The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 153

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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 153

 

The Empress responded to Sedric’s words.

 

“I’ve never locked the door and refused to let you in when you said you’d come, so don’t say such nonsense.”

 

“I plan to visit more often from now on. This person has no other elder to look after her, so please keep her in your thoughts, Your Majesty the Empress.”

 

“So that’s what you came here to talk about after all.”

 

The Empress chuckled softly.

 

“Don’t worry. I have no one else to rely on either, so I must take good care of her while she’s here.”

 

Sedric extended his hand to Artizea. The Empress tilted her head and asked.

 

“Won’t you stay for tea?”

 

“The doctor has set specific times, so we should head home now. It’s only been three weeks since she collapsed.”

 

“That’s right. She still needs to be very careful during this period.”

 

The Empress said.

 

Artizea took Sedric’s hand and stood up. Then she bowed politely to the Empress.

 

“I’ll send you news.”

 

“I trust you’ll do well even without sending word. And though it’s late, congratulations.”

 

“Thank you. You’ve already sent a congratulatory gift.”

 

Artizea replied. She felt somewhat awkward.

 

The Empress gestured for them to leave. Artizea bowed once more and went outside.

 

Sedric asked.

 

“How are you feeling?”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

“If you feel stuffy, shall we walk a little? These days at home, everyone makes such a fuss whenever you move that it’s hard to even walk.”

 

“The Empress’s Palace is quiet indeed.”

 

Artizea said so.

 

As she said, the garden of the Empress’s Palace was quiet. Spring had deepened in the meantime, and the days were getting quite warm.

 

Countess Marta’s salon was also closed now. Since it was centered on socializing anyway, there was no reason to open it during politically turbulent times.

 

The purpose for opening the salon had already been achieved.

 

The two walked slowly, arm in arm.

 

It was Artizea who spoke first.

 

“How was it?”

 

“How was what?”

 

“You came from the Imperial Palace. His Majesty must have said something.”

 

Sedric smiled bitterly.

 

That wasn’t what he wanted to talk about.

 

There were so many things to discuss. About the child, about her, and about Sedric himself too.

 

However, Sedric didn’t rush. He didn’t think Artizea was ready.

 

Her demeanor had returned to its usual calm appearance, and the traces of tears had disappeared.

 

The retainers of House Evron now looked after Artizea with unhesitating joy. On the surface, Artizea seemed to have no aversion to the child either.

 

However, Artizea still woke up every dawn. When Sedric woke up in the middle of the night and realized the space beside him was empty, he would find her with the curtains drawn open, gazing endlessly out the dark window.

 

Sedric couldn’t guess whether she had made up her mind or not.

 

Her composure during the day was probably just endurance. Just like how she had endured her wailing in the past.

 

Thinking about this pained Sedric’s heart. He wondered if he still hadn’t become someone she could truly open her heart to.

 

Artizea asked again.

 

“Is it difficult to talk about?”

 

“No. I was just organizing my thoughts for a moment.”

 

Since he couldn’t say he was thinking about her, Sedric just said that.

 

“He offered me the position of Minister of State Affairs.”

 

Minister of State Affairs wasn’t a position included in the official bureaucratic organization. It was a position given when one received direct imperial commands and performed state affairs on the Emperor’s behalf.

 

Unless it was a special case, it was also the official position usually given to imperial family members when they became involved in state affairs.

 

It wasn’t an honorary position, and in terms of rank, it was equal to the Prime Minister. All officials had to accept the Minister of State Affairs’ instructions as orders.

 

Sedric was surprised.

 

This was the first time he had been offered the position of Minister of State Affairs.

 

Even when he was ordered to rebuild the Western Army and subjugate the monster wave, he had only received the title of Imperial Special Envoy along with military authority.

 

So it was very unexpected that the Emperor would make such an offer to him. He was accustomed to being checked and excluded.

 

But Artizea had a calm expression.

 

“You don’t seem surprised.”

 

“No. I thought there would be some mention of an official position soon. Lord Sedric, you’ve taken on too many responsibilities.”

 

He had made too many promises to the protesters.

 

A promise to root out human trafficking organizations could be temporarily commanded under the name of Duke of Evron.

 

But relief measures for victims and child protection issues were different. This wasn’t something that would end in a short period. It also meant getting seriously involved in domestic affairs.

 

To entrust someone with important responsibilities, a position befitting those responsibilities must also be given. If only to show other subjects.

 

“Giving authority without including someone in a proper organization is very dangerous.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Above all, His Majesty wouldn’t want Duke of Evron communicating with citizens outside of your authority.”

 

“I understand what you mean. By emphasizing the fact that imperial commands were given to me, you mean to ultimately make the citizens’ support belong to His Majesty himself.”

 

Artizea nodded.

 

Though she couldn’t smile easily, her expression softened slightly. She seemed satisfied with Sedric’s answer.

