Chapter 11 - CHAPTER 9. WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A DEAL

“Yes.”

“Since you came out like this, it must be true.”

“Yes.”

He did not deny it. What was so good about his actions that he could be so confident. Of course, the choosing of the Empress was not his decision alone, and it wasn’t so strange to have someone else to love besides the Empress.

In a certain light, this man was also pitiful? Because of his status as Emperor, he could not become a formal married couple with his loved one. Of course, from the Empress’s point of view, there was no waste like him.

“Then the reason you came to me was to say something like, don’t treat the woman in a free manner?”

“Correct. You’re pretty smart.”

This was the first time a compliment felt so unpleasant. Patrizia realized for the first time in her life that a compliment could be a stronger weapon than a curse.

“The Emperor’s love and favor, I don’t expect any of this. There will be no reason to do anything to the mistress as long as there aren’t any special circumstances.”

“That is good.”

“If so…”

Patrizia decided to make a deal.

“What will Your Majesty do for me?”

“…What?”

His face was slightly crinkled from the unexpected question. However, Patrizia did not show any change in her expression and calmly added, “If there is something that goes, then there must be something that comes. I gave up two important things as an Empress. Your Majesty’s intimate favor and retribution towards the mistress. Since I’ve solved two of your problems, your Majesty should give me similar conditions that are reasonable.”

“Are you trying to make a deal with me now?”

“Your Majesty, will not be dealt a losing hand. It is not something unreasonable to ask.”

“…”

Lucio stared at Patrizia speaking so steadily and then opened his mouth.

“Okay. Say it first.”

“There are two things. The first, the next Emperor, will be my child.”

“…The second?”

“The second is … don’t make a child with that person who is the mistress.”

Patrizia did not wish for anything. The best revenge she wanted was to see the Emperor die and she would become the Queen Dowager, and watch her grown son becoming Emperor. At any rate, the mistress was a position that was only treated well while the Emperor stayed alive. So it was not difficult to do anything she wanted after the Emperor had passed on.

And asking him not to make a child with Rosemond… was Patrizia’s last pride. And, above all, it was about her own safety. If Rosemond gave birth to a prince before Patrizia, she might have a lot of trouble that threatened her well-being.

In the worst case, her child could possibly inherit the throne. It was something that never, never, ever could come to be.

“Will you be able to protect me?”

“Ha, all right.”

He laughed piteously, then took off from the seat he had occupied. Patrizia rose up slowly from her spot. There was no emotion in her face, while there was a bit of anger on Lucio’s face.

He walked as quickly and left the room without telling her he would be leaving. Patrizia then sighed and collapsed into her seat.

At least for now, this was enough.

Patrizia woke up alone in bed the next day and sent Rafaella a letter asking if she could become her bodyguard. The truth was, she was the only person she could trust right now. Even more so, her life was at stake, and it was dangerous to have anyone be her knight.

Rafaella easily accepted the offer. Of course, she would have to return to her home to fulfill her duties when the Marquis of Bringstone passed away, but since he wasn’t too far in his years, at least until she gave birth to the future heir he would stay alive.

Rafaella made the decision and entered the palace the very next day.

She was invariably beautiful in her armor instead of the dresses she usually wore. Rafaella, who now looked upon her friend as Queen Patrizia rather than Lady Patrizia as she became aware of the situation, and greeted her with the manners of a knight.

“Your Majesty’s servant, Rafaella Bringstone, greets you.”

“Sir Rafaella, please rise.”

It was still awkward to speak this way to a friend, but now there was no choice.

This was the Imperial Palace, and there were too many constraints to do as one pleased. However, Patrizia tried to reduce the distance as much as possible, helping Rafaella get up. Raffaella smiled and told Patrizia, “After you became Empress, you became more beautiful.”

“What are you saying. It’s embarrassing to hear. First, sit down.”

When Mirya gave the two women their tea and left the room, Rafaella relaxed her words. She looked as if she had been waiting, and made a face as if she finally felt alive.

“Ah, it’s awkward. I don’t know when this will begin to work.”

“Of course it’s awkward because it’s the first time. Don’t you think we will get used to it in time? But when we are alone, please treat me the same. I’ll forget how to say informally at this rate.”

“Don’t kill me later because I’m not being polite. The first night … Did you do well?”

To Rafaella, who immediately moved on to the secret conversation, Patrizia merely stirred her head. That first night together, they had just talked with hostile looks, and it was over. At Patrizia’s words, Rafaella looked in disbelief.

“But… why? No way, was that really true?”

“Yep.”

It was Rafaella who felt her insides burning from anger at the calm reply. How could this situation be so peaceful?! Rafaella said to Patrizia with a look that was taken aback.

“Lizzy, no Your Majesty. This is a serious problem. You know how minimal the Empress’ position will be without sexual favor.”

“I know. But this is something I can’t do within my power, Ella. You know too. No matter how much I try to gain His Majesty’s heart, his heart will not change. I’d rather plan for the distant future.”

“That’s an answer typical of you. But Lizzy … I don’t think things are going to go exactly as you want.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I were His Majesty’s mistress, I would drag you down.”

Rafaella said this with a serious look. The Empress’ failure to receive the Holy Seed would not result in her being deposed as she was also the daughter of a Marquis.

But if she were the Emperor’s mistress, she would somehow bring down Patrizia. Therefore, even after the death of the Emperor, her position could not be guaranteed.

“Lizzy, it’s not the time to take it easy. You understand my words?”

