Lady to Queen

Patrizia was only able to return to her quarters after she had Rosemond locked in the dungeon. It was already nighttime, and Patrizia was almost on the verge of fainting from the accumulated fatigue and the poison she absorbed in the afternoon, but she squeezed together all of her strength so she could return to her place.     

When she entered the Empress Palace, Patrizia felt that every maid there was worried about her, but she didn't even have enough energy to respond to their worries. Even if the person was her sister, Petronilla, or the head of her maids, Mirya.     

"Lizzy, are you okay? Are you injured anywhere?"     

"Your Majesty, are you alright?"     

As she tried to calmly accept the many worried voices pouring into her, Patrizia quietly made a request.     

"Mirya, please prepare a bath. As soon as possible"     

"Ah…"     

Mirya noticed the transformation in Patrizia faster than anyone else. Her master, who had always used honorific words towards her, spoke down to her for the first time. Mirya realized with her many years of Imperial life, that this had originated from the day's events, and soon followed Patrizia's words.     

Petronilla, who was watching her from the side, also quickly noticed her sister's change and said nothing about it.     

It was because she seemed to be visibly tired, and it seemed inappropriate to speak about it right now.     

At least Petronilla, who decided that it would be better for her to talk to her when she was in a stable state, instead called in the imperial physician while Patrizia entered the bathroom. The palace physician quickly reached the Empress Palace, and Petronilla, who had many questions, quickly asked him.     

"You were the one that took care of both Majesties at the hunting competition, right?"     

"Yes, Lady Petronilla."     

"What happened?"     

Petronilla had only been in the palace, so she did not know the exact course of the incident. So naturally, she had no choice but to feel frustrated. The physician hesitated for a moment as if he was trying to choose his words, and then opened his mouth and told her everything he knew, which was exactly what was known to the public so far.     

Of course, Petronilla seemed to be in shock after hearing that.     

"Oh, my world."     

After hearing all the stories, Petronilla sighed. She should have known in advance that Rosemond would never miss this opportunity...! Blaming her own foolishness, Petronilla asked again.     

"So, what are both of the Majesties' conditions now?"     

"His Emperor Majesty received excellent first aid, and even more in-depth treatment after, so he will probably wake up as soon as possible without any surprise. However, Her Majesty, the Regent has not yet been treated because of the reason that it is not so bad.     

"Not only is it because of the poison, but the stress and fatigue that she has received today will have a negative impact on her health. Please treat that part with that in mind, sir."     

"I will, my Lady. Don't worry too much."     

While the two were talking, Patrizia came out of the bathroom wearing only a thin white dress and looked a little surprised when she saw the Imperial physician. Patrizia stared at Petronilla as if to ask what had happened, and she soon replied with a casual expression.     

"I called for him, Your Majesty. Because you haven't been treated properly..."     

"Ah…"     

Patrizia nodded slightly and responded as if to show she understood, and soon passed her wet hair to her back, and moved towards the table.     

Soon the physician diagnosed her condition, and after a long time, his lips opened.     

"It's not as serious as mentioned before, but the mind and body are both a little weak because of all that has happened today. You will be busy enough tomorrow, so please drink a cup of hot tea today, and get ready to sleep early."     

"Thank you for the advice. It is okay to go back."     

He left her quarters after showing courtesy to her words, and Petronilla spoke to Patrizia with a casual expression.     

"I will leave now Lizzy. It is too late today."     

Patrizia laughed with a more relaxed expression, at the tone that was the same as usual. Maybe it was because she had changed, and she hoped that at least her sister hadn't changed.     

Patrizia said to her in a slightly curious voice.     

"You are not asking anything."     

"Did you not hear the physician? It would be better to talk about everything tomorrow, Lizzy."     

Petronilla left a small kiss on Patrizia's forehead and spoke to her after.     

"At least for tonight, no one can interfere with your rest. Unless it is His Majesty. Let's talk about everything tomorrow, got it?"     

"That is what I wanted."     

It was saddening to hear the tired voice. Petronilla swallowed her dry saliva, and finally left the Empress Palace, asking Mirya to take care of Patrizia well.     

Anyways, it was night time now, so whether she heard it now or early tomorrow, the results would not change. As long as she could bear the curiosity. She hadn't told her anything, so her father must have some information she could know.     

Petronilla thought about asking the Marquis of Grochester about something at least but did not expect that it would help her greatly understand the situation.     

Meanwhile, Patrizia dried her not fully dry hair and went to bed. As Petronilla had said, today she had gone through so much, so she was too tired to think about the next step.     

She decided to pass on her thoughts and ideas to tomorrow. Even Mirya, Rafaella, and Petronilla didn't ask her about anything, so all the answers could be put off until tomorrow.     

Patrizia let out a tired sigh and fell asleep. She had been suffering from insomnia lately, but she seemed to be able to fall asleep easily today. Because without falling asleep, it was an unbearable night.