Lady to Queen

That was so. The Duke of Efreni would choose Rosemond, and the Duke of Witherford, on the contrary, chose her. Whether the Duke of Witherford wanted Rosemond and chose Patrizia, or whether he wanted to choose her in the first place, the only thing that was certain was that he supported Patrizia, at least at this point. And Patrizia also felt that no further reason was necessary.     

The important thing was that she was being supported by his side, and she was also willing to protect them. All the other emotional things are unnecessary and worthless.     

Patrizia would not be tied down by these things in this fight, and even if someone offered it, she would refuse. Those things are rather disturbing. At least she thought for now.     

"I also do not care to pay mind to all of you that have sided with me. I do not want to try to show them a good side as well. Since I already have all of you. Am I wrong?"     

"Not at all, Your Majesty."     

Duke Witherford smiled with his distinctive smile and emptied the cup of the drink he had completely. The tea had already cooled down, and it must have been tasteless, but he made an expression as if it was the most delicious taste ever. Patrizia stared at this and soon opened her mouth again.     

"I think there is a plan you have thought about, Duke."     

"I would never have visited Your Excellency without even thinking about it otherwise, and that would be a disgrace to Your Majesty? There will be a lot of things to worry about besides this."     

"You are a competent servant."     

"It is your servant's duty to take care of the burdens for who they serve. Of course, I also have people like that."     

He laughed and put the mug under the table. He soon began speaking with a face half-mixed between laughter and seriousness.     

"Anyways it is impossible to completely destroy Lady Phelps unless there is a clear sign, Your Majesty... His Majesty's favor cannot be ignored. Without proof, taking away Lady Phelps's Baroness title would be the biggest benefit we could possibly earn."     

"Even that will not be easy. She is much more cunning than we think."     

"Yes, Your Majesty. I am aware. She might try to escape this situation somehow, using the power of the Duke of Efreni. So the important thing is..."     

Soon words that did not match his generous smile popped out of the Duke of Witherford's mouth.     

"It would be fabrication. All of this."     

"Fabrication…"     

Patrizia, looked out the window, murmuring to herself. Unlike her complicated inside, the sky that was outside was clean and simple. Patrizia thought about how she was envious about the clouds and moved her finger against the window without her knowledge.     

"Seems to be worrying about something, Younger Sister Majesty?"     

"Nil."     

Patrizia smiled faintly and turned around towards her. As always, Petronilla slowly walked towards her with something to snack on in her hands. Patrizia reflexively sat down at the table. She then asked.     

"It must have just been baked. Dacquoise?"     

"Yup. It tastes like strawberry. Do you not like it?"     

"I like it. Thank you, Nil. I will eat it well."     

Patrizia bit off a mouthful then asked Petronila with a curious glance.     

"You will not eat together with me?"     

"I ate a lot earlier. More than that..."     

Petronilla, who had been hesitating, carefully asked Patrizia.     

"His Majesty has awakened. I think the work needs to be finished somehow, what are you thinking?"     

"You are right, Nil. It is our side that will be at a disadvantage if we take too much time on this."     

Patrizia, who worried for a moment, shared the conversation that he had with the Duke of Witherford with Petronilla.     

"We do not expect to reap a lot of good results from this. The sin is terrible, but it is full of suspicions, and there is no physical evidence."     

An attempt to assassinate the Empress, nothing else. In addition, the side that suffered substantial damage would actually be this country. Nevertheless, due to the nature of this incident, it was not easy to uncover the background, since the place where the incident occurred was a relatively large hunting ground. But had almost had to throw away her life, and it would be too wasteful for it to be buried like this. Patrizia spoke coldly.     

"The Duke of Witherford hopes to get a result from this even by fabricating the evidence. I also never want to just cover this up. Obviously, I warned Lady Phelps at that time, and it would make me into a laughingstock if I just let it go from here."     

"I didn't just tell you to cover it, Lizzy. Perhaps… Nothing like that will happen, but did you say that because you were conscious of me?"     

"What does that mean?"     

"You have changed, Lizzy."     

Petronilla said so calmly. Upon hearing that, Patrizia became upset and spoke to her sister in a stinging manner.     

"I changed."     

"Yes, you have changed."     

"You mean in a bad way?"     

"You can see it that way, and you can not."     

"What does that mean?"     

The little trembling voice was pathetic. Petronilla knew. Patrizia has definitely changed. A woman who has barely returned from the border between life and death. It would be weird if she hadn't changed. She was also aware of the change, but there was one thing she didn't know.     

"To be honest, I like your change. You're harder and tougher than before."     

"..."     

"But you do not like that too much. Am I wrong?"     

"…"     

Patrizia's face was slightly distorted. As if she was about to burst into tears, a few tears were gathering near her eyes. At the moment, when Petronilla saw her face, she wanted to cry together with her, but she pledged to herself again and again not to do so. Who would soothe this poor child once she even cried? It was obvious that this good child would make sure to soothe her, forgetting to cry herself if she sheds tears. Petronilla thought to herself.     

'So do not cry, Petronilla. You made this child cry so much. Is it not your turn now to wipe this child's tears?'     

"I…"     

Patrizia grabbed the table with a trembling voice. The metal table was slightly shaken due to how hard it was held. Patrizia confessed, not looking at her hand where the bones had turned white.     

"You are right. To be honest, it is not good."