The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 111

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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 111

“Even if it means trampling on my brother?”

The Emperor asked.

Hailey was dumbfounded. In the end, it was the Emperor who would requisition supplies from Duke Loigar and the eastern nobles.

In short, Artizea had merely created such an opportunity for the Emperor.

If the Emperor didn’t want to, there was no need to trample anyone. Normally, he could have imposed all burdens fairly on all nobles and wealthy people within acceptable limits, or used imperial finances.

Of course, the Emperor would not do so.

“Tia.”

The Emperor spoke in an affectionate voice, as if calling Countess Unise or Fiona.

“I am old, and you are a clever child, aren’t you? Let’s stop the political talk.”

“Your Majesty.”

“You already know that I will use this to take various things from my youngest brother. Very willingly, at that.”

Even as the Emperor said this, he pretended to be the victim.

As if he had no choice but to accept it because Artizea had created the entire situation.

It seemed like honest speaking, but it was hypocrisy; it seemed like false wickedness, but it was the truth.

Probably even the heart that would lament that it couldn’t be helped after taking everything would be sincere.

It would also be true that he felt sorry for what he would plunder from Duke Loigar in the future. The same went for his apologetic feelings toward Cedric.

However, for the Emperor, his throne and his will were more important than all of that.

Just because the Emperor said to stop political talk didn’t mean Artizea could do the same.

If she glimpsed the Emperor’s inner thoughts and conversed with him as one human to another, she would have to pay a corresponding price.

“How can you speak such frightening words about trampling someone? Your Majesty is the master of the Empire. If there is something you need to lead the Empire, it should rightfully be offered.”

Artizea spoke respectfully.

“I know well that you suppress personal feelings and bear all responsibility even when receiving resentment from foolish people. I am honored that my timid actions seem to have caused Your Majesty concern.”

“…”

The Emperor moved his fingers restlessly.

Responsibility. How long had it been since he heard that word?

“You’re trying to threaten even me.”

“I would never dare.”

“You fear Karam but not me?”

“When Your Majesty intends to accept the gift I’ve prepared, why would I be afraid?”

In the end, the Emperor smiled.

That was right. It had been a long time since he had gained such justification without lifting a finger. He had no intention of letting it slip away.

He was feeling the pleasure of a hunting drive for the first time in a while. And Artizea was an excellent beater.

The Emperor favored capable people. How could he not be pleased when a child he had known since childhood suddenly revealed talent like an awl popping out from an unexpected place?

Though taming her would be Lawrence’s job.

“Land is out of the question.”

The Emperor said in a gentle voice.

“You must be worried too. With succession wars and such, the future is precarious… Though I regard Cedric as a nephew, how many more years will I remain in this position?”

“Please don’t speak such frightening words. You will live for ten thousand years.”

“Whichever bastard becomes emperor will find him burdensome.”

The Emperor said.

“Still, land won’t do. Instead, I’ll greatly increase the supplies sent north, and I’ll add more than 20% on top of that.”

“…”

“I promise to do so for the next seven years. If you save up for a few years like that, you won’t have to worry for a while.”

“Even if I bought land, it would only be enough area to play the role of a small landowner at best.”

“It’s a different matter if Evron holds it.”

“I’m not plotting rebellion. You know what kind of person my husband is.”

“Tia.”

“I just want a safe place to retreat to in case of emergency. From humans, not monsters.”

The Emperor quietly looked at Artizea.

Since her eyes were downcast, he wouldn’t be able to see her gaze. Still, he acted as if he could peer into Artizea’s inner thoughts.

Artizea said.

“That’s why I bought everything under the name of House Rosan. The title of Duke of Evron will go to the eldest, and House Rosan will be divided to another child. The day when House Evron occupies both the west and north and confronts the imperial family will never come.”

“Marriage contracts and such can be turned into waste paper at any time.”

Those words were overflowing with persuasiveness. Because the Emperor himself was exactly the person who had done such things.

“Don’t say you’re not looking that far into the future. If you were someone who only thought about immediate matters, you would have gladly accepted my proposal instead of buying land.”

After a brief silence, Artizea spoke as if she had no choice.

“…Then, what should I do with the land I’ve already purchased?”

The Emperor quietly fell into thought.

Now that Artizea asked this, it became a troublesome matter.

He couldn’t plunder land from his young nephew’s wife. Artizea had bought the land too publicly.

If he took that land, he couldn’t avoid damage to his reputation. But he also couldn’t leave the western farmland in her hands.

Buying and selling with money was also inappropriate at this point. That would dilute the justification of requisitioning for the Evron Duchy.

“What would you like to do?”

The Emperor asked.

Artizea answered with a cautious attitude.

“If Your Majesty gives me instructions on disposal, I will follow them, or else I will dedicate it to the temple.”

“Oh?”

“I wasn’t originally planning to do grain business there anyway. I was only trying to learn about that land while doing charity work. Then wouldn’t the temple also help with the charity work I want to do?”

