Lady to Queen - Chapter 106

Chapter 106 – Don’t Think About Anything Else. Just Focus On Me 

Perhaps it was because it was her first banquet since Rosemond was executed, but Patrizia could sense that people’s interest in her had increased several fold. Publicly, that wasn’t a bad thing, but as an individual it was unwelcome. Because of her introverted personality, she was not fond of other people’s attention, especially from those she did not know. However, she was the Mavinous Empress before she was an individual, and she had to set aside her own personal wants and make every effort to entertain the guests. It drained her, however. 

‘I’m tired.’ 

Lucio told her to tell him whenever she was having a hard time, but that was nonsense. He was not a child, and she was not one either. She did not want to be childish. 

“—so, Your Majesty, the new dress from our boutique—” 

“Ah, excuse me for a while, My Lady.” 

Patrizia smilingly excused herself from the noblewoman who ran the largest boutique in Kadye, then left and went to the terrace. Her stomach seemed to turn, and she pondered the cause. Did she eat something that didn’t sit well with her? But there wasn’t any food like that. If not that, today was— 

“Your Majesty the Emperor.”
 

A nasally woman’s voice spoke somewhere. Patrizia reflexively ducked behind a pillar and focused her attention in the direction of the voice. There was a woman with loose blonde hair, and next to her was… 

Lucio. 

Patrizia clutched the skirt of her dress. What was this? He told her to believe in him, but he was doing this already? Patrizia focused on their conversation with an incredulous look on her face. 

“So, Your Majesty. The new jewelry I bought this time…” 

Meanwhile, Lucio was quite upset. He probably had a headache from drinking too many cocktails, so he came out on the terrace for a while, and somehow this young lady followed him. He thought she would be gone if he just agreed enthusiastically, but she was gradually getting too close for comfort. He felt it was time to wrap up the conversation. 

“My Lady, I enjoyed the conversation, but I’d like you to leave now,” he said firmly. 

“What? But you just said you enjoyed the conversation,” the young lady replied, not understanding his polite refusal.
 

Lucio sighed. “I’d like to be alone.” 

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” 

The blonde young lady tilted her head and linked her arm with Lucio in a subtle move. Obviously, he was startled. 

She is driving me crazy.  

“Don’t you need a mistress, Your Majesty?” she breathed seductively. 

“Keep your distance,” Lucio said firmly. Now he was angry. He forced his arm out of the young lady’s grip and spoke in a dangerously low voice. “I don’t want to apologize, but you should go back now. You have made me mad.” 

The young lady was insistent. “Your Majesty, why do you think it’s such a flaw for an Emperor to have a mistress? Is it because of Her Majesty the Empress? Even my father—” 

“Stop it,” Lucio interrupted in an icy tone. “Speaking of your father, I don’t know what will happen if you don’t go back now. I don’t want you to cross any lines, My Lady. Otherwise, your father’s reputation will be damaged, as well as yours.” 

The blonde young lady trembled as if she had been insulted by his aggressive attitude, and she soon strutted out of the terrace. Lucio gave a tired sigh, and at that moment his eyes met with Patrizia’s. 

“…” 

“…” 

They were both mute with surprise. The first one to come to their senses was Patrizia, who began to escape from the terrace. Lucio hurried after Patrizia, suspecting that she had misunderstood. 

“Queen, wait. Queen!” 

“…” 

Patrizia hid her reddened face. She managed to slip away from Lucio’s pursuit, and managed to conceal herself in a private place. 

“Why did I do that…” she muttered softly. 

Lucio did well. In truth, it was only natural that he was faced with that much temptation. She held her hand against her pounding chest and tried to catch her breath. Her chest ached from running so hard. No, was it really in pain because of that? 

“Rizi…” 

Then, a familiar voice called out to her. She was surprised to find the owner of that voice. It was Lucio. 

“Why…are you here…” she panted. 

“You ran away with such a misunderstanding.” He gently took her hand. “If I don’t explain here—” 

“…” 

“—I will be the bad guy who lied to you.” 

“…You don’t have to explain,” she muttered. 

“Why?” he asked with a nervous look. “Are you…disappointed in me already? But Rizi, I—” 

“No, it’s not like that,” Patrizia said flatly. “I saw everything. So you don’t have to explain.” 

“Ah…” He became moved with emotion. “Can I hug you?” 

“…Here?” 

