The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 107

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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 107

When Artizea opened her eyes, there was an elderly monk beside her.

He was quietly kneeling toward the holy symbol. She couldn’t tell for certain whether he was praying or simply sitting and waiting.

Artizea raised her body and slumped down on the prayer bench in an undignified posture. She was in no physical condition to maintain proper etiquette, nor did she have the mental capacity for it.

“Father Colton.”

She called to the monk with a hoarse, strained voice.

Father Colton looked at Artizea. She could read nothing from his quiet, dark eyes.

“How is your body? I thought it would be unwise to hastily call for anyone, so I refrained from doing so.”

“How long was I… like this?”

“Not long. It hasn’t even been five minutes since I entered.”

“I see.”

Artizea was surprised, as it felt like she had been collapsed and asleep for hours. In terms of feeling, it seemed like she had spent ten years in this prayer room.

“How was the divine oracle?”

“Divine oracle, you say.”

“You must have received one.”

Father Colton said.

Artizea bit her lower lip.

Was that a divine oracle? It must have been.

Even without experience, even without having heard of it through knowledge, she could tell.

The meaning that pierced her mind, which could not be fully expressed in words, was surely something bestowed by either a god or a demon.

And this place is a temple.

Artizea didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t understand what had happened to her.

It was shocking enough to change everything. Yet nothing had changed.

Artizea was still herself, and no sudden change in consciousness had occurred.

She was anxious because she didn’t know what had happened to her. She was even more so because she didn’t know what Father Colton knew.

“Why do you think I received a divine oracle, Father?”

“This is before God. You need not speak in such a suspicious and probing manner.”

Father Colton said.

“Saint.”

Artizea felt dizzy and closed her eyes tightly once before opening them.

“I am not a saint or anything like that. Please don’t call me that.”

“Since you have received a divine oracle, you are a saint.”

“I told you not to call me that.”

Father Colton looked at her.

Finding it difficult to meet his reverent gaze, Artizea turned her head away.

Normally, she would not show such obvious expressions and gestures. But now her heart was so disturbed that she couldn’t hide herself.

“Lady Artizea Rosan, I received the feeling that I should bring you to this place about three months ago. Though I am not worthy of receiving divine oracles, I sometimes feel God’s will like this.”

“…”

“Since you were in the north at the time, I could not bring you here… But when I heard today that you had come to see me despite having no acquaintance, I thought God’s will was at work.”

Father Colton made the sign of the cross.

Artizea spoke argumentatively.

“I don’t believe in God. I came to see you for financial matters.”

“If divine oracles were given to the faithful, there are dozens of people in this temple alone who would be more suitable to receive oracles than you.”

“…”

“Divine oracles are not given as rewards. Faith exists because He exists, and righteous acts are done because they are right.”

Father Colton said.

“Divine oracles are bestowed upon those who can change history.”

“…Do you know what divine oracle I heard when you say this?”

“I do not know who you are, what you will do in the future, or what that oracle will change and how. If you don’t wish to, you need not tell me.”

“…”

“I only know that God sees all and has decided this.”

Artizea tightly grasped her cold fingertips with her other hand.

“Do you believe, Father, that this God always does what is right?”

“A servant simply follows what the master does.”

Father Colton said with a face as hard as stone.

Then, thinking he had been too harsh, he deliberately softened his expression.

Colton was not accustomed to kind words. However, he felt the need to guide the confused young lady.

“You may not understand the meaning of the oracle now. You may think you should not follow it.”

“…”

“That is fine. If He had wanted someone to follow like hands and feet, He would have chosen His representative from among the many priests.”

“Even if I don’t want to, will I end up acting according to God’s will?”

“God sees both the eternal past and future. How could we understand all of His will with our short human lives and narrow hearts?”

Father Colton bowed his head respectfully and said.

“However, both you and I are merely beings within God’s arrangement. Just as this meeting is. Someday you will understand what has been arranged for you. So for now, simply put your heart at ease and accept it.”

Artizea could not accept those words.

The return journey was filled with silence.

Lisia watched Artizea carefully. Even after meeting with Countess Camellia, though she had looked tired, she hadn’t seemed on edge.

But now she looked extremely sensitive.

‘Was the conversation with Father Colton that difficult?’

Perhaps she should have suggested coming back later. Though it probably wouldn’t have helped much.

Would it have been better to stay by Artizea’s side instead of going to get refreshments herself?

It was the same when they returned to the manor. Artizea didn’t say a word even to the head maid and entered the manor dragging her skirts.

