The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 100

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 100

Lisia wasn’t the only one whose gaze was captivated by the other person.

Lawrence was the same.

He visited this salon almost every day. There wasn’t a single regular patron of the salon he didn’t know.

He investigated and memorized even the occasional visitors, wondering if they might be connected to the Empress or other ladies-in-waiting.

However, this beautiful blonde Young Lady was a face he’d never seen before.

She was a type he’d never encountered until now.

Her appearance itself wasn’t particularly outstanding.

In fact, even if her appearance were outstanding, it would be quite difficult to catch Lawrence’s eye.

The most beautiful woman in the world was his mother. And he himself possessed beautiful features that were the spitting image of his mother.

But Lisia, seen up close, was certainly enough to draw people’s attention.

Normally, she wouldn’t be the type to interest him. Her attire was reasonably refined, but her demeanor was naive. She was undoubtedly the daughter of a provincial noble making her debut this year.

But there was something more than that.

Lawrence couldn’t say exactly what it was. He hadn’t noticed it from a distance.

However, something like the budding of light dwelt within Lisia, and whenever her vibrant limbs moved, it colored the surrounding air with a different hue.

Such an aura was something even Milaire didn’t possess. Graceful movements or disciplined behavior could be acquired through education, but innate vitality was different.

No woman in the capital could imitate her.

Lawrence felt a needle-like pain deep in his mind.

“I’m not that kind of woman! Why won’t you believe me? You already confirmed it!”

“Please, please! Your Majesty!”

Screams and wails momentarily clamored in his ears before disappearing.

Something made a twisting sound inside his chest.

Lawrence hid his expression and lowered his gaze. The hallucination he couldn’t clearly perceive quickly vanished.

Only strange stuffiness and the remnants of a headache remained in his mind.

Thinking he was looking at her hands, Lisia blushed and quickly hid her hands behind her back.

“Ah, well, this is…”

Lisia stammered.

To be caught hoarding food in front of such an elegant and refined man made her want to crawl into a mouse hole.

‘Ugh… I haven’t damaged His Highness’s honor, have I?’

She was flustered.

Lawrence’s lips curved slightly. Lisia became even more restless.

“If you like the refreshments, just tell a servant. It would be even better if you’re acquainted with Countess Marta and tell her directly.”

“Yes.”

“Whether it’s a salon, banquet hall, or dinner party, there’s no case where hosts dislike guests who appreciate the prepared food.”

Saying this, Lawrence snapped his fingers to call a servant. It was an attitude as familiar as if he were in his own home.

“This lady seems to enjoy the refreshments, so make sure she doesn’t leave empty-handed.”

“Yes.”

The servant answered Lawrence respectfully. He also greeted Lisia before withdrawing.

Lisia spoke awkwardly, unable to completely hide her embarrassment.

“Thank you for your kindness. This is my first time at such a gathering, so I didn’t know how to conduct myself properly.”

“No.”

Lawrence was slightly flustered and suddenly felt uncomfortable. He couldn’t understand why he had felt inclined to be kind.

And he thought this woman was foolish.

Even if it really was her first time and she was inexperienced, telling others about it was foolish. Because it became a weakness.

For a noble, even on their first day entering society, they should naturally maintain perfect composure and elegance on the surface.

However, Lisia’s honest attitude even felt innocent. She was foolish, but strangely, it didn’t seem that way.

Feeling uncomfortable meeting those large, clear eyes, Lawrence was about to turn away.

It was impolite, but he was someone who could get away with it. There probably wouldn’t be occasion to exchange greetings twice with this person anyway.

“Ah, um.”

Lisia spoke to him again.

That’s when it happened.

The sound of something falling came from behind him.

Lawrence turned around.

“Ah.”

Artizea stared at him blankly, having dropped her parasol.

“Your Highness.”

Lisia curtsied respectfully.

She approached Artizea and picked up the dropped parasol. Only then did Artizea come to her senses.

But she didn’t look at Lisia and spoke toward Lawrence instead.

“Brother.”

Seeing him talking with Lisia, Artizea was greatly flustered.

Actually, she had been anxious ever since Lisia said she would accompany her to the Empress’s Palace. That’s why she had tried not to bring her.

Nevertheless, she brought her because Lisia had insisted on serving as her attendant.

Countess Marta’s salon was an appropriate place for Lisia to make her first appearance. Besides, now that they were in the capital, they would inevitably encounter Lawrence sooner or later anyway.

She had believed nothing would happen.

Lisia was pretty, but she wasn’t the type of beauty Lawrence preferred.

The women he liked were all decadent and voluptuous, without self-assertion and submissive. They also didn’t possess strong desire for power or ambition.

Lawrence was someone who couldn’t tolerate even having someone dare to look him straight in the eye.

Considering status as well, it was the same. Something like a provincial baron wasn’t a match that would catch Lawrence’s eye.

