Lady To Queen Chapter 37

Chapter 37 – What You Were After?

“You are wretched. No, should I say cunning?”

“I'm innocent, Your Majesty. Is it part of your job to keep innocent people locked away?” Rosemond said patronizingly.

“There is no evidence yet that you are guilty, but that doesn't mean you didn't commit a crime. It is a pity that my evidence cannot be verified,” Patrizia said in a dangerously low voice, but Rosemond looked triumphant. Without clear proof, even a queen cannot punish someone for an unproven sin, even if it was connected to a royal assassination.

Patrizia took a moment to contemplate, then said the concubine's name. “Rosemond Mary la Phelps.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“You think you'll walk out of here easily just because there's no evidence. But do you really believe it will be that easy?”

Rosemond's brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Patrizia stared down at her coolly. “Your lady-in-waiting is being interrogated in the next room. There's no physical torture involved yet, but…who knows. If there isn't any progress, it would be a reliable option, don't you think?”

As cruel as the threat was, Patrizia grinned, and Rosemond stiffened. A moment later, however, she soon regained her composure.

“Then she'll tell you, Your Majesty, that I've done no crime.”

“Is that what you think?” Patrizia smiled and fiddled away a stray lock of hair. “I'll finish this investigation before His Majesty wakes up. He'll be happy, don't you think? When he opens his eyes, he'll find out that the criminal who tried to hurt him is already dead. Oh, it's the perfect comedy.”

“Even if the suspect was framed?”

“Why would he think that? He won't think anything.”

Of course, Lucio would certainly consider it. The queen didn't have unlimited power. Patrizia slowly became bored and sweetened up the deal.

“Confess your sins as soon as possible, Lady Phelps. The investigation is in full force now. If any conclusive evidence emerges, you won't just get a beheading. However, if you confess now, and I will make sure you are civilly treated as the Emperor's woman.”

Rosemond spat in her face. Patrizia's expression twisted, but she soon relaxed her features.

“Oh my. You're going to prison for insulting the regent, even if you are innocent.”

“I'm already in prison, Your Majesty. No matter what you do to me, it can't be any worse than it is now. I can't believe the queen is trying to take revenge against concubine while His Majesty is still unconscious…is this what you were after? Then it's not me who needs to be investigated—”

Smack!

Patrizia was unable to overcome a momentary rush of anger, and she struck Rosemond's face. Patrizia had been trying not to get too worked up lately—and there was not much that fazed her these days—but Rosemond's comments hit a raw nerve. She could never tolerate it. She fixed the concubine with a cold glare.

“Watch your tongue. How dare you think you can just insult me?”

Rosemond's face remained impassive as she stared at ahead.

“If you don't intend to talk, then I suggest you start writing your last will,” Patrizia seethed in white hot anger.

Rosemond looked at her with unimpressed eyes, and Patrizia was starting to get sick looking at her. Did the concubine really think she deserved the queen's seat? Enough to cause so many troublesome and complicated problems? If the position was awarded for how hard one worked, then Rosemond really did deserve it.

Patrizia strode out of the interrogation room without hiding the frosty aura surrounding her. She was always so busy that she often lost track of time. Duke Witherford looked on worriedly, perhaps in concern after hearing the slap in the room.

“Your Majesty, what happened inside?” he asked worriedly.

Patrizia looked at him for a moment, and then spoke. “Interrogate the suspect thoroughly. Make her speak, no matter what.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.” Duke Witherford gave a low bow, and Patrizia walked onwards with dark-rimmed eyes. Little thorns in her mind pricked her thoughts unpleasantly, and she gave a small groan of pain. Rosemond's presence was always stressful for Patrizia, but in this case, it was even more than usual.

Patrizia turned towards Mirya. “Has His Majesty improved?” Patrizia asked.

“No, Your Majesty,” the lady-in-waiting replied.

Patrizia didn't say anything else. As they walked by the central palace, Mirya spoke up again.

“Your Majesty, why not stop by the central palace?”

“Stop by?” Patrizia said in a flat voice, but then she paused to reconsider. Lucio had sacrificed himself for her, and she shouldn't act ungrateful. She gave a sigh, then turned to the central palace without another word. This was just a pure visit.

The maids the central palace looked perplexed at the Queen Regent's appearance. At first glance, it was a funny reaction towards a wife about to visit her husband, but it was only natural—it was already known that the royal couple was not close. Anyone with eyes knew that the Emperor loved Rosemond.

“Is His Majesty in there?” Patrizia asked a servant.

“Yes, Your Majesty. What can I do for you?”

“I'm here to see his condition. May I come in?”

“Of course.”

The maid opened the door with a bow. Patrizia went inside, vowing not to let her thoughts go out of control, but her memories of the hunting ground rushed back at her.

“Anyway…it's natural to care,” she said with a huff. She slowly approached Lucio's bedside and sat down at a chair. He was lying as still as if he were dead, just like in the cave. She wondered what he was dreaming of. What dreams did he wander through that he couldn't wake up yet?

Patrizia sighed. This was pointless and bothersome. He needed to wake up quickly. Don't keep her busy, please.

Her gaze settled on his closed eyes. He looked slightly thinner than before, which was worrying. Why did he get by the arrow instead of her? Was it really out of guilt? He was a stupid emperor. A cynical smile crossed her lips.

Patrizia suddenly rose from her seat. She would start feeling confused if she stayed near him longer, and she walked towards the door without looking back. And yet, a feeling tugged at her with each step. What was it?

No, she would not think about it. There was nothing to be curious about. There wasn't anyone to give her honest answers. She didn't like unanswered questions in the first place, as the one to suffer would eventually be her.

Patrizia erased all regrets from her mind and exited the room. She could feel the maid's gaze on her, as if to say, 'Out already?', but Patrizia paid no heed. She continued walking again, leaving behind the brief, unrealistic sentiment.

It was time to crawl back into the fierce and tangled reality.

The work of the interior palace affairs and state affairs did not differ greatly in character. However, it was much harder to do the work of both at the same time. Nevertheless, Patrizia had to do it. It wasn't something she wanted to do, and it wasn't something she had put effort into doing well. She just had to grind through it. The consequences of not doing so were clear to her.

As a result, she squinted from the lack of sleep, dark smudges were visible beneath her eyes, and the corners of her mouth sloped downwards. Many people around her—including Petronilla—were naturally worried, but they didn't stop her. They, too, knew the consequences if Patrizia failed to do her job.

She fumbled through a few documents outlining the welfare budget for the poor, when Raphaella entered the room. Patrizia hastily covered the papers.

“Dame Raphaella,” she said.

Raphaella bowed. “I'm back, Your Majesty.”

The long search in the hunting grounds yielded little results so far, and Raphaella's complexion looked pale. Patrizia felt a stab of sympathy for her friend, but she soon composed herself.

“I was worried because I hadn't heard any news from you. What happened?” Patrizia said.

“I apologize, Your Majesty,” Raphaella said with a look of deep shame, and then continued with her report. “We did not leave even a single stone unturned, but we could find no clear evidence. It was as if nothing had happened at all.”

“Impossible.” Patrizia shook her head in stunned shock. “Then how were the assassins able to get into the hunting grounds? The only way to get there is through the place where we entered. That was why it was chosen for the tournament.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. You're right. But…” Raphaella handed her something, biting her lips slightly with a look of dismay.

It was a map. Patrizia took it with a curious look.

“What is this?”

Chapter end