Chapter 75 Our First And Last

Lucio, who was standing still, struggled to formwords. Itseemed that he was at the end of his rope, seeing as he was finding it difficult to keep steady. Patrizia instinctively grabbed a hold of him as he staggered.

Please becareful, shecautioned.

Haah get away fromme. Imight do something that would make you despise me even more.

Then why are you not listening to me rightnow? Thereare many palacegirls. Iwill bring one here now. Mirya, why aren't you bringing one over here this instant?

In the end, Mirya rushed over to the Queen's Palace with tears in her eyes, and Raphaella stood in place looking troubled and unsure of what todo. Suddenly, Lucio's legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground. Shocked, Patrizia tried to support his body up.

Your Majesty.

Haah I said get away from me.

He bit into his lip with a painedexpression. Hiswill to resist his carnal desire was starting to waver, and he bit his lip so hard that it started to bleed.

Damn it, why is Mirya taking so long? Is it that hard to bring a single palace girl?

Raphella, Patrizia called urgently.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Take His Majesty to the closest palace building immediately.

Raphaella nodded at Patrizia's words before supporting Lucio's body with her own and heading towards the IstePalace. Lucio, fully intending to fight his arousal, started to harm himself as adistraction. Hislips were already a bloody mess, and he began biting down on his tongue. When they arrived at the palace, Patrizia berated the fallen Lucio in angeranger that she didn't even know why she felt.

Why are you behaving so foolishly, Your Majesty? All the women in this kingdom are yours. If you so desire, then!

And why does that matter? he askedexhaustedly. IfI, as the emperor, cannot have this kingdom's queen as my own, then what use is having all of the other women of the kingdom?

You're not making any sense!

Both of you, get out. I I can't hold backanymore, Lucioforced out, his voice more strained thanbefore. Patrizialooked at him with a hardened expression before slowly opening her mouth.

Raphaella.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Stay outside and keep guard. Block off the entrance, and don't let anyone in until I have come out.

Your Majesty, are you?

Go outside.

Queen, what are you do

When Lucio couldn't even muster the strength to finish his sentence, Patrizia gave a firm order to Raphaella. Get out. Right now.

Raphaella gave a solemnnod. Yes, Your Majesty.

Raphaella hurried out of the Iste Palace. Patrizia, now alone with Lucio, started slowly walking towards his fallen figure.

What are you doing? Leave right now Lucio ordered, his face contorting.

You said that you might make me despise you even more. Patrizia gave a sad smile. I don't think that would be a badthing. Iwonder what would happen if I were to make that happen right now

Get out!

Your Majesty, I am a barren woman. No matter what happens in here, no one will know.

With those words, Patrizia slowly started undressing herself.

STOP! Lucio shouted.

But Patrizia continued to strip herself of her clothing without aword. Atlast, all of her clothing save for her black slip dress was gone. Lucio looked ready to faint. Patrizia needed to hurry, and she started taking off Lucio's clothes as well.

Pop. Pop.

As the buttons fell off, Patrizia could feel her own rationale starting toblur. Ifthis was the point of no return

You will definitely regret what happens tonight, Lucio said.

There has not been a day that I didn't feel regret ever since I met you, Your Majesty.

With a cold smile, she fully stripped Lucio naked before kissing him.

Even if I feel more regret fromtonight, itwon't be much different from how I normally feel.

Patrizia opened her eyes with a vacantexpression. Shestared at thin air, half-conscious, and only began to recall what happened the previous night. She turned her head slightly with a hollow smile.

She never dreamed of joining together with him likethis. Itfelt absurd. The fact that she was able to clearly remember what happened the night before brought her pain. She started biting her lip again. Having intimately embraced the man whom she despised felt nothing short of strange.

Haah

She let out a sigh as she looked at her husband, who was struggling in hissleep.Ourfirst night spent together without any love. On top of that, he was drugged. I'm really not one to say anything to Rosemond,Patrizia mumbled, sneering at herself.

Ngh!

Patrizia had shifted carelessly, and she hissed inpain. Theaphrodisiac amplified Lucio's arousal and stamina, and the one who was on the receiving end of that desire was the virgin Patrizia. With a pained expression, she gingerly touched herwaist. ThoughLucio promised he would be gentle, she still felt really sore, likely because it was her first time.

Ngh.

Patrizia got up from bed, ignoring the ache as much as shecould. Afterputting her clothes back on, Patrizia slowly walked towards the exit of Iste Palace.

Before she opened the door, Patrizia looked back at the sleeping figure of Lucio.

This was our first and our last, she murmured sadly.

She opened the doors to the palace withouthesitation. Lucio'seyes remained close until the very end.

Your Majesty. Raphaella looked haggard from staying up all night.

Are you alright? Patrizia asked, feeling sorry for her.

