Chapter 65 Why Are You Being Like This To Me?

I'm sorry? Petronilla said with a stunned look, but Rothesay didn't look even the slightest bit embarrassed.

I asked if you would like to dance with me, Myrepeated.

I

Petronilla hesitated and avoidedshowcased overwhelming patience as he waited for her response.

I have no interest in that, she said finally.

But it was a roundabout rejection, and Rothesay was persistent.

Can't you give me one chance?

Why are you being like this to me?

I Rothesay's face flushedthink I have fallen in love with you, My Lady.

Petronilla's face stiffened at his words.

Patrizia's sufferings unfortunately did not end.

Oh my, is it not Her Majesty, thedistinctive voice said.

Patrizia's brow furrowed involuntarily, but she managed to control herturned to look at Rosemond with a blank face.

Princesssaid flatly.

Greetings to the Great Moon of the Empire. Glory to Her Majesty, the Empress.

It seems that you're enjoying your new family. Your face looks plumper than before.

Thankd forced a smile on her face as she bowed, and Patrizia grinned.

Nothing has changed between them just because she became acourse, Rosemond is now a higher rank than that of a baroness, but even so, Patrizia was still the one and only queen of Mavinous. That fact wouldn't change even if Rosemond became a duchess.

If I may, a word, Your Majesty.

Speak.

When I went out last time, I heard an absolutely scandalous rumor.

What was she planning to do this time? Let's hearthought as she lazily raised a brow.

A shocking rumor?

I've heard that you and His Majesty haven't shared a bed together yet.

Patrizia's face contorted in athat was what the concubine was planning toexpected this to some extent, but there was nothing she could do about this problem.

You're right. That is quite the shockingcoollyeven if it were true, that's no business a princess should concern herself over. The only two people who were in the bridal chamber of our first night was His Majesty anda truth that you can't dare to argue against.

If that's true, then I'm quite curious as to why there has been no announcement of a child.

Princess, you have known His Majesty for a year longer than Iknows that. Patrizia drew a nonchalant smile on her face, and Rosemond stared at her.

If that's the case, then do you have a baby in you? After all, you have had His Majesty's seed.

Even if it was a small matter, this wasn't something that Rosemond should have broughtRosemond persisted.

Then isn't there the best solution to this problem, Your Majesty?

It is the Queen's duty to bear a crownsince neither of us have gotten pregnant despite having slept with His Majesty wouldn't a fertility test solve this conundrum?

You'rein love with me?

Yes.

Me?

Yes.

found this situation entirely absurd. Have you forgotten,have only met twice, includingtop of that, our first meeting only lasted a moment.

The length of time doesn't matter when it comes toimportant is fate and heart. Don't you think so?

He was a man who seemed to enjoy the idea of fate very much.

Petronilla inwardly snorted. I regret to inform you that I don't believe in those things

But I fell in love with you at first sight, Mydeclared.

With Rothesay coming on so strongly, Petronilla became only more flustered thanlooked him in the eyes, but she didn't share an ounce of his belief.

What, how on earth?

It seems that you don't believe in love at first sight, My Lady.

I'm more inclined to think of it as ridiculous.

I have witnesseds how my parents came to marry.

If that was the case, then there was no doubt that this man was the son of Count Bradington.

I deeply apologize, but I do not fancy suchsaidmuch prefer to meet someone over a long period of time in order to learn about their heart and mind

Oh, dear, Rothesay murmured, lookingapologize, My Lady.

Petronilla thought that he was finally starting to understand her, only to be disappointed when she found out that that wasn't the case.

It was careless of me to not consider that was how youapologize.

No, you don't need to go so far as to apologize

If that's the case, Rothesay continued with a sweet smile, Would you be willing to meet me for 'a long period of time'?

I'm sorry? What was that?

Iwhat is this all of a sudde she stammered.

I would like to formally court you, My Lady.

All this happened in less than an hour after theynearly fainted when she realized it, but she held herself together.

I'm sorry, sir, but I do not like you back.

Rothesay's voice turnedask that you give us a chance to get to know each other.

I don't understand why you're being so annoyingly persistent, but I specifically said that I am not interested insaid shortly.

At the harshness of her tone, Rothesay stopped. Petronilla flinched at his reaction, but she couldn't have ever anticipated his next words.

It's because I love you, he said breathlessly.

Excuse me?

I have fallen in love with you the moment I laid my eyes on you.

And I don't take the matters of the heart lightly. A unique, sweet smile glimmered on his face. Therefore, My Lady, please

Will you at least let me have a dance with you?

I beg of you, My Lady.

Haah.

Petronilla had no choice but to comply.

