Lady To Queen Chapter 45 – Do You Want To Be A Father–In

Chapter 45 – Do You Want To Be A Father-In-Law?

“I need to meet Duke Ephreney as soon as possible.”

“Rosemond, why are you doing this again—”

“We meet when I want,” Rosemond snapped. “Why do you continue to yap your mouth? Unless Duke Ephreney wants to end his political career, he'll never turn me down, so don't nitpick and go send him a message. I want to meet him now, so tell him to come to Bain palace immediately.”

Glara hastily bowed. “Yes, My Lady.”

No one else knew that the Emperor's concubine—now newly stripped of her title—had control of one of the three triad chancellors. For a woman of her low stature to have such power was against all common sense, but Glara, who knew the circumstances, did not say a word against it. Indeed, if Duke Ephreney stepped out of line, his political career was effectively dead in the water.

It was not just limited to Duke Ephreney either. Rosemond had not yet fully revealed her hand. Glara marveled at her master's cunning, and stepped aside to write a message to Duke Ephreney.

The Duke arrived at the Bain palace quickly. Glara once again witnessed the magnitude of Rosemond's influence, and set down two cups of rosemary tea on the table.

Duke Ephreney often visited Bain palace and had grown weary of rosemary tea, but he couldn't refuse. He did his best to conceal his nervousness.

“Lady Rosemond, why did you call me?” From his point of view, Rosemond should be miserable at losing her baroness title, but she showed no signs of distress and simply took a gentle sip. The silence between them lengthened uncomfortably, until finally Duke Ephreney's mask of calm broke.

“I did everything you wanted. I saved you from being accused of treason, and your punishment only went as far as losing the baroness title. Who else do you think could do this?” he ranted, venting his frustration to her.

“I know, Duke. And I'm grateful to you,” Rosemond said with an imperious air. It was even haughtier than the way Patrizia spoke.

Duke Ephreney clenched his jaw. He wanted to leave at once, but he didn't know what Rosemond had in mind for him. He remained firmly seated in place.

She finally pulled her lips away from the teacup, and calmly approached the subject.

“After everything I've been through, I've had a moment of revelation, Duke.” she said.

“What is it?”

“The most powerful thing in the world—is a title.”

No, Duke Ephreney didn't agree. If Rosemond's words were true, then he wouldn't be sitting here groveling as he did now. There was something above a title, and because of it he was now being humiliated. It was miserable and deplorable. However, he did not contradict her. As noted before, he was never in a position to confront her.

“So I thought of a good idea,” Rosemond continued.

“What is it?” Duke Ephreney said, feeling a sense of dread.

“Duke, you have only sons, don't you?”

He nodded cautiously at her question. He had a son from his lawful wife, and a son from his concubine.

Rosemond gave him a pitying look. “Oh, you must be sad. You don't have a daughter.”

“Lady Rosemond, what are you trying to say?”

“Duke, do you want to be the Emperor's father-in-law?”

Duke Ephreney now realized why she summoned him. She wanted…

“Please make me your adopted daughter.”

Rosemond wanted him to adopt her. Duke Ephreney's mind went blank with shock. When he didn't answer, Rosemond's gaze turned acidic.

“Well, why not?” she demanded. “You don't want a cheap bitch from a poor baron as a daughter, do you?”

“Ah…no, it's not that,” Duke Ephreney stammered, but Rosemond was already wearing a grotesque-looking expression. Duke Ephreney hastily tried to pull together an excuse. “I need to ask my wife—”

“I don't think she understands the situation.” Rosemond let out a peal of laughter, before wrenching him to reality. “Should I go to the Emperor now and tell him everything you've done in the past?”

“Oh, if only you could look at your face. I wonder how hard it is for you to see a bitch from a poor baron stand next to the Emperor.”

Rosemond's words were a devastating blow to him, and he kept his mouth shut. She smiled unconsciously and spoke.

“When would be a good time to make the adoption official? The sooner, the better, I think. Don't you want to have a beautiful daughter as soon as possible?”

“…I do. But Lady Rosemond…” Duke Ephreney quietly pleaded. “Did you discuss this with Baron Darrow?”

Rosemond's face stiffened at the mention of her father, but she soon answered calmly.

“What is there to discuss? He wouldn't dare block his daughter's path. If he did, that trash wouldn't be able to rehabilitate himself.”

Duke Ephreney flinched at the harshness of her remarks, but he responded with a casual nod. “As you know, Lady Rosemond, adoption in the Mavinous Empire must involve the consent of the biological parents. Your mother has already passed away, so you need the consent of Baron Darrow to be my daughter.”

“It's not like I don't know that, Duke. So what do I need?”

“As I said, Baron Darrow's consent, My Lady. Perhaps it will be quicker if you go directly to his estate.”

Rosemond scowled. She put forward a different alternative. “Can't you just do it through letter?”

“It might be less trouble if you go yourself, Lady Rosemond. It's not easy to go forward with adoption when a parent is still alive. It's against the values of the Empire.”

For a moment, Rosemond thought it would just be easier to kill Baron Darrow, but Duke Ephreney seemed to read her thoughts.

“You shouldn't think about useless things, My Lady,” he said. “If that happens, it'll only stir unnecessary gossip.”

“What do you think I'm thinking?” she asked innocently, but he did not answer. Rosemond grinned and waved her hand as if it were a joke. “Oh, Duke. I wouldn't do that.”

Duke Ephreney did not believe her. From his time with her, she knew she was an opportunistic woman. He sighed inwardly before he spoke.

“Even so, it will be easier to get permission from the Emperor to the estate.”

“Then I'll do it right now,” Rosemond said without hesitation.

After that, Duke Ephreney had nothing further to say. He left Bain palace, telling her to call him again after she went to the Darrow estate.

Rosemond asked Glara to give her another cup of rosemary tea. She spent several long moments thinking hard, then soon got up from her seat. She intended to go to Lucio right away and get his permission.

Duke Ephreney could not help but feel despondent. He was one of the chancellors of the esteemed triad, from one of the three most powerful families that supported the Empire. Yet he was treated like a work dog by a mere baroness. He couldn't even imagine how people would laugh at him if they found out, or how ashamed his family would be. He held no regrets for what he had done, save for the fact that Rosemond had found his weak point.

It was horrible to think that he would be a slave to her forever. He sighed deeply and recalled the night when everything started.

Two years ago.

At that time, Duke Ephreney's power was no different. He was one of the most powerful lords in the country, and one of the three pillars of the Empire. For a young lower-class noblewoman to request a meeting from him was a joke. He flatly refused Rosemond's invitation.

A short time later, however, another message forced him to straighten his back and hurriedly find out where Rosemond lived.

'I'm probably the only one who knows what happened eight years ago.'

Eight years ago. It was as if a lightning bolt had struck him just from that one phrase. What did Rosemond do to get that information?

As soon as Duke Ephreney found the young woman's location, he confronted her.

“How dare a daughter of a mere baron threaten a duke?” he snarled.

Rosemond was unfazed. “Duke, you don't seem to understand the situation yet.”

“What? How dare you—!”

“I wouldn't have called you for no reason at all.” She gave a mild smile and offered him a seat. “Sit down, My Lord. You'll have a lot to say when you see this.”

She placed something in front of him. After confirming what it was, Duke Elgy's face paled. His spirit of arrogance and anger had fled, and he trembled with fear in front of Rosemond.

“This…how is this…”

Chapter end