Lady To Queen Chapter 34

Chapter 34 – Queen Regent

No one said a word as they stared at Patrizia and Rosemond. More eyes were on the concubine, who showed no signs of panic over Patrizia's sudden accusation. In truth, Rosemond was taken aback, but she kept her expression carefully calm; she was already too experienced in palatial politics to show any weakness.

“Your Majesty? What on earth are—?” Rosemond said with a questioning look, but she was interrupted by the doctor before she could finish.

“Your Majesty, the examination is over,” said the doctor.

Rosemond was unhappy about being blocked, but she held her tongue. Meanwhile, Patrizia's jaw clenched, and she got to her knees and hurriedly gestured to the doctor to tell her the results.

The doctor spoke. “Fortunately, there is no great harm done to His Majesty because of the scula flower. However…he will not awake for some reason.”

“So you don't know how to wake him up?”

“I don't, Your Majesty,” the doctor said regretfully, and Patrizia's heart sank. Even though she and Lucio had nothing to do with each other, she didn't want him dead. She closed her eyes for a long moment, and then soon opened them again.

 

“So in your words, you're unsure if he'll wake up?”

“I'm sorry.”

She turned back to look at Lucio with a subdued expression. Everyone around her watched nervously, wondering what the young queen would say.

Patrizia spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft. “Because His Majesty is in a coma, it is up to me, the Queen, to make all final decisions regarding the Empire, as stated in Imperial law. Is that correct?”

A noble replied. “Yes, Your Majesty. Until the Emperor wakes up, you must rule in his stead.”

Patrizia took a deep breath and continued. “I cannot guarantee when the Emperor's consciousness will be restored, but at this hour, I declare that I, Patrizia Lila le Grochester, will rule as Queen Regent of the Great Mavinous Empire. Is there anyone who objects to this decision?”

“No, Queen Regent,” many voices said in unison. Patrizia looked at Lucio one last time, then rose to stand at full height. Instead of looking at the nobles, she fixed her gaze on one person—Rosemond. Patrizia had to finish what she was about to say.

“When we were driven to the edge of the cliff, I questioned the assassins who were trying to kill me. Who was behind this? Normally one would expect them not to speak…but they were certain I would soon die at their hands.”

“Who was it, Your Majesty?”

 

“I cannot forgive anyone who attempts to kill the emperor and queen of the Empire.”

The knights clamored to hear her answer, and Patrizia barely managed to hold back a smile.

“They said that the Emperor's concubine ordered the murder of the Emperor's lawful wife.”

It was the second moment of chilly silence, but Patrizia didn't feel awkward. She turned to a noble.

“Duke Ephreney,” she said in a calm voice.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please speak.”

“Please clarify for me. What is the punishment for someone who dares attempt to kill the emperor and queen?”

“Your Majesty, it's…” Duke Ephreney's voice unexpectedly faded away. He seemed unable to speak properly, but Patrizia pushed him for an answer.

“Why can't you speak? Is there something different between what you know and I know?”

 

“No, Your Majesty.”

“It's strange that you can't speak then. Or are you the one behind it?”

“Never, Your Majesty. I apologize for my delay in answering.” Duke Ephreney cleared his throat a few times and told her the answer she wanted to hear. “Anyone who attempts to kill the emperor or any of the royal family will be imprisoned and sentenced to death by beheading, regardless of age or sex.”

“Beheading…” Patrizia murmured. It was a familiar word to her. She knew it wouldn't be easy to pass this sentence on Rosemond. Patrizia was the Queen Regent of this Empire, of course, but it was difficult to punish a person without hard evidence. It could be seen as an act of tyranny, even if the person involved wasn't Rosemond. Of course, three people knew the truth—Patrizia, Lucio, and Rosemond—but in the eyes of others, it could be interpreted as a queen's petty attempt to get rid of a concubine.

Patrizia really didn't want that—however, she didn't mind getting dirty now to prevent her ankle getting caught again later. Whether or not she was motivated by revenge, it was better to be free of the concubine, not just for her sake, but for the sake of the future. That meant never backing down.

“Captain.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Take Lady Phelps to the Imperial Palace.”

