“…W-What an outrageous thing to say!”
“I was surprised, even so.”
The moment Patricia returned home, Emma immediately noticed the bruises on her arm, and Patricia had no choice but to tell her what had happened earlier.
It was far too much to bear alone, so Patricia only confided in Emma—someone She had known since childhood and trusted above all others.
Emma, reacting as if it were her own problem, showed even more anger than she, Patricia, the person involved.
Just watching her made Patricia’s heart feel lighter.
“…That woman scares me. I’m worried she might do something terrible if left unchecked.”
“No, she’s already crossed the line the moment she spoke to you, my lady. If it had been anyone else, they’d probably be suffering whiplash by now.”
“That’s true.”
That’s why Patricia spoke firmly to Mia, but judging from Alex’s reaction, she is not sure Mia truly understands.
“…I know it’s disrespectful, but I wish His Highness the Crown Prince would think things through a little more. Why is my lady still…”
“It can’t be helped. That’s just how it is.”
Yes, it’s something that can’t be helped.
That’s precisely why Patricia didn’t give it a second thought.
There’s no time to waste on things that are pointless to consider.
“Anyway, I have to investigate that woman… Emma, please give this to Sir Cecil.”
“As you command.”
It seemed her hair had just been finished.
Patricia was grateful to entrust it to Emma’s skillful hands; she always styles it differently.
After lightly glancing at her half-up hairstyle, She stood up from the chair.
“For now, I must go to the Royal Palace.”
“Understood. I will prepare immediately.”
Emma moved quickly, and before Patricia knew it, they were heading toward the Royal Palace.
Today wasn’t an ordinary discussion.
It was much more nerve-wracking—an afternoon tea that felt like a battle for Patricia.
Deep within the Royal Palace, in the garden where various flowers bloomed in full glory, that person awaited.
“I offer greetings to Her Majesty the Empress, the Moon of the Empire.”
“Welcome, Patricia. Please, have a seat.”
The current Empress, Clive’s biological mother.
Though she is said to be well over thirty, she looks as youthful as if she were the same age as Patricia.
She is the vision of the future Patricia aspires to be, her ideal.
“I’ve brewed your favorite tea. Please, take your time and talk with me.”
“Thank you.”
The current Empress is Clive’s biological mother, and has no blood relation to Alex.
Though the Frenetia Family is at odds with her, she has nonetheless treated Patricia kindly.
“You seem busy lately. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Rather, I find it fulfilling and rewarding.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard. You tend to overdo things.”
She’s pointed out her tendency to overwork herself since long ago, so Patricia could only answer her words with a bitter smile.
Perhaps expecting that, the Empress sighed resignedly, “…Your worries are not just about that. It’s about Alex.”
“…”
She can’t be unaware of what happened at the palace.
Patricia withdrew from the imperial succession battle without a fight solely for Clive’s sake.
Alex’s mother is a concubine, and her family’s power isn’t very strong.
Yet she is cunning and desperate to see her son ascend the throne.
Her behavior was almost madness.
Patricia remembered how scary she was when Patricia was a child, standing close by.
To protect her son from such a woman, she handed the throne to Alex—perhaps that was indeed fleeing from the fight.
Still, no matter what, Patricia can’t think of the Empress as weak.
She is a strong woman who sacrificed even her own desires to protect her son.
There is no way she would be unaware of what goes on inside the Royal Palace, her own domain.
“If you wish, I can have that slave girl dismissed immediately. What will you do?”
A sharp light flashed in her eyes, and tension filled the room.
Even at this very moment, she was being tested.
From the current Empress to the next Crown Princess—to prove whether Patricia is truly worthy.
That’s why Patricia forced herself to stay calm, desperately hiding her trembling hands, and smile as if it were just an ordinary conversation.
“First, I am grateful for Your Majesty’s concern. As for the answer, I will do nothing.”
“…Are you sure? If you do nothing, Alex may be taken from you.”
“What can a slave’s daughter do? She could never take my place, and even if by some chance she could, it would end there.”
Being Empress is only the beginning of hardships.
Managing the palace staff, estimating necessary expenses, drawing up budgets.
Welcoming and entertaining foreign dignitaries.
The required etiquette can’t be learned overnight.
And without proper relations with domestic nobles, one risks strangling their own neck.
Everything Patricia has done so far has been for her future self.
“Therefore, I will do nothing. She is not my enemy.”
“…I see.”
Patricia quietly exhaled, trying not to let the Empress notice the small smile tugging at her lips.
It seemed Patricia’s answer was the right one.
Relieved that the Empress approved, Patricia engraved her words in her heart.
No matter what she does, it’s none of Patricia’s concern.
“…But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.”
“Hm?”
The Empress turned to look at a white flower blooming in the distance.
Looking at that spotless flower, she narrowed her eyes just a little.
“When Alex was born, I was nearly driven mad with jealousy. Why was it that a concubine’s son came before me, the Empress?”
“That is…”
“I was desperate not to let Alex ascend the throne. When I became pregnant with Clive, I felt both joy and fear. I knew this place was far too harsh for children to simply survive.”
Both Alex and Clive endured multiple poisoning attempts in their childhoods.
From obvious poisons, to combinations, even allergies.
This place is such a place.
“Above all, I thought my children were what I must protect. After that, nothing else mattered. If Alex were to inherit the throne, I planned to have Clive renounce his succession rights and live with me somewhere in the countryside.”
Alex has no children, and only two people hold succession rights in this world.
That’s why Clive cannot yet renounce his rights until Alex becomes Emperor.
“There are still many difficulties for Alex to inherit the throne. …Just as you have yet to become Crown Princess, Clive cannot yet be free.”
“…Yes.”
Patricia completed all the necessary lessons to be Crown Princess, and there’s no age problem.
Yet she remains only a candidate.
Patricia knows why, but the issue remains unresolved.
In a way, it’s also due to her own lack of strength.
“It is because of my own inadequacy.”
“Don’t say that. I’m telling you clearly—this is not your fault. Understand? This is Alex’s problem. …If only I hadn’t run away and had made Clive the Crown Prince instead.”
“Th-That is…”
“I know. But sometimes, I think that way.”
She likely harbors no lack of ambition.
After all, she once intended for her own son to be Crown Prince.
But she prioritized her son’s life above all else, and sometimes regrets her choice.
Especially now.
“Then you would have become Clive’s bride. That stubborn boy listens to you, so that might have been better.”
“Clive would hate that.”
“Oh, of course. That’s right.”
Her words felt loaded with meaning, making Patricia tilt her head in curiosity.
But she had no intention of explaining further and simply smiled cheerfully.
“For now, I leave that slave girl in your hands. Do as you please.”
“Thank you. I will do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty’s expectations.”
Patricia must continue to hold herself with dignity.
She never knows who may be watching, where, or what they may see.
Even if she meets her again, she must never be wounded.
As the future Empress, Patricia must remain strong.
Just like the person standing before her now—.