8 CHAPTER 4 (2). THE QUEENESS COMPETITION BEGINS

"Rafaella."

"The flowers were pretty? Your embroidery skills didn't go anywhere."

Showing a bright smile as she walked closer, this woman was the Marquis of Bringston's Lady Rafaella. As a wallflower in society, this was the only person she could confide her deep thoughts with. Although she was exactly one year older than herself, this was not a particular feat due to Rafaella's desire to be friends.

"You too Ella. The sword was cool. El Dorado right?"

El Dorado was the name of Rafaella's sword. Rafaella laughed.

"Good eye. I think they all must have figured it out. By the way, it's surprising that you came instead of Nilla? You were the one who hated the mere mention of royalty."

Indeed. Patrizia laughed wryly. It was better to gloss things over in this case.

"You're right."

"But why?"

"Just...I thought it would be better than sending her."

At Patrizia's words, Rafaella seemed to agree and laughed quietly. Patrizia was right. Patrizia was better suited to this position than Petronilla. Regardless of whether she didn't like this kind of position. She didn't like this, and she didn't care about the Empress's position, but she had no choice. She was 20 years old and was the daughter of the Marquis of Bringston.

"I want to fail. That's why I deliberately put a sword. In fact, it was even stitched horribly, but anyways, His Majesty has to plan to have a woman as a wife that wants to handle a sword."

"..."

Actually, it wasn't important whether a Queeness held a sword or not. What was important was that the Emperor already had someone in mind. But this was impossible to share and so Patrizia merely laughed and played along.

"I, too. I just want to get back home after this week has passed."

"Lizzy, you and I have every chance."

After Rafaella said that, in an excited tone she asked further.

"If you become the Empress, shall I become your knight? That would be fun, too."

"...."

Again, Patrizia laughed without answering. Actually, Rafaella had followed Petronilla when she became Empress and entered the palace as her knight. She was very loyal and at the same time was the only one holding Petronilla together, but the ending was not good. One day, when an assassin broke into the palace of the Empress, she died trying to save Petronilla.

Patrizia, who remembered what happened then, bit onto her lips without realizing it. Rafaella saw this and slowly lifted her hand towards her lips.

"Ah..."

"Don't bite your lips, Lizzy. It'll hurt."

She was the same as she had been in her previous life, laughing while worrying over her. She did not change. As the Emperor's love for Rosemond did not change, the fact that she was her true friend also did not change. Patrizia laughed at her worries and barely opened her lips to say a word, "I hate Ella getting hurt."

"A soldier is always going to get hurt, Lizzy. If I became your knight, it wouldn't be bad to die defending you."

"Ella!"

Patrizia screamed in a way unlike herself, and Rafaella laughed brightly while saying lightly, "It's a joke, Lizzy. You don't believe in my skills?"

"Don't say such things. Should someone who will be the master of the Marquis of Bringston say that?"

Patrizia's face grew slightly pale in memory of her previous life, and Rafaella noticed, so she smiled mischievously and hugged her breathlessly.

"I said it's a joke. I can't say anything in front of you."

Rafaella roughly ruffled Patrizia's teal-colored hair and laughed as if she were talking about something private.

"Now, go to my room and have a cup of tea. My maid really makes a good tea."

Four days later, the second contest began. In the same mood as on the first day, Patrizia arrived at the competition spot. Whether she failed or passed, realizing it didn't matter, she had naturally become more at peace.

"This is the second topic."

The Duke of Wetherford presented the second subject. At that moment Patrizia once again remembered her previous life. What was the second theme? Oh, that's right. It was some kind of problem. Three hours were given to answer the problem in any way. That problem's answer in her memory was blurry, but it didn't matter. She had no desire to guess correctly.

"The Marvinus Empire's first Emperor asked the first Empress this question. When it comes it is like sheep, and when you come into contact it is like a hawk, and when you pass it is like stone, guess what this is. The time given is three hours in total. Find out the correct answer to the problem during that time. It doesn't matter what method you use. Questions and entries are also allowed in the Imperial Library."

Since she had entered as a Queeness, it wouldn't do to show a lack of sincerity as she would be gossiped about instantly. She had to show at least some sincerity. Patrizia wondered where she would pass the time, and decided to head to the library. The Imperial Library was a place where the entrance was limited and was not often visited.

As she entered the quiet library, Patrizia met a woman that seemed to be the librarian. She quickly glimpsed at Patrizia's white dress and then turned her head away.

The only person who had come to the library was herself, and the interior was fairly quiet, to the point of looking deserted. Patrizia contemplated what to read before heading over to the history section.

Her eyes focused on a book that was at the top. Even though she wasn't on the short side, because it was located in such a high location that she had to reach on her tiptoes. Even then, there was no point. Her long fingers, that repeatedly seemed to almost touch, finally clutched onto the book.

"Ah!"

The problem was that all the books that were next to the one she wanted fell down together. Several books landed on the floor with loud thuds. Patrizia clutched her chest hard worrying someone would punish her, but luckily nothing happened. Maybe it was because the section she was in was far from where the librarian was.

She bent her knees and picked up the books, and as she was about to stand on the spot, someone pushed forward a book. She opened her mouth reflectively and displayed gratitude.

"Ah, thank you."

As Patrizia slowly lifted her head as she took the last book, her face couldn't help but harden.