The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 141

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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 141

 

It was the very next day after news of Milaire reached them that Lisia and Father Colton departed for the capital.

 

News traveled faster to the western regions, which consisted of plains, than to the northern regions with their harsh natural environment. Moreover, since this matter was related to heretical inquisition, news spreading within the temple was even faster than messengers heading north.

 

Upon hearing this news, Lisia felt a piercing pain in her chest.

 

For some reason, she thought that Artizea herself might have caused this incident.

 

There was no evidence, no logic. But Lisia was certain.

 

She didn’t even think about whether Artizea could gain nothing from this incident. For Artizea, her own interests and what she thought necessary rarely aligned.

 

Her heart was filled with strange, tingling emotions.

 

Even if she had judged it necessary with reason, Lisia didn’t think Artizea’s heart would be unaffected.

 

Lisia hadn’t known Artizea for long. But somehow, she could easily understand her.

 

Artizea had said she had given up her lingering feelings for Milaire. Those words were probably true.

 

Artizea always did what she thought necessary for her purpose. She didn’t care much about right and wrong, nor did she consider how she felt important.

 

But emotions don’t disappear just because you ignore them.

 

Even if Artizea had spent a long time giving up on Milaire and organizing her feelings, that was only rational; it didn’t mean the feelings from yesterday had already disappeared today.

 

She wanted to go and hold her hand.

 

Lisia was neither a friend nor a sister, nor someone who had been with her from her family home like Alice—she was merely a maid.

 

But even so, Lisia thought it might help, even a little.

 

However, Lisia couldn’t just leave her post.

 

There wasn’t much work to do in the western regions. Artizea had entrusted Lisia with the title of business inspector for the western regions.

 

But in reality, that was merely a sign that the Duchess of Evron cared enough to personally send a maid to watch over things.

 

Rather, her main role was as a liaison and attendant for Father Colton.

 

Fortunately, Father Colton brought it up first.

 

“I must go to the capital, Baron Mortan.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Since Akim is in charge of the heretical inquisition. If it’s that fellow, he’ll surely try to threaten not only the Marchioness of Rosan but her children as well. Heretical inquisition doesn’t have clear standards, and if they’re determined to press charges, almost no one can escape.”

 

Father Colton couldn’t let that happen.

 

Artizea was a saint. The temple must not dare violate a saint.

 

The temple should play the role of spreading and leading people to practice God’s teachings written in the scriptures.

 

However, saints hear God’s voice directly and realize God’s will in the world.

 

There was no need to think about which was more important.

 

So he departed in haste. If anything happened, he intended to secretly inform at least the Archbishop that Artizea was a saint.

 

However, knowing that Artizea was someone who moved politically, he couldn’t act rashly.

 

If Artizea wanted to keep the fact that she was a saint secret until the end, he shouldn’t have appeared in the capital at all.

 

Moreover, since Archbishop Akim was leading the heretical inquisition, this was even more the case.

 

Father Colton knew that his hurried arrival in the capital itself might provoke Archbishop Akim.

 

So Father Colton quietly stayed at a monastery near the capital with Lisia.

 

That’s why he could come immediately upon hearing that a conflict had occurred at the Grand Cathedral today and the Evron Knight Order had moved.

 

Upon hearing this story, Hailey shook her head with an incredulous expression.

 

“I need to reconsider Her Highness’s deep planning.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

At Lisia’s questioning response, Hailey let out a hollow laugh.

 

“There are too many people who don’t know their limits. Following the Prince, now you too.”

 

“His Highness the Prince came?”

 

“Yes. Otherwise, would he have done something as drastic as surrounding the Grand Cathedral? I would have stopped him.”

 

Lisia smiled awkwardly. Hailey grumbled.

 

“So Her Highness’s plans have all gone awry. Really, how can a mere maid like me manage the situation in the midst of all this?”

 

“How can you call yourself a mere maid, Sister Hailey? Her Highness trusts you and keeps you by her side.”

 

“I’m just a maid. Anyway, you should go see Her Highness.”

 

“Would that really be alright?”

 

“Yes. Even if Her Highness doesn’t say so in words, she’ll be happy that you came.”

 

Lisia’s body stirred with anticipation. Hailey briefly informed Lisia about Artizea’s condition.

 

Then she spoke to Father Colton.

 

“It’s too late for you to see Her Highness, so please give me some time. I’ll convey Her Highness’s words to you.”

 

“I will listen carefully, Princess Jordin.”

 

“And it would be best to keep the fact that you came here today a secret.”

 

At Hailey’s words, Father Colton adjusted his collar.

 

Lisia left the room, leaving the two of them to their conversation. If there was anything else she needed to know, Hailey would tell her later.

 

Rather than such political talk, she wanted to see Artizea’s face now.

 

Lisia headed to Artizea’s drawing room.

 

In the drawing room, a small lamp was lit and several people were waiting. A doctor and two maids were dozing.

 

In front of the bedroom door, Alphonse had brought a chair and was sitting.

