Lady To Queen Chapter 48

Chapter 48 – Do You Mean You Will Be A Spy?

How could anyone have predicted Duchess Ephreney to ask Petronilla for such a favor?

Petronilla was taken aback. However, human beings were innately more sensitive to problems they faced themselves, and in turn, they became desperate. They would even depend on those they believed to be their enemy.

“Ah, My Lady,” Petronilla said in a gentle voice. “No compensation is required. My family is not in dire need at the moment.”

Duchess Ephreney pressed on. “But…I feel ashamed just asking it of you.”

“If you insist, then you can do me a favor later, My Lady. That's all.”

“…Are you sure that's enough?”

“Of course, My Lady.” Petronilla gave a soft smile and clasped Duchess Ephreney's hands. “But I'm young and inexperienced…I don't know if that will be a problem for you,” she said in concern.

“At least you will do better than that woman. She doesn't know anything. I'd be more at ease leaving this to an educated noblewoman like yourself,” Duchess Ephreney said. After all, Petronilla was also the sister of the Queen. She wasn't likely to make mistakes because of her sister's status, and even if there were any problems, she had the resources to solve them. Duchess Ephreney did not select Petronilla on a mere whim.

Petronilla smiled in acknowledgment. “I think it will be a good experience. I might not be enough, but I'll do my best.”

“Thank you, young lady. Nothing big should happen. But the little things…they can be annoying.”

“Don't worry. If it's nothing big, then I can handle it.”

Petronilla gracefully stood up from her seat. She shouldn't stay too long today.

Duchess Ephreney looked at her with regretful eyes. “Oh, you're leaving already? You should stay a little longer.”

“My apologies, My Lady. The Queen is waiting for me. I didn't tell her I would stay this long, and she might worry. I also have to stop by at home…”

Duchess Ephreney nodded. “Well, then there's nothing I can do.”

While there was some initial awkwardness and discomfort between the two at first, those things had lost their meaning. Petronilla would now be the one to temporarily take charge of the Ephreney household. That meant that Duchess Ephreney had friendly feelings towards her.

Petronilla resisted the urge to let out a stunned laugh. She couldn't believe that Duke and Duchess Ephreney were so different.

“Well, I'll be going now, Duchess. You should take a rest too. You'll have to prepare for your trip.”

Duchess Ephreney smiled. “You're a dear. Thank you.”

“You're welcome. I just hope you have a safe trip. Then…”

Petronilla gave a final wave and stepped out of the door. As soon as she turned her head, a smile crossed her face. She wondered what this unexpected harvest would bring.

“I'm back, Rizi,” Petronilla announced.

Patrizia looked up from her desk from where she was reading some documents. “Sister.”

Petronilla approached and hugged Patrizia. “A lot happened, Rizi.”

“Do tell. I'm dying of curiosity.”

“I have news for you.” Petronilla seated herself in a chair, and Patrizia waited for her sister to speak.

Petronilla started with the end. “When Duchess Ephreney leaves the country, I'll be the one to take care of her household.”

“…What?” Patrizia said in total surprise. What did that mean?

Confusion registered on Patrizia's face, and Petronilla went on to explain. “I know, Rizi. It's not easy to understand. In fact, I was quite taken aback when I first received this offer.”

“Why did she ask you?”

“Listen. Duke Ephreney has a concubine, and the concubine has a son. The Duchess hates them terribly. But maybe that's a given.” Patrizia muttered the last part as if in afterthought. “Anyway, the Duchess fears that the concubine will threaten her position in her absence. Of course, the Duchess' position is too high to even acknowledge the concubine…but the Duke seems to love the concubine greatly.”

Patrizia nodded in understanding. Concubines seemed to be a problem in other places too. It looked like she wasn't the only noblewoman alone in this.

Petronilla continued. “The Duchess' son, who is supposed to succeed the Duke, is now ill. No wonder the Duchess is nervous.”

“So she's leaving you in charge of the household affairs because of that? That's quite serious,” Patrizia commented.

“That's what I thought too. But it was her idea, so I couldn't turn her down.”

“So you accepted?”

Petronilla nodded. “Yes. I said I would do it.”

“Why?” Patrizia asked with a slight frown. Frankly speaking, there was no reason for Petronilla to accept the Duchess's offer. Her husband, Duke Ephreney, was currently in a feud with the Queen. Why should they be friends with the enemy? Patrizia already had Duke Witherford on her side.