 

“Will you accept it?”

 

“Do you think I shouldn’t?”

 

“This isn’t the time to fight with His Majesty. Perhaps it would be better to stop at this point and return to the North.”

 

“….”

 

“You stopped what you were doing in Evron and came here urgently. Above all, standing out is like raising a flag on a battlefield – you’ll become a concentrated target of attacks. It’s not time for that yet. We’re too unprepared.”

 

Artizea spoke seriously.

 

Sedric fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. He understood the logic of what Artizea was saying.

 

The words “If I return to the North, would you come with me?” almost slipped out carelessly.

 

If everything had to be stopped and they had to keep a low profile for a while, it would be better for Artizea to do the same.

 

They could go to the North together and rest for a year or two while planning for the future.

 

Life is long. The future is even longer.

 

A healthy Emperor wouldn’t suddenly collapse and die within two years. The political landscape of the Empire had changed greatly over the past year, but that was Artizea’s doing.

 

So there was no need to rush.

 

What could be accomplished in the North would have lasting effects far into the future.

 

But thinking that Artizea wouldn’t do that, Sedric let out a small sigh.

 

“I won’t leave your side, Tia.”

 

“Lord Sedric….”

 

“I know you don’t want me involved in what you’re trying to do.”

 

“….”

 

“I have no intention of doing that. I also have no intention of leaving you alone and going far away now.”

 

Artizea closed her mouth. Instead, she gripped Sedric’s arm tightly.

 

Sedric gently stroked the back of her hand. It was to help her relax.

 

“I said we must go together, didn’t I?”

 

“….”

 

“And I’ve already made promises to the citizens. If I break those promises, I won’t be able to govern properly even if I gain power later. Who would trust and follow someone who breaks even such small promises?”

 

“Yes….”

 

Artizea had no choice but to nod.

 

“I don’t think you did anything wrong. I just think it’s a bit early.”

 

“Prime Minister Lin once told me that imperial politics is about weighing public opinion using His Majesty’s will as the scale.”

 

Sedric said. Artizea replied without understanding what he was trying to say.

 

“That’s an excellent expression.”

 

“Yes. I didn’t understand exactly what it meant before….”

 

Sedric continued speaking.

 

“I’m not thinking of rashly confronting His Majesty to try to change something. For the time being, I intend to keep my head down and faithfully fulfill the role His Majesty desires.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I’m thinking of approaching this with the mindset of understanding the situation for the future.”

 

“So you’ve decided to accept the position of Minister of State Affairs.”

 

“Unless you can give me another reason why I should go to Evron. Of course, if there is a reason, I’ll listen. That’s why I didn’t say I would accept it, but only answered that I would think about it.”

 

Artizea hesitated for a moment.

 

Artizea wanted him to stay in the North. However, it wasn’t because there was a reason he needed to be there.

 

It was because she still hoped he wouldn’t remain in central politics and get swept up in the whirlwind of mudslinging conspiracies.

 

Sedric’s words were right. Trust was Sedric’s greatest asset. Breaking a promise made on his knees before the citizens would be throwing that away himself.

 

Since he had already stuck his head into politics, he needed to achieve meaningful results.

 

“Lord Sedric’s words are correct. I shouldn’t stand in your way when you have intentions.”

 

“Thank you for understanding.”

 

Sedric spoke gently and took Artizea’s arm again to guide her.

 

“And I want you to rest as well.”

 

“…”

 

“It hasn’t been long since you went through something major. Not only do you need rest, but it’s dangerous if you’re exposed any further.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Artizea answered that way.

 

She had intended to do so anyway. She couldn’t move while the Emperor’s eyes were watching.

 

The same went for Duke Loigar’s side. There was a need to calm the situation in various ways.

 

For the time being, she intended to claim that she was not only physically ill from pregnancy but also mentally afflicted.

 

Still, the groundwork she had already laid would move on its own and proceed with the work.

 

Artizea lifted her downcast eyes to look at the sky.

 

Conspiracies, flattery, calculations – all of these were so certain.

 

Yet none of the words she actually needed to say were easy.

 

She knew Sedric was waiting for her words.

 

She wanted to say she would give birth and asked him to raise the child happily. But those words wouldn’t easily come out of her throat.

 

It felt like she was asking him to make her happy.

 

* * *

 

At that moment, it was Lawrence who was having an audience with the Emperor.

 

“It’s been a long time, Your Imperial Majesty.”

 

Lawrence knelt on one knee and bowed respectfully.

 

He hadn’t been able to meet the Emperor for over three weeks.

 

It was the same even on the day of Milaire’s trial.

 

The letters he sent didn’t reach him either. Lawrence knew that the Emperor had them removed without even reading them.

 

For Lawrence, this was something he couldn’t help but be bewildered by.

 

The Emperor hadn’t always been an affectionate father. After becoming an adult, he had often been scolded.

 

But being rejected was a first.

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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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