Lady to Queen - Chapter 111

Chapter 111 – [Side Story] Ch. 3 Treason, Revolution, Coup D’état 

Ladies-in-waiting were able to commute freely between work and home. 

As the day drew to a close, Lauren silently headed back to her residence. Her normally quiet home was bustling with middle-aged men tonight. After changing her dress, Lauren entered into the room where they were. A man noticed her arrival and called her name. 

“Lauren.” 

It was her father. A thin, mirthless smile crossed her face. 

“Father, you’re back early,” she said. She glanced at the other people in the room. Lauren’s father, Duke Witherford, answered. 

“The situation turned out this way. We came early to avoid suspicion.” 

“That was wise of you,” she commented.
 

“Right, so what’s the state in the Queen’s Palace?” Duke Witherford said, business-like. 

Lauren’s smooth forehead formed a slight wrinkle. “It’s not good,” she sighed. 

“What does that exactly mean, Lady Lauren?” 

“It’s exactly as I say… the Queen’s extravagance is only getting more and more extreme. Do you know what happened today? She changed into a different dress after wearing it for five hours because she went outside wearing it.” 

Lauren’s voice grew in agitation as she continued. 

“That’s not all. The luxury items that the Queen is purchasing is increasing in both number and in value. Where do you think the money for this frivolous spending is coming from, everyone? It’s from the kingdom’s budget. What the Queen is doing is no different from an act of throwing the entire kingdom into ruin.” 

“Regardless, isn’t she doing her job well?” one of the nobles said. 

Lauren smiled with distaste. “That’s true. There’s no room for doubt. She’s not only skilled—she’s a master at managing people. She knows whose talents need to be used where. That’s certainly something one can look up to her for.” 

But almost immediately after, a negativity came out of Lauren’s lips. 

“Even so, her extravagant lifestyle is so severe that it’s impossible to turn a blind eye towards it. Not to mention, the citizens of the kingdom have been suffering from a nationwide drought! How could someone who is the queen of a kingdom put her own whims and desires above the poor and needy?”
 

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Lauren continued in a sharp voice. 

“She’s not in that position to manage the palace affairs well. She is the Mother of the Kingdom. It’s hard to say that the current Queen is living up to that role.” 

“We agree with you, Lady Witherford.” 

“Isn’t that why we’re gathered here today?” 

At those words, the other nobles also nodded their heads. Another person spoke. 

“The Queen only serves herself. Our common goal is to dethrone such a selfish Queen, is it not?” 

“That’s correct.” Duke Witherford gave a wry smile. “However, as you all know, in order to have a revolution, we must have a justification. If we try to take action without it, who would believe that our purpose is noble in nature?” 

“Even so, it won’t be enough with just the Queen, Your Grace. There needs to be something that’s directly related to the Emperor.” 

Lauren, who had been listening quietly, quipped up. “That’s manageable.” She continued in a clear tone. “The Emperor has ordered the late deposed Queen Petronilla and her family to be executed. All to make a single mistress queen.” 

And he probably doesn’t know how foolish that decision was. Lauren put on a secretive smile. 

“And as you all know, the Grochesters were loyal to the kingdom, yet he executed them. How unsound of mind must one be in order to make such a decision?” 

“That’s right.” Duke Witherford smiled. “This is true, everyone. The Emperor’s state of mind is deteriorating along with his judgement. That’s why he eliminated a loyal family and instated an ugly wench as queen.” 

“I say.” Amongst the nobles, one person spoke up. “Isn’t this quite a dangerous situation? After all, such a person is ruling over this kingdom.” 

A chorus of agreement followed. 

“You’re right. If he’s in such bad shape, then naturally, the need for someone who is of sound mind would come up.” 

“Yeah!” 

While everyone was excitedly talking over one another, Lauren smiled to herself. Eventually, Duke Witherford calmed down the situation. 

“About how many soldiers have we rallied?” he asked. 

“A sufficient amount, Your Grace. Even with just the private guards of the upper-ranking nobles, we have a considerable number. If we can just manage to bribe one of the palace gatekeepers, it won’t be difficult to seize the Queen’s Palace.” 

“There are many people in the palace who are trying to save themselves from the tyranny of the Queen. The Queen is the Emperor’s wife, and they are like one body. I’m sure those people will easily cooperate with us.” 

“I say, this is going so well that I’m a little worried,” Duke Witherford said jokingly. 

Lauren still had a smile on her face. “It’s because the situation is that much in our favor,” she said. “In addition, the Imperial doctor said that His Majesty has been feeling anxious ever since the execution of Queen Petronilla.” 

“Looks like it’s the right time.” 

It was definitely the right time. Lauren smiled as another noble spoke up. 

“While it doesn’t sit well with me that the new Emperor will not be a direct descendant, what else can we do? A successful coup won’t be considered a crime.” 