 

Lisia approached him and greeted him with hand signals. Alphonse answered in a low voice.

 

“It’s fine to talk quietly in the drawing room. She seems to be sleeping deeply.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“When did you arrive?”

 

“Just now. Is Her Highness alright?”

 

“It’s not an illness, just overwork for now. Did you hear the news about her pregnancy?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“The baby is safe too. There shouldn’t be any problems. They said she’ll wake up naturally after sleeping well.”

 

Alphonse spoke gently.

 

“Would you like to see her briefly?”

 

“Would that be alright?”

 

Alphonse stood up and knocked lightly on the door.

 

Sophie, who was keeping watch inside, carefully opened the door with a creak. She was startled to see Lisia and covered her mouth with one hand.

 

“Lady Lisia.”

 

“Would it be alright to see her briefly?”

 

“Oh, yes. It’s fine. Her breathing is very stable now.”

 

Saying this, Sophie opened the door.

 

“My lady will be happy that Lady Lisia has come.”

 

Lisia carefully entered the bedroom, muffling her footsteps. Alphonse closed the door.

 

Lisia approached the bedside.

 

Sophie lit one more candle. Since it was too dark with just that, she tried to light two more, but the candles that had been burning since evening were already short.

 

“I’ll go change the candles.”

 

“Alright. I’ll watch over her.”

 

Sophie thanked her and went out carrying the extinguished candlestick.

 

Lisia sat in the chair beside the bed. She quietly looked down at Artizea’s pale face.

 

“You mustn’t try to bear everything alone, Your Highness.”

 

Lisia whispered softly.

 

Something seemed to boil inside her chest.

 

It felt like this was all her fault. She regretted disobeying Cedric’s words to stay close by her side.

 

It wasn’t that Hailey was inadequate. Even if she had been the one to go to the temple instead of Hailey, she wouldn’t have been able to prevent this incident.

 

She wouldn’t have been able to stop what Artizea had decided.

 

No, she wouldn’t even have been able to judge whether she should stop it or not. And she wouldn’t have been able to protect her either.

 

Lisia firmly grasped Artizea’s hand that was outside the blanket. Then she pressed her forehead against the back of that hand.

 

“It’s too difficult, Your Highness. What on earth can I do?”

 

She knew this was not just rude but disloyal thinking.

 

But somehow she felt she had to take care of this person, and it was unbearable.

 

If she turned away too, it seemed like Artizea would cross over to the other side in a moment of carelessness, so she couldn’t trust or feel at ease.

 

She thought she had to do something, but she didn’t know what she could do.

 

It was when Lisia closed her eyes.

 

The palm of Lisia’s hand, clasped together with Artizea’s, briefly glowed with a green light before fading away.

 

No one saw it.

 

After Sophie brought the candles, Lisia left her in charge and stood up.

 

It was when she stepped out into the garden, unable to sleep, that she encountered Cedric.

 

The sound of footsteps and trembling ground from the knights following behind came first. Then she felt the fighting spirit filled with the scent of snowstorms, just like in the north.

 

Lisia hesitated. Instead of going outside, she stopped where she was, bent one knee, and waited for Cedric.

 

“Lisia.”

 

Cedric, who had been entering with quick steps, stopped walking.

 

Lisia bowed and said.

 

“I arrived a little while ago.”

 

“You must have departed early. Did you see Tia?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Was there nothing wrong?”

 

“No. She was sleeping peacefully. However, Your Highness’s aura is so stern right now that it seems it might disturb the tranquility of the bedchamber.”

 

“….”

 

Cedric slowly exhaled. It was to calm himself. Lisia’s words were right. It wouldn’t be good to enter like this.

 

He lightly gestured to the knights following behind. It meant that tonight, they should each go fulfill their roles.

 

And he looked at Lisia again.

 

Lisia remained kneeling with her head bowed, not standing up.

 

“I beg for forgiveness.”

 

“Forgiveness?”

 

“Your Highness told me to stay by Her Highness’s side, but I failed to do so. I’m sorry.”

 

Cedric looked at Lisia with indescribably complex feelings.

 

“Stand up. There’s no need for such formality.”

 

“….”

 

“It was something Tia ordered, so as her maid, it would have been something you couldn’t refuse. Even if you had been by her side, it might not have changed anything.”

 

Cedric said with a sigh.

 

“It’s all my fault.”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Since Lisia wouldn’t stand up, Cedric eventually helped her up himself. Tears were streaming down from Lisia’s eyes.

 

“Why are you crying?”

 

“I don’t really know either.”

 

Lisia pressed her sleeve against her eyes.

 

It wasn’t because she had disobeyed orders or for Evron’s sake, but everything just hurt her heart.

 

She kept being consumed by the thought that if she had just done a little better, everything might have gone well.

 

Cedric sighed and handed her a handkerchief.

 

“It’s not your fault.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You couldn’t have done better.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You did well. You endured well.”

 

Cedric said this and patted Lisia’s head.

 

Lisia didn’t fully understand the meaning of those words, but she nodded.

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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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