Lady To Queen Chapter 69

Chapter 69 – I Should Have Been Queen in the First Place

Rosemond continued to stay at Bain Palace even after receiving the title of Marchioness Ethylaire, as she didn't want to go to a bigger palace. Since she became princess, she had been living a life of perfect comfort these days.

“Marchioness, a lady of the Queen's Palace is here to see you.”

Rosemond gave a slight frown. She had been in the middle of reading a book, as there was nothing else to do. The guest, though unwelcome, was from the Queen's palace, and she couldn't just ignore them. With a curt voice, she called them in.

Mirya entered holding a small box tied with a pink ribbon. Rosemond questioned her with a haughty voice.

“What is it? It's rare for the Queen to send one of her ladies to me.”

“Her Majesty regretted not sending you a congratulatory present when you have become a princess. When you received the title of Marchioness, she thought that she shouldn't prolong her gift any longer.”

“A gift?”

Rosemond tilted her head in interest. With an air of arrogance that Mirya thought that not even a marchioness should show in the presence of a gift from the Queen, Rosemond opened the box. When the concubine saw what was inside, and her expression soon turned sour.

“It's…perfume?”

“It is a perfume made from the stereen herb. It is only grown in the East, so it is quite valuable.” Though Mirya disapproved of Rosemond's reaction, she nonetheless explained the gift in a polite voice, making sure not to let her inner thoughts show on her face.

“The scent is very nice. Her Majesty has good taste,” Rosemond said finally.

“Thank you, Marchioness.”

With that, Mirya hurried back to the Queen's Palace. Meanwhile, Glara looked at the gift Patrizia sent with an unsavory look. Rosemond sprayed the perfume onto her wrist before seeing Glara's expression.

“What's with the face? Do you dislike the Queen's gift?” Rosemond asked.

“Rather…isn't it a little suspicious that she suddenly sent you one?”

“It's a wise decision on her part,” Rosemond said with a smile as she closed the lid of the perfume bottle. “The Queen is infertile. Even trying to maintain her position as Queen is a tremendous task for her. I'm the only woman in the palace who can produce an heir. If I were in her position, I'd probably do the same to save myself.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The only thing left for us to do is for me to give birth to a prince and for that prince to become the heir. When His Majesty dies, all I have to do is feed the deposed Queen poison for me to ascend to the throne as Queen Dowager.”

“Indeed, my lady. You are correct,” Glara replied with an upward curl of her lips. However, there was one thing that worried her. Ever since Rosemond and Lucio had the argument on the terrace, Lucio hadn't stepped foot into Bain Palace. Glara gave a sigh.

Rosemond lifted a brow. “Why are you sighing now?”

“His Majesty…hasn't come to Bain Palace for a while now.”

“I'm still only twenty-seven years old. There's still plenty of time for me to have a child.”

Rosemond took out the stereen perfume again and spritzed her collar bone area. It was a sweet yet elegant smell.

“Besides, there's no way that His Majesty, who emphasizes so much on social status, would dare try to have the Crown Prince with a title-less lady over a royal concubine. Even if that were the case, all I have to do is use a little 'handiwork' to get pregnant.”

“You seem to be very skilled.”

“Be it with a love potion or an aphrodisiac,” Rosemond replied, in a tone that said she didn't think there was anything wrong with that. “The end justifies the means.”

Meanwhile, Petronilla decided—after serious contemplation—to visit Sir Bradington. She had already made enough excuses to push back her date with Rothesay, but since she said she would contact him first, she felt the need to uphold that promise. Upon Petronilla's arrival at the Bradington estate, the butler was very surprised.

“Oh my, Lady Petronilla. So you really came. To be completely frank, I was quite surprised when I received word of your visit…”

“Ah… Is the good sir inside?”

“He is waiting in the living room. Please, come in.”

Petronilla felt awkward about this first visit, but she smoothed out her dress and gracefully walked into the living room. The first thing that caught her eye upon entering the living room was a neatly dressed Rothesay. Without even realizing it herself, Petronilla let out an awkward chuckle.

“It has been a while, sir.”

“I thought I would go crazy from waiting, my lady. Please, take a seat.”

Rothesay poured the tea himself. Petronilla took a sip, and she looked at her cup in surprise.

“Whoever brewed this tea has unparalleled skill. I don't believe I've had such delicious tea before.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Lady Petronilla. It's been a while since I brewed tea, so I was a little worried. I'm so glad you enjoy it.”

“…I'm sorry?”

At his words, Petronilla was completely taken aback. Wait. Does that mean this tea…

“Yes, I personally brewed this tea.” Rothesay finished her thoughts for her. “I'm truly glad that you find it to your liking.” He said these words with a kind smile.

With a dazed expression Petronilla murmured, “I… I didn't expect that you would have brewed this tea. That is… I don't believe I've met a man who knows how to brew tea.”

“Yes. Truth be told, I'm a bit of a rare case,” Rothesay acknowledged with a smile as he refilled Petronilla's tea cup. “Hearing your compliments has delighted me. It's quite the honor.”

