Lady To Queen Chapter 26 - Hunting Competition

Chapter 26 – Hunting Competition

–Tak! 

“You hit it, Your Majesty!” Raphaella cheered, and Patrizia gave an embarrassed smile. Fortunately, her archery skills had not yet left her yet. Perhaps she could catch at least one rabbit.

“It's not dead yet,” Patrizia muttered, shaking her head.

“Always so modest, Your Majesty,” Raphaella said, punching Patrizia in the shoulder and causing her to blush. It was then that Patrizia caught sight of her sister approaching them.

“Nil's here.”

Petronilla was carrying a freshly baked pie, and it looked quite large.

“What kind of pie is that?” asked Patrizia.

“It's walnut. You'll like it,” Petronilla replied, and Patrizia picked up a piece and put it in her mouth. A pleasant smile spread across her face as she savored the crunchy texture.

“It's delicious. The chef's work is excellent,” she enthused, delicately wiping her mouth.

“Isn't it? Would you like something to drink?”

“Can I have a strawberry latte?”

“Of course. By the way, the hunting tournament is tomorrow, so are you ready?”

“I am. Unless something major happens, I'm fairly confident.”

“I hope so. And I hope you'll enjoy yourself in the contest too."

“I'm looking forward to it. The hunting grounds are expansive.”

“That's great.” Petronilla smiled slightly and was about to leave, when she suddenly remembered something else. “Oh, and Sally's re-training with the stable master was completed earlier. She won't bite your hand anymore.”

“Really? That's good. Thank you, Nil. You may go now.”

“Yes,” Petronilla said with a nod, and disappeared towards the direction of the palace kitchens.

Patrizia turned her head away to focus on her archery. She notched her bow and stretched the bowstring taut, when a sudden thought entered her head.

‘What was Lucio about to say about Rosemond?' 

Her hand stopped, and from the corner of her eye, she saw Raphaella looking at her confusedly. When Raphaella saw Patrizia's disconsolate expression, however, the knight didn't say anything.

Patrizia was thinking. She knew nothing of the relationship between Lucio and Rosemond, but she knew it was something exceptional. The pair certainly had such a strong bond that they ignored the passage of time when they were together. Therefore, the words Patrizia said would not immediately distort their relationship. In truth, she didn't want it to go wrong for them…but if it benefited Patrizia, then that wasn't so bad.

“Your Majesty,” Raphaella said in a cautious voice. Patrizia had set down her bow without realizing it. She smiled casually at Raphaella's worried face.

“My hands feel weak all of a sudden. It's alright, Dame Raphaella.”

“You're not hurt or sick, are you? The hunt's tomorrow…are you sure you're alright?”

“I'm fine, Ella. I just needed a short break.”

Raphaella looked a little relieved. “Do you still want to practice more? We've been out for two hours already, so I think you should go inside.”

“Half an hour more. Mirya, do you still have a lot of work left?”

“No, I'm fine,” Mirya replied. “You can do it for two more hours.”

Patrizia nodded, and pulled her bow again. There was a sharp whistle of wind as the arrow was released, and a thud as the arrowhead struck the target board. Bullseye.

“That's another hit.”

Patrizia smiled proudly.

*

That night, Patrizia heard a strange noise.

“Mmmm…”

She tossed and turned, but couldn't find any sleep. Finally, she got out of bed and called for Mirya, hiding her nervous expression as much as possible.

“Mirya, Mirya.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. How may I help you?”

“What's that sound?”

“Sound?” Mirya said, looking puzzled. She didn't hear a thing in this room right now. “Your Majesty, I don't hear anything,” she whispered.

“I'm the type that has sharp hearing. Keep quiet and listen carefully. Can't you hear anything?”

“…”

Mirya held her breath and focused all her attention on listening. “Your Majesty, I can't hear anything,” she said sheepishly.

“Hmmm…” hummed Patrizia with a strange expression. She heard something, but Mirya obviously didn't. It was certainly faint enough that it was barely audible to her own ears. She sighed inwardly. “I'm sorry, Mirya. Perhaps I'm oversensitive.”

“You haven't been able to sleep lately, Your Majesty. You've been working so hard preparing for the hunting tournament.”

