12 CHAPTER 6 (2). CONGRATULATIONS QUEENESS

At that moment, as if tied by her words, someone burst open the door and walked inside. Both Rafaella and Patrizia were amazed because it was so rude.

The person who came inside the room was Mirya. She wasn't the type of person to commit this kind of disrespect... Patrizia asked with a dismayed look.

"What... why, Mir?"

"Queeness, that is...."

Mirya looked at Rafaella with a glimpse. Rafaella also was staring at Mirya with big eyes. After a little time, Mirya, who had ran for a long time and was trying to catch her breath, spoke again.

"Queeness Rafaella, Queeness Patrizia. The results are out."

"Ah..."

The two women who heard those words both uttered a sighing sound. They were out faster than she had expected. Patrizia put her hand against her pounding heart and asked calmly, but there was nothing she could do about her voice trembling.

"Who is it?"

At Patrizia's words, Mirya looked alternately at both Rafaella and Patrizia with the aforementioned expression. Regarding her behavior, Patrizia felt unknowingly anxious.

No, Oh no. No. It can't be... right? She bit her lips without knowing how anxious she was, and at the same time, Mirya announced the final result.

"Congratulations, Queeness Patrizia."

THUD. Patrizia's heart crashed. Her blank glance swept through Mirya. Mirya, in a more subdued voice than the first one, corrected the words with a slight touch.

"No, now you're the Queen."

A sinister premonition never misses. Tragically.

Patrizia was surprised but not upset. Because she had already anticipated a certain amount of the possibility. But what surprised her was that she became Queen even though she couldn't have had a good score in the first and second contests. That means she got a good score in her third…

Patrizia couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

The third contest was different from the past one she knew about, and it was not common even for other people.

There was also the fact that there was only one part where she could have gotten a good score. This meant her health was clearly better than those of the other Queeness, but it still didn't make sense. How bad could the difference in health be between 18-and 20-year-olds?

Patrizia was not happy with the unknown feelings that continued to crush her. The biggest reason, of course, was that she had become Queen.

"Lady Patrizia, it's Mirya. May I go in?"

"Oh, come in, Mirya."

Mirya looked happy as she walked into the room. Of course, she was delighted that the lady she served would become Queen.

But was she aware of the rumors that were drifting about in the Imperial Palace...It was ridiculous to think that she didn't know the truth, but even if she knew this fact would be upsetting as well.

"Thank you again, Lady Patrizia. In fact, from the first time I saw you, I felt like I wanted to serve you within the palace. I am so happy I will be able to continue serving Lady Patrizia in the future."

"..."

At that moment, Patrizia felt her emotions explode and come up in her chest. Mirya, who was Petronilla's maid, was still invariably nice and loyal as Patrizia's maid. She wrinkled her face for a moment, and Mirya, who looked at her, was startled.

"Lady Patrizia was it something I said…?"

Mirya looked taken aback at Patrizia who was hugging her. She wondered, 'Why is the young lady acting this way?' Patrizia hugged her for a while and then decided on one thing.

"I'll do well."

I'll do well, I'll stay alive, and Mirya, I won't die.

"Thank you."

I won't let you die for me like you died for my sister.

"It's nothing. I am the one who is thankful."

Mirya smiled and whispered fondly. Then she spoke to Patrizia, as she was soon reminded of something.

"By the way Lady Patrizia. A letter came from the Marquis of Grochester. If it is alright with you Lady Patrizia, a visit is desired to the Imperial Palace to see you."

Lady Petronilla does. Patrizia looked troubled for a moment but soon nodded. Anyway, now she was the Queen, so even if Petronilla fell in love with the Emperor, nothing bad would happen. Her sister was not stupid enough to do such a bad deed. Just pure. Like a new, white sheet of paper. Patrizia therefore accepted.

"Do I have anything to do today, Mirya?"

"Not yet. But in the next two months, the wedding preparations will begin with the Duchess of Efreni. Lady Patrizia will be educated as an Empress. But that's probably going to start in four days. You can relax until then."

"I see."

It's something that she already knew, just the fact that the subject has changed from Nilla to herself, made it feel a lot more forthcoming.

It was terrible to think that she must now walk the thorny path Nilla had walked, but, nevertheless, this was for the best for everyone. For the family, maybe even for the Emperor.

Patrizia, smiling meaningfully, and said to Mirya, "Then please write my sister a reply to visit me at any time, Mirya."