Lady to Queen - Chapter 115

Chapter 115 – [Side Story] Ch. 7 I Would Be The Queen Dowager, Not The Queen 

Rosemond was in stunned disbelief at the doctor’s diagnosis. 

“Why are you lying? You dare lie to just have me killed? Your Majesty, he’s lying,” she said in desperation. Despite her agitation, the old doctor remained calm next to her. 

“Your Majesty the Emperor, I did not lie. If you believe it’s a misdiagnosis, you may consult other court physicians. “ 

“…” 

Conflict flickered on Lucio’s face, then he soon spoke. “The criminal claims that the court doctor is unreliable, so we shall do further consultations to prevent further discrepancies.” 

However, it soon became clear that God was not on Rosemond’s side. A total of five court doctors examined her, but each one concluded that she was not pregnant. However, Rosemond could not accept this outcome. 

“That can’t be possible, Your Majesty! I have had morning sickness and I haven’t had menstruation. They’re lying to have me killed, Your Majesty,” Rosemond pleaded desperately at Lucio’s feet. “Please spare me, Your Majesty. No, I don’t care if you don’t spare me, but spare the life of your child, the Imperial descendant of this Empire, Your Majesty!”
 

One of the court doctors interrupted her. “Your Majesty, let me explain what she just said.” The doctor looked towards Lucio. “We concluded that she has had a phantom pregnancy. It’s what happens when a woman is so desperate that she wants to get pregnant.” 

“…” 

“It is not an uncommon condition,” the doctor said. 

A noble spoke up this time. “So nothing is growing in her belly, correct?” 

“Yes.” 

“Then, Your Majesty, there is no reason to hesitate the execution any longer,” the noble concluded. “There is no reason to keep a criminal, who did not even conceive the Imperial descendant, alive.” 

“No! I’m pregnant! I’m pregnant with His Majesty’s child!” Rosemond shrieked. 

“Drag the criminal out.” 

“Your Majesty, please spare me! Argh! Let me go!” 

Rosemond was forcibly dragged to the scaffold. She seemed to be completely out of her mind as she realized that she was really going to die.
 

“Your Majesty, please spare me! You can’t do this to me.” 

“…” 

“Your Majesty!” 

But no matter how Rosemond called out Lucio, there was nothing he could do. Even if he was the ruler of the vast empire, he could not wield his power to violate the Imperial Law. That was tantamount to tyranny. He simply stared at the woman he loved with all his heart. That was the best he could give her. 

“Your Majestyyyyyy!” 

“Carry out the execution!” 

“Aarghh!” 

It happened in an instant. The executioner released the rope tied to the guillotine, and soon the shining blade fell mercilessly downwards. 

“Aarghh!” 

“Uurghh!” 

The onlookers gave a terrible groan as the gruesome sight unfolded before them. Lucio was no exception. 

“Haa…” 

He staggered when he realized that he could not stand the sight. The ladies-in-waiting next to him supported him before he could fall, and with their help, he made his way back to his carriage. The other nobles would clean up everything anyway. He was no longer needed now. 

He let out a strangled, suffering noise. To hide it, the head lady-in-waiting rushed him into the carriage. 

“Your Majesty, calm down,” she tried to soothe. 

“How…how can you tell me to calm down after I just saw that scene?” He wriggled like a dismembered caterpillar. Among the shocks he had received in his life, this was easily near the top. 

“I could not save her… I… I…” he muttered. 

“It was not your fault. You don’t have to…” 

“Urgghhh…” He broke down into tears and sobbed helplessly. 

Knowing that no consolation would work for him, the head lady-in-waiting stepped out of the carriage and signaled for departure. People could hear endless cries coming from the extravagant, gilded carriage. 

* 

“By the way, My Lady, how is His Majesty doing these days?” 

“He is not good,” Lauren answered in a dry tone. She was currently having tea with a daughter of a marquis who joined their cause. “After the execution, I heard from the ladies-in-waiting from the Central Palace that he’s like a dead man walking.” 

“Tsk tsk.” Lady Filomina clicked her tongue. She made an expression as if she found the Emperor pathetic, and Lauren stared at her. Filomina offered her thoughts without solicitation. 

“I cannot believe the great Emperor of Mavinous turned out like that because of a woman! Isn’t he pathetic? It would be better if a monarch had a woman, but it doesn’t really matter if they don’t have one.” 

“…That’s how fond he was towards Rosemond. He must have really loved her.” 

“How foolish is that? How can a monarch truly love? He must have never thought about how much it could hold him back,” Filomina said haughtily, then quickly changed the subject. “By the way, My Lady, if the throne is overturned, will you become the Queen?” 

“…I suppose so,” Lauren answered. 

That was the reason she was adopted by her father. He suddenly offered to adopt her when he began to plan his rebellion. He believed that in order to obtain perfect power, he somehow had to have a blood relation with the Imperial Family. 

“Oh my,” Filomina exclaimed. “Then when you become the Queen in the future, can I be your lady-in-waiting?” 

“The position is always opened to any noble daughter. Of course it’s no exception for you too, Lady Filomina.” 

Lauren indirectly indicated her refusal, but the stupid Filomina stared at Lauren as if she did not comprehend it. She was a little tired at the present time and she frowned so much that no one could notice. 

“Finally tomorrow is the rebellion day,” Filomina said, changing the subject yet again. 

“Be careful, Lady Filomina. There are ears everywhere,” warned Lauren gently. 

“But this is your residence, My Lady. What can happen here?” 

“But still.” 

What good was it to bring this careless, tactless woman as a lady-in-waiting? Lauren made a mental note not to have this woman close to her even if she were to become queen. 

