The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 162

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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 162

 

Artizea lifted her teacup to wet her lips. Her gaze rested on the tea water steeped in a delicate crimson color.

 

To avoid having her thoughts read by others, it was necessary to limit the movement of her eyes. Those who don’t know how useful a teacup can be cannot be called noble ladies.

 

Anyway, she was curious. Until recently, Skyla had been hoping for Duke Loigar’s victory. Not too great a victory, mind you.

 

That was no different from considering the possibility of victory to be high.

 

But now she had declared there was ‘no hope.’ There must be a reason.

 

She couldn’t easily ask. Asking would mean giving her a chance to speak and acknowledging Skyla’s role as her ‘friend’ again.

 

She still couldn’t tell whether that would be a good choice or not.

 

Skyla spoke.

 

“I know that Your Highness wishes to place Prince Evron on the throne, not Lord Lawrence.”

 

Artizea smiled brightly.

 

“This is the first I’ve heard of it. Surely you don’t mean that Prince Loigar or Marquess Luden are thinking such things?”

 

“No. Lord Lawrence becoming Minister of State Affairs was due to His Majesty’s capricious imperial heart. This is something no one…”

 

Skyla hesitated for a moment. She thought that perhaps Artizea might have guessed.

 

However, she continued speaking.

 

“No one could have anticipated.”

 

Artizea remained smiling without answering. So Skyla had no way of knowing whether she had guessed or not.

 

“Grandfather speculates that the situation Your Highness originally desired would have been very different from the current result.”

 

Archbishop Akim and Countess Camellia trying to eliminate Artizea so actively was probably something unexpected.

 

Marquess Luden was certain that Cedric asking the Emperor to treat this matter as treason was also unexpected.

 

The result of considering all such variables excluded was as follows.

 

If Artizea’s mediation plan had been accepted, Milaire would have remained at the Rosan Estate in the capital. Lawrence would have had to be more restrained, thinking of the Empress too.

 

The social forces supporting him would have scattered after losing Milaire, their central figure.

 

Artizea would have received appropriate compensation from the Emperor for her successful work. She might have solidified her position as a noble lady favored by the Emperor.

 

With the Empress quiet and Milaire gone, the Emperor’s daughters weren’t capable of great things.

 

Then who would be next to move society according to the Emperor’s will?

 

That was a position worth coveting.

 

Duchess Evron could already be called the Empire’s third-ranking noble lady, following the Empress and Duchess Loigar. She was fully qualified to rule society.

 

Then, from a patronage standpoint, she would become Lawrence’s supporter.

 

This was a completely reversed relationship from offering loyalty as a sister. This was a position that anyone trying to establish an emperor should rightfully covet.

 

And at the center of that would be Artizea. Not Cedric.

 

Through such reasoning, Marquess Luden concluded that Artizea herself had tried to acquire power.

 

“She couldn’t possibly satisfy her ambitions by relying on that Duke of Evron. Even receiving respect and reverence in the Evron Duchy wouldn’t have been enough.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“The Duchess is Milaire’s daughter. She would know well how imperial favor and unofficial power are connected, and how immense that power can be.”

 

“But now Duke of Evron has become Minister of State Affairs, hasn’t he?”

 

“That’s a position without substance. Duke of Evron already has honor and status, doesn’t he? If the Duchess wanted power that leads to practical benefits, she would be disappointed.”

 

Marquess Luden also added this:

 

“Besides, even if such power were given to Duke of Evron, there’s no way he could use it effectively.”

 

He paid no particular attention to the fact that Cedric had gained an opportunity to earn the trust of officials.

 

He had no interest in citizens comparing Lawrence and Cedric side by side.

 

After all, whatever the people chatter about is all temporary.

 

Marquess Luden considered caring about public opinion foolish.

 

Power struggles are conflicts between noble factions.

 

What use is gathering something like popular support? Such things can be obtained easily just by providing bread and circuses.

 

Imperial succession is based on legitimacy.

 

No matter how much people support someone or whisper that this person should be the next emperor, it means nothing.

 

If one acknowledges Emperor Gregor’s legitimacy, then Cedric’s succession rights were unconditionally lower than Loigar’s.

 

According to the Empire’s succession law, unless one is an idiot, titles and attached property are unconditionally inherited through the legitimate line, in order of eldest son, second son.

 

If there are no legitimate sons, then it goes to the brother. If there’s no brother either, it goes to the legitimate grandson born by the eldest son.

 

Therefore, Duke Loigar, the Emperor’s brother, came first, and Cedric, his nephew, came next.

 

At this point, no one dared question Emperor Gregor’s legitimacy.

 

So no matter how popular Cedric became, it was all meaningless. It wasn’t an immediate problem for Duke Loigar.

 

Duke Loigar didn’t completely agree with this. However, he acknowledged that Marquess Luden’s words had merit.

 

Artizea listened to Skyla’s words with interest.

 

Hearing about Duke Loigar and Marquess Luden’s thoughts was interesting in itself.

 

But what was most interesting was that Skyla seemed to have decided to prove her value rather than continue bargaining or even making conditions.

 

It was a wise thing to do.

 

From the moment Ean appeared, Skyla’s usefulness had become ambiguous.

 

Artizea asked.

 

“It seems you think differently from Marquess Luden?”

 

“For a short period, I attended the Empress’s Palace and helped with Your Highness’s work.”

 

Skyla said.

 

“I think I’m not particularly foolish. But I know well that Your Highness is not someone who can be measured by my shallow calculations.”

 

“Well. You seem to evaluate me absurdly highly.”

 

“Your Highness regards power as a tool, not a goal.”

 

Skyla said.

 

“Also, you are a ruthless person.”

 

“…”

 

“I believe Your Highness orchestrated the affair with the Grand Duchess of Rosan. To truly expel the Grand Duchess and Lord Lawrence.”

 

“…Do you know how dangerous and groundless what you’re saying right now is?”

 

“I know well there’s no evidence. That’s why mother only suspects, and couldn’t tell grandfather or uncle about it.”

 

Skyla thought it was somewhat pathetic.

 

If Countess Camellia could have expressed views different from Duke Loigar or Marquess Luden without evidence or complete logic, the situation would be very different.

 

Skyla wouldn’t have thought Duke Loigar would be defeated either.

 

“But I know that Your Highness never intended from the beginning to bring Lord Lawrence and Her Majesty the Empress closer. Yet despite that, you created various plausible stories, including the red jeweled crown. The rumors spread larger than reality.”

 

“Well. Maybe I just tried but it didn’t work out well. Rumors are always uncontrollable.”

 

“Then why did you prepare the hair ornament separately in advance? As if you knew Lord Lawrence wouldn’t be escorting anyone.”

 