The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 157

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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 157

 

Lisia suddenly opened her eyes around midnight that night. She had a terrible nightmare, but she couldn’t remember its exact contents.

 

Only Lawrence’s face came clearly to mind while her heart burned.

 

Lisia sat up.

 

Seeing Lawrence in her dream was probably because Amelie and Artizea had talked about him during the day.

 

But that wasn’t all. Though she couldn’t tell anyone, there wasn’t a moment in the Western Regions when Lisia didn’t think of Lawrence.

 

She tried to pretend not to know, knowing that Artizea was worried, but there were several times she woke up from dreams of Lawrence as if suffering from fever.

 

Even when returning, it wasn’t that she was completely unaware of him. She just tried to pretend not to know because Artizea didn’t want it.

 

Lisia got out of bed. She changed clothes and quietly went outside.

 

The Evron Ducal Residence was steeped in silence.

 

Lisia came outside carrying a lantern.

 

The guards let her out without much concern when she said she was going for a walk.

 

They knew that although Lisia wasn’t a knight who went to battlefields, she had enough martial prowess to protect herself.

 

Lisia mounted her horse and headed toward Sabelin Street.

 

It was an impulsive decision.

 

When Lawrence told her his house was on Sabelin Street, she had no intention of visiting at all.

 

But now she wanted to. She couldn’t explain exactly why.

 

She stopped her horse where she could see the main gate of Lawrence’s manor.

 

Even after coming, Lisia hesitated. Should she go in or not? In fact, she didn’t really know what to say even if they met.

 

It was while she was contemplating.

 

Just then, Lawrence’s carriage came running, returning from an outing. Lisia quickly moved aside to the roadside.

 

And she thought it worked out well. The carriage passing by her felt like an order to leave.

 

But before Lisia could swallow the bitter taste rising from within, the carriage stopped.

 

Before the servant could open the door, Lawrence opened the carriage door himself and got out.

 

Lisia flinched.

 

Lawrence approached and extended his hand. That hand was white, his fingers were beautifully groomed, and his palm was soft. No man in Evron would have such hands.

 

Lisia couldn’t discern whether taking that hand was right or wrong.

 

Objectively speaking, she should accept the escort offered by a man of high status.

 

But was it really okay to take this hand? Would that be betrayal?

 

With courtesy and emotions all mixed up, Lisia placed her hand on Lawrence’s.

 

Then Lawrence pulled her close and lifted her down from the horse.

 

“You came.”

 

Lawrence had an expressionless face. But his cheeks were flushed red, like a porcelain doll that had been given breath.

 

“I, I didn’t come with that intention.”

 

“Then?”

 

Lisia caught her breath. Words didn’t come easily.

 

“Lisia.”

 

Had she ever told him her name? She couldn’t remember well.

 

Lawrence’s hand lightly grasped Lisia’s hair as if clutching it. Pulling and approaching happened simultaneously, bringing them close enough for their breaths to touch.

 

It was a feeling very familiar to Lisia. It was enchanting enough to make her lose her mind, yet frightening enough to chill her spine.

 

Lisia stepped back from him before their lips could touch.

 

And she clasped both hands in front of her chest. Not knowing what was in her heart, she felt like praying.

 

“Won’t you come to the Western Regions with me?”

 

“The Western Regions?”

 

Lawrence asked her back. Then he immediately looked bewildered.

 

“Yes. To the Western Regions… No, the Eastern Region or Southern Region would be fine too.”

 

Lisia’s hands trembled.

 

“Please abandon everything and come with me. Then I’ll also abandon everything and stay with you for life.”

 

Those weren’t words to say to a man she had only met a few times and had proper conversations with only twice.

 

Lisia knew that too.

 

But that was the answer to the problem she had been seeking. Lisia couldn’t answer with certainty what problem it was an answer to.

 

In fact, Lisia didn’t know exactly what the problem was either.

 

However, doing so would direct everything in the proper direction. It was clear enough to feel like her eyes were opening wide.

 

A saint who long ago claimed to have directly seen the direction God pointed must have felt exactly like this.

 

Lawrence chuckled. It was a laugh of disbelief.

 

“Everything? What are you talking about when you don’t even have anything to begin with?”

 

“Lord Lawrence.”

 

“Don’t do that and come to me.”

 

He pulled Lisia close and wrapped his arms around her waist.

 

Lisia saw red shadows cast by the lantern fall across Lawrence’s white cheeks. Light gathered on his long eyelashes, making them look golden.

 

“I’ll let you enjoy wealth and the world’s greatest pleasures that you couldn’t even imagine in a place like Evron.”

 

“I don’t need such things.”

 

“Then shall I put a crown containing starlit nights on you?”

 

That was referring to the Empress’s crown.

 

Lawrence lowered his head. This time too, Lisia turned her face to avoid the kiss.

 

“Please let me go.”

 

“Don’t think useless thoughts. You just need to come to me. I’ll make you the finest woman.”