Lauren continued. “As you have already heard from your father, stay out of sight as much as possible tomorrow. Just in case. We don’t want to be harmed when the throne is seized.” 

“Of course,” Filomina replied with a nod. “But, My Lady, you’re going to the party tomorrow, right?” 

“…No. I’m going to be in the Duke’s residence.” 

“Oh my, why?” 

…Why else? To avoid any possible mishaps. But Lauren did not know what would happen if she said that right away, so she made up another excuse. 

“Because I haven’t been feeling well since yesterday. I barely made it for our meeting today.” 

“Oh my goodness!” Filomina cried out, and started to make a fuss. “Are you okay, My Lady?” 

“Yes. I’m fine. I’ve been overworking in the last few days, so I’ve been having body aches.” Actually, Lauren was just fine. She slowly concluded their conversation. “Shall we get up now? The doctor advised me not to overwork.” 

* 

Lauren did not attend the banquet the next day as scheduled. And as scheduled, she received a letter from her father that he had safely taken over the Imperial Palace late that afternoon. 

“Finally!” 

“Congratulations, Lady Lauren.” 

Her family was in a festive mood. It was obvious that she would soon wear the crown of the Queen because of the Duke—as previously discussed as to who would succeed the throne. 

“My daughter!” 

Duke Witherford returned to his residence later that night. It seemed to have taken some time to put everything in order. Lauren greeted him with a bright smile. 

“Congratulations, Father. You have finally achieved your goal.” 

“This is just the beginning.” Duke Witherford, with a strange smile, asked a lady-in-waiting for two cups of tea, and the father and daughter soon began their conversation over steaming cups of rosemary tea. 

“What will happen from now on?” Lauren asked. 

“We’re going according to the formal guidelines. The dethroned Emperor will soon be executed, and Grand Duke Callinicus will take over the Imperial throne.” 

“…” 

“The nobles who supported the Emperor will also be purged…and when it’s all over, you’re going to be the Empress. How is it? Isn’t it simple?” 

“Yes,” Lauren said with a faint smile. 

Duke Witherford’s expressions was pleased. “You have nothing to worry about, Lau. All you have to do now is wait for me to bring you the crown. How simple is that?” 

“I want to at least help you,” she offered. 

“You have helped me enough. You even acted as a lady-in-waiting in the Queen’s Palace,” Duke Witherford said, then burst into laughter. 

“How was the end of the dethroned Emperor?” Lauren asked, and the Duke paused for a moment before answering casually. 

“I don’t know if he was already expecting his fate or, just like the rumors said, he had already lost all the will to live after the dethroned Queen was executed.” 

“…” 

“He obediently surrendered the Imperial throne. We were also taken aback because it was easier than we thought.” 

“That must be no fun.” 

“Oh my god, Lau. The coup has everything on the line, and I can’t believe that you’re thinking about fun! In any case, as long as it’s easier to seize the Imperial throne, the better.” 

“That’s true,” replied Lauren. 

“Did you expect something big to happen?” 

“I didn’t know the dethroned Emperor would give up so easily. I thought he was going to at least struggle,” she remarked. 

The Duke looked thoughtful. “That was quite unexpected for us too. He smiled like he had given up everything at the end. We were all surprised.” 

“I suppose he was not in his right mind,” Lauren concluded. “Let’s stop talking about this, father. Why should we pay more attention to a loser?” 

“Yes. That would be good,” Duke Witherford said, and smilingly stroked his daughter’s hair. “Go to bed early. You’ll be busy starting tomorrow.” 

* 

She lived a life of misfortune from the beginning, and everything turned against her just when she was about to feel better. 

‘If I had given birth to a child earlier, would everything have changed?’ 

In the end, the reason she fell this far was because she had no children. If she had given birth to a child early on, Lucio would not have brought another woman as the queen instead of her, nor would she have to be dethroned after becoming the queen herself. 

‘If I could go back, I would be the Queen Dowager, not the Queen.’ 

The Emperor’s love was not lasting. It was a fickle thing that would disappear when she grew old and ugly. But if she had given birth to a crown prince, he would not be able to leave her, no matter how much he hated her. Why? Because she would have been the Queen Mother of the crown prince who would inherit the throne. 

‘If I were to be born again, I would make sure…’ 

Rosemond closed her eyes and willed for something that could not be achieved. 

“…Hmm.” 

Rosemond opened her eyes. Was this Heaven? Or Hell? Her eyes took in the room she was in. Was this Purgatory? 

It was then that someone opened the door and came in. It was a familiar face. 

“Your Majesty…?” she said in utter disbelief. 

“Rose.” 

It was Lucio. He was looking at her lovingly. 

“What…what is going on…” she stuttered. 

“What do you mean? Was I that bad last night? That you couldn’t even remember?” 

“What do you mean…” Then, Rosemond’s gaze fell on her body. She was naked. 

“When…is now?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“How long has it been since you were crowned?” 

“That’s so abrupt.” He looked at her with a slightly confused expression. “I took the throne six months ago, Rose. You were there at the coronation. Have you forgotten already?” 

“No way…” Rosemond said in a muted voice, and Lucio approached her and sat on the bed. His body warmed up her cold one as he hugged her. 

“Did you have a good sleep?” he said in an affectionate tone. 

So, she went back six months after Lucio took the throne, to the time when he still did not take a queen yet! Rosemond squeezed Lucio back as her heart soared. 

“I love you, Your Majesty,” she whispered. 

“I love you too, Rose.” 

As Lucio whispered his sweet nothings in her ear, Rosemond made a vow. She would be the Queen and Queen Dowager this time. She would never come to the same tragic end like in her previous life!