The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 16

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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 16

“If House of Rosan itself is the goal, you could choose someone in a safer position than me.”

Sedric said.

“The master of House of Rosan is you, my lady. Both practically and legally, you are the only heir to House of Rosan.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“This inheritance is protected by God and the temple. Even His Majesty cannot do as he pleases with it.”

“Yes. In fact, even if His Majesty loves my mother, he wouldn’t take on excessive political burdens for her sake.”

“In the end, what you need is a husband with social standing who can protect you during times of trouble. As such a partner, I carry too much risk.”

Sedric said.

“If what you want isn’t power and glory, then there’s no reason for you to marry me and jump into the succession war. I might understand if you wanted to become Empress, but then I don’t understand why you’d want a divorce.”

Artizea let out a long sigh.

Strictly speaking, her mention of divorce after two years was because of Lisia.

Lisia was still young. But in two years, she would become a voluptuous beauty like a blooming rose.

And on her 20th birthday, she would receive an oracle.

《You shall care for the troubled and suffering in my stead.》

That was the oracle that originally came down to the Grand Cathedral.

It was the first oracle in nearly a hundred years. Lisia became a saint while receiving the oracle.

The devout wept with joy, and even those who didn’t believe in God were amazed.

She lived with all her might as a saint. She reached out to the bottom and saved the dying.

When an epidemic struck the western regions, she jumped into the heart of it with only a few attendants, purifying the contaminated land and healing people.

When the western regions became like hell due to monster waves, she was the one who gave people hope.

When the Aba River was swept by disaster, she cared for the survivors.

She saved countless lives and gave even more hope.

She could heal the wounded with holy power. But what she probably healed more than illness or injury was the heart.

The Empire’s people’s hopes gathered around the saint.

She never once directly involved herself in politics. She was hardly ever even in the capital.

She only showed her face in social circles a few times to gather sponsors for relief work.

Among the nobles, only Sedric protected and helped her.

But people regarded the saint, not the Emperor or the Archbishop of the temple, as the one to lead them.

The people’s faith becomes Heaven’s will.

Therefore, Artizea fabricated a new oracle just before the hearts that followed her exploded and bore fruit.

《The saint shall become Empress.》

Truly, how overjoyed the people had been.

It was something that restored the authority of both the Imperial Court and the temple at once.

The Imperial Court was once again chosen by God, solidifying its legitimacy. The temple gained the ability to interfere with secular power.

Until then, the succession struggle had remained at a standstill.

The Emperor’s favor couldn’t overcome Lawrence’s birth, nor could Duke Loigar’s supporting forces overwhelm the Emperor’s power.

In that state, the lie Artizea spread led the fight between the two in a different direction.

That a certain woman would become Empress meant that woman’s husband would become Emperor.

Emperor Gregor, Lawrence, and Duke Loigar all trusted the power in their own hands more than such an oracle.

Though Artizea didn’t reveal it, the Emperor probably knew the oracle was fabricated.

But since all the people of the nation believed the good and beautiful saint would become Empress, no one could betray that belief.

Marriage to Lisia became the final piece completing Lawrence’s legitimacy.

And it would be the same for the current Sedric.

Moreover, originally Lisia and Sedric liked each other. If left naturally alone, the two would fall in love and marry once again.

So she had to divorce before then.

Before the oracle came down. She wanted to divorce before Lisia became a saint, before Sedric helped her, before the two developed feelings for each other.

Sedric was a sincere person. If told to divorce after the oracle came down and marry Lisia, he surely wouldn’t be able to do it.

Most of all, Artizea herself didn’t want to give her lord the label of having divorced because he wanted to obtain the saint.

She couldn’t tell Sedric these circumstances now.

Artizea hesitated. Sedric noticed and said.

“Can’t you tell me?”

“It’s not that I’m deceiving you. I simply think no one other than Your Highness should become Emperor, but I don’t think I want to become Empress. I don’t think I’m suited for it either. You may think of it as for the greater good.”

“You seem determined to sacrifice yourself for the Empire.”

Artizea shook her head.

“There’s probably no one less suited to such words than me.”

During this conversation, the carriage that had arrived at Lev Street stopped.

The coachman knocked on the carriage window, asking for detailed directions.

Artizea knocked on the window three times, signaling the coachman and maid to keep their distance.

And she looked at Sedric’s face.

