The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 101

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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 101

Lawrence was handsome, and he easily won the favor of not only women but men as well. This was true not only with peers who could be romantic interests, but also with older people.

However, he found it hard to believe that his charm would work in the Empress’s Palace. This was even more so because of his resemblance to Milaire.

So he called in friends to win over the maids.

Most of Lawrence’s friends were from influential families, and many of them loved to have fun.

Some enjoyed hunting and horseback riding, while several others made a hobby of grooming their appearance and seducing women.

Lawrence thought that even if his own charm didn’t work here, one or two of his friends would surely be able to exert their influence as handsome men.

He didn’t expect them to properly seduce the Empress’s maids. It would be enough if they gained favor and spoke positively to the Empress or became slightly loose-lipped.

However, the Empress’s maids were much more loyal than he had expected. The results Lawrence achieved were at most winning over a few servants.

Instead, positive reactions came from a different direction.

When the dissolute young men followed Lawrence’s example, conducting themselves properly and participating calmly and composedly in literary salons, the surrounding gazes quickly turned favorable. The court officials were particularly pleased.

Even the Emperor, though with a subtle expression, called him over to praise him.

“You must have your own thoughts, so I won’t say anything about you frequenting Countess Marta’s salon. Do well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And you’ve thought well about various things. It’s natural for young men to live dissolutely, and being spirited and winning the favor of peers is also good. But since such incidents happened recently, it would be better to discipline your conduct for a while. It’s also good to see you having a positive influence on your friends.”

“Yes.”

“You don’t need to worry about every aspect of your reputation, but you mustn’t invite too much opposition. I’m not telling you to fear the people. Just learn how to earn the trust of the ministers.”

“Yes.”

“You must have someone tell you how the world is changing. You only have two eyes and two ears, but your subordinates have thousands and tens of thousands of eyes and mouths. Don’t forget that people’s words can even break down rocky mountains.”

The Emperor said this. Lawrence knew that this was him imparting teachings.

However, his frustrated feelings wouldn’t subside.

He knew he couldn’t capture the Empress’s heart in a short time. But Lawrence was naturally impatient and couldn’t tolerate things not going his way.

“I can’t guess what Her Majesty the Empress desires. Perhaps she really wants to entrust her old age to you two as a couple, as she said.”

Lawrence said. Artizea answered gently.

“There is one thing Her Majesty the Empress desires.”

Lawrence looked at Artizea’s profile.

The nuance of her words was ambiguous. He couldn’t tell if she was trying to help him or expecting something in return.

He thought it might be the latter.

The fact that he was thinking this way about Artizea made Lawrence feel unpleasant.

“Are you saying this as my sister, or as the Empress’s maid?”

“You must understand that I cannot speak with certainty, brother. Her Majesty the Empress has never explicitly revealed her intentions.”

Artizea continued.

“Her Majesty the Empress keeps salt crystals in her bedroom. Those ornaments from the Riagan Duchy.”

“Salt crystals…”

“They’re a very beautiful blue color. They say that’s the color of the Southern Sea.”

Lawrence fell silent at those words. Artizea left him alone so he could think sufficiently.

Only after a moment did Lawrence ask.

“Then what you’re saying is,”

“Come to think of it, brother, don’t you have any thoughts of marriage? It would be good to at least get engaged.”

Artizea spoke up. It was perfectly timed to cut off Lawrence’s words.

Lawrence raised his eyebrows, showing his displeasure. Artizea pretended not to notice.

She gave information she could provide as a sister, but withdrew while maintaining her duty as the Empress’s maid, not becoming a direct discussion partner.

Lawrence wasn’t a fool. He was momentarily angry at being cut off, but he understood Artizea’s intention and softened his expression.

Artizea was the one holding the sword hilt now. He needed her cooperation to gain the Empress’s favor.

“You were the Duchess of Evron.”

Lawrence said quietly. He remembered Artizea saying she wanted to properly establish herself as the Duchess of Evron.

He understood. This was natural behavior for the Duchess of Evron.

If she weren’t his sister, he would have had to pay a different price for such information, or go through a long process of earning trust.

It was only because she was his sister that this process was skipped. If he became Emperor, Artizea would naturally become the Emperor’s sister.

And at the same time, he could be certain that Cedric wasn’t yet inclined toward him.

He had to be mindful of the Empress too.

Cooperating with him was natural considering their blood relation. The Empress would know this too. But she wouldn’t like it if it were done too obviously.

Lawrence turned his gaze forward again. And he settled on the topic Artizea had brought up.

“Marriage… If there’s a suitable person, it wouldn’t be bad.”

“Until now, there was the matter with mother.”

Even while keeping the throne within sight, the reason he had only been saving the effective card of marriage alliance was because of Milaire.

Lawrence also had no particular desire to marry with Milaire behind him.

