Chapter 76 I Think I Love You

That's right, Iforgot. I'vebeen distracted lately. So what of the preparations? Rosemond asked.

A vendor has been secured. It will work out, Glara replied.

Alrightthat's how it should be.

Rosemond nodded, lookingsatisfied.Thistime, it won't just be the Queen that will be played around with. It wouldn't be bad to see Lucio humiliated as well.

Make sure that there are nomistakes. Ifthis fails like the incident with the Christa envoys, you'll pay.

Please do not worry, Your Majesty, Glara said, addressing Rosemond as if she were already queen. No one will be aware of this plan in the slightest. Glara was confident, and in all honesty, Rosemond had no choice but to be confident in this plan aswell. Withan expectantsmile, Rosemondstarted thinking of the best way to bring His Majesty's birthday banquet into ruins.

Lucio slowly opened his eyes before looking aroundhim. Judgingfrom his surroundings, he was definitely in the Central Palace, laying on top of his own bed.

Was it a dream? he murmured to himself, dazed.

Was that fiery night of drug-induced passion really just a dream, or was it reality?Lucio furrowed his brows, his memory toohazy. Justthen, a servant girl entered the room.

Your Majesty, shall I get you a glass of water?

Rather than that, he asked in a confused tone, Where was I last night?

Ah. The girl's expression shifted uncomfortably. Your Majesty spent the night at Iste Palace with the Queen.

I did?

Yes, YourMajesty. Theguards carried you here to the Central Palace this morning.

then what about the Queen?

The servant girl debated whether to tell him but, in the end, faithfully answered, Her Majesty is at the Queen's Palace.

Lucio was slightly shocked, but nonetheless told the servant girl that she was free toleave. Hethen drank the glass of warm water that she had left behind and fell into histhoughts. Shameetched into his face.

I'm crazy.

Though it was not my first time, it was forher. Ishould have been more considerateLucio hit himself on his head as if inretribution.Youpiece of trash.

Haah

I wonder if she's alright,Lucio thought, lookinggrave. Onone hand, if he went to visit the Queen's Palace, he wouldn't know how to face her, but on the other hand, if he didn't go, he'd be hated even more than he alreadywas. Afterspending an hour of not even moving an inch, Lucio decided to go visit Patrizia and got up from his seat.

Patrizia didn't realize the consequences of sleeping through the entire afternoon until after she had wokenup. Shehad wasted the entire day doing nothing but nursing the pain that she felt from a single passion-filled night, and she only ended up with much more work to catch up to. Moreover, the Emperor's birthday banquet was coming up.

Though she said that she was going to leave the majority of the planning to Mirya, there were still some things that she had to do with her ownhands. Hence, the amount of work she had to do did not significantly decrease.

As she was looking over the budget proposals over the amount of chocolate at the banquet, a servant girl came in and announced an arrival.

Your Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.

Patriziafrowned. Theiralready-strained relationship had only gotten more awkward after last night, and it seemed that the Emperor was only aiming to make it even more awkward betweenthem. Shewanted to do nothing more than slam the door in his face, but she managed to hold herself back.

Let him in.

Soon, the Emperor entered the room. Seeinghim come in looking as usual irritated Patrizia.I'm in this much pain, butyou!Though,to be fair, there wasn't anything that Lucio could have done about that. Patrizia managed to calm herself down with her level-headed reasoning.

Greetings to the Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor. Glory to the Mavinous Empire, she said in greeting.

How are youfeeling? Lucioasked.

The first thing he asks is about my body?

Patrizia looked at himstrangely. Iapologize, but I'd be lying if I said that I was alright.

If that's the case, then we should call the palace doctor

it's not severe enough for that to be necessary.

More importantly, bringing another person into the situation would only confirm the fact that our first night was yesterday.

Lucio's expression turned toregret. Iapologize. This was all a result of my carelessness.

HmTo my understanding, there isn't anything for you to apologize for, Your Majesty, Patrizia said in a flattone. Iwas the one who initiated it. It's not like you forced me into the situation, andas we all knowthe two of us are wife and husband.

Though she said all of this, Patrizia didn't look thrilled.

Therefore, it's alright, YourMajesty. Ifthe events from last night bring you discomfort, please feel free to discard it from your memory.

Have you discarded it from your memory?

If it is what you desire, then I shall, Patrizia said flippantly.

A wounded look flickered across Lucio'sface. ThoughPatrizia flinched at the sight, she couldn't bring down her pride right now.

Luciospoke. Itseems that our time together last night was trivial to you, seeing as how you're willing to forget or remember it according to my wishes.

It's not as if I proposed the situation because I loveyou. Youonly embraced me because of your uncontrollable lust, so it was not a night of importance for either of us.

It was our first night together, he said in an honest voice.

And why does thatmatter? sheasked coldly. To me, it was a night ofpain. Nothingmore, nothing less.

It seems you are deliberately trying to wound me, he said.

If you continue to act like this, it will only trouble me, Your Majesty. She gave an incredulouslaugh. Youwere the first person who wounded me, and you are the one who acknowledges that fact. And the person who embraced you last night despite my contempt was me.