“Yeah.”

It was something that she didn’t understand above and beyond. Actually, Rosemond had done this in her previous life. And Patrizia, would not stay put if she tried again in this life. Beyond getting her revenge, it was a matter of the lives of herself and her family.

In the Marvinus Empire, menopause meant death. So that would mean there would be no nobly disposed Empress. Before she was to be called by that, she would have disappeared like the morning dew.

“Don’t worry, Ella. I’m not going to let things go that way.”

“Yes, I believe in you. You’re smart. Just always be careful.”

“You’ll protect me, won’t you?”

“In physical terms of course. But other than that, the political portion, I’m not confident. You know that.”

“That’s plenty. Thank you enough for that.”

“That’s a relief then.”

Rafaella laughed thinly. If anyone wanted to threaten Patrizia’s life, she would eliminate them. But if that wasn’t the way she didn’t have confidence. That part was not in her area. Rafaella spoke in a soft voice.

“His Majesty’s infidelity may just be as a deviant for now, Lizzy. I wish you won’t close your heart.”

“Is that so.”

Patrizia replaced her answer with vague words. No, Rafaella. This is not a deviation. If it had been about deviating, he wouldn’t have been so cold to her sister, had raised the station of a mere Baroness Rosemond to that of a Marquis, and eventually, the Queen’s position wouldn’t have been given away.

So, Rafaella, her heart had already closed. At least towards that man, there wouldn’t be a chance of opening her heart to him.

Rosemond opened her eyes late in the morning. With her eyes still sleepy, Rosemond stared at Lucio, who was sleeping next to her.

Handsome, my husband. Rosemond, first fondly looked at him, and that changed to looking slyly and began to grope his body. Since he said there was no ordinance today, it wouldn’t be bad to do it once more.

“Ooh!”

Lucio, who opened his eyes for a moment, pinned Rosemond roughly to the bed. Instead of biting his lips, he bit her reddened collarbone and opened his mouth in a muffled voice, “Why are you so not scared?”

“I don’t have any fear towards you, Your Majesty.”

She laughed seductively and she boldly swept his chest. He laughed low and told Rosemond.

“I was in the Empress’ Palace yesterday.”

“I must have cried, then.”

She swept down his chest with her long index finger.

“All night long. While missing you, Your Majesty.”

“So that’s why I’ve been with you all night. Even, after all that yesterday, it still isn’t enough?”

“I always believe Your Majesty thinks it is lacking. You know.”

Her fingers gradually hit the dangerous spot. He warned.

“…It’s the morning. You should stop.”

“Really?”

“When I start now, I don’t know when I’ll let go.”

“Well … it doesn’t matter if you don’t let me go until night.”

She briefly laughed, and she finally made the dangerous hand gestures. He sighed. She was always energetic. He didn’t hate it for sure and rather welcomed it. He acted as if he had no choice and took charge of her lips while passing off the responsibility.

“You were the one to tempt me first.”

“Yes. I was the one that tempted you first.”

It had surely been a clear and bright morning, but two people were wandering in the night. And that night, perhaps, would go on until the sun was placed in the middle of the next day.

Patrizia’s mind was already set before the wedding to disregard Lucio’s private life and focus on doing her duties properly.

She entered as the Empress, and not as someone to serve the Emperor at night.

She didn’t want to get caught up, and at least if she dealt with the imperial work accordingly, she could get help in the future if she was ever in an unfavorable position. Maybe she could even gather public sympathy.

“I see the moon of the noble Empire. Glory to Your Majesty.”

The Duchess of Efreni found Patrizia and greeted her politely. In the past, the Duchess of Efreni had been in charge of the work, but Patrizia was now the owner of the palace, the chief decision-maker had to be changed.

Patrizia made a kind smile and the Duchess of Efreni responded to it, “It’s been a long time since I saw you, Duchess Efreni. I hope you’ve been doing well.”

“Due to the grace of the New Moon, I have been well, Your Majesty. Thank you for your attention.”

Then she made intentional eye contact towards the maids, and soon the maids standing behind her approached her desk and laid down a vast amount of papers. Patrizia almost frowned without knowing, but barely endured not making a face. She calmly asked, “What are these documents?”

“You know, in the last 10 years I have been in charge of everything pertaining to the Imperial Palace.”

The Imperial work had been the responsibility of Duchess Efreni since the time of the past Emperor, in the place of the one who made the final decisions—the Empress.

Since the abdication of Empress Alyssa, she had handled her affairs alone without another Empress being introduced again, and this was why most of the Imperial staff had followed her as the head of the Imperial Household.

“I brought them thinking you might as well know about these documents. You will be comfortable in familiarizing yourself with everything.”

“If you think so, I shall.”

“Yes. Since it has not been long since you entered and received your education, there will be a limit in how you deal with the affairs of the Imperial Court immediately. For the time being, I will be in charge of leading the Imperial Court as before.”

“…In that case, what do I do in the meantime?”

“It would be great for Your Majesty to complete a year’s worth of education.”

“…”

Patrizia made a thoughtful expression for a moment. Her words were not entirely wrong. The Duchess of Efreni had worked in the Imperial Household for over 20 years.

Certainly, she would handle things better than herself who had just entered the palace. She did not intend to persecute any talent with the title of Empress.

Also, in the past, Petronilla had been educated for a year and entrusted the affairs of the Imperial Court to the Duchess of Efreni, so her position was not without a precedent. Just…