtle movement. He was stunned, and felt like he was going to lose his mind.

She whispered to him in a sensual voice, “Do you not need at least one mistress, Your Majesty?”

“Get off of me.” Now he was completely angry. With his voice lowered considerably, he forcibly released his elbow from of the crook of the young lady’s arm. He then said, “I do not want to tell you that I am sorry, and it would be better for you to go back now. Thanks to you, my mood has worsened substantially.”

“Your Majesty, why are you making it seem like it would be such a flaw for the Emperor to have a single mistress. Is it because of Her Majesty the Empress? Even my father has…”

“Stop right there,” he stopped the young woman’s words in her tracks with an ice-cold voice. “Since you have just brought up your father, I must warn you that I am not sure what I will turn into if you do not go back now. I hope that you do not act in a way to cross this line, Lady. Otherwise, not only will the young Lady be faced with harm, but her father will be on the receiving end as well.”

At Lucio’s extremely resolute attitude, the blonde woman trembled as if she had been insulted in some way, and then stalked off of the terrace, fuming.

—

Lucio released a tired sigh after finally taking care of the situation when his eyes met Patrizia’s at that exact moment

“…”

“…”

Both of them were momentarily surprised and could not say anything. The first person to gain their senses first was Patrizia, but she reflexively ducked out of her hiding place and escaped from the terrace.

Lucio hurried to pursue after her, believing that Patrizia had misunderstood the situation.

“Empress, wait a moment. Empress!”

“…” Patrizia was trying to find a place to hide her reddened face.

After a while, only after Patrizia had finally managed to shake Lucio off from the unexpected chase did she take refuge in a remote place. She mumbled, “Why did I act like that…” Obviously, she was aware that he had dealt with the situation well enough. In fact, it was natural for him to receive such temptation.

Patrizia clutched her chest as it continued to pound along with the adrenaline rush from her run, and continued to gasp for air. Her chest was hurting from running so hard. No, was her chest truly hurting for that reason?

“Lizzy…” It was then that Patrizia heard a familiar voice, and was frightened out of her wits as she searched for the owner of the voice.

It was Lucio. She murmured her response without realizing it, “Your…Majesty…why are you here?…”

“You misunderstood like that, and proceeded to run away from me.” He tried to catch his breath as he gently wrapped her hand with his own. “If I do not explain myself here…”

“…”

“…I will then become a bad person who has lied to you.”

“…There is no need to clarify what happened to me.”

“Why?” He asked with a strained and nervous look on his face. “No way…are you perhaps, already disappointed with me? But Lizzy, I…”

“No, it is not like that,” Patrizia flatly denied. “I witnessed everything. That is why there is no need for Your Majesty to clarify anything.”

“Ah…” He asked her with a somewhat touched expression, “Can I embrace you?”

“…Right here?”

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Translated by Haeli

Edited by RED