“No, no. I don’t mean snuggle.” 

Patrizia, who misinterpreted his meaning of ‘hug’, blushed without even realizing it, and Lucio smiled cunningly and hugged her lightly. Her face turned even redder in his arms. 

“You wanted ‘that’?” Lucio whispered above her head. 

“…” 

It was clear that this man was making fun of her now, and she tried to bite her lip. Without even looking, he stopped her by touching her lips with his fingers. Patrizia looked annoyed. 

“Are you making fun of me?” 

“Of course not.” Lucio smiled playfully and kissed Patrizia’s forehead. “My dear Queen, may I request a dance as an apology?” 

His voice was so soft and sweet that Patrizia couldn’t help but smile. “If you want,” she answered quietly. 

They did not have to leave the terrace to dance; The music that drifted through the banquet hall was enough. Lucio already knew that Patrizia was more comfortable in this empty terrace without anyone else. In fact, he liked it better too as there was no one to interrupt them here this time. Of course, he liked it when everyone could see that she was his, but Patrizia’s feelings were more important. 

“…” 

Lucio placed his hand on Patrizia’s waist, and she grabbed his shoulder with slightly trembling fingertips. 

How long has it been since I have danced like this? Patrizia began to move her feet with a slight heat on her cheeks. 

At the same time, Lucio moved his body. The sound of music from the banquet hall was faint, but it was strong enough for them to find their rhythm. The two began to dance to each other’s movements without a single jarring step. Their intertwined hands were damp with cold sweat, and it was clear that they were both pretending not to be nervous. 

“I’m glad there’s no one here,” Patrizia whispered. 

“I’m glad you feel like that.” 

“…” 

Don’t say such embarrassing things. Patrizia wanted to say that, but she didn’t want to shatter the delicate mood. She decided to just let it go. She also thought that he would smell the scent from her body, and she felt somewhat awkward. As she dropped her slightly red face, Lucio looked at her in curiosity. 

“What’s wrong, Rizi? Are you not feeling well? Your face is red.” 

“…I’m okay, Your Majesty.” 

He looked at her doubtfully, but he let that go as well. Their dance began to increase in intensity, and the two became completely immersed in each other’s movements, completely forgetting their nervousness. Patrizia was delighted with the dance. Even though she usually did not enjoy this activity, her body seemed to soar. Was it a matter of setting or the partner? Patrizia was agonizing over the thought when a soft voice above her spoke. 

“Don’t think about anything else,” Lucio said. 

“…” 

“Just focus on me.” 

His tone teetered on the edge between a command and request. She turned slowly, whispering in his chest that she would do so. Several loose strands of hair had escaped its tight bun, but it didn’t matter. Lucio probably thought she still looked beautiful like that. 

At the end of the song, Patrizia looked up at Lucio with a slightly red face. Their faces were nearly touching. 

Then, without a word, they kissed each other. The dance completely erased any awkwardness and doubt in Patrizia’s mind. 

“Hmph…” 

The kiss was more intense than usual and Patrizia let out a soft moan. Lucio kissed her even harder, as if the sound were a stimulant. 

“Not…here,” Patrizia mumbled. 

“I know.” He barely stopped to kiss her to whisper in her ear. “But I’m the only one who can see your skin. No one else can see it.” 

“…” 

At the possessiveness in his line, Patrizia pressed her lips against his to steal his breath. She was glad they were in the terrace rather than the banquet hall, and she grabbed his collar a little harder. 

Their kiss lasted quite a long time. 

* 

“I don’t see Her Majesty,” Petronilla said. She had finished her dance with Rothesay and was searching for her sister. 

“Maybe she’s having a good time with His Majesty, Nil,” Rothesay said in a slightly laughing voice. 

“Oh my god.” Petronilla shook her head in amazement. “I can’t believe you come up with that.” 

“Isn’t that what love is? Even though you may have hate, it’s quickly replaced by something better…” 

“But we didn’t.” 

“That’s because we didn’t have any extraordinary hardships. Both of them have gone through many trials.” Rothesay planted a soft kiss on Petronilla’s cheek and spoke in a whisper. “It’s night, Nilla.” 

“Yes.” Petronilla mumbled. “It’s night. When will this party end?” 

“Perhaps the fireworks at midnight will be the last event. Before that…” Rothesay’s low voice tickled her ear. “Can you come out for a second?”