Lady To Queen Chapter 42

Chapter 42 – Unchanged Essence

It was true. Duke Ephreney would choose Rosemond, while Duke Witherford chose her. It was unclear whether Rosemond was perhaps Duke Witherford's first choice, but it was clear now that he supported Patrizia. No further reason was needed. What was important was that she had those that supported her, and all other emotional things were unnecessary and worthless.

Duke Witherford smiled and drained his teacup. The tea must have cooled down and lost its pleasant taste, but he drank as if he did not care.

Patrizia watched him for a moment before speaking. “I believe you already have a plan then, Duke.”

“There is no need for you to exert your effort. It would be rude of me to burden you further. You have more work to worry about besides this.”

“You are quite the capable vassal.”

“It is a servant's duty to help carry the burden. Of course I care about that.” He set his cup down on the table, then continued with a half-smiling, half-serious expression. “Unless there is clear evidence, it is impossible to completely destroy Lady Phelps. As you know…His Majesty's love for her cannot be ignored. If we don't have proof, then taking away Lady Phelps' baroness title is the best we can do.”

Patrizia's brows drew together. “Not even that would be easy. She's more cunning than one would expect.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty. Perhaps she's using the power of Duke Ephreney to get away with it somehow. So the important thing is…” The smile widened on Duke Witherford's face. “We need to fabricate the situation.”

“Fabricate…” Patrizia murmured to herself as she stared out the window. Despite the dark storm clouds in her mind, the weather outside was beautiful. Patrizia tapped her finger against the glass as she envied the clear weather.

A voice interrupted her from her thoughts. “Are you worried about something, Your Majesty?” someone said, and Patrizia turned around.

“Nil,” she replied, giving a faint smile. As usual, Petronilla approached her carrying a plate of something to eat, and Patrizia automatically moved towards the table and sat down.

“This looks new. Dacquoise?” Patrizia asked.

“Yes. This one's flavored with strawberry. Is that to your taste?”

“Yes it is. Thank you, Nil. I'll enjoy it.” Patrizia closed her eyes as she savored a forkful, then looked curiously at Petronilla. “Aren't you going to eat?”

Petronilla shook her head. “I ate a lot earlier. Rather…” Her voice trailed off, then she spoke again. “His Majesty is awake now. You'll have to complete your work soon. What do you think?”

“You're right, Nil. It's our side that's at a disadvantage if we drag this on.” Patrizia thought for a moment, then shared the conversation she had with Duke Witherford.

“I didn't expect to reap a large harvest this time. The crime is heinous, but there is no physical proof,” Patrizia finished.

Rosemond had attempted to assassinate the Queen, and in addition, had almost plunged the country into an international crisis. Nevertheless, it was not easy to expose Rosemond as the real mastermind, especially with what happened on the vast hunting grounds. However, Patrizia's life had been threatened, and she could not let the situation be buried.

“Duke Witherford wants to reap a harvest by fabricating evidence. I also don't want this issue to die. I already gave a warning to Lady Phelps, and it would be foolish to just walk away from this.”

Petronilla shook her head. “I didn't say you should just ignore it, Rizi. But…why are you telling me this?”

“What do you mean?”

“You've changed, Rizi,” Petronilla replied calmly.

For some reason, angry tears formed in Patrizia's eyes. “Changed.”

“Yes, you have.”

“You mean in a bad way, don't you?”

“You just have to look at yourself to see it.”

“What does that mean?” Patrizia snapped back, but she couldn't hide the quivering in her voice. She was a woman that crossed the boundary between life and death. It would be more strange if she didn't change. And if she didn't, she knew the dire consequences.

Petronilla's expression turned more sympathetic. “I like your change. You're tougher and stronger than before.”

“But what do you think? You don't like it, do you?”

Petronilla's face crinkled, as if she were trying to hold back the tears that threatened to burst out of her. Patrizia wanted to cry with her sister, but she vowed not to. How could she help her poor sister if she cried herself? Petronilla had helped her so much. Wasn't it Patrizia's turn to wipe her eyes?