I mean, I don't think it's to the extent of it being an honor…

At his flowery words, a small, awkward smile graced Petronilla's lips. After taking a few more sips of the tea, Petronilla finally explained why she was unable to meet up sooner.

“These days, I… I was really out of my mind. If you're even slightly familiar with the matters of the palace, then you would know that recently…”

“Yes, I have heard. Though I try not to involve myself with politics and matters of the royal family, it can't be denied that the Emperor taking in an official royal concubine is quite important.” Rothesay lowered his voice. “I am a little worried about Her Majesty.”

Petronilla's expression turned downcast. “She acts like it's nothing, but I'm sure that she received a large blow to her heart.” Her voice turned quiet. “I should have been queen in the first place…”

“I'm sorry?”

“It's nothing.”

Petronilla covered her little slip with a calm smile. Rothesay didn't question her further, and instead casually steered the conversation towards another topic.

“I understand. Considering the situation, of course you would have been busy. You already have quite the task looking after Her Majesty the Queen.”

“Thank you for understanding, sir. I've been having a hard time mentally and physically.”

“I'm sorry. Then we should have prolonged the date to a later time.”

“I didn't think I could do that, as I've already prolonged it so much. That is why I came to see you today. A promise is still a promise…” She then spoke in a clearer voice than before. “I believe I must keep my promises. I shall meet you on the day that you decide next, sir.”

“I said this previously, but it doesn't matter what day or time we meet, my lady, so long as I can spend any amount of time with you.”

Upon hearing his sweet words, Petronilla's will to resist fell close to zero as her face flushed a bright red, though it was only for a split second. Petronilla cleared her throat. Why must he suddenly force his way into my heart like this? She was completely flustered.

“Then… hm, when would be a good time…?”

“It's alright, Nilla. Please do as you wish.”

“Sorry?” Petronilla asked, shocked. Rothesay gave an embarrassed smile before replying,

“Ah… I apologize if I offended you…”

“I suppose it's rather early for nicknames… right?”

“Er…”

Petronilla was distressed. She was probably the only woman who would feel this conflicted when put in a situation like this. After thinking for a while, she let out a sigh before speaking.

“Yes, it does feel too soon… Will you consider calling me that farther down the road?”

Realizing that it wasn't a complete rejection, Rothesay happily accepted. “It would be an honor, my lady.”

“That's taking it rather far…”

Petronilla averted her eyes, embarrassed, and Rothesay paid no mind, smiling as brightly as ever. Seeing the man who seemed to smile every two minutes, Petronilla couldn't help but laugh.

“Tomorrow… please come to the Grochester estate.” Even as she said that, Petronilla couldn't stop thinking about it. Nilla. Nil. It's just this one time. Don't give him your heart. Don't open your heart. Stay alert. Take caution. “I will be waiting.”

Despite that, Petronilla couldn't help herself.

Ah, it's been a while since my heart's pounded like this.

“…So you won't be coming tomorrow?” Patrizia asked with a smile on her face after she heard Petronilla's explanation. Petronilla quietly nodded, and Patrizia burst into a fit of giggles.

“It seems that our Nilla is finally going to get married. Don't even think about showing up at the palace for the entire day, Nil.”

“Don't tease me.”

The sight of her older sister protesting with such a red face was so cute that Patrizia laughed once again.

After walking for some time, Petronilla finally called her little sister's name.

“Patrizia.”

“Yes, Petronilla?”

“I think you changed a little.”

At those words, Patrizia stopped her stroll, and the people around her halted in suit.

“Me?” she asked lightly.

“Yeah.”

“How so? Would you mind telling me?”

“You seem more relaxed than before.”

“Relaxed…” Patrizia laughed. “You're right. I am relaxed.”

“Why?”

“That's because I…” After a brief pause, the corners of her lips raised into a smile. “…realized that I'm infertile, I guess?”

They were words that didn't match the smile that was on her face. Though Petronilla slightly recoiled upon the mention of it, Patrizia seemed unperturbed. Patrizia continued calmly.

“I feel relaxed now that I've discarded my ambitions.”

“And a person who has nothing to lose has no choice but to feel relaxed,” Patrizia told Petronilla, still smiling. “Dear sister, I have nothing to lose now. This is a position that I will forever have until God decides to cast me aside, and if that ever happens, there shouldn't be any harm done to the Grochester family.”

Yes, you've definitely changed, Patrizia. You've…

“In other words, I'm in a position where I can do anything.”

…become more secretive. Petronilla murmured, more to herself. “Then what about your situation now? Are you satisfied with it?”

“Does it matter?” Patrizia let out a soft laugh. “There's no such thing as personal satisfaction in a place like this. If I really had to find something that I'm satisfied with… it'd be the fact that I have you and the other girls with me… I guess?”

“…I see.”

That was all Petronilla could reply with, and with that, they continued their walk. When Patrizia reached the familiar back garden, she also saw a familiar person there, and the smile that had made a home on her lips instantly vanished. Petronilla, seeing this, knew at once who it was.

Chapter end