Petronilla seemed to read Patrizia's mind, and she answered in a calm voice. “I know what you're thinking, Rizi. It's true I won't lose anything by turning down the job, but if I accept it, I may have something to gain.”

“What do you mean?”

“To use the expression, I must have a heart of silence. I can manage it. The Duke won't be able to object to the Duchess' decision, since the household affairs fall under her authority.”

“What, do you mean you will be a spy?”

“Didn't you say you didn't know why Duke Ephreney hated you?” Petronilla asked, and Patrizia nodded. “If I'm lucky, maybe I can find out.”

“Yes. But I don't actually care about that.” Patrizia took her sister's hand. “I don't want to burden you. Managing a duke's household is not easy, even if it's only temporary.”

“I know,” Petronilla said with a bitter smile. “But it's really alright.”

Patrizia persisted. “You don't have any experience,” she pointed out.

“I'll be fine. Don't worry about it,” Petronilla answered dismissively.

Patrizia still felt uncertain about her sister's decision, but she brushed away the feeling and went on to another topic. “Well, something actually happened here too.”

Two things happened in such a short amount of time. Petronilla smiled encouragingly at Patrizia to urge her to talk, and she opened her mouth to explain.

“It's nothing big. Starting tomorrow, Rosemond will be gone from the palace for a few days.”

“Gone?” Petronilla said suspiciously.

Patrizia nodded. “I don't know why, but her destination is Baron Darrow. I'm curious about her reasons.”

“Well…” Petronilla murmured. If it were anyone else, it wouldn't be strange to miss one's parents; however, she could not imagine Rosemond having a caring bone in her body. Petronilla thought Rosemond's behavior was unusual, but she soon shook her head. “If you don't know the reason, then it doesn't make any difference. Anyway, you're so paranoid these days, Rizi. Take some time to relax.”

“It doesn't work, Nil,” Patrizia said in a frustrated voice. “I still have nightmares about that day.”

The room's mood sank heavily. Patrizia's reaction wasn't irrational—after all, she faced death itself on those hunting grounds. Even though Emperor Lucio had been injured and was in a coma, in some ways, Patrizia was the most traumatized by the incident.

Petronilla squeezed Patrizia's hand comfortingly. “I wish I could make you feel better. I'm sorry that I can't.”

“You already give me enough strength.”

It was true. Patrizia was in this very spot in hopes of saving her sister. Even in this difficult situation, Patrizia was fine as long as she was alive, and her family's necks weren't cut off by the guillotine.

“Don't worry about it,” Patrizia reassured.

“It's just that Rosemond has never done things trivially.”

“I know.”

Rosemond was the main instigator of all of Patrizia's problems. And Lucio was the cause of it.

Petronilla looked worriedly at Patrizia. “I think you've pushed yourself too hard today. You don't look well.”

“I never look well,” Patrizia quipped, and she gave a small chuckle afterwards. It wasn't something to laugh about, but she felt like smiling about something.

Recognizing Patrizia's feelings, Petronilla kissed her sister's forehead and tried to hide her sadness. “I'll go to the kitchen now and have the chef make your favorite chocolate strawberries. You can eat that, and then you should get some rest this evening.”

“Sorry, sister. I can't,” Patrizia said in a weary voice. “I have to turn in so many papers tomorrow. I'll be happy to have the chocolate though.”

Rosemond ordered her maids to pack, and she was momentarily lost in thought as she watched them work. Suddenly she wondered—how had her father been since she left? Did the Baron boast that his only daughter became the Emperor's favorite concubine?

Good lord, if he had an ounce of self-awareness, he would never do that. However, she knew he was a shameless person.

Rosemond clenched her teeth, and Glara looked at her curiously. “Lady Rosemond, are you alright?”

Rosemond shot the lady-in-waiting a glare. Although Glara also came from a baron family, they were both clearly different. A momentary surge of anger spiked in Rosemond. Part of her wished she became a mid-level lady-in-waiting like her. Maybe she would be happier if she lived like that!

“Miss Rosemond?” Glara ventured carefully, but Rosemond's anger slowly grew. Everything that happened to her Baron Darrow's fault. She wanted to tear away his flesh with a knife and throw away all his blood.

Even if he was dead, his blood was dirty and disgusting to her.

Chapter end