“I…” Patrizia gripped the table until her knuckles turned white, and the table trembled beneath her grip. Finally, she confessed in a quavering voice. “It's true. To be honest, it's not good.”

Patrizia was not evil by nature. She was as quiet, calm, and meek as a meadow flower. If she hadn't gone to the palace and become queen, perhaps she would have lived her entire life in bloom. She decided, however, to take her sister's place and walk on the thorny path to save her family.

Patrizia tried to remain a flower until the end, but in the end, it was a futile effort. The thorny path was constantly rained on, her roots were damaged, and the wind continuously blew away her petals. She could not remain an innocent flower. She had to become a dirty weed. Noble orchids and beautiful roses were not suited to this environment—even less so when she didn't have the Emperor's love.

Patrizia didn't know whether she could solely point to Rosemond as the cause, but she hated this change that had come upon her. Patrizia had just wanted to live peacefully in the Imperial Palace, but the world wasn't as easy as she thought. Sadly, the road that she chose was even less so.

Patrizia took a deep breath. “When I entered the palace, I didn't want to get involved in politics. I just wanted to be the queen in the corner, and have one child to succeed the emperor.”

However, she must have already known then that those were foolish fantasies. As soon as she took the queen's seat such thoughts were worthless, even selfish. If she wanted to live as a flower, someone else would have to protect her from the storm.

“I know now that it's not just me that gets hurt, but my precious people.”

Patrizia didn't sob. She didn't even shed tears, save for a lone one teardrop that slipped down her cheek. It was the only consolation she allowed herself.

Petronilla felt a tug at her heartstrings. “…I'm sorry.”

“That's enough, Nil, or else I'll never stop feeling sorry for myself.” Patrizia smiled as if she made peace with herself—no, maybe it was resignation. In any case, the important thing now was that she realized that she was no longer the same.

Petronilla thought it was a change for the better, but the feelings of sadness were another matter. She nodded. “You're right. Let's stop.”

“Let's stick to the present, Nil. We can feel sorry…after we win. Regret after victory are glorious wounds in the past, but regret after defeat are poor excuses for the loser. I hope in the future, we won't be talking excuses.”

“And I'll help you, Rizi.” There was a tender strength in Petronilla's voice as she spoke. She was like a reed—soft but not demanding, bendable but not breakable. Patrizia felt it too. Not only was she changing, but her older twin sister was as well—though it was in a better direction than herself.

“Thank you for your words,” Patrizia said with a sad smile.

Petronilla nodded. “Creating evidence is easier said than done. There's no guarantee that it will lead to success, and if it's discovered, not only will it disgrace you, but it will damage your dignity and authority. So…can you do it?”

“Whether I can or not, I must. I don't have a choice, Nil. At least not at this moment,” Patrizia said resolutely.

“Don't worry. You're not alone. Do you believe in Duke Witherford?”

“I want to believe, but I don't.”

“…Alright.” Petronilla nodded.

Patrizia took a moment to think. Was belief that important? Would it matter if she believed in him or not? Their relationship was only for strategic purposes anyways. What mattered not were fanciful ideals; it was about meeting each other's expectations.

“I'm not as smart as you are, so please don't expect the right solution from me. I'm sorry,” Petronilla said apologetically.

Patrizia gave a small smile. She couldn't believe that Petronilla thought she was of no help. “Even if you have no solution, you give me strength. You know that.”

“Still, I wanted to be helpful in this area too. I'm sorry that I can't.”

“It's fine. By the way, this dacquoise is delicious. It would be nice to share it with the maids.”

“They all tasted it before. If you enjoy it, I'll tell the chef to make it again.” After that, Petronilla stood up with the empty plate. As she walked towards the door, Patrizia's voice called her from behind.

“Thank you, sister.”

A lump formed in Petronilla's throat. No, Rizi. Don't say that. She wasn't qualified to hear that from her.

Petronilla did not hide her sad eyes and shed a tear. She was lucky that she was turned towards the door. If Patrizia saw it, she would come running to her with a worried look. The younger twin may have changed in some aspects, but her essence was still the same.

Petronilla opened her lips and struggled to make the words come out. “It's no problem.”

______

Chapter end