The guards bowed and swiftly carried out her orders. They took Rosemond by the arms, and she stared murderously at Patrizia. Lucio wasn't awake, so Rosemond didn't need to fake pleasantries anymore. She was showing her true colors now, when she only previously revealed them to Patrizia. Patrizia had overlooked it thus far when she offered the concubine mercy.

Patrizia started coolly Rosemond. “The truth will be confirmed later, but you cannot be free from these charges. Of that I am certain.”

 

“You'll regret that, Your Majesty! Your word alone isn't enough!”

“His Majesty was with me when he was injured. I brought him back from the next world. Do you think I would lie about that?” Patrizia gave her a reassuring smile. “Don't worry. The investigation will be thorough. I don't like having something foul behind the scenes either.”

Patrizia nodded at the guards, and soon Rosemond was taken away. She didn't yell, protest or complain. She gave a hard stare at Patrizia, then proudly walked away.

Patrizia turned her eyes back to the immediate problem at hand. “His Majesty's stability comes first, so we'd better return to the palace right away. Dame Raphaella, is there a carriage?”

“I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty. I didn't expect this to happen…” Raphaella bowed her head, looking devastated by the events she allowed to happen.

Patrizia felt a surge of emotion for her friend, but refocused on giving Raphaella orders. “Then for the sake of swiftness, I'll take His Majesty on horseback with the guards escorting us. What do you think, guards?”

“It's better that way, but won't it be uncomfortable for you, Your Majesty?”

“It doesn't matter if I'm uncomfortable,” Patrizia said shortly, and the guards found no reason to refuse. She was ready to ride back in earnest. “Bring me a fresh horse. Sally is too tired to ride again.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Soon Patrizia and Lucio were sitting on a new horse, and she hugged him securely to prevent him from falling. The nobles and knights encircled her, and Patrizia began to move. Fortunately, the hunting grounds were not located too far away from the palace.

 

Patrizia stared at Lucio in her arms as she listened to the rhythmic clopping of horses' hooves on the ground. His fever was lower than before, but his skin still felt hot to the touch.

How did things come to the point? Not even a day had passed, and so much had changed. There would likely be even more change in the future.

Patrizia's brows knitted in worry as she tightened her arms around Lucio. She too felt shaken up, but she couldn't rest until this mess was cleared. She steeled herself and prayed for a quick arrival to the palace.

Once Patrizia dismissed the nobles, she transferred Lucio to his bed. Naturally, he received much more comprehensive treatment there, and she could finally breathe a sigh of relief. That completed one task. Patrizia was about to leave the central palace to go on to the next one, when one of the doctors stopped her.

“Your Majesty, shouldn't you be treated as well?”

Her footsteps paused for a moment, and then she turned back. “I have something urgent to do, so I'll do it later.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Don't worry. I'll call for you afterwards.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Patrizia then left the central palace. It was time to meet Rosemond.

Rosemond was currently contained in her room by the guards. She sat completely still with a stonily blank look on her face. It had been a long time since Glara had seen her like that, and she couldn't help but worry about what was on her master's mind.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Rosemond was fine. In fact, she was more like her usual self. She closed her eyes as if she were in deep thought.

“Your Majesty the Queen Regent,” she suddenly spoke out loud.

The palace's dynamics had changed swiftly. How many hours had passed since the declaration? Rosemond gently opened her eyes again. Patrizia was standing before her, still clad in armor and covered in blood. Rosemond clicked her tongue disparagingly.

“You have enough time to change into a dress, Your Majesty.”

“What does that have to do with you?”

Despite Patrizia's response, Rosemond continued with a calm, casual expression. “Very well, Your Majesty. So why did you lock me up like this?”

“Surely you know, Lady Phelps. If one tried to assassinate me, wouldn't that be enough reason?”

“There's no proof of that.”

“It will come to light during the investigation. You don't have to worry about that at all.”

Patrizia looked at the concubine up and down. She should have Rosemond imprisoned in a cell immediately, to mitigate any chances she would have of destroying evidence.

“Guards,” Patrizia said with a cool smile. Immediately several knights came in. “Place Lady Phelps in a dungeon. There she cannot prevent the destruction of evidence. And no one can enter this room without my seal.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The guards took Rosemond once again, and Patrizia noticed Glara hovering nearby.

“Take the lady-in-waiting as well. Don't forget to keep them in solitary confinement.”

Chapter end