Though they had often seen her tired or deliberately showing sharp behavior, this was the first time she so openly displayed stress, leaving everyone unsettled.

“Your Highness, have you returned?”

Hailey came out to the lobby to greet her.

Artizea glanced at Hailey. Hailey was still dressed up nicely for visiting Countess Camellia’s salon. It seemed she had returned not long ago.

“Hailey.”

She didn’t want to talk about anything. Her head was so full that she couldn’t think of anything right now.

Even if she received a report from Hailey, there was nothing she could do immediately. It wouldn’t cause major problems to delay a day or two.

However, she couldn’t ignore Hailey in such a manner. Artizea tried to push her complicated thoughts aside and said.

“…How did it go?”

“Countess Camellia was absent. I was treated to Bakwor wine by Duke Loigar and brought back several bottles. The duchess was very pleased with the gift.”

Hailey couldn’t hide her expression and slightly frowned. Artizea spoke in an indifferent voice.

“Well done.”

“Pardon?”

Hailey was surprised, thinking she hadn’t given a proper report.

“Didn’t you say you brought back Bakwor wine?”

“Ah, yes.”

“If you had been careless, Duke Loigar would have attacked viciously, so you wouldn’t be standing here looking at me with such an intact face. You would have had even less presence of mind to bring back wine.”

“He might have just given it as a gift?”

“If you were treated to Bakwor wine, nine times out of ten he would have talked about how the Eastern Trade Guild’s profits are worse than previous years, right?”

Artizea asked back without hiding her tired expression. Even so, Hailey couldn’t stop her curiosity.

“You can tell just from that?”

“Whether it’s wine, silk, or sugar, it’s all the same. Still, you did well bringing back the wine, Hailey. You weren’t underestimated.”

“Your Highness.”

“Let’s talk properly about what specific conversation took place after I rest a bit. Right now I’m just… tired.”

Artizea spoke quickly by herself, feeling like she might collapse, and headed toward the bedroom.

Lisia said, “Sister Hailey, let’s talk later,” and quickly followed Artizea.

“You said you were hungry… Should I prepare something? How about meat pancakes?”

Lisia carefully mentioned the snack that Artizea had been eating frequently lately. All thoughts of snacks had completely disappeared, so Artizea shook her head.

When they went up to the 2nd floor, Alice came running out.

“My lady, why do you look so pale?”

“I’m tired, Alice. I want to sleep.”

Artizea said.

Alice quickly supported her and led her to the bedroom. While Alice helped her remove her coat and clothes, other maids prepared basins filled with hot water.

Alice wiped the makeup from Artizea’s face with a warm towel. Artizea lay down on the bed listlessly.

“Did something happen?”

“No, my mind is just complicated.”

“Shall I put a wet towel on your face?”

“Yes.”

Alice placed a towel soaked in warm water over Artizea’s eyes. She also wiped her hands and feet.

She felt the cold energy draining from her stinging eyes.

Father Colton’s words buzzed around in her head.

‘A saint.’

Someone who could change history.

Fine. She had turned back time and changed the future.

She also knew that she was someone who could change the emperor.

However, there was nothing she could do as a saint. Whether as the Duchess of Evron, Marquess Rosan, or Lawrence’s sibling, the title of saint didn’t suit any of those names.

Artizea couldn’t rush into plague-stricken areas to treat the sick like Lisia had done, nor did she want to.

Her place wasn’t under the sunlight, but in a study where candlelight cast shadows.

‘Turn back…?’

Did he mean to reverse everything she had done so far?

Was it the Divine’s will for Lawrence to become emperor? Perhaps it was.

People fallen into despair yearn for salvation. Humans who have lost hope of survival either fall into self-abandonment and corruption, or rely on the Divine, hoping for miracles and rescue.

What happens when a saint appears there? Artizea had seen faith and prayer spread like fire, beyond mere daily customs.

Perhaps, was that what the Divine desired?

No. She shouldn’t judge the Divine by human desires.

If the Divine’s will lay in governing for eternity, then the future decades ahead that Artizea knew might not matter.

As complicated as her feelings were, there was something equally puzzling.

Could there be two saints in one era?

Since no one knows the Divine’s will for certain, it couldn’t be guaranteed. There weren’t enough statistics accumulated to establish it through induction.

But as far as Artizea knew, there had never been two saints appearing simultaneously in history.

Was she a saint? Would Lisia fail to become a saint in two years?

If so, then she had truly stolen everything from Lisia.

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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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