Lady To Queen Chapter 78

Chapter 78 – Because I Was Your Husband's Wife

Patrizia wanted to ask Lucio directly, rather than hearing it from Rosemond.

“You can ask me anything,” Lucio said.

“Is there a flower that you do not like?”

At the question, Lucio's face stiffened momentarily before continuing in a knowing voice. “So the Marchioness brought this up, I assume?”

“…Yes.”

“I do have a flower that I don't like—rather, it'd be better say that I despise it.”

 

Patrizia had an idea as to what it was, but she remained silent for now.

“It's sage. The flower that the late deposed queen liked,” Lucio answered in a grief-stricken voice.

“I was beaten in secret amidst a garden filled with sage flowers. That's why even now, just the sight of a sage flower makes me have a seizure.”

He looked at Patrizia with an indifferent expression as he said this, but Patrizia couldn't meet his gaze. Lucio's eyes filled with hurt.

“What, do you think I'm a monster?”

“I have never thought that,” Patrizia calmly denied. “The monster is undoubtedly the late Queen. A victim can never become a monster.”

“You can't look at me in the eyes though.”

“I'm just unsure as to how to react to your words…” Patrizia said hesitantly. “I was simply taken aback, Your Majesty. Please do not misunderstand.”

“I know. I know that you're not that type of person.”

 

Lucio gave a weak smile, and Patrizia's heart twisted uncomfortably. She spoke with a little more strength in her voice.

“But why did she mention that sto—”

It was then that Patrizia had a sudden realization, her face turning pale. Could… could it be? No, there's no way. She began to tremble. Lucio became startled at the sight.

“Patrizia? What's wrong? Are you not feeling well agai—”

“Your Majesty, we need to…!”

Just as she lurched out of her seat to run off somewhere, someone blocked her way. It was Mirya.

“Mirya? What's wrong?” Patrizia asked her with a bewildered expression.

“Ah, thank goodness you were here, Your Majesty.” Mirya gave a relieved smile. “It's time to present the birthday flowers.”

“…Already?” Patrizia asked in a slightly panicked tone.

“Is there a problem?” Mirya asked, voice laced with confusion.

 

With a stiff expression, Patrizia looked back at Lucio.

“Fuck.” The swear tore out of her mouth.

Rothesay was in a frenzy, trying to look for Petronilla. She definitely said that she would be better in time to attend the banquet, yet he couldn't find her anywhere.

“Could it be that she's still feeling unwell?” he said worriedly to himself.

Her seemingly poor health worried Rothesay. He decided to buy her an herbal tonic on his way back. He got hit by the rain as much as—no, more than Petronilla, considering the fact that he tried to shield her from the rain, yet he was perfectly fine, and she was down with a cold. With anxious eyes, he scanned the area, looking for Petronilla. He then spotted a woman that resembled Petronilla, and with a bright smile, he called out to her.

“Petronil…”

However, Rothesay stopped himself. Because that woman was running off somewhere with an urgent expression. Thinking that something was up, Rothesay slowly lowered the arm he outstretched towards her before scratching at his head. I guess I can ask her about it later.

 

Before Patrizia re-entered the banquet hall with Lucio, she took his hand. Lucio stared at her, taken aback from the sudden form of skinship that was initiated by her, and Patrizia stared back with an expression that looked like she was about to cry.

“What's wrong, Queen? You look like something grave has happened. It's not like you.”

At those words, Patrizia squeezed the hand that she was holding. “…Your Majesty,” she said shakily, “there's something that I wish to tell you.”

“Whatever it is, say your mind.”

“No matter what happens from here on…please do not be shocked.”

“…What?”

“You must promise me this. Will you be able to stay calm in any circumstance?”

“What are you say—…”

Though he was full of confusion and suspicion, he couldn't say anything else upon looking at Patrizia's desperate expression and simply nodded. Just what is going on to make her look like that and make a promise like that? Lucio's face turned serious.

“I didn't do this. I would never…” she stammered.

 

“What's wrong Queen? You're acting quite strange today.”

“For the sake of our honor, for the sake of the Imperial family's honor,” Patrizia rigorously insisted, “Please…”

“Alright. No matter what happens, you need not worry.”

With those words, Patrizia seemed to calm down a little, but she still looked anxious. Lucio and Mirya's confusion only grew. Slightly on edge, Lucio finally entered the banquet hall. He sat down at the highest seat in the room, and the party guests all greeted them in unison.

“Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress. Glory to the Mavinous Empire.”

“I thank you all for coming today,” Lucio said briefly. Patrizia still looked anxious. In an attempt to put her at ease, Lucio held her hand. In turn, Patrizia placed her other trembling hand on top of his.

'So long as he's able to endure it, nothing will happen. There won't be any problems, Patrizia, so calm down.'

She repeated this over and over whilst forcing a smile.

“Your Majesty, we will now present the birthday flowers that Her Majesty the Queen has prepared. Ladies, come ins—…”

“Please wait!”

 

Suddenly, an urgent voice interrupted her. Everyone's eyes were directed to one person. Upon seeing who it was, Patrizia gasped in surprise.

“Petronilla…!”

“Greetings to His and Her Majesty. Glory to the empire.”

It was Petronilla. With a confused expression, Lucio spoke.

“Lady Grochester? What is the matter?”

“Since it is the first birthday of Your Majesty that my sister, the Queen, prepared flowers for, she thought it would be quite impressive if I presented the flowers to you myself. Would you allow this humble servant to present you your birthday flowers, Your Majesty?”

“Sounds fine to me. Isn't that so?”

“But Your Majesty, that would go against preceden—!”  Rosemond protested, but Patrizia cut her off. With a shaking voice, Patrizia called out to her.

“Marchioness Ethylaire.”

 

“This is something that the Moon of the Empire granted permission for. Is there a problem with that?”

Seeing Rosemond bite her lip confirmed Patrizia's suspicions. Without realizing it, a cold expression appeared on Patrizia's face, though she quickly shifted it back to normal.

“Please continue, Lady Petronilla,” she said warmly.

“Her Majesty has poured all of her grace…” Petronilla gave a cold smile, “…into preparing this gift, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

As she said those words, Petronilla took off the cloth that was covering the box. In the box were…

“This is Her Majesty's sincerity, Your Majesty the Emperor. Please accept them.”

Amaryllis flowers of a deep, crimson hue with a white center. Petronilla was smiling, but Patrizia couldn't do the same.

“How…” she said in shock.

“They're beautiful flowers, Queen. The red and the white compliment each other wonderfully. Do you like Amaryllis flowers?”

Lucio gave a carefree smile before continuing.

“Since I received such an amazing present, I should give you something in return.”

“…There's no need.”

“No need to refuse.” He gave a bright grin.

“Right now… there's nothing that I desire,” she murmured dazedly.

“I'm sure you have at least one thing.”

“If you really insist, then…” Without even realizing what she was saying, Patrizia continued on. “Will you be able to listen to a wish of mine at any time?”

“A simple thing. Of course I will.”

With those words, Lucio gave a satisfied smile before raising the cocktail that was beside him.

“A toast to the prosperity of the empire.”

When the birthday presentation was finished, Patrizia staggered off the podium. She stared at her older twin sister with a shocked expression. Petronilla looked back at her little sister calmly. With a trembling voice, Patrizia spoke.

“Petronilla.”

“…Yes, Rizi?”

“Nilla, are you really…”

Patrizia had a face that looked like she would burst into tears any second. She murmured in a voice filled with disbelief.

“Nil, is… is this what I think it is?”

“Is it?”

“What are you thinking, Rizi?”

“How did you know?” Patrizia asked, her voice empty. “How… how…”

“Because, at one point…”

Petronilla gave a cool smile.

“I was your husband's wife.”

THUD. Patrizia's heart dropped. She collapsed onto the floor in shock. Petronilla, who had knelt down on one knee next to her, greeted Patrizia in a tearful voice.

“It's been a long time, Lady Patrizia,”

“…Ah.”

“My precious twin sister.”

Petronilla's eyes were brimming with tears.

Chapter end