I'm fine. And you, Your Majesty?

Ah Lookingslightly embarrassed, Patrizia shook her head. I'ma little tired.

Shall I carry you?

That won't do. I still have my reputation as queen to uphold.

At the mention of reputation, Patrizia suddenly thought of Rosemond.

Rosemond definitely was the first one that attempted to seduceLucio. Thismeant that Rosemond had failed to obtain Lucio's favor that part doesn't seem to be a lie.

Where's Mirya? Patrizia asked.

She's preparing Your Majesty'sbath. She's been busy all morning, heating up the coals.

Ahaha Patrizia awkwardly scratched the back of her head. Eventhough it was nothing to be embarrassed about, she still felt awkward. She awkwardly cleared her throat.

It would look unusual if you helped me walk, and I would feel strange being carried on your back, so I'll just walk on my own.

Raphaellaprotested. Aguard is supposed to help you when you can't walk. If you don't like either of those options, then I will just carry you in myarms. Now, enough complaining and get over here, Your Majesty.

Raphaella remained stubborn, and Patrizia had no choice but to ride her back on the way to the Queen'sPalace. Embarrassedat the thought of someone seeing her like this, Patrizia kept her eyes closed until she opened them a few minutes later to find that they hadarrived. Whenthey entered the palace, they found Mirya the same as usual.

Welcome back, Your Majesty, the lady-in-waiting greeted.

Let me take a bath first.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Mirya then supported Patrizia's body up and led her to the large bathtub, after which, Patrizia washed her body with the help of hermaid. Anawkward air settled amongst them when they saw the bright red markings on her body as soon as she took off her clothes, but it thankfully didn't lastlong. Asidefrom the small remark that slipped out of the maid who helped Patrizia dry off, everything was peaceful.

The aphrodisiac His Majesty took must have been very potent.

Patrizia was so embarrassed that she wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.

The thought that she should take a contraceptive crossed hermind, butshe soon dismissed it.

'I'm a barren woman, so there's no need for that.'

Maybe I really should have taken something.

I'm sorry?

It's nothing.

Patrizia sighed briefly as the maid took several clean washrags and began to diligently wash herbody. Itwas obvious that they were taking care to be gentle, especially after her first night together with theEmperor. Shefelt both grateful and burdened by their consideration.

Ah, YourMajesty. Wereceived a message from the Grochester estate, saying that Lady Petronilla has caught a cold and would be staying at her residence for a few days torecuperate. However,she did say that she will be back in time for His Majesty's birthday celebration.

Oh dear. Patrizia smiledloosely. Itseems that our Nilla enjoyed her date, if she even got sick from the rain.

I do hope that Lady Petronilla will also find a good husband to marry.

It would be better to take out the 'also' from that sentence, Mirya, Patrizia corrected Mirya with a bitter smile. Mirya awkwardly smiled back. Patrizia then turned to one of the maids, and spoke in a stiffer voice than usual.

Go and check on Bain Palace. See how the Marchioness's condition is, as well as the atmosphere of Bain Palace. I have a faint idea already, but it's best to confirm.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Mirya, go to the Central Palace and tell the servant girls to tend to His Majesty at Iste Palace. He'll probably be disconcerted if he wakes up to no one around him.

Yes.

Satisfied at having those things taken care of, Patrizia closed her tiredeyes. Howmany hours did she sleep last nightno, today? Probably threeno, two hours?

I think I need to rest a little bit, murmured Patrizia, her mind cloudy.

Rosemond quietly sat in a chair with an icyexpression. Everything was the same as yesterdayboth the slip dress that she didn't change out of and the makeup that she didn't take off. Glara and the other servant girls only glanced at Rosemond from the side.

So His Majesty slept with the Queen last night.

Yes Marchioness

If so, then last night was the Queen's first night with the Emperor. However, Rosemond was calmer than expected.

Well, she's a barrenwoman. It'snot like she can have children, so it doesn't matter, she said to herself with a cold smile.

The position of Queen wasn't something that could be usurped through favor alone. His Majesty may be stopping to smell the scent of another flower out of curiosity, but that curiosity won't last long. He's not someone who can love in the first place.Rosemond's facesoftened. Nevertheless, anyone could tell that she was angry at having lost her chance last night.

It's fine. His Majesty and I are still young, so we still have time, she reassured herself.

If there was one thing that bothered her, it was the fact that Lucio had completely lost whatever trust that he had in her last night. However, she could just make an excuse and orchestrate another opportunity.If all else fails

Your Majesty, thataside Wantingto lighten up the cold atmosphere, Glara quickly changed the subject. Wouldn't it be better to focus on what to do for His Majesty's birthday celebration?

What? Ah!

As soon as she was reminded, Rosemond nodded with a smile.