 

Whispering that he would do everything for her, he tried to pull Lisia closer and embrace her deeply.

 

But before their lips could meet, a short arrowhead emerged from Lisia’s sleeve. Lawrence was startled and let her go, stepping back.

 

“I don’t intend to hurt you. I’m sorry.”

 

“…Lisia.”

 

“I should return to Her Highness.”

 

As Lisia turned away, Lawrence spoke in a cold voice behind her.

 

“Is your heart only worth that much?”

 

“You don’t love me either.”

 

Lisia stopped walking and said.

 

Lawrence spat out.

 

“Would something change if I said I love you? Can the love you speak of only be achieved by becoming a penniless pauper?”

 

“That’s not it!”

 

“Then, are you doing this for the Duke of Evron?”

 

Lisia looked at Lawrence with a pained expression.

 

Even if he left, Lawrence wouldn’t lose everything.

 

He just needed to give up being the Emperor’s son. He would still have his title and be a wealthy noble.

 

Couldn’t he avoid being greedy for more? Lawrence was tormenting himself with that greed and dissatisfaction.

 

If he would let go of his greed and leave together, if they could try to love each other and live simply and warmly.

 

Then they could live without tormenting anyone. She too could probably try her best to forgive.

 

But Lawrence refused. There were no other words Lisia could say.

 

Lisia turned around. This time she didn’t look back.

 

“Lisia!”

 

Lawrence called out once more.

 

Still, Lisia didn’t look back.

 

The love that Lawrence knew was about giving someone bigger and better things.

 

Not asking them to abandon things.

 

If someone had to give up something, it should be Lisia. If she had truly tried to extend her hand to him.

 

Lawrence twisted his lips in a smile.

 

* * *

 

For some time after that, the Empire was very quiet on the surface.

 

The government moved busier than ever before.

 

Prime Minister Lin said that Cedric’s promise would be nothing more than a short-term measure at best.

 

However, even that placed extraordinary pressure on the officials.

 

The preparations for Lawrence’s southern expedition were far more complex and serious than that.

 

The pirate subjugation in the south had been a problem periodically petitioned for quite a long time.

 

The Emperor had always kept its seriousness in mind as well.

 

It wasn’t simply to let Lawrence build achievements, but if the central government was going to mobilize troops anyway, they had to achieve maximum results at once.

 

On the other hand, there were clear reasons why it had been neglected until now. So Gayan and the other military officers racked their brains daily.

 

Such matters became the main topics of conversation in social circles, salons, and coffee houses.

 

On the other hand, there was no room for scandals and conspiracies to interfere.

 

Artizea would wait until the time came. She had told Amelie the same.

 

“Well, even though I say this, it must be true that you’re hesitant from your position.”

 

“I apologize.”

 

“I have no intention of forming a faction to struggle against His Majesty. I don’t think that would be beneficial either.”

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“Rather, I think it’s right to win His Majesty’s favor. So don’t worry and wait.”

 

Amelie looked at Artizea with an expression wondering if that would really be possible. It seemed contradictory to seek the Emperor’s favor while having to push Lawrence aside.

 

Artizea had said the Emperor’s heart wouldn’t last long, and Amelie acknowledged that her words seemed plausible.

 

However, she hadn’t completely agreed and become convinced yet.

 

Knowing this, Artizea spoke this way.

 

“If you follow His Majesty’s will and wait, you will realize my words are correct and return.”

 

Artizea didn’t expect loyalty from them right now. Forcing them to bear burdens to make them her allies would only solidify transactional relationships.

 

And proper loyalty didn’t arise from factions united for profit.

 

Cedric’s reign shouldn’t begin that way.

 

So what she had to do was change the situation. Not force them to make decisions.

 

Amelie apologized again but nodded at Artizea’s words.

 

Gayan, who heard that story from Amelie, also agreed. Though he did sigh.

 

His feelings were complicated, but he couldn’t disobey the Emperor’s command. If the ‘time’ Artizea spoke of didn’t come, he would have no choice but to remain the Emperor’s loyal subject.

 

“That’s also mentally uncomfortable in its own way. If Prince Evron becomes the next emperor, wouldn’t I end up being someone who watched the situation and jumped on the bandwagon late?”

 

Originally, merit was best for those who stood together during difficult times. No one welcomed those who looked both ways like bats and only joined after it became certain which side was advantageous.

 

Amelie completely understood Gayan’s feelings. She had such anxieties herself.

 

Nevertheless, Amelie had no choice but to say this.

 

“But the opponent is Prince Evron. Anyway, the retainers who stood together during difficult times would be the Duke of Evron’s retainers first, and Prince Evron wouldn’t decide whether to use people or not for such reasons.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

“Loyalty doesn’t only come from sharing hardships or opening one’s heart, but also from whether one can reliably accomplish tasks when entrusted with them.”

 

“That side seems more comfortable. Especially these days.”

 

Gayan said this in a tired voice.

 

And he organized an army for Lawrence and departed for the south.

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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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