Until she introduced them herself, there was no reason for Lawrence to be interested even in a lady-in-waiting.

So even if they were in the same space, she thought there would be no occasion for conversation.

Artizea tried hard to compose herself.

Lawrence probably didn’t think anything special even after seeing Lisia.

Just before too, though they seemed to have exchanged words, Lawrence was about to leave.

Lawrence said.

“It’s been a long time.”

“Yes. Have you been well?”

“If boredom counts as trouble, then it was trouble. You must have had difficulties with such a big incident happening during your honeymoon. Is Cedric alright?”

“Yes.”

Artizea answered briefly. Her mind was in turmoil and words wouldn’t come out smoothly.

Lawrence glanced at Lisia and asked.

“Is she your lady-in-waiting?”

“Yes.”

“I see. I thought she was an unfamiliar face.”

Normally, this would be when she would introduce Lisia. However, Artizea didn’t do so.

There would be no problem in saying she was Baron Morten, a retainer of the Evron Duchy.

Such things were so public that they couldn’t even be called information. Lawrence would find out soon anyway.

But she didn’t want to say anything that would introduce the two to each other.

Looking back, Lisia had her head bowed apologetically. Her cheeks were flushed red.

She hadn’t even thought that the other person might be that Lawrence. If she had known, she would have been more cautious.

This was Artizea’s mistake.

To the people of the capital, Milaire’s appearance was well-known to the level of common knowledge.

Portraits and publicity pictures were frequently published in newspapers, and many people had seen her face when she rode in open carriages, during parades, or when she appeared on palace balconies.

At least her physical characteristics were known even by people who had no occasion to come near the Imperial Palace.

Therefore, Artizea hadn’t thought to show Lisia Milaire’s portrait beforehand to familiarize her with it.

Though she had warned her in advance to avoid conversation as much as possible within the bounds of etiquette when encountering Milaire or Lawrence.

Seeing her with her head bowed, Artizea turned her gaze back to Lawrence.

“Would you like to take a walk for a moment?”

Lawrence looked at Artizea with slightly intrigued eyes.

Until now, he had never once strolled or walked together with Artizea. He had never even thought to do so. They weren’t close enough to spend time together like that.

However, the walk was an appropriate choice. The salon guests seemed to be paying no attention to them while subtly listening in.

If they wanted to have a conversation, it would be better to meet separately or go out to the garden.

Lawrence extended his arm to Artizea. Artizea took his arm and received a parasol from Lisia’s hand.

“You stay here. Countess Marta will return soon.”

“Yes.”

Lisia stepped back.

The two slowly walked out of the salon.

The sunlight was warm.

There were several other people taking walks. This was because the Empress occasionally strolled through the garden. They were hoping to encounter her.

Lawrence was one of those people.

Taking garden walks in broad daylight was nothing but tedious. But if he wanted to make his presence known, he had to do at least that much.

However, there was no one who had actually met and conversed with the Empress in the garden. This was because her guards and attendants thoroughly cleared people from the Empress’s path.

“I’m glad you’ve returned.”

Lawrence said this with some sincerity.

“It seems winning the Empress’s favor wasn’t easy?”

Artizea said.

As they moved away from Lisia, she felt a bit more at ease. Her voice regained its composure as well.

Lawrence answered.

“I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but it’s more difficult than I thought. Setting aside how hard it is to see the Empress, even her ladies-in-waiting are tight-lipped and well-guarded.”

“They are people who have served the Empress faithfully without asking for anything, even while the Empress’s Palace has built high walls around itself. It would be difficult to gain their cooperation with ordinary rewards.”

“That’s right. There doesn’t seem to be anyone willing to think for themselves for their master’s sake either.”

Artizea smiled.

That was Lawrence’s self-centered thinking. Objectively speaking, from the Empress’s perspective, Lawrence becoming Emperor wouldn’t be particularly better than Duke Loigar.

The Empress had no desire to become Empress Dowager. Moreover, the deeper one became involved in political strife, the higher the probability of endangering one’s remaining years.

“Your reputation has improved quite a bit in a short time. I heard you’ve settled all your affairs with your lovers too?”

Artizea said. Lawrence hesitated for a moment.

“You don’t need to be modest just because I’m your sister. I can’t play the role of a duchess in social circles without at least that much information.”

“Hmm.”

“I heard you moved out of the Andeman Baroness’ residence and into the manor on Sabelin Street? Wouldn’t that be too cramped for you to use, brother?”

“Since the salon was opening, I thought various social rumors would reach the Empress’s ears.”

So he first corrected his conduct.

He settled all his relationships with women and even ended his relationship with the Andeman Baroness, who had been his most favored partner. This was because he knew the Empress was sensitive about adultery.

He had called in his friends because the ladies-in-waiting were reluctant to open their hearts.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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