“A coup?” Lauren sharply interrupted the noble. She looked almost angry. “Who dares to call this a coup?” 

“What are you saying, Lady Lauren?” 

“If this succeeds, then that most certainly is not a coup,” she emphasized. “This is a revolution.” 

At those words, the other people burst out in excited laughs. That’s right, this was a revolution. If this truly succeeded, then who would ever be able to label this a coup? It would certainly be something that would cost them their head. 

“So, when will we revolt?” Lauren asked. 

“Soon,” Duke Witherford answered. “In the early morning, we’ll take back the throne. When that happens, we will all become revolutionaries.” 

“That’s satisfying to hear. Revolutionaries!” the others cried, and this time Lauren also joined in. 

Everything was going all according to plan. 

* 

Duchess Ephreney had been in a bad mood lately. Despite the fact that Rosemond, whom she had been unofficially supporting, was finally instated as Queen, the duchess was not satisfied with her situation. She could make a guess as to why that was. She had just been putting it off day by day because she didn’t want to admit it. 

“Madam, please come this way,” a servant girl said, and led the Duchess down a corridor. 

It was not the first time Duchess Ephreney had been here, but the servant nonetheless treated her like it was. If the Duchess were to be nitpicky, quite frankly she was displeased. However, she accepted that this was probably due to the fact that she wasn’t particularly friendly towards Rosemond. 

“Your Majesty, Duchess Ephreney has arrived,” the servant girl announced. 

“Ah, let her in,” a voice replied from beyond the door. 

Funnily, Duchess Ephreney didn’t even like the way Rosemond spoke. Ever since she realized that Rosemond came from a low-class family, she looked upon her distastefully, despite the fact that her husband came from such a family as well. Perhaps it was probably because the Duchess was the only daughter of an esteemed household of the kingdom. 

The doors opened, and Duchess Ephreney gracefully walked towards Rosemond. 

“Greetings to the Moon of the Empire, Her Majesty the Queen. Glory to the Mavinous Empire.” 

Although Duchess Ephreney helped and supported Rosemond, the fact that the daughter of a low-ranking family was now the most revered woman of the kingdom didn’t sit well in Duchess Ephreney’s stomach. 

Rosemond was sharp enough to notice this. “Why does your face look so unwell, Duchess?” 

However, Duchess Ephreney was a formidable opponent. She was the daughter of a high-ranking noble, after all. She fixed a sociable smile on her face. “What reason would there be for me to look unwell?” 

At those words, Rosemond smiled as she looked at her. “If so, then that’s a relief. Sit down.” 

Duchess Ephreney took the offered seat, and Rosemond began to lay her grievances. 

“The kingdom’s funds are completely depleted. Just how are they taxing the citizens…” she complained. 

“Your Majesty, while it’s good to worry about the kingdom’s funds—” the duchess was unyielding in her remarks, “—taxes are matters that His Majesty the Emperor takes care of. The Inner Palace must only concern itself over how to use and allocate its funds.” 

She wasn’t wrong, but those words were an indirect way of her telling Rosemond that she was needlessly meddling. Rosemond wasn’t blind to this, and she narrowed her eyes at the duchess. 

“…You’re right, Duchess. However, what I’m saying is that the funds for the Inner Palace are diminishing.” 

If you’re so worried about it, then why don’t you cut down on your luxurious spending? Duchess Ephreney wanted to say, but it was clear that the Queen would not like that. Ah… at the very least, the previous Queen wasn’t like this. 

Duchess Ephreney suddenly recalled the deceased Queen. She was a frugal woman. Though she had met her demise, she wasn’t a bad person. 

If Duchess Ephreney had to decide what caused the Queen’s downfall, it would be the Queen’s jealousy she felt because of the Emperor’s actions. However, if Duchess Ephreney was put in the same situation, she probably wouldn’t have been able to hide that jealousy either. If her own husband loved his concubine more than his own wife, then any woman would obviously go crazy. That was common sense. Moreover, if her rival in love was as cunning and wicked as Rosemond, a demise of a benevolent queen was inevitable. 

Duchess Ephreney realized that she was getting sentimental, and she dismissed her thoughts about the deposed Queen. That wasn’t a good train of thought to follow. After all, she played a hand in bringing Queen Petronilla to her death. Having these types of thoughts would only be an insult to the deceased. 

Although…these same thoughts could be a source of amusement for other people. 

Duchess Ephreney carefully gave her advice to Rosemond so as to not offend her. 

“Taxes are matters of the Emperor, Your Majesty. If funds are running low, then the Queen must be capable of spending it wisely. I have no doubt that you will be able to do so, considering how bright you are.” 

Having relayed those flowery words, Duchess Ephreney gauged Rosemond’s reaction. She didn’t look too displeased after hearing the compliment tacked on at the end. Seeing that, the Duchess sighed inwardly. 

Earning brownie points is quite the task.