The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 148

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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 148

 

It took quite a while for Artizea to calm down again.

 

As they say, it’s better to take a beating sooner rather than later, and Hailey’s worry only grew as they continued to wait.

 

Finally, just when Hailey was about to explode, wondering if she was deliberately creating fear to gain the upper hand, the summons came.

 

“You two have worked hard while I was away.”

 

Artizea spoke in a hoarse voice.

 

They had heard she had been crying the whole time. But they hadn’t expected to see her face and eyes so swollen, her voice so cracked that even speaking a single word seemed difficult.

 

In truth, Hailey couldn’t quite understand why Artizea had taken her pregnancy so shockingly.

 

Even if she was shocked, she thought the claim about crying severely was a lie.

 

‘Well, emotions do fluctuate during pregnancy.’

 

Even that stoic eldest sister Mel had been crying and laughing unpredictably.

 

Artizea cleared her throat several times, but barely any sound came out, so she spoke in a whisper-like voice.

 

“Since it’s difficult for me to speak, I won’t interrogate you about every detail. I just want to understand the situation, so give me a brief report.”

 

“Understood. I’ve also prepared detailed reports.”

 

Alice took the reports from both of their hands and organized them.

 

Hailey explained the situation in chronological order from when Artizea collapsed.

 

She spoke honestly about everything from firing the signal flare to Sedric’s appearance, how the situation reversed due to treason charges, and how they leaked information to newspapers to escalate the situation.

 

It was only three or four days’ worth of events, but there was so much that she couldn’t explain it all by herself.

 

In between, Freil added commentary about military affairs.

 

No one had yet publicly expressed support for Sedric. However, Sedric had always maintained relationships with military personnel at all levels.

 

Especially among those who had no particular interest in politics or factions, many had shown favor toward Sedric.

 

People naturally feel affinity toward those who share similar traits with them.

 

Once Sedric solidified his identity as royalty, many wanted to side with him.

 

In the midst of this, Amelie and Gayan stepped forward to assist Sedric.

 

Many executives from the Central Army and Imperial Guard actively cooperated with those two.

 

No one had officially declared their position yet. However, rumors quietly spread that those two might have had some prior understanding with Sedric.

 

So they made contact behind the scenes, wanting to know whether what Sedric was doing was truly for revenge or a strategic move for the future, and if he was entering the power struggle, what his ultimate goal was.

 

‘There’s no way he didn’t know what kind of ripple effect this would cause.’

 

Since her voice wouldn’t come out properly, Artizea could only sigh inwardly. Her chest felt warm.

 

Artizea knew exactly what kind of resolve it took for Sedric to kneel before the Emperor, and what he had given up.

 

He had abandoned his pride for her sake. He had bent his convictions. He had decided to forget about Evron’s salvation.

 

What he told the Emperor wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t his complete true feelings either. He had deliberately deceived. He had resolved to step into the dirty quagmire of political strife.

 

Because of her, and because of the child in her womb.

 

This wasn’t what she had wanted.

 

It was Artizea herself who had told Sedric to abandon his integrity. That he could pursue his convictions after becoming Emperor.

 

But when he actually steeled himself for that resolve, her heart ached.

 

If Sedric was going to make such a decision, it should have been for the Empire or for Evron. Or it should have been for the suffering people at the very bottom.

 

It shouldn’t have been for Artizea herself.

 

Artizea bit her lower lip. To prevent tears from coming, she forced herself to redirect her thoughts.

 

And she said to Hailey.

 

“Well done.”

 

Hailey visibly trembled.

 

Artizea tilted her head.

 

Freil patted Hailey’s shoulder. Then Hailey let out a long breath and looked tearful.

 

Artizea’s throat hurt, but she had to ask.

 

“What’s wrong? Are you that surprised that I said you did well?”

 

“Because I did the opposite of what you instructed.”

 

“I couldn’t have imagined that Lord Sedric would come to the capital either.”

 

Artizea paused mid-sentence due to throat pain and drank a few sips of warm water.

 

“The situation changed completely, and the scope of what you could do narrowed. In that situation, you grasped the true intent of my orders, assessed the importance of matters, and ensured that the ripple effects of Lord Sedric’s actions would achieve maximum effectiveness. This is a commendable achievement.”

 

“But the fact remains that I disobeyed orders.”

 

“Firing the signal flare was certainly that, but looking at the results, wasn’t your judgment correct? If you had proceeded moderately as I instructed, there was a possibility of being kidnapped.”

 

“That may be true, but…”

 

Alice glared at her to stop making Artizea talk. But Hailey stubbornly waited for an answer.

 

“I didn’t bring you here because I needed a puppet who could only do what she’s told.”

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“If you hadn’t even attempted to make your own judgment in that situation and had just acted according to orders, I would have been disappointed in you instead.”

 

Hailey tried not to feel personal emotions toward Artizea whenever possible.

 

Artizea was the Duchess of Evron, and she was a daughter of House Jordin, so she thought it was enough to do her best professionally.