The Emperor chuckled.

“That was your intention from the beginning.”

Artizea silently bowed her head.

“Yes, when negotiating, you should start with a proposal too big to accept. Since land cannot be exchanged for money, it’s best to exchange it for honor.”

“I am honored.”

“Saying I’d add 20% was pointless.”

Artizea spoke respectfully.

“Those words helped me decide readily. Even though I didn’t start this thinking about money, the amount I invested wasn’t small for me.”

“Since it has come to this, you should also take charge of the western relief grain project. I’ll give you the keys to the granary.”

The Emperor said. Artizea looked at him with a surprised face.

“Those are words I cannot handle.”

“As the Empress’s attendant, you’re qualified enough. Don’t refuse my goodwill multiple times.”

Artizea stiffened her face slightly.

Goodwill. That was absurd.

However, saying he would give her the keys to the granary was still words meaning the Emperor’s trust. As the Emperor said, refusing multiple times would also be disloyalty.

She respectfully bowed to show she would accept his intention.

“It is an excessive honor.”

“Don’t disappoint me.”

The Emperor replied.

* * *

“Why do you both look so grim?”

As they withdrew from the terrace, Lisia asked curiously.

Hailey answered.

“His Majesty the Emperor said he would entrust her with the keys to the granary and have her take charge of the western relief grain project.”

“Isn’t that a glorious thing?”

“Formally, yes.”

Hailey answered.

It was an enormous welfare project covering nearly 20% of the Empire’s mainland. Both honor and real power came with it.

In the process of controlling grain prices and stockpiling food, they could secure considerable influence and substantial benefits against the grain merchants.

“However, if things go wrong, the blame will grow endlessly. Right now, the relief grain project in the Western Regions is literally a complete mess. If we’re not careful, we might end up pouring in our own wealth and taking all the blame.”

No, there was no position easier to frame than this.

Accepting these interests would make them that much more subordinate to the Emperor.

If they operated moderately while showing loyalty to the Emperor, they could reap continuous great profits.

However, the moment they fell out of the Emperor’s favor, they would immediately provide justification for purging. Either way, the Emperor had nothing to lose.

Hailey frowned.

“Even though Your Highness has become Her Majesty the Empress’s lady-in-waiting, you are still quite young. Isn’t this too much as an appeasement strategy? Could His Majesty the Emperor be trying to use Your Highness’s mistakes as an excuse to strike at Her Majesty the Empress?”

“That’s not it.”

Artizea answered firmly.

“Right now, His Majesty the Emperor thinks he has completely suppressed Her Majesty the Empress. And there’s also the blood relation issue.”

“You mean if he draws in Your Highness for purging, it would cause problems for Lord Lawrence as well?”

“That’s right. And he can’t purge Evron again over such issues. Rather, he’s doing this to damage Lord Sedric’s reputation.”

The relief grain project was like pouring water into a bottomless jar. It was even more so in a situation where the system had completely collapsed like the current Western Regions.

Even filling the immediately available personnel there would not be easy. Finding trustworthy people would be even more difficult.

Those who didn’t receive benefits would resent it, and if even the slightest flaw appeared, they would be disappointed that Sedric wasn’t as great a person as they had thought.

If they moved moderately within the line the Emperor wanted without taking losses, they would be pointed at as corrupt.

To operate without hearing such words, they would have no choice but to draw upon the Evron Duchy’s private wealth.

However, just as the North had its limits, the Western Regions had theirs too. Relieving poverty in such a short time across land vast enough to contain several kingdoms was something even a god couldn’t accomplish.

‘It would have been better if Lisia had gone around trying to save the world alone, even if she hadn’t succeeded.’

As expected, the Emperor was not someone to take lightly.

There were positive aspects too. At least it was certain that the Western Grain Merchant Guild hadn’t been discovered.

Growing Karam crops was also no problem. It seemed possible to spread them in the Western Regions first and then bring them up.

‘Thinking long-term, this might be better. We’ll have to reorganize on a large scale eventually anyway.’

Artizea walked slowly, lost in thought.

There was no need to think about achieving immediate results for high reputation.

It would be good to start with the mindset of looking far ahead and organizing from now until Sedric ascended to the throne in the future.

If they attached a capable aide and entrusted it to Lisia, it wouldn’t draw much backlash from people. Artizea believed that Lisia’s sincerity would get through.

Hailey asked.

“Your Highness, was donating land to the temple something you had decided from the beginning?”

“Hmm? Oh, yes. I was planning to use bribes anyway. This way, I can transfer assets openly.”

Artizea answered.

Since she was a saint, the temple would have no choice but to do their utmost to help.

Thinking about that gave her a headache.

“Your Highness, are you tired?”

It was when Lisia asked with concern.

Alphonse stopped walking. So did Hailey.

Artizea looked up, wondering what was happening. Milaire was standing at the other end of the corridor.

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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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