The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 118

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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 118

Artizea noticed Hazel’s gaze.

Hazel was naturally born with a curious personality. She also had keen observation skills. And she still couldn’t hide such awareness completely.

Artizea didn’t scold her for being rude. Because Hazel was a useful person precisely because of that.

Hazel realized that her gaze had been too obvious and looked embarrassed.

“I wanted to say that it’s an honor to be called by such a person.”

“We did meet once back then, but it was too short a time to build a friendship.”

Hazel spoke in response to Artizea’s answer.

“Yes. I thought there would never be an opportunity to have a conversation this close.”

“I don’t invite just anyone. Both Princess Hazel and Milaire are faithful and dignified ladies.”

Artizea answered with a bright smile.

“Although your parents may not be from traditional noble families, bloodline isn’t such an important factor in today’s world.”

“Oh my.”

“Milaire is Count Kishower’s daughter, and Princess Hazel’s mother is the heir to the capital’s largest newspaper, and her father is a renowned writer, so wouldn’t you say they’re far superior to those who merely rely on their ancestors’ honor from hundreds of years ago?”

“There’s a contradiction in Your Highness’s words. Both Mielle and I are ultimately just daughters of excellent parents. Isn’t that saying that what’s inherited through bloodline is important?”

“Receiving a good education from excellent parents is different from valuing ancient bloodlines.”

Hazel’s face brightened at Artizea’s words.

“Thank you for acknowledging my parents. They are people I’m very proud of.”

“They are parents you should be proud of, and in that regard, I have very high expectations for Princess Hazel.”

“I’m worried whether I can live up to Your Highness’s expectations.”

While being modest, Hazel couldn’t hide her excitement as she looked at Artizea.

“I’m planning to invite several scholars and writers who can represent the Empire to the Empress’s birthday celebration. Also, I want the newspapers to write proper investigative articles rather than gossip focused on entertainment.”

Artizea continued speaking.

“I don’t know much about such matters, and honestly, the other ladies who agreed to help prepare for the banquet are quite unfamiliar with that area too.”

“Yes.”

“But it’s too important a matter to just leave entirely to subordinates. I think Princess Hazel could take charge of this part and do it excellently.”

“Yes, I’ll do my very best!”

Hazel said. Actually, when she received the summons, she had somewhat guessed what kind of work she might be assigned.

And she was a little moved.

Hazel was confident in her own abilities. However, she hadn’t proven them yet.

Hazel’s dream was to eventually create her own newspaper company, not something inherited from her parents.

Hazel’s parents still considered her a child. But at 18, she was old enough to do her share of work.

Expanding connections, buying and selling even small pieces of information, or spreading minor rumors to see how they spread – all of this was for her future.

She often tried to write articles that could be published in her parents’ newspaper. But those were rarely accepted.

Yet Artizea had entrusted her with inviting scholars and writers.

In other words, this was no different from being asked to select the Empire’s most important intellectuals.

That small connection from that day had become the greatest opportunity of her lifetime.

In fact, no matter how big a newspaper owner or famous journalist Hazel might become in the future, opportunities to directly face high nobles like the Duchess of Evron wouldn’t come easily.

After gracefully declining Hazel’s gratitude, saying there was nothing to thank her for, Artizea asked.

“By the way, Milaire didn’t come with you. I thought it would be good if Milaire, who is familiar with the Imperial Palace, could work together with Princess Hazel to help each other.”

“Yes, she’s been feeling unwell lately.”

Hazel said with a darkened expression.

“She asked me to convey her apologies to Your Highness. She’ll write a letter when she feels better.”

“Is she so unwell that she can’t even write a letter?”

Artizea asked back with feigned surprise. Hazel forced a smile.

“She was very healthy for a while. So maybe she played too much. Her energy suddenly drained and she’s resting a bit… She’ll get better soon.”

“Oh dear…”

“Mielle has been like that since she was young. She’s always been weak, falling seriously ill from time to time. But she always recovered.”

“I should visit her sometime to check on her condition. If Milaire wouldn’t find it burdensome.”

Hazel smiled at Artizea’s words.

“She’ll be delighted. Whenever she’s bedridden, she always says being bored is more painful than being sick.”

“I see.”

“Even though Mielle is physically weak, she enjoys meeting people.”

Artizea offered words of comfort to Hazel, saying it was truly unfortunate.

With this, one of the purposes of sending letters to Hazel and Mielle had been achieved. Artizea needed to hear this story naturally and connect it to a sick visit.

Hazel said she would get better soon, but Mielle would never recover again.

She wouldn’t live to see her 19th birthday. Kishower, who lost his daughter, submitted his resignation to the Emperor. And the couple left the capital mansion together.

Artizea could completely change that situation.

It would be the most dramatic and decisive thing she could accomplish by becoming a saint.

* * *

Lawrence’s visit came a few days later.