 

This was because anything other than negative emotions felt like a betrayal of Aubrey.

 

She knew that the dead Aubrey wouldn’t know anything. Aubrey was the sinner. Resentment was pointless, and she had never even thought of revenge.

 

She didn’t particularly miss Aubrey either. She only felt bitter thinking about how her parents and sister had been hurt.

 

But still, there was something like sisterly loyalty.

 

She had thought this way, but now something warm was trying to well up in her heart.

 

And before she could properly feel it, Freil interrupted.

 

“Is that a compliment? You told me that even a ten-year-old can think for themselves.”

 

“If I left you alone, wouldn’t you prefer not to think at all?”

 

“Well then, don’t dump piles of work on me while saying you trust me.”

 

“I never said you were worse than a ten-year-old. I said there are many people who are worse than ten-year-olds.”

 

“Then please give me some praise too.”

 

If it weren’t for Artizea’s hoarse voice, it would have sounded quite cheerful.

 

Hailey was about to glare at Freil asking what he was doing, when she realized Alice was keeping her mouth shut.

 

And she noticed that Freil was deliberately speaking more lightly to cheer up Artizea.

 

Whether she knew this or not, Artizea’s face as she rubbed her forehead was definitely better than before.

 

Hailey realized she shouldn’t keep her mouth shut.

 

“You complained non-stop and now you want praise too?”

 

“But I did the work well, didn’t I? Was I the only one who complained?”

 

“What I did was worry, not complain.”

 

“I’m worrying too. My work should normally be done by someone two ranks above me.”

 

While the two bickered, Artizea sighed and drank a few more sips of water.

 

Then she gestured to Alice.

 

Alice handed the documents she had prepared in advance to Freil and Hailey respectively.

 

“I asked you to make two copies of the materials, but looking at it now, one copy would have been enough.”

 

“No. The emergency system is over now.”

 

“We’re not working together anymore.”

 

Hailey and Freil answered in unison. Alice giggled.

 

Artizea said.

 

“Those documents are a list confirming who among the manor’s employees and their families, as well as merchants we deal with and people who come and go in general, can be bribed with how much and what kind of content.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Both answered tensely.

 

“…”

 

Artizea hesitated, unable to continue her next words readily.

 

However, she gave the order she would have rightfully given if it had been someone else, not herself, who was pregnant with her lord’s child.

 

“Use this as reference to thoroughly screen all people and goods brought into the manor.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Both bowed their heads together. They already knew how dangerous this period was and what they needed to be careful of without explanation.

 

Hailey asked.

 

“But I don’t understand what His Majesty is thinking. Didn’t he know the military would react like this?”

 

“No way. I think he did it on purpose.”

 

Freil said.

 

“We must not forget what happened to the previous Duke of Evron. His Majesty knows that it’s much better to install a young heir and threaten the ducal house to squeeze them, rather than deal with a capable, mature, and experienced Duke of Evron.”

 

“You mean he’s raising him up high and waiting for him to fall?”

 

“That makes sense.”

 

Artizea replied.

 

“But the circumstances are a bit different from back then. His Majesty doesn’t necessarily need to re-establish the foundation of imperial power through imprisonment and purges.”

 

“That’s true, but… While it’s not without benefit, he’s given the Prince far too much compared to what he could gain.”

 

“Everyone is somewhat illogical. He probably gained some… emotional benefit.”

 

“Emotional benefit?”

 

Hailey tilted her head.

 

“Yes. Someone as greedy as His Majesty wouldn’t act without benefit, nor would he miscalculate gains and losses in such an important matter.”

 

If the clearly visible benefits were small, then the rest must be filled with emotional ones.

 

Artizea couldn’t clearly understand what that might be.

 

However, she knew well that while the Emperor was ruthless, he wasn’t completely cold-hearted.

 

His long-standing favor toward Milaire, and leaving the Empress to shut herself away in the Empress’s Palace rather than completely eliminating her, were examples of the same pattern.

 

“Let’s handle what we can understand first.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Hailey and Freil answered with tense faces.

 

“The greatest benefit His Majesty can gain from this matter is pinning treason on Duke Loigar.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Even if he doesn’t use the justification immediately, he’ll try to secure evidence. Duke Loigar knows this too. And Archbishop Akim isn’t someone who can be dealt with alone.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“There will be attempts to destroy evidence.”

 

Freil asked.

 

“We’re currently monitoring from the temple, but should we bring him to the Duke’s residence for protection?”

 

“No. It would be better to go fishing.”

 

A justification useful to the Emperor would also be useful to her.

 

Originally, she had prepared a different scheme to oust Duke Loigar. But since a better opportunity had conveniently arisen, there was no need to stick to the original plan.

 

“…”

 

Artizea hesitated.

 

In the past, she would have personally handled such important matters.

 

“Hailey, I’ll entrust that task to you.”

 

But Artizea said so.

 

If she wasn’t going to abandon the child, she couldn’t accumulate any more fatigue at this point.

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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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