The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 105

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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 105

Skyla and Lisia were waiting together in the temple’s drawing room.

The temple had prepared simple refreshments for their distinguished guests. Lisia stood up and took the tray from the monk’s hands.

“I’ll take care of it.”

Skyla glanced at Lisia. Lisia wore a gentle smile.

‘She said she was an old retainer of the Evron Duchy, right?’

Her appearance was fresh, and her manner was kind and polite. She wasn’t the type popular in the capital’s social circles, but she was likeable.

‘If that Duchess Evron chose her as a lady-in-waiting, there must be something special about her.’

Skyla thought so.

Countess Camellia didn’t hide much from her future successor. Especially when it came to information, she would speak openly with Skyla.

Therefore, Skyla knew as much about Artizea as Countess Camellia did. And she also knew how highly she evaluated her.

Today, she had said this:

“I’m thinking of asking her to accept you as a lady-in-waiting.”

“A lady-in-waiting?”

Skyla asked back in surprise.

“The Duchess Evron is no ordinary person. You’ll learn a lot under her.”

“Do you think that’s worth enduring my aunt’s disappointment? If done wrong, it might look like I’m trying to straddle both sides.”

“I’ll handle that part. Since it’s creating another connection with the Evron Duchy, Prince will think favorably of it too. After all, it’s impossible to connect with the Evron Duchy through marriage, isn’t it?”

“If she accepts me, she won’t be able to walk the tightrope from her current subtle position. Would the Duchess Evron really do that?”

“It’s time for her to decide which side to take. You don’t have any particularly bad relationship with the Duchess Evron, do you?”

“Not really.”

Skyla had neither friendship nor grudge with Artizea. The gap between them had been so large that she didn’t need to deliberately ignore her, let alone be close to her.

And now the situation was completely reversed.

Skyla resembled Countess Camellia.

She wasn’t without pride, but she wasn’t the type who couldn’t acknowledge someone who had risen higher than herself. For her own benefit, she could willingly place herself under such a person.

Anyway, if she became a lady-in-waiting, she would be living with Lisia.

Considering their social status, she was naturally the superior. However, their master’s favor was an important matter. The matter of seniority wasn’t entirely negligible either.

It was natural to be concerned.

“Is this Baron Mortan’s first time in the capital?”

“Yes. I’ve never left the Evron Duchy before.”

“I heard there’s another lady-in-waiting serving Her Grace besides you, Baron. Is she the same?”

“Yes. Sister Hailey was also born in Evron Castle and has lived there all her life.”

Lisia smiled awkwardly.

“Unlike me, she’s a very smart and wise sister. When I first became Her Grace’s lady-in-waiting alone, I was really worried, but now I’m relieved because even if I’m somewhat clumsy and do foolish things, Sister Hailey will do my share well too.”

“What are you worried about? You’ll do just fine, Baron. When is your debut party scheduled?”

“We’re not having one.”

“But both of you are new to the capital’s social circles.”

“We don’t have the status for it, and since the battle at Told Gate isn’t even over yet, it would be inappropriate to hold a party.”

“Are things in the north very bad?”

Skyla asked with concern. Lisia answered gently.

“Even in any victorious battle, there are casualties. There were already quite a few before we left. It’s a matter of mindset. We both decided this way, and Her Grace understood our feelings.”

“I see.”

Skyla looked worried. To her, the northern war was someone else’s business, not just the war itself but all the other matters entangled with it. But Lisia’s words concerned her.

Lisia didn’t specifically say it was dangerous, but it didn’t feel like everything was really okay either.

Skyla’s feelings became complicated. Had she deliberately spoken ambiguously?

While they were having such a conversation, Artizea and Countess Camellia, who had finished their not-so-short walk, entered.

Skyla and Lisia stood up from their seats.

Countess Camellia said.

“Let’s go back, Skyla.”

“Mother.”

Even if their secret conversation was over, Skyla was surprised because she thought they would build more friendship before parting.

Artizea said with an expressionless face.

“We’ll meet again soon.”

Countess Camellia bowed politely and withdrew with Skyla.

Skyla looked at Countess Camellia with puzzlement.

At first glance, she seemed to have a calm expression, but to Skyla’s daughter’s eyes, she could see that she was shaken.

Only after leaving the temple and getting into the carriage did Skyla ask.

“Did something happen?”

“…The Duchess Evron hinted at the possibility of Evron opening a path.”

“To Karam?”

Skyla asked back in surprise.

“That can’t be. Not Duke Evron.”

“Right. She was probably just threatening.”

“It’s too excessive to be just talk aimed at gaining support, isn’t it? If she’s doing it with the intention of taking the western regions, it would be foolish. Or is the north really that dangerous?”

“At least from what we know, it didn’t seem like the war would escalate. It’s true that siege weapons have appeared, and there are several villages that were attacked by small units that crossed the Thold Mountains, but no important areas have suffered noticeable damage.”

