The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 110

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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 110

“Debt?”

“I made no criticism of your remarks.”

Amelie looked at Gayan silently. Gayan smiled faintly.

The House of Riagan was a matter between the Emperor and the Empress.

Lawrence had already turned away from Milaire to gain the Empress’s approval. The Emperor had watched this happen.

His favor toward Lawrence was no longer what it once was. And now he dared to target Duke Riagan, whom the Emperor himself had personally chosen, for the sake of the Empress.

It would have been better to target powerful nobles or high-ranking government officials instead.

If he had succeeded in crushing Prime Minister Lin, or sacrificed Amelie or Gayan to strengthen his grip on the court, the Emperor would have been pleased.

But Duke Riagan was the Emperor’s dog.

When a grown, troublesome son kicks an old dog that has been raised for 18 years, it’s bound to anger the master. Even if that dog has started to disobey.

If lucky, he might gain everything, but more likely the Empress would demand even more and incur the Emperor’s wrath.

Gayan had not pointed out this fact in front of Lawrence.

He also hadn’t pointed out that Amelie would never make such a high-risk proposal.

“….”

Amelie didn’t bother to deny it and turned her gaze away.

Even when given advice, Lawrence rarely listened carefully. Gayan knew that Amelie had been feeling skeptical for some time.

Indeed, her remarks had become extremely infrequent recently.

Considering all this, what she had said today couldn’t have been for Lawrence’s benefit. Amelie wasn’t some young official desperate to accumulate achievements.

Gayan said,

“Lord Lawrence doesn’t know how to fear His Majesty the Emperor. I’m not the only one who has newly realized this fact.”

“Haven’t we known this all along?”

“We have.”

Gayan’s carriage arrived at the entrance. Yet Gayan made no move to leave and continued speaking.

“Lady Milaire is still going strong.”

“….”

“Honestly speaking, even if His Majesty is displeased, I don’t think he would abandon Lord Lawrence.”

“Is that so?”

“Countess Unise is someone whose vision extends only to her own family matters, and Countess Josia is so timid she fled the capital entirely. Their husbands too—His Majesty deliberately chose quiet, passive men… It’s difficult to teach imperial studies at this point.”

That was how Gayan evaluated the Emperor’s other two illegitimate daughters.

So if the Emperor was determined to pass the crown to his own child no matter what, it meant there were no other alternatives.

Gayan had probably already guessed to whom Amelie had decided to kneel. After eliminating the Emperor’s children and Duke Loigar through process of elimination, only one member of the imperial family remained.

And he would know that when considering people alone, Amelie’s choice was the best option from their perspective.

On the other hand, it was also a judgment that the Emperor’s will mattered more than who possessed royal qualities. For now, at least.

Amelie said,

“Who doesn’t know that it’s originally difficult to get off a ship on a flowing river?”

“Thank you for understanding. I trust Lord Harper’s judgment. Please convey that well.”

Those words meant he would throw a lifeline and not interfere with her.

That was sufficient. The moment he thought Lawrence’s ship might sink, he would quickly turn to this side.

That might be better than visibly expanding their faction. Even for dealing a blow to Lawrence.

Gayan waved his hand in farewell to Amelie.

Amelie also nodded lightly in return greeting. And watching Gayan’s departing carriage, she muttered to herself,

“Making Lord Lawrence incur His Majesty’s wrath… As if it could be such a simple matter.”

There was no one anywhere who could hear those words.

* * *

Fiona, Count Unise’s eldest daughter who had recently turned sixteen, sat before the piano.

Dressed beautifully with her hair up, she looked quite ladylike. The Emperor stood beside her with a broad smile, turning the pages of her sheet music.

Fiona’s skill was honestly nothing to speak of. With the Emperor standing right beside her, the pressure made her nervous and she made even more mistakes.

Even if he was her grandfather, he was still the Emperor. And Fiona was old enough to understand what power meant.

Hailey had never played piano and didn’t know much about it. But she learned for the first time that such screeching sounds could come from piano keys.

This was even on a terrace that opened completely toward the garden.

Even Countess Unise, sitting across from them, looked unwell.

Fiona had failed in her attempt to show off too much skill to impress the Emperor.

Her intentions were transparent. But the Emperor smiled indulgently.

Fiona’s obvious attitude resembled Countess Unise. That aspect was also endearing to the Emperor.

When the performance ended, the Emperor escorted Fiona back to the tea table and said,

“You’ve practiced a lot.”

“Ah, yes. Your Majesty.”

“You don’t need to struggle with such difficult pieces, Fiona. A lady’s musical skill is sufficient if it can entertain family in the salon.”

“Yes….”

Fiona answered with difficulty. But she bit her lips firmly and looked around the terrace.

Then she targeted Lisia, who seemed the most manageable and youngest.

“What about Baron Morten?”

“Me?”

Lisia, who had been playing with ten-year-old second daughter Larni and her rabbit doll, asked in surprise.

