The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 117

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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 117

Artizea looked at Hailey. So did Freil.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the drawing room became awkward.

Freil said.

“Her Highness was just making an absurd joke, wasn’t she?”

“As you said, it was a joke, so why are you being so awkward about it?”

Freil’s face turned red and blue. Hailey frowned.

“I don’t know what kind of joke you were making, but it wasn’t about me, was it?”

“Sir Freil…”

“I asked Her Highness if Hailey could help me with my work.”

Before Artizea could say anything unnecessary, Freil spoke first. Artizea chuckled.

“He said he feels like he’ll be buried alive under a pile of work and wants you as reinforcement, Hailey.”

“I’m already about to die buried under my own pile of work, so I’ll decline.”

Hailey said. Then she glared at Freil.

“You’re not thinking lightly of this just because we’re preparing flowers and food, are you?”

“No, of course not. To me, it looks like the most difficult job in the world.”

“It is difficult. Really, I don’t understand why people here have to speak in such roundabout ways.”

Hailey sighed.

“Did you know that the meaning changes not only by the type of flowers but also by their size and the number of stems?”

“I do know that.”

“I knew it too.”

Hailey lamented.

“I never thought they’d actually use it in real life.”

And unlike Lisia, Hailey didn’t have the ability to charmingly ask about things she didn’t know.

She had to memorize and even apply things she never thought were common sense.

Hailey and Lisia were fully involved in preparing for the Empress’s birthday celebration.

From invitations and small gifts to send with them, to the celebration’s food, party decorations, and even organizing congratulatory gifts sent to the Empress – there wasn’t a single thing that could be taken lightly.

This wasn’t simply about celebrating a noble person’s birthday.

This was the first official occasion since attending Artizea’s wedding. Unlike the wedding where relatives gathered, this time it was a grand banquet held at the Imperial Palace.

All important nobles and officials of the Empire would attend. Some were coming from far away just to attend this banquet.

At this point, it was more of a political gathering than a celebration.

Hailey stopped chatting and said.

“Your Highness, a guest has arrived.”

“Princess Hazel was supposed to come, right?”

“Yes. She arrived a bit earlier than scheduled, so I’ve guided her to the drawing room for now.”

“I see.”

Artizea stood up.

Hailey followed behind her.

Freil made his decision a beat late. It wasn’t just marriage proposals – he had to do the recruiting himself too.

It wasn’t only work that Artizea assigned. Even taking over just part of Evron’s intelligence network would give him breathing room.

“Hailey!”

“Yes?”

Hailey stopped walking.

“Would you consider changing positions?”

Hailey looked at him with a bewildered expression, wondering what he was talking about. Freil tried to be shameless.

“There’s work that’s much more suitable and easier for you than what you’re doing now. It’s important work for Evron, so it would be rewarding too.”

Even to himself, he sounded like a snake oil salesman.

Hailey chuckled.

“Come to think of it, do you know why I didn’t become a knight despite being a daughter of House Jordin and being healthy?”

Freil tilted his head.

“I hate the military. I hate knights even more. If you want to dump work on someone, ask about the secret organization Her Highness operates separately, not the military intelligence network. I’m interested in that side.”

Freil’s shoulders drooped.

Hazel nervously looked around the drawing room she was guided to.

The furniture was luxurious but not extravagant. Spring flowers were arranged in vases everywhere, making it bright and cheerful.

These were sample flowers sent by merchants wanting to supply decorative items for the Empress’s birthday celebration, which decorated Artizea’s drawing room and overflowed into this reception room.

Having arrived early, Hazel thought she would have to wait a long time. This would be the case even if Artizea wasn’t meeting someone else or handling urgent business.

There was no need for the Duchess to make time to see her quickly. Considering the difference in status and reputation, it wouldn’t be strange to be kept waiting for hours.

She came early simply to observe proper etiquette. Hazel had even prepared something to pass the time while waiting.

But Artizea came to the drawing room before Hazel could even take out a small notebook from her handbag.

Hazel was startled and stood up from her seat.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Duchess Evron.”

“It’s been a while, Princess Hazel.”

Hazel smiled brightly.

“When we last met, you were still Lady Rosan. Though of course, you were already Prince Evron’s fiancée then.”

What Hazel was referring to was the day when Artizea was dragged from the tea party by Milaire and assaulted, and Cedric came to rescue her.

That day, Hazel first became acquainted with Artizea.

At that time, Artizea was merely a powerless noble lady who couldn’t even properly claim her own rights. Before her engagement to Cedric, she was in a worse position than Hazel.

Even after the engagement, she still wasn’t in a position much different from Hazel’s. Social standing wasn’t determined simply by the rank of one’s title.