So please forget last night. Please forgeteverything, she said tiredly.

You know, when I embraced you last night, I had a crude thought.

Lucio barreled forward. I thought that maybe you'd be able to open up to me. I thought that since our bodies had joined as one, you would show me even a little part of your heart.

Normally, they say a woman can never sleep with a man that she has no feelings for but I don'tknow. Iwas perfectly capable of doing that lastnight. Patriziablocked off his heartrelentlessly. Thewomen at the red-light district are able to sleep with men without any feelings attached. If it really bothers you, then

Why must you demean yourself likethat? Doyou think you'll hurt me more by doing that? Lucio cut in.

If that's what you were aiming to do, then congratulations, you achievedit. Becauseof you, I'm wounded.

Why? Patrizia asked with cleareyes. Whyare you hurt?

Because he started.

No, don't say it.

Because I

Shut up. Don't say anything.

Because I think I love you.

Finally, Pandora's Box had opened.

Love.

When that single word left his lips, Patrizia couldn't help butscoff. Love,you say.

Just the other day, Your Majesty loved the Marchioness as well.

That's the kind of 'love' you feel forme. It'sjust a misunderstanding, Patrizia said with sadeyes. You'remistaking me for the Marchioness. Because I pitied you when you were hurt.

That stupid me who was deceived and betrayed by those wounds of the heart, and felt the tiniest bit of sincerity towards you.

If you told the story of your past to another woman, and if that woman cried because of the pain and suffering you had to go through, would you have loved that woman as well?

I.

When the mistakes of his past became evident, the emperor couldn't say anything. Everything Patrizia said was true.

It seems you cannot denyit. Sincethere's evidence for it.

And heart. Heart, yousay. Patriziagave a rueful smile. I did show you myheart. Whenyou told me of your past.

I shouldn't have listened to him back then.

So please don't expect itanymore. Andplease don't talk about love.

I should have known my sympathy for you would be all for naught.

Starting now, nothing had happened between us.

Patrizia's words were like a knife to Lucio's heart.

On the day of the Emperor's birthday, Patrizia donned a pure whitedress. Herservant girls insisted that she wear something fancier, but Patrizia didn't really feel like congratulating the Emperor on his day.

Greetings to Her Majesty theQueen. Gloryto the Mavinous Empire.

It's been a while, Earl Grancia.

Patrizia stood as primly as a doll, greeting the various nobles that came to thebanquet. Allher thoughts and worries soon disappeared as she fell into the perfunctory motions of remembering each nobles' name and title and greetingthem. Ofcourse, aside from that, her thoughts were already getting hazy, as if she were truly turning into a doll.

You look a little tired, YourMajesty, Miryasaid to her worriedly.

But I'm fine, Mirya, Patrizia replied in a cool voice.

You always say that.

Maybe it's that time of themonth, Patriziasaid quietly, and Mirya nodded in understanding.

It would be nice if you could turn in early, but that's not really possible right now.

Nothing we can do, Isuppose, Patriziasaid, her face lined withtiredness. Could you bring me a sweet cocktail?

Yes, YourMajesty. Pleasewait amoment.I will bring it immediately.

Alright. Take your time.

With a small smile, Mirya nodded and went to retrieve acocktail. Suddenly,Patrizia staggered when she felt a sudden wave of dizziness, then felt someone steady her.

Be careful, the person said.

Patrizia froze and goosebumps erupted on herskin. Shecalmly looked behind her shoulder.

Greetings to His Majesty theEmperor. Icongratulate you on your birth.

I've been hearing that from everyone I mettoday, Lucio said, and he gave a bitter laugh. He clearly found this all tedious.

Patrizia didn't sayanything. Shewas suddenly reminded of their first argument after that fatefulnight. Though she had been emotional then about what happened, she didn't feel as strongly towards it now. If anything, she felt as if she had been too harsh and confrontational towards him, and almost felt bad for it in hindsight

Do you feel unwell? You look gaunt, Lucio pointed out.

It seems that my makeup tonight doesn't really suit me.

Nonsense, hedenied vehemently. Patrizia said nothing, as her dizziness seemed to get even worse. Her menstruation side effects were rather severe this time around.

I believe it's that time of the month forme, sheconfessed.

Ah. Lucio nodded, looking a littleawkward. Itmust be difficult for you. Wouldn't it be better if you went in and rested?

I must endureit. Thisposition of mine still has duties to uphold.

You can go rest after we've presented the birthday flowers.

I can endure it, Patrizia insisted. I must do what is required of the royal family

Your health is first and foremost, Queen.

Patrizia was at a loss for words. Lucio leaned into her ear and whispered to her in his baritone voice.

I'll change the order of theceremony. Go and rest after the birthday flower presentation. That's an order.

Very well.

Lucio's face brightened when he heard herreply. Patrizia'sheart fluttered at the sight.

I see that you're alone today aswell, hecommented.

Mirya went to get me a cocktail, and my guard briefly went to the restroom. My sister said that she had some business to attend to and would be a little late.

Your Majesty the Emperor, a voice interrupted.

Patrizia only barely managed to steel her face when she recognized that voice.