Chapter 138

“These days my mind has not been sound. If you are interested in the situations of the palace, you would know, recently…”

“Yes, I know. I try not to pay much attention to politics or the affairs of the Imperial Family, but it is undoubtedly a big deal for His Majesty to formally bring in a concubine.” Rothesay spoke fairly, and added in a slightly lower voice. “I am worried about Her Majesty…”

“She pretends to act fine, but she has surely been deeply hurt.” Petronilla said this, and shook her head with a depressed look. “I should have become the Empress instead…”

“I am sorry?”

“It is nothing.” Petronilla, who had let those words mistakenly come out, soon showed her usual smile.

Rothesay did not ask further about the smile, and smoothly led the conversation. “I understand. Anyways, you were busy enough because it was quite a matter. Just being by Her Majesty’s side alone…”

“Thank you for your understanding. Lately it was both really difficult, mentally and physically.”

“Oh no, then we should postpone our date.”

“It has already been prolonged so much, so I visited because I thought I could not prolong it anymore. Anyways, a promise is a promise…”

Petronilla brought her voice down a little, and then said a much clearer voice, “I thought I had to keep it. I will match the time that you would prefer.”

“I told you then, I do not care about any time, and any day.”

If he could just spend that time with her…

Petronilla, whose resistance to sweet words from a man were close to zero, eventually turned bright red, although it was but for a moment. Petronilla let out some coughs. Why was he suddenly invading her heart? It was embarrassing…

“Then… Ah when would be good…”

“It is fine, Nilla. Do as you please.”

“I am sorry?” Petronilla asked him in surprise, and Rothesay made a sheepish smile and tried to excuse himself.

“Ah… If it bothers you…”

“…”

“Indeed it is too soon for nicknames… right?”

“Uh…” Petronilla felt distressed. Based on the mood, if she blamed him for something like this, she would seem like a stuck-up woman. Petronilla thought for a moment, and then sighed.

“It is still a bit soon… Can you call on me later, Sir?”

So, it was not a complete rejection. Rothesay happily received her offer. “It would be an honor, my Lady.”

“Well, to go so far as honor…” Petronilla looked awkward as she turned her eyes elsewhere, and Rothesay laughed happily as watched her. When she saw the man who seemed to laugh almost every two minutes, Petronilla had no choice but to laugh as well.

“Tomorrow… Please come to the estate of Marquis Grochester.” As she said this, Petronilla thought, Nilla, Nil. It would be only this one time. Do not give your heart. Do not open your heart. Be alert and suspicious. Be careful and alert…

“I will be waiting.”

Despite that, Petronilla thought again, Ah, my heart hasn’t pounded like this in a long time…

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“… So you cannot come tomorrow?” Patrizia listened to Petronilla’s story with a smile. Petronilla nodded her head quietly, and Patrizia burst into laughter.

“Is Nilla finally going to get married? You do not have to come in all day, Nil.”

“Don’t tease me!”

Patrizia laughed once again at how cute her sister was, with her face getting red as she shouted.

Walking around the garden leisurely, Petronilla chided her, “Patrizia.”

“What, Petronilla.”

“I think you are a little different.”

At the end of those words, Patrizia stopped walking. As a result, the steps of the people around them also stopped. Patrizia asked nonchalantly, “I have?”

“Mhm.”

“In what aspect? Can you tell me?”

“Something about you looks more relaxed than before.”

“Relaxed.” Patrizia laughed. “Right, I am relaxed.”

“Why?”

“That is because I…” Patrizia thought about it for a while, and then pulled up the corners of her mouth and laughed. “Because I am infertile?”

“…” Petronilla was frightened momentarily by the gloomy content that did not go well with the smile, but the party who had said those words seemed undisturbed.

Patrizia continued to speak calmly. “If you abandon greed, you can relax.”

“…”

“And people who have nothing to lose can also relax.”Patrizia did not lose her smile and told Petronilla, “Older Sister, I have nothing to lose, and nothing to be greedy about. This position will be mine forever, unless God forsakes me, and as a result the Grochester family will never be harmed.”

“…”

‘Yes, this has changed, Patrizia. What are you…’

“So I am in a position to do anything right now.”

She had changed. A little more secretly. Petronilla muttered, “What is it like now? Are you satisfied?”

“Does that even matter?” Patrizia gave a low laugh. “There is nothing that is more useless here than personal satisfaction. If I want to find some sort of satisfaction here… Nil as well as the others who follow me… to that extent?”

“… I see.”

Petronilla could only respond in that way, and the walk continued. When Patrizia reached the very familiar part of the garden, she discovered another familiar person. The smile that had settled on Patrizia’s mouth disappeared in an instant. Petronilla figured out who it was immediately.

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Translated by Haeli

Edited by RED