But now she was the mistress of Evron and one of the noble ladies favored by the Emperor.

Probably not many people had guessed she would become such an important figure in such a short time.

Artizea understood her meaning and smiled.

“I showed quite an embarrassing side back then. Thank you. I remember that you tried to stop my mother.”

“I’m sorry. So I’ve done a favor for the most powerful family in the Empire?”

Hazel spoke cheerfully, mixing in some humor. But Artizea answered seriously and warmly, not as a joke.

“Of course. If it weren’t for you, Princess Hazel, it wouldn’t have been easy to become worthy of the Rosan name or to hold the wedding.”

Hazel didn’t understand Artizea’s meaning and tilted her head. Then, a beat late, she understood and opened her mouth before closing it again.

“Your Highness means that, ah, I’m sorry.”

Hazel quickly closed her mouth again. It really wasn’t something to say out loud.

What Artizea was referring to was that Hazel had spread rumors about Milaire assaulting Artizea back then.

Such rumors were never good things. Generally, whether good or bad, it was better not to be talked about by others.

In the end, it would only become gossip. Reputation was inherently a double-edged sword.

Of course, Artizea’s situation at the time was very bad, and her reputation was already rock bottom.

There was nowhere lower to fall, and the incident itself could be told romantically, so it moved in a good direction by earning sympathy. Hazel knew this too.

So it wasn’t purely for entertainment – she had done it with some pity for Artizea.

But the fact remained that people ultimately used it as entertainment and gossip.

Hazel had been thinking she would be reprimanded about that incident this time. Even if not directly in words.

She never thought Artizea would hint that she knew about it with such a gentle attitude.

Hazel bowed her head. Artizea smiled slightly.

“But I can’t accept being called the most powerful family in the Empire. I know that people call me the Duchess who scared people into running away, a young woman used by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Half the world’s people are foolish. But Your Highness opened the doors to the Empress’s Palace, and moreover, you received His Majesty’s favor and were entrusted with the western grain relief project. Many people understand what that means.”

Public opinion in salons and coffee houses was divided about what kind of person Artizea was.

But including all that, if you asked who was most popular at this moment, who was drawing people’s interest, it was undoubtedly Artizea.

She might not be a power holder leading politics, but in that sense, it was true that she was the foremost noble lady in social circles.

Hazel spoke with a slightly excited tone.

“Most importantly, the favor and influence of the Grand Duchess Rosan couldn’t surpass Your Highness.”

Like all stories about Milaire, the fact that Artizea had turned away from Milaire at the Imperial Palace was already rumored.

People gossiped about whether Artizea was too cold, whether she should have done that, whether it was Milaire’s own fault, and various other opinions.

But the most important part wasn’t about Artizea or Milaire themselves.

The part where the Emperor did not show anger toward Artizea.

Even knowing all the circumstances, the Emperor pretended not to know the full story of that incident, using the excuse that Milaire had not directly complained to him.

He only comforted the crying Milaire that day.

He did prioritize Milaire over his daughter and granddaughters. As soon as the Emperor heard from a servant that Milaire was sitting in the corridor wailing, he told Countess Unise to return. Then he went to fetch Milaire, personally lifted her up in his arms, and brought her to his bedroom.

And he advised Milaire not to return. There were quarters prepared for Milaire in the Imperial Palace, but he wasn’t telling her to stay there either. He told her to just remain in his bedroom.

He removed his ring engraved with the Imperial crest and placed it on Milaire’s thumb, and draped a cloak embroidered with gold around her shoulders.

However, he did not ask Milaire why she was upset. He neither summoned Artizea to scold her nor subtly advised her to treat her mother well.

Artizea’s achievements in creating justification deserved praise.

Since he had entrusted her with the Western grain relief project, he could not undermine her authority for any reason other than work-related failures for the time being.

He also could not disappoint Cedric.

The Emperor used Milaire to make his subjects clearly understand the hierarchy between master and servant, and sometimes deliberately provoked and crushed them to solidify his authority.

But now was not the right timing for that.

Because Milaire was Artizea’s mother and daughter, and because of what happened during the wedding, he could not interfere further.

One must suppress but not go so far as to force them into a desperate last stand.

The Emperor knew that Artizea’s threat could actually be carried out. That danger existed regardless of the character of the previous Duke of Evron or Cedric.

This was also why the Imperial family had traditionally shaken the food supply chain while appeasing with honor and wealth rather than just making threats.

And that very attitude of the Emperor was the greatest evidence that Artizea stood in a very important position.

Hazel observed Artizea with an analytical gaze.

She was curious about the person who had accomplished what no one could have imagined just a year ago.

Artizea was definitely not the daughter of Marquess Rosan that Hazel had known. Just how much had she been hiding inside herself?

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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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