“Yes. While it’s reasonable for Prince Evron to respond cautiously considering the future, we had concluded that the war wouldn’t be prolonged immediately. And Told Gate won’t be breached.”

“Right. I also think it was just a threat.”

Countess Camellia chewed her lower lip, forgetting that her rouge was wearing off.

“But what will His Majesty the Emperor say?”

“Pardon?”

“Wouldn’t it be a good justification? For collecting supplies to support the north?”

“If the Duchess Evron was directly attacked by Karam and is frightened because of it… His Majesty would have to provide at least material support. And he would requisition those supplies from the nobles. He could collect wealth while adding military expenses for Allia Wall and simultaneously check the noble factions…”

Skyla stopped speaking and looked at Countess Camellia in surprise.

“Right. If that happens, Prince Loigar will place that responsibility on me.”

Countess Camellia said so.

Originally, they had planned to establish a cooperative relationship with Evron. They could give up the western regions and, if necessary, provide material support in the short term.

But if it was the Emperor doing it, the problem was different.

It wouldn’t be Loigar paying something to Evron as a trade condition, but being collected from by the Emperor. That way, an alliance with Evron wouldn’t be established.

“Isn’t there a possibility that Her Grace the Duchess Evron was really just frightened?”

“That could be. But would His Majesty the Emperor miss the opportunity?”

Countess Camellia sighed.

If she had all the decision-making power, she wouldn’t have such worries. She would have gladly provided support.

Duke Loigar would probably do the same. If it had to be done anyway, voluntarily giving would be better for long-term relations with Duke Evron.

But separately from that, the responsibility that would fall on Countess Camellia wouldn’t disappear. Winning over Artizea was something she had advocated and taken upon herself.

And Duke Loigar was someone who didn’t forget losses.

“Maybe she said it now to give mother time to deal with it. If she wasn’t really frightened and swept up by emotions.”

Skyla said so.

“If she really intended to put us in a difficult situation, she wouldn’t have said it in a private meeting with mother, but would have sought an audience with His Majesty the Emperor first or met directly with Prince Loigar.”

“I don’t know. Today’s meeting wasn’t something the Duchess Evron intended.”

Countess Camellia sighed. She had made a surprise visit to get something out of Artizea, but felt like she was returning defeated instead.

Artizea sat down heavily on the sofa with a tired feeling.

Lisia said.

“I’ll ask for fresh tea.”

“Alright.”

She felt empty and uncomfortable inside. Artizea reached for the simple sweets placed on the table.

She wasn’t originally a light eater, but rather had many foods her body couldn’t accept. She would feel bloated quickly even after eating just a little.

In her childhood, Milaire had severely restricted her meal portions, saying girls should be slim.

Now her stomach had become unhealthy, so even when she tried to eat, she could rarely eat much.

There were psychological reasons as well. Her frailty despite having no particular illness was due to that.

But lately, having an empty stomach had become rather uncomfortable instead. She found herself craving meat dishes that she could hardly get down before. Even cheese varieties that used to make her feel bloated after just a little now digested quickly.

Lai’s comment about her gaining some weight wasn’t wrong.

Artizea thought it might be thanks to having some time pass since leaving Rosan Estate.

Though she wasn’t aware of it herself, perhaps her stress had decreased somewhat. In any case, being able to eat was not a bad thing.

Lisia asked.

“Countess Marta prepared some snacks that are in the carriage. Should I bring some?”

“Yes, please do.”

Since the temple’s refreshments probably wouldn’t fill her up, Artizea said so.

After meeting the Empress followed by Lawrence, and unexpectedly encountering Countess Camellia as well, she felt completely drained of energy.

‘It’s fine. I didn’t make any mistakes.’

Artizea closed her eyes and thought.

The Emperor held the key to this matter anyway. Since the premise hadn’t changed, the conclusion couldn’t change either. It wouldn’t have mattered if she had just had an audience with the Emperor first as planned.

Negotiating with Loigar from an equal position? She never intended to do such a thing from the start.

Receiving support from Duke Loigar would ultimately mean joining his faction.

Nevertheless, she had threatened Countess Camellia in advance. That was a divide-and-conquer strategy.

When people obtain information beforehand, they fall into the illusion that they can change the situation.

Countess Camellia already understood that the conclusion of this matter wouldn’t change. Yet she wouldn’t be able to give up hope.

‘I like clever people. They understand quickly.’

And Duke Loigar would notice that.

Duke Loigar, the House of Luden, and the Camellia Marquess Family were in the same boat, but they weren’t one unified block.

Countess Camellia was devoted to Duchess Loigar, but even that devotion was ultimately for herself and her children.

It would be good if she could break their trust and widen the cracks further. But it didn’t matter if she couldn’t.

It was just bait she had thrown out since Countess Camellia had come secretly with her daughter.

That aside, she was exhausted. Just thinking about having to converse with that stubborn Father Colton from now on left her feeling drained.

It was when she let out a weary sigh. A monk opened the drawing room door, entered, and bowed respectfully.

“Father Colton has asked me to escort Your Grace the Duchess.”

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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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