Lady To Queen Chapter 20 - Were You With The Emperor Last Night?

Chapter 20 – Were You With The Emperor Last Night?

Not having a single hardship in one's life meant that life was unfathomably boring and dry. Sometimes, however, Lucio hoped that he would never have to experience hardship. That was a luxury for him.

Lucio opened his eyes at dawn. To be exact, it was just before dawn, when the sky began to gradually change from dark black to blue. He sensed intuitively that he was not in his room, and it was only from the soft fragrance of flowers in the air did he realize he was in the Queen's bed.

“Haaa…” Lucio sighed. He never did that in front of anyone, except Rosemond. He lifted his hand and squeezed his throbbing forehead. He thought he might have a cold. It must have been caused by the rain last night.

It was still raining, and the raindrops still tapped steadily against the glass window. He thought about leaving this room and going back to the palace, but he was reluctant to move his heavy limbs.

By the way, the Queen wasn't in sight. Wasn't this her bed he was lying in right now? His brow furrowed slowly as realization came to him. He couldn't believe what happened. He acted like a drunken fool in front of her.

When he decided he could not stay here any longer, he eventually raised his heavy body and got out of bed.

After opening the door, Mirya, the Queen's lady-in-waiting, turned to him in surprise. She cleared her throat and quickly bowed.

“Greetings to the Emperor. Glory to the Sun of the Empire.”

“…Did the Queen bring me here?” Lucio asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I've caused her an inconvenience.”

Mirya hesitated before speaking carefully. “Your Majesty, this may not be my place to say this…”

“…”

“I do know that Lady Phelps is a special person to you, Your Majesty.”

“…And how would you know that?”

It was both an untouchable spot. No one could touch it. No one except for Rosemond, who he allowed. So Mirya was perhaps risking her life pleading to him.

“I'm sorry. My late mother, a tenured lady-in-waiting, told me…”

“…”

"Please don't pour your affection onto her, even though I can't demand anything of you,” Mirya continued. “But…could you perhaps be gentler on Her Majesty?"

“…How bold of you,” Lucio said in a wry voice. "On our wedding night, I told her not to expect love from me, and I extracted a promise from her not to touch Lady Phelps. But you think that my current self should care for the Queen?”

“…”

Mirya could not say anything. Lucio wore a sad expression before he concluded his speech.

“I've already come too far to do that. I know you listen to the words of your mother, but I cannot abandon Lady Phelps. That is a denial of my identity.”

“…” Mirya did not reply. Because of her position, she was one of the few that knew about the Emperor's inner affairs. She was well aware it was not her place to speak up, and it was incredible that the Emperor did not become angry at her. Mirya bit her lip, and Lucio spoke, unable to conceal his mixed emotions.

“Please tell that Queen I was rude last night. I didn't mean to cause trouble.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Lucio turned around and strode through the hallways of the Queen's palace. By the time he stepped outside, the downpour had died down to a light drizzle, and he walked all the way to the central palace, not even thinking of using an umbrella.

*

Patrizia was still tired when she opened her eyes. Her ominous feeling became a reality. She had cold. Ah, to be punished for doing something good. Patrizia groaned in pain as she lifted her weak muscles up from the bed.

“You're sick too, Your Majesty.”

“Ah, Mirya. Is His Majesty sick too?” When Patrizia asked, however, Mirya's expression turned serious. Patrizia looked at her curiously. “What is it?”

“Ah…it's just that His Majesty was coughing when he woke up at dawn, then he immediately returned to the central palace.”

“Oh…” Patrizia nodded in understanding. If one had any manners, one would leave as soon as possible after sleeping in someone else's bed.

Mirya told Patrizia what Lucio told her earlier. “His Majesty felt uncomfortable because he believed to have caused you trouble. He said he was rude last night…”

“Glad to know.”

“…”

Mirya didn't say anything else. Yes, perhaps it was too late to develop feelings, as the Queen said. Patrizia could not understand Lucio at a common level, and Lucio would not try to explain his situation with Rosemond to Patrizia. The Queen was unnecessarily stubborn in this regard, but Patrizia's point of view, it was inevitable.

Mirya didn't want to make assumptions in this situation anyway. Her master was Patrizia no matter what. Mirya put away the conversation she had with Lucio from her mind, and returned to her original task.

“Ah, you have to meet with the envoys this morning. They said they would leave the Empire after breakfast. You'd better get ready.”

“Thank you, Mirya.”

“Are you feeling sick? Should I call the palace doctor?” Mirya repeated again in concern.

“I'm fine. I don't think it's that bad yet,” Patrizia said, sweeping up her long hair. “I think we should start with breakfast first.”

*

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Rosemond woke up alone, and soon became upset when a certain piece of news was delivered to her.

“His Majesty went to the Queen's palace last night?”

It was unbelievable. Lucio did not even stay with the Queen on their wedding night. How could he…?

Rosemond shuddered with betrayal, while Glara did her best to placate her. “I don't know the details, but the Emperor went to the Queen's palace during the heavy rain. It was raining so hard that he ended up staying overnight—”

“So?! The two still met each other at that late hour, didn't they?”

Glara hesitated before answering. “…Yes.”

“Ha!” Rosemond shouted, her eyes wild. How could Lucio do that to her? She thought he went to the Queen's palace to question Patrizia about the wound on her cheek, but he ended up staying overnight?

Rosemond clenched her white bed sheets with trembling fists, then threw the blankets aside and got out of bed. Glara watched confusedly as Rosemond quickly drew a shawl over herself.

“M-My Lady, you don't mean that…you're going to see the Queen?”

“Why not?”

“My Lady!” Glara cried out. She didn't know much, but this seemed like the last thing Rosemond should be doing. Now was not the time for Rosemond to be confrontational, not after yesterday's events left her vulnerable. If she approached the Queen right away, it could backfire. Glara needed to stop Rosemond somehow.

“My Lady, it's been less than a day since the incident,” Glara said hurriedly. “It's too reckless to go to the Queen's palace. Strictly speaking, it's not exactly Her Majesty's fault for last night—”

Rosemond ignored her, barging out of the room with her shawl around her shoulders. Glara followed Rosemond with a frightened look. Her master had been energetic since the morning. She just hoped that nothing bad would happen.

*

Patrizia was stunned. She received news of Rosemond's visit as soon as she finished putting on her make up for the farewell breakfast. At the same time, she couldn't help but notice that concubine was a bold woman. It seemed that the day would get off to a bad start. Already, Patrizia ran into two of the worst people in the palace yesterday.

Rosemond was allowed to enter the room, and Patrizia gazed coolly at the concubine with the same unwavering spirit as yesterday.

Rosemond observed her with a sharp eye. “You like tired, Your Majesty,” she smirked.

“Not at all. Only when I see you,” Patrizia shot back elegantly. “What is the reason for your visit? It's not the best time, especially after yesterday.”

“Try some self-reflection, Your Majesty. What wrong do you accuse me of?” Rosemond said with shameless denial.

Patrizia marveled at the woman's steely demeanor while mocking her at the same time. “You have an easy life. When you've done wrong, you just hide and cry.”

“It's all because I have the Emperor's favor. Even if I were a queen, it would be impossible to do anything if I were unloved.”

Patrizia bit back her retort. Changing the subject was better for her mental health.

“Why did you come here?” Patrizia asked.

“I have something to ask,” Rosemond said delicately.

“Then go ahead.”

Rosemond stared at Patrizia with cool eyes. “Were you with the Emperor last night?”

What did that mean?

Chapter end