Marriage was different from having multiple lovers. His obsessive mother would get involved. Just thinking about it was tiresome.

But there was no particular reason not to do it either.

“Do you have someone you want to introduce?”

“I didn’t have anyone specific in mind when I mentioned it. I just thought there aren’t many families capable of producing a future Empress. If you don’t have anyone in mind, I was thinking of asking Her Majesty the Empress.”

Lawrence nodded with satisfaction at the last words.

There are few relationships better than marriage connections. Families connected through marriage have no choice but to share fate in succession disputes.

Although Artizea’s marriage to Cedric created a marriage connection with the House of Evron, Cedric wasn’t the type to actively involve himself in political strife.

‘Actually, even if he were here, he wouldn’t be much help in the capital. His value as background would be greater.’

He needed a more reliable ally.

The Emperor said that if he could just win over Cedric, he would take care of the rest, but he couldn’t just sit still believing those words.

His own marriage would be a good means. Preferably with a powerful force. It would be even better if it were a family connected to the Empress.

Which high noble families had daughters of marriageable age? Even divorced women would be fine. Lawrence was deep in thought when.

“You have many excellent acquaintances and friends, brother. Consult with them too.”

“Right.”

Lawrence gave an affirmative answer.

On the way back, Lawrence encountered someone he knew, exchanged greetings, and went outside again.

When Artizea returned alone, Lisia was once again by the table.

Countess Marta had not yet returned to the salon.

Instead, Lisia was talking with another man. Since Artizea didn’t recognize him, he was probably a low-level official or someone like a poet.

Artizea could see Lisia smiling brightly. She didn’t look particularly bad or unstable.

Even after confirming this, Artizea squeezed her eyes shut.

Wasn’t this what she had expected? Lawrence frequented this salon. There was plenty of possibility they would encounter each other.

Yet the moment she saw them together, her spine had tingled. She couldn’t describe how much she regretted it in that instant.

Neither Lisia nor Lawrence were ‘returnees.’

Still, it was uncertain. Could Lawrence’s interest in Lisia be because some memory remained, however faintly?

What about Lisia? Even if she couldn’t remember, might there be something like scars left on her soul? Wouldn’t it result in painful consequences that would reopen those wounds?

‘Should I not have brought her to the capital after all?’

Should she have left her at the manor?

Countess Marta’s salon was the perfect place to quietly introduce Lisia to society. That’s why she brought her despite knowing this could happen.

Anyway, as long as she entered society, she couldn’t completely avoid Lawrence. Even if not today, as long as she was in the capital, she would see his face someday.

Then the only way to prevent them from meeting would be to not come out at all.

But then there would be no reason for bringing her to the capital.

Artizea hoped Lisia would establish herself before receiving the oracle. That way, it would be easier after becoming a saint.

She wanted her to become familiar with society and meet people who would support her to build relationships first, while she herself had power in society and could watch her back. So she wouldn’t throw herself into the world empty-handed like before.

There were also things she absolutely needed to do for the House of Evron.

‘But…’

No. Nothing would happen between her and Lawrence.

If possible, let’s quickly assign her work elsewhere without any occasion for her to exchange words with Lawrence.

While she was thinking this, she heard a voice calling her.

“Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?”

Artizea came to her senses. Lisia was looking at her with concern.

“Nothing happened to you, right?”

“I’m fine.”

Artizea muttered in a cracked voice. Lisia carefully examined her complexion.

Then, when a clear light returned to Artizea’s eyes, she smiled as if relieved.

“I was worried. I thought something might have happened between you and my brother.”

“No. What could happen to me? What about you… nothing happened, right?”

“What could have happened to me? Um, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?”

Artizea blinked. She didn’t understand what Lisia was apologizing for.

“Yes. Your Highness told me not to speak with Lord Lawrence as much as possible. Since Your Highness is in such a sensitive position…”

Lisia added as if making an excuse.

“It’s not that I forgot, but I didn’t realize who he was. I’m sorry. I’m such a fool.”

Lisia regretted that she should have been more careful.

Something felt uncomfortable, like a thorn stuck in her throat.

However, she didn’t reveal the subtle excitement or the anxious trembling that ran down her spine, burying them deep in her heart. She didn’t want to trouble Artizea.

The person who should hold her hand was not that man, but this person.

‘…?’

Lisia felt something strange about her own thoughts.

Artizea let out a long sigh. Lisia rolled her eyes anxiously and asked.

“I didn’t damage Your Highness’s honor, did I?”

“It’s fine, that kind of honor can be damaged.”

“It’s not fine.”

Lisia’s face turned bright red.

Artizea smiled. The tension released all at once, making her feel like laughing instead.

Lisia carefully reached out her hand. It was improper and against etiquette, but for some reason, she wanted to do it.

Artizea looked at Lisia in surprise. Lisia gripped her hand tightly. And smiled with her reddened face.

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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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