“Yes, you. What have you been learning lately, Baron Morten?”

Lisia’s face turned red.

“Shooting.”

“Are you good at it?”

“Crossbow.”

“That’s not a refined accomplishment.”

“Isn’t it close to one? It’s almost useless in actual combat.”

Fiona looked at her with displeasure.

The answer Fiona had wanted was something like musical instruments or embroidery. What could someone properly learn in a countryside like Evron? She had asked intending to mock whatever was brought up.

But shooting was one thing, and crossbow was another. She couldn’t demonstrate superiority through conversation, nor could she ask for a demonstration here.

The Emperor laughed heartily.

“You lost, Fiona. There’s nothing strange about crossbow being considered a refined accomplishment in Evron.”

“I think something like dart throwing would be enjoyable for Lady Fiona and Lady Larni too.”

Lisia said with a bright smile.

She had thought she couldn’t entertain the people here with what she had learned, then got excited thinking she had a good idea.

“Dart throwing?”

Larni asked.

“Have you never tried it?”

“No.”

Larni, with her spirited personality, sparkled with interest. Countess Unise frowned.

“She’s wearing new clothes for the occasion.”

“It’s fine. Dart throwing doesn’t involve running or rolling on the ground.”

“Rolling on the ground?”

Fiona asked in a horrified voice. Lisia, not grasping the full meaning, answered, “This one doesn’t involve rolling.”

“Grandfather, I want to try.”

Larni shook the Emperor’s knee as she spoke.

The Emperor laughed heartily again. He called a servant and ordered them to bring arrows and containers suitable for dart throwing.

“I can barely remember when I last did such a thing.”

“Who plays such games these days? If you’re going to teach anything, you might as well teach proper archery.”

Countess Unise rolled her eyes.

Despite the sudden order, the servants brought weighted arrows and a beautifully decorated basket.

Despite the sudden order, the servants brought arrows with weights attached and beautifully decorated baskets.

Lisia gently took Larni’s hand and stepped down the stairs into the garden. The servants set down the baskets.

Fiona wore an irritated expression. However, since the Emperor was watching with a pleased face instead of following the two, she had no choice but to follow behind them.

She realized it was time for the adults to have their conversation.

Hailey hesitated for a moment, wondering whether she should follow Lisia or stay.

Artizea gestured with a tired face. Hailey sat down and adjusted the hem of Artizea’s dress.

The Emperor picked up the rabbit doll that Larni had been holding and fiddled with it.

Then he chuckled softly.

“You’ve taken in quite an unusual servant. A trusted aide who brings peace of mind is precious. Cherish her.”

“I am honored.”

“It seems you’ve also gained a clever child.”

“Evron has many hidden talents. As well as trustworthy people.”

At that, the Emperor laughed again.

Hailey lowered her eyes, unable to hide her tension.

At first, Hailey had thought being called to this private space meant being disregarded.

She had thought the Duchess of Evron should be properly received with full ceremony in the audience chamber.

But she could see that wasn’t the case. This place was where real power resided.

The Emperor wasn’t receiving the Duchess of Evron in audience, but accepting greetings from his nephew’s wife, placing Evron on equal footing with the imperial family.

All the tribute brought from the Evron Duchy had been formally accepted, and gifts had been bestowed in return. The official courtesies had been completed with that.

“You look tired.”

The Emperor said to Artizea. Artizea let out a small sigh.

Showing fatigue before the Emperor was neither proper nor wise.

But right now, she simply couldn’t pretend to be composed. The shadows under her eyes were dark, unable to be hidden even with makeup.

Artizea spoke honestly.

“I’ve just returned from a long journey, so the fatigue hasn’t quite left me.”

“Winter travel isn’t easy. Though you must have come with some benefit in mind.”

At the Emperor’s words, Countess Unise’s eyes widened. She had thought Artizea came to avoid the war.

But to think she had benefits in mind – it was surprising.

The Emperor continued.

“You said some rather bold things in front of Duke Loigar.”

“I said nothing false, nor anything incorrect.”

Artizea answered calmly. The Emperor grinned, showing his teeth.

“Is the Evron Duchy really in danger? Or has your courage suddenly shrunk, making you fearful?”

“I am honored, Your Majesty. I have never had courage to begin with.”

“Then were you swindled by merchants into buying so much land and grain in the west? Stop pretending. You know I don’t like that.”

At those words, the Emperor burst into hearty laughter.

Artizea smiled faintly.

“If you truly disliked it, you would have summoned me to the audience chamber. Not to the terrace.”

As she said this, she cast her gaze toward the garden.

The spring breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of flowers. Small petals, deliberately left unswept, rolled around the edges of the terrace.

Larni threw an arrow into the basket and let out a cheer. Even Fiona, who had looked displeased, seemed a bit excited. Lisia’s arrows hit their mark every time.

Artizea turned her gaze back to look at the Emperor and bowed her head respectfully.

“It’s something I do to survive. Please be generous in your understanding.”

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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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