“What brings you here, brother?”

Artizea asked with curiosity.

She and Lawrence weren’t close enough siblings to visit each other’s homes without reason.

Lawrence’s face showed a slightly uncomfortable expression. That made it even stranger.

If he had caught a spy or learned that Amelie had betrayed him, Lawrence would be furiously angry.

If something troublesome enough to require discussion about Milaire had occurred, he would have looked annoyed.

If he had something to request Artizea’s help with, he would have had a gentle and soft expression.

But Lawrence’s current expression was none of those three.

She couldn’t think of any other urgent matter that might have come up.

“Were you about to go out?”

Lawrence said this after pacing around the drawing room and seeing Artizea. She was wearing an outdoor cloak.

“Ah, yes. I have someone to visit briefly for a sick call. It’s nothing important. If your business is important, brother, I should prioritize that.”

“My business isn’t anything significant either.”

Lawrence had an unfamiliar expression that Artizea had never seen before.

“Please sit down.”

“I don’t intend to disturb you for long. I’ll be leaving soon too.”

Since Lawrence spoke while standing, Artizea didn’t bother to remove her cloak and sit down either.

Lawrence spoke in a quick tone.

“I still haven’t decided on a gift for Her Majesty the Empress. It’s not something that can be solved by simply choosing something expensive. I heard you’re preparing the clothes.”

“Ah, I was actually going to contact you about that.”

Artizea said.

“I’m going to make a jeweled crown in the shape of woven carnation petals. Like a laurel wreath. Wait a moment. There should be a design drawing somewhere.”

“No, I don’t need to see it. Carnation petal shapes – isn’t that too childish?”

“It’s better if it’s simple enough for even a child to understand. That you will eventually serve Her Majesty the Empress as a mother.”

“It won’t unnecessarily anger Her Majesty the Empress, will it?”

“Her Majesty the Empress is a political person.”

Artizea said so.

Until Lawrence signed the adoption papers, the Empress had nothing to lose regardless of what she received or what rumors spread.

After all, Lawrence’s competitor wasn’t the Emperor’s child but his brother. Duke Loigar’s inheritance rights had nothing to do with the Empress.

Lawrence nodded. Artizea’s words weren’t much different from Emperor Gregor’s assessment.

“Have brother give that crown as a gift to Her Majesty the Empress. Give the same thing to His Majesty the Emperor too. They don’t necessarily have to actually use them. The rumor that you did so can be spread from the workshop.”

Lawrence nodded. Presenting a pair of gifts to his parents seemed very appropriate to him as well.

“And it would be good to dedicate something meaningful for praying for our parents’ health to the temple.”

“We discussed that before too. I’ve had it prepared. I plan to dedicate a mother-of-pearl box with Their Majesties’ names engraved, sealed in a golden case, to the temple three days before the birthday celebration.”

“Well done.”

Artizea said so.

“I’ll organize the details about the jewelry box to send as a gift and have it delivered by messenger within a few days. Since it’s related to the clothes Her Majesty the Empress will wear, I think I’ll need to handle it personally until completion.”

“Understood.”

“You didn’t need to come here in person just to discuss that.”

“….”

Lawrence briefly glanced around the drawing room here and there. As if looking around would make someone who wasn’t there suddenly appear.

Artizea tilted her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Lawrence said in a slightly subdued voice.

“It’s nothing at all.”

Lawrence was already regretting it.

Artizea’s words that there was no need for him to come in person were correct.

The Empress’s birthday gift was a matter that could have been resolved by sending a trustworthy messenger or with a simple letter.

If not that, then it would have been proper to arrange a proper appointment to meet. Even without business, there would be the pretext of strengthening their bond.

Lawrence realized anew that his reason for coming was just an excuse. Even when he got into the carriage to come here, he had continued making excuses.

That was what he regretted.

“I’ve bothered you with trivial business for no reason. I’ll be going back now.”

“Yes.”

“You don’t need to see me off, so go do what you need to do.”

“Yes. Have a safe trip.”

Artizea struggled to maintain a composed expression. It was fortunate enough that she managed to suppress the cold tone that threatened to slip out unconsciously.

Lawrence didn’t notice this and left the Evron Ducal Residence with quick steps. It had been a pointless act, and pointless thoughts.

He couldn’t understand why the face of that maid whose name he hadn’t even heard kept coming to mind.

Each time it happened, he was seized by an anxious feeling as if something was stabbing somewhere along his spine.

It was just when Lawrence had gotten into his carriage.

Lisia, with her blonde hair tied up in a single bun, came riding in at a trot on a large horse. Then, noticing the carriage parked in front of the main gate, she stopped her horse.

“Who came to visit?”

Lisia looked at the carriage in front of the entrance and asked the butler who was in the middle of seeing someone off.

Lawrence got out of the carriage. Lisia’s face as she sat atop her horse looked dazzling with the sun behind her.

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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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