Patrizia smiled and shook her head awkwardly at Mirya's pitying voice. “No. I'm sorry to bother you, Mirya.”

“It's nothing, Your Majesty. The competition will be in a few hours, so get some rest. Otherwise, you will be tired later.”

“Understood, Mirya. You may leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The lady-in-waiting bowed politely then left the room.

Patrizia, now alone, let out a short sigh and got back into bed. Yes, perhaps Mirya was right; she had been working herself too hard these days. Anyway, in a few short hours she would be on horseback shooting arrows, so she couldn't be short on stamina.

Patrizia quickly closed her eyes to sleep. She hoped she would be well-rested by morning.

*

The morning of the hunting competition finally arrived. Patrizia wore a tailored hunting outfit made just for the occasion. Every time she wore a gown or a hunting outfit, it was new. She smiled and touched her ponytail. She liked it.

“What do you think, Your Majesty? This hunting outfit was specially made by the head imperial designer. Do you like it?” Mirya asked.

“Yes. It's beautiful and comfortable,” Patrizia said, nodding her head in approval. Meanwhile, Raphaella finished inspecting Raphaella's bow and arrow.

“Perfect, Your Majesty. Now it's up to you.”

Patrzia looked uncertain. “I don't want any disappointing results, but I'm really worried.”

“You're too modest,” Raphaella giggled, handing Mirya the bow and quiver. After Patrizia finished putting on the equipment, she looked in a mirror and made a serious face. Even after all this time, her appearance made her doubt her identity. Did she really have this side to her?

“Your Majesty, you have to go now.” At that, Patrizia was shaken from her thoughts. Yes, the person she was now was also reality.

Patrizia left the room smiling.

*

The hunting contest was attended by the nobles in the palace, the nobles from the countryside, and the Imperial Family. Patrizia grabbed Sally's reins and pulled her towards where the tournament was being held. She saw Lucio in the distance with the nobles. Ah…there was one more.

“Haaah,” Patrizia sighed when she spotted Rosemond's figure next to him. Why did the concubine come here when she wasn't going to be in the competition? Of course, Patrizia didn't care what affection they displayed in front of her, but she didn't like the fact that she had to look at Rosemond's face.

Of course, Patrizia wouldn't show such displeasure in front of the gathering of nobles, so she smiled as she walked towards them. The nobles who saw her bowed and greeted her.

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Greetings.”

“Glory to the Moon of the Empire.”

A frown flickered on Rosemond's face when she saw Patrizia receive preferential treatment. Patrizia caught sight of it, and laughed silently and greeted the nobles with a warm voice. “It's a pleasure to meet you all here. I've worked hard to prepare for the tournament, and I hope you'll all enjoy it.”

“Your ability has already been proven at the envoys' banquet. Us nobles are not worried about anything.” The compliment came from Marquis Bringstone, Raphaella's father, and Patrizia smiled.

“I don't know how to reply to such a compliment. Can I look forward to your performance today?”

“What is there to expect from this old man? Perhaps my daughter will meet your expectations, Your Majesty.”

“Dame Raphaella is an excellent knight, but perhaps not as good as her father. You're being modest.”

Friendly banter was exchanged as they waited for the beginning of the tournament. It wasn't until Patrizia finished speaking with the nobles that she turned towards Lucio.

“I worked hard to prepare for this event, and I'm afraid that it may not be to your standards,” she said in a calm voice.

“Not at all. When I got the report, it was great.”

“Thank you.” Patrizia turned to Rosemond this time. The concubine gave a flat smile and belatedly bowed to her.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“It's been some time, Lady Phelps. I'm sorry to hear that you won't participate in the tournament.”

“I'm not well-suited to it.”

“I'm sorry to hear that.” Patrizia wasn't sorry at all, but it would be impolite to say otherwise. She immediately changed the subject.  “I think we should start now, Your Majesty.We should get on our horses.”

“I'll go.”

After a brief farewell to Rosemond, he mounted his horse. Rosemond saw him off as if he were the only angel in the world. Patrizia was disgusted by the sight, but she kept her face smooth. She got on Sally, tightened the reins in her grip and followed behind the Emperor. The hunting grounds for the tournament were located in a forest near the palace.

“Go!”

It was finally the start of the competition.

Chapter end