Sedric said.

“I think it’s still too early to discuss the throne.”

“Yes.”

“However, for now, I will gratefully accept your proposal to resolve the Western Army’s situation. As long as we join hands, I will do everything in my power to protect you, and you will do your best for House of Evron and me. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes. And the divorce…”

“Let’s think about what happens in two years when two years come.”

“I understand what you mean by that too. Until a complete relationship of trust is built, it would be good to first exchange concrete contracts that can be immediately traded.”

Artizea said that. Sedric looked at Artizea’s face with a frustrated heart.

“I have one condition.”

When Sedric said that, Artizea tensed her back and listened to what followed.

She thought in her mind what she would do if an impossible condition was presented. Would she lie, or would she deflect appropriately?

She expected him to demand honesty or not to scheme.

But Sedric said this.

“I very much hate it when people around me get hurt. If you’re going to be with me, you must remember that fact.”

“Yes. I understand well.”

“It doesn’t sound like you understand. What I’m saying is that you yourself must not get hurt either. Don’t let things like this happen.”

Sedric said, pointing to her cheek.

“Rather, go and hit back.”

Artizea couldn’t help but laugh. Sedric smiled along with her.

“I prefer getting hit first, then filing a lawsuit and spreading rumors to crush the other party’s reputation, rather than hitting cheeks.”

“I mean don’t get hurt.”

“Yes. I understand. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

She answered without fully suppressing her laughter.

Sedric thought her face softened by laughter looked much better than her serious face, and deepened his smile.

“Then, I also have one condition to request.”

“Please tell me.”

“House of Pesher has a jewel called Saint Olga’s Heart as a family treasure. Please give that to me as an engagement gift.”

Sedric was surprised because he never expected Artizea to request a jewel of all things.

“House of Pesher’s family treasure… you mean?”

“Yes. Then it will be easier for you to understand what kind of person I am.”

Artizea said gently.

“If your mind doesn’t change even after obtaining Saint Olga’s Heart, please propose to me as splendidly as everyone can see.”

Sedric nodded without asking more questions.

Artizea tried to open the carriage door.

Sedric gently stopped her hand. And to Artizea who turned back with a puzzled face, he only smiled, then opened the door himself and got out first.

Then he extended his hand to Artizea. Artizea hesitated before placing her hand on his.

Sedric then lifted her down gracefully.

“Ah.”

“A lady never gets down first.”

“Yes… that’s right.”

Artizea’s face reddened slightly. It felt like a small fish was swimming and fluttering inside her chest.

The path they stepped onto was narrow and muddy. Children like mosquitoes swarmed around them, extending their hands.

“Please give us just one coin!”

“Show mercy, noble lady!”

“God will prepare a place for you in heaven equal to the number of loaves you give to feed the poor!”

Alice hurriedly took out a black cloak and helped Artizea put it on. Artizea pulled the hood deep over her head.

“Do you always carry such clothes with you? It doesn’t seem like you originally planned to come here today.”

“My hair color stands out.”

Artizea answered that way.

The coachman shouted to drive away the swarm of beggars.

Artizea quickly left that path, accompanied only by Sedric.

Walking through the Alley of Lev Street with just one or two men is usually a great adventure.

But Sedric was not an ordinary man. He was the one who commanded the Empire’s shield, but he himself was the Empire’s greatest warrior.

Although Artizea had covered herself with a black, plain cloak, she couldn’t hide the silhouette of her dress that clearly revealed her to be a noble woman.

Her companion could also clearly be identified as a nobleman. It wouldn’t have been strange if bandits had attacked within five minutes of leaving their guards behind.

However, no one dared to appear, suppressed by the aura Sedric emanated.

Artizea didn’t notice, but Sedric could sense tense figures holding their breath from all directions.

“Who are you going to meet?”

“A butler who served the House of Rosan for generations but was driven out shortly after the previous Marquess Rosan passed away.”

Artizea answered that way.

“I have no one I can trust. He probably holds resentment toward both my mother and me, but… since he’s from a family that has served the House of Rosan loyally for generations, I’m going to trust in the power of the bloodline I inherited and try to find him.”

“I see.”

Sedric looked around with renewed interest.

To think that a butler who had served such a wealthy and traditional noble family as the House of Rosan for generations had fallen to ruin and ended up in a place like this.

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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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