Lady To Queen Chapter 74

Chapter 74 – Please Give Me An Heir, Your Majesty

Rosemond applied her makeup wearing a grimmer expression than usual. Tonight was the one night where her destiny would be determined. As such, the maids were worked to the bone, but knowing that tonight was of the utmost importance for their lady, they did utter a single complaint.

After a long three hours, the preparations were complete, and Rosemond gave a satisfied expression. Everything was perfect.

“Where's the wine and the medicine?” she asked Glara.

As if she was waiting for her to ask, Glara showed both items in her hands. Rosemond nodded while another maid wrapped her entire body with a black shawl.

“You're certain that His Majesty is in the Central Palace right now?” Rosemond confirmed once more. She would be disappointed she went to the Central Palace only to find that he was not there. Glara nodded her head to dispel her worries.

“I have confirmed it, My Lady. You have no need to worry.”

“Good.”

Rosemond took a deep breath to relax herself before she exited the Bain Palace, her scarlet heels clacking against the floor. It was around 10:00 P.M. Thankfully, since it was dark, her attire didn't draw much attention from passersby.

“Your Majesty, Marchioness Ethylaire has come to see you,” a servant announced.

At the time, Lucio was attending to state affairs as usual. His lips pulled into a frown as soon as he heard who his visitor was. Ever since their fight on the terrace, Lucio hadn't faced Rosemond even once. Just as he was about to dismiss her from the palace, he heard that there was no choice but to make her the official concubine of the emperor.

Rosemond, clad in the black shawl, entered the room.

“Greetings to His Majesty, the Emperor. Glory to the Sun of the Empire.”

“What brings you here?” he asked her coldly. Rosemond wasn't the slightest bit fazed, and she calmly walked over to a table and set down a bottle of wine. Her rouge-colored lips perked into a charming smile.

“I was wondering if you could have a glass of wine with me tonight.”

“…I'm very busy. Go back.”

“How cold,” Rosemond pouted, but Lucio's icy demeanor didn't change. Feeling a little hurt by his attitude, she played her trump card.

“As a final act of kindness towards your former lover, please share a drink with me.”

“Please?”

“…Haah.”

With a big sigh, Lucio walked over to the table and sat down. Rosemond gave a smile of satisfaction as she took out the wine glasses from the tea cabinet. When she turned her back on Lucio, she quickly dumped the medicine into Lucio's glass while he wasn't looking before pouring the wine. Rosemond elegantly turned around with the two glasses of wine in her hands and walked back to the table. She handed the drugged glass to Lucio.

“Shall we have a toast?” she said in an elegant voice.

“Your Majesty, it seems that Rosemond has gone to the Central Palace.”

Patrizia, who was reading her book, grew suspicious upon hearing the news.

“Rosemond did?”

But to her knowledge, those two weren't on good terms anymore. So why…? Patrizia tilted her head in confusion.

“What is she planning this time?”

“Perhaps she's trying to seduce His Majesty.”

“…Probably.”

“Does it not bother you? It kind of irritates me,” Raphaella muttered in an annoyed voice tone. “Just what is she trying to do? Did she suddenly have the urge to get pregnant?”

“…That seems to be the case. She needs to have a baby in order to increase her chances of usurping my position as Queen.”

“Why are you so calm?”

“Raphaella,” Patrizia said with a quiet smile towards the irritated Raphaella. “Everything has a reason. Tonight, the only thing that I have to concern myself over is not letting His Majesty's favor go back to Rosemond again.”

“Don't worry. I don't plan on being an easy target anymore.”

Both Raphaella and Mirya looked at Patrizia with puzzled expressions—not knowing where her confidence was coming from—but stayed quiet, sensing that now was not the time to ask her. Patrizia rose from her seat, looking like the only relaxed person in the room.

“Shall we go for a walk? The moonlight is very beautiful.”

“I have no idea what you're trying to pull here,” Lucio stated coolly. “Why on earth are you suddenly doing this?”

“An ulterior motive, Your Majesty? Nonsense. Words like that wound me, as I'm also a human being.”

“Hah.” Lucio scoffed, but Rosemond looked untroubled as she took a sip of wine. Lucio automatically followed suit and took a sip from his glass. Rosemond smiled.

“It's a little hot.”

Rosemond removed her black shawl, and her womanly curves came into view. Lucio, however, continued to drink his wine without a single twitch.

Rosemond was dismayed. “Goodness, Your Majesty. Even though I put in all this effort, you still won't look at me?”

“Our relationship has already ended, so anything like that would be a disgrace—both to me and to you.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. After all, you are an honorable man.”

The scantily clad Rosemond gave a bewitching laugh before getting out of her seat. She then walked over to Lucio and pressed herself against his upper body, tempting him in a low, seductive voice.

“However, even a great emperor can be enticed by a prostitute.”

“You'd go to the extent of degrading yourself like this?”