A buzz of gossip started to grow when the people around them heard Rosemond'swas no longer a matter between Rosemond and Patrizia. If anything, Rosemond probably wanted thisr shallow tricks were quite bemusing.

Princess Ephreney, Patrizia said in a low voice.

Yes, Your Majesty?

This is an insult on both me and Hisa mere princess trying to confirm whether the queen is infertile orvoice grew in tone andis a matter of the royal family's privacy anda mere princess that means nothing to the emperor dares to question mywere talking about the duty of the queen, yes? Just what kind of blasphemous act is this? Did Duke Ephreney teach you to behave like that? To disrespect the Moon of the empire?

Rosemond scoffed. There's adon't know why you're acting so defensive, Your Majesty.

So you consider an attack on my dignity to be of no concern, Princess. Do you understand that it is an insult to the royal family?

As the atmosphere grew tense, the other guests began to pay attention to Patrizia and Rosemond. In the midst of this explosive situation, Petronilla, who had been roaming around the banquet hall after having escaped Rothesay, finally noticed the commotion and rushed towards them. It was then that she noticed it was Rosemond who was insulting her little sister.

Petronilla tried to speak up angrily, but someone else beat her tolooked shocked upon seeing the unexpected figure.

That's enough.

It was the Emperor, the man at the center of thea deep voice, Lucio called the situation into order. Patrizia glared at Lucio, while Rosemond looked at him like he was her savior.

Greetings to His Majesty, she said in a coquettish voice.

Greetings to the Great Sun of theechoed, feeling like she had swallowed feces. Lucio turned to her.

What is going on, Queen? Even moreso, on the holy National Founding Day.

I deeply apologize, Your Majesty, but Princess Ephreney dared to insult me and the royal family.

Princess Ephreney, is thissaid in an angered tone.

Taken aback by his uncharacteristically displeased expression, Rosemond flinched.

The queen is exaggerating. It is not true, she defended.

A conflicted Lucio inwardly sdid the princess say that so insulted you?

Rosemond blanched at Lucio. Not even once had he ever called Patrizia by her name in front of Rosemondor in front ofhad only referred to Patrizia as Queen. Nothing more, nothing less! Rosemond glowered at the two in fury.

Patrizia looked at Lucio andspoke of how Your Majesty and I have never shared a bed together, and she asked that I have a fertility test under the excuse that I'm not yet pregnant.

Princess, those are very misleading things to say. Do you not understand what you are saying?

But Your Majesty, isn't this an important issue? Rosemond said coldly.

You are not getting any younger, Your Majesty. You are almost 30 years old. It is important to establish a direct line of inheritance to the throne by having a child. Even putting that aside, the duty of the queen is to give birth to a crown prince. I was merely worried that the queen had forgotten such an important matter, but to twist my intentions like this is unfair. Can you really do this to me?

Though her final words didn't match what preceded it, it was something that Rosemond wanted to ask Lucio the most.

How could you do this to me? Youdareto do this to me?!

Even if you say that, to challenge the queen's fertility is impertinent behavior. That also applies to the fertility check. It is quite insulting, Lucio said.

It is not just Her Majesty the Queen who would be checked. I would be checked as well. If she reacts this way despite that Rosemond furtively twisted the corners of her lips up into a smile. Then perhaps it's because she has something to hide?

-SLAP!

As soon as the words left Rosemond's mouth, her head spun. With a terrifying face that had been shown to no one up until now, Patrizia raised her hand once again.

-SLAP!

Just what do you think you're doing?! Rosemond screeched.

I'm only doing the right thing, Princess. As the lady of the house, I'm disciplining you. A crooked smile formed on Patrizia's lips. Of course, I do apologize disciplining you in public, but there was nothing I could have done about that.

Patrizia turned her head, and soon spotted Duke Ephreney. A familiar woman was beside him, and upon closer inspection, Patrizia realized that it was the young woman that Rosemond met with.Ah, just as I thought. So that's what it was.Patrizia started to speak.

Duke Ephreney? Where are you?

Your Majesty. Duke Ephreney quietly stepped forward, and Patrizia smiled.

I congratulate you on your adoption of a daughter, Duke.

I'm indebted, Your Majesty.

But if she were to join your family, shouldn't you have properly taught herthe smile on her face, Patriziamatter how pristine something looks on the outside, if it's rotten on the inside, it's doomed to perish, isn't that right, Duke? But that isn't the fate that you would want your one and only daughter to have, is it?

Of course not, Your Majesty, Duke Ephreney quietlynegligence is to blame, Yourforgive the sins my daughter has committed.

However, Yourthis not a problem that should be considered?

What?

It is of the utmost importance to secure a royal heir, so I ask that you take care to

Duke Ephreney.

Patrizia, who couldn't hold herself back, interrupted his words.