Lady To Queen Chapter 81

Chapter 81 – Just Don't Get Caught

“Say that again. What?” Rosemond, now awake, spoke to Glara in an angry voice. The lady-in-waiting repeated the news looking like a kicked puppy.

“The news is that Their Majesties were together at the Central Palace yesterday.”

“Both at the palace? Yesterday? What? How?”

“His Majesty had another episode yesterday.”

“Then you should have woken me up!”

Glara looked tearful. “I found them at the Central Palace. But you told me that you were going to sleep more, and said not to wake you up.”

God damn it, Rosemond swore openly. If that was the case, she knew what possibly happened there. If the Emperor relied on compassion when he was weak…not to mention when that woman was at the Central Palace, then…!

 

“Aaaagh!” Rosemond screamed in frustration.

“My Lady, calm down!”

“Why isn't everything going as planned?”

Of course, Rosemond didn't have to worry about this because the Queen was barren, but… she still felt terrible. Lucio was a man she thought was her own. Although their relationship had been rocky as of late, she thought things would settle down if she were quiet for a bit.

'Did I misjudge?'

“Glara,” Rosemond said with a quavering voice.

“Yes, My Lady.”

“Contact January and hire an assassin.”

 

“For the Queen, again?” Glara said timidly. The period of time was too short, but Rosemond was obstinate.

“Now! At this rate, I'll never be able to get the queen's seat. Ever. Do you want that to happen?”

“M-My Lady, aren't there other ways? This one is too dangerous—”

“We may have failed last time, but we didn't get caught,” Rosemond said in a grim voice. “Just don't get caught again, Glara. This has to stay secret.”

“…Yes, My Lady.” Glara nodded, unable to break down the wall of Rosemond's stubbornness. “I will send a letter to Madame January. But My Lady, the timing…?”

“I'll figure out when it's time. Just send the letter. Tell them to put the funds in my name.”

“Yes, My Lady. I will do that.”

Rosemond thought this was a chance to end everything. She would pull out all the stops on this occasion. Her patience was getting worse, and she was getting older.

“She treats me like an errand boy,” January grumbled as she read the letter in secret. Although they had joined hands in pursuit of mutual benefit, Rosemond was crossing the line far too often these days.

“Well, when Rose becomes the queen and I become a duchess, this will all be over.”

January would just have to wait a little longer. Until then, she would have to bear this a little more.

She quietly recited Rosemond's letter once again, then placed it in her jewelry box. Rosemond always ended her messages with “Please burn this letter”, but January never did so. She knew Rosemond's nature better than anyone else, and burning the letters was absolutely impossible. How can I trust you? January snorted.

Rosemond would drop January at a moment's notice once she was in trouble or if her partner inconvenienced her. No, she may even blame her for all the crimes. In order to prevent that from happening, and so that she wouldn't die alone, January had been gradually collecting all the evidence. Of course, it was a secret for other people to carry to the grave.

-Knock knock.

There was a knock on the door, and January quickly closed the jewelry box with a click.

“Yes, come in,” she said quickly. It was the butler that came in through the door. “What is it, Butler?” she asked in a casual voice.

“Lady Grochester has delivered a precious snack food, and she wishes for you to eat it, Madame January.”

“A precious snack food?”

“It is said to be a delicacy enjoyed only by the royal family, and it is said to taste delicious.”

“Really?” The news widened the eyes of the sweets-loving January. She gave a hum and nodded her head. “Alright. I'll go downstairs.”

She was so excited that she forgot to put away the jewelry box containing the letters in its original place, and immediately went down the stairs.

“Oh, it's so delicious,” January moaned, savoring the snacks that Petronilla had sent. The combination of sweet and savory was perfect for January's taste.

“Please eat as much as you like,” Petronilla said with a smile. “If you wish, I'll send you more.”

“Ah, really?”

“Of course,” Petronilla said with an awkward smile.

“But why would you suddenly give me a gift like this…?” January asked.

“Ah, it is indeed sudden, Madame. But I've felt regretful as of late.” Petronilla evoked her talent of sociability from her last life. “It's because you're a beautiful person.” She sipped her black tea. Was it tea?

“And I'm a lover of beauty,” she added smoothly.

“Oh, you're good at talking.”

January had pent-up frustration for being trapped in the house because of her position as concubine, and Petronilla's visit was not unwelcome. She began to relax at Petronilla's conversation and the treats she brought.

“So that's why I bought Her Highness' dress—”

“Ah, wait a moment,” Petronilla interrupted with a pretty smile. “Excuse me for a moment, Madame. I guess I drank too much tea,” she said awkwardly.

January gave an understanding nod. “Feel free. I'll be waiting.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Madame.”

Petronilla bowed elegantly, then rushed up the stairs as if she were in a hurry to use the bathroom. As January waited, she enjoyed the snacks Petronilla brought, but then froze when a sudden bolt of suspicion stopped her.

'Wait a moment. Isn't the bathroom on the first floor?'

This girl…

January hastened to her room. However, when she went inside, there was no one there. She quickly and quietly ruffled through her jewelry box.

“One, two, three, four…” There were a total of seventeen letters, and fortunately none were missing. January breathed a sigh of relief and closed the box.

“…What are you doing?” a voice said from behind.

January was startled and she gave a scream. She put her hand on her chest, and her eyes fell upon Petronilla, who was staring at her with an enigmatic look.

“I didn't want to eat more snacks,” January said.

“Ah…I was just trying to check…”

“There's a bathroom on the first floor…”

“…Ah.”

“Why did you come up to this floor?” January said with a forced smile.

“Oh, I don't know, Madame.”

“But the Duchess told me that the bathroom was on the second floor…. I didn't know it was on the first.”

“I hope that you weren't offended.”

“No, no,” January said smilingly. “It's alright, My Lady. Never mind.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Madame.” Petronilla gave a charming smile and approached January, pretending to be friendly. “Come now, shall we go down and have a chat again?”

“Where did Nilla go?” Patrizia asked Mirya as she handed over some papers. The lady-in-waiting replied without delay.

“She went to Duke Ephreney's residence.”

“Ah,” Patrizia murmured in understanding. “She must be busy finishing work.”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Patrizia then spoke in a calm voice. “Has there been any news from home? I've been neglecting contact with my parents lately.”

Patrizia's father, Marquis Grochester, was certainly a high-ranking aristocrat who participated in politics, but he did not show his presence much. That was his usual personality, and ever since his daughter became the queen, he had been more careful. Patrizia was grateful for her father's attitude, but at the same time she felt sorry.

“Come to think of it, my mother's birthday is in a few days.” Patrizia thought for a moment. “Raphaella, can you come with me?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm.” Patrizia's momentary worries were eased, and she gave a small nod of her head. “Then will you arrange for the outing starting tomorrow?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Patrizia gave a slow smile. “Mirya, send a letter to my father. I will visit him in three days.”

'I can't let her in this house anymore,' January muttered to herself as she paced the room. Her intuition told her that Lady Petronilla was dangerous. This was the same feeling when she first met Duchess Ephreney. Such moments of intuition were rare. Moreover, Duchess Ephreney expressed open hostility to herself, while Petronilla did not—like a hunter waiting for prey to be caught in a trap…

January swept her eyes nervously around the room, then pushed the jewelry box out of sight. Her agonizing returned a moment later.

“When will Duchess Ephreney return?”

In truth, it was quite difficult for a concubine to maintain special favor. January made several noises of frustration, but then started when someone opened the door. There was an unexpected figure standing there. Once she saw who it was, her face brightened.

“Oh, Jacob.”

It was her young son. She quickly approached him and lifted him into her arms.

“What's wrong, sweetheart? Why are you in your mother's room?” she asked affectionately. Jacob was raised by a nanny since he had half-noble blood, even if the other half was from a concubine. It was incomprehensible for a commoner like January, but she followed the rules of the house.

“Nanny is suddenly crying, Mom,” Jacob whined to his mother.

“Nanny?” January said in a puzzled voice. Elena, Jacob's nanny, was a woman who did not shed tears.

“Why?” January asked.

“I don't know,” Jacob answered with a shake of his head. Sensing that something big must have happened, January opened the door and went out.

“What's going on, Butler?”

The butler looked on with his usual expressionless face. She didn't like it somehow, and she continued with a sharper voice.

“I heard that Elena was crying in front of my child. You have to be careful in front of him—”

“Please understand, Madame.” Somehow, the butler's voice sounded like it was on edge. January flinched without realizing it. There was something wrong.

“…Something happened, right?” she asked.

The butler said nothing. When she looked at him closely, she saw that his eyes were red. January patiently waited for the butler's words. A moment later, he opened his dry lips and spoke.

“The Young Master…”

There was only one person in this family called by that title—Henry, Duchess Ephreney's son.

January could almost taste what was coming. “The Young Master…? Why? What happened?”

“…He has passed away.”

At that, January had to push down the wide smile that immediately threatened to spread on her face.

Chapter end