“If there was a chance that they could sleep with you, Your Majesty, I'm sure many girls in the Imperial city would readily become a prostitute for that chance,” Rosemond said as she gently blew into his ear, but Lucio only sighed before pushing her off.

“It's best if you go back. We shared a drink together, so now…”

Just then, Lucio stopped talking. His face slowly reddened as he made a pained expression, and Rosemond gave a triumphant smile. She needed to reward the palace doctor handsomely. Not wanting to lose this chance, she got closer to Lucio again.

“Oh my, Your Majesty. What's wrong?”

“You… what did you put in the wine…?”

He seemed to be having a hard time making coherent sentences. Rosemond gave a wicked smile while feigning innocence.

“Goodness, Your Majesty. What are you saying? I drank it as well, yet I'm perfectly fine.”

“Haah… leave. Now.”

“Oh dear, Your Majesty, don't be like this.” Rosemond then seated herself on his lap before leaning into his ear and whispering, “If you do it once, you'll feel a lot better, Your Majesty.”

“There's no one that knows you as much as I do, right? Just like there's no one that knows me as much as you do.”

“That might have been the case in the past.” Lucio held back a groan behind his gritted teeth, barely keeping his desire in check. His endurance was impressive. “However, that's not the case anymore.”

“You're a fool.”

Rosemond smiled delightedly before planting her lips onto his. When she broke off the passionate kiss, she whispered into Lucio's ear just before he was about to come undone.

“Please give me an heir, Your Majesty.”

“Was that your ultimate goal? I applaud your determination.”

“It would make me even happier if you praised me on the bed.”

“Leave this instant,” Lucio growled in as much of a controlled voice as he could muster, but Rosemond only laughed as she teased him some more.

“No.”

“Oh really?”

Lucio smiled miserably.

“If you don't want to, then I will.”

With those words, Lucio shook Rosemond off and stormed out of the room. Though he seemed to be having a difficult time moving due to the effects of the aphrodisiac, he nevertheless pushed forward. Rosemond, who was now left alone, furrowed her brows deeply as she smiled tightly.

“It's too bad for you, Lucio. Despite your struggling, it's clear that you're still wrapped around my finger.”

Mirya sensed that Patrizia was feeling uneasy. Though Patrizia insisted that she was fine, only an absolute fool would miss that she was rattled by the news from the Central Palace. It would be so much better if she just admitted it, Mirya thought with a sigh.

“Shall I check on the state of the Central Palace, Your Majesty?” she asked.

“What do you mean, Mirya?” Patrizia replied, looking upset. “Why would you go there?”

“It's obvious that they're probably having sex right now, so it's no duty for the Queen to…”

Patrizia words suddenly stopped. Her eyes were fixed on something in the distance, and Mirya, thinking it strange, followed her gaze to see what it was.

“Is… isn't that His Majesty?” Mirya said in a strange voice.

“It seems like it is, but… what's he doing?”

Suspicion flickered on her face, Patrizia tilted her head before she began to walk, insisting to herself that it was just out of sheer curiosity. Mirya and Raphaella followed behind her.

Just when she was but a short distance away from Lucio, she saw his wild state.

“…What are you doing?” she asked in surprise.

He had a flushed face and hitched breath, shaky legs and an expression that screamed that he couldn't take it anymore. Seeing this, Patrizia realized that Rosemond had done something impertinent again. She inwardly scoffed. Hah, Rosemond. You're willing to go that far, huh.

“It seems that the Marchioness had done something audacious again.”

“….Haah.”

“Please go and embrace her, Your Majesty. You'll feel better afterwards,” Patrizia said harshly, her gaze cold.

“Sorry, Queen, but I can't do that,” Lucio said with a stiff smile.

“…What do you mean?”

“I'm saying that I have no intentions of embracing Marchioness Ethylaire.”

“If that's the case, then you can embrace some other palace girl. Congratulations, Your Majesty. If all goes well, then we might have a new addition to the royal family.”

“Haah…I won't do that either.”

“Then?” Patrizia was unable to hide her bewilderment. “What do you plan to do? If you don't satiate that desire, then the effects of the aphrodisiac won't go away. Do you wish to collapse like this?”

“That doesn't matter to me. Besides, this isn't anything of your concern, right?”

Unable to contain her rage, Patrizia snapped. “Yes, Your Majesty. I have impetuously intruded your affairs. I apologize.”

“However, I am still your queen. If you are in trouble, then naturally, I must assist you.”

With those words, Patrizia gave Mirya some orders.

“Mirya, bring Marchioness Ethylaire here.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Now! You dare to question my orders?”

However, Mirya shook her head with eyes that said that she would fulfill any order but that. Lucio grinned.

“Unfortunately, I have already turned down the Marchioness.”

“Then Mirya, bring a servant girl from the Queen's Palace whose appearance is acceptable—a pure and good girl.”

“Your Majesty…how on earth could I do that…”

“Now! His Majesty is on the brink of death, yet you think that's the problem?!”

“…You are quite skilled at making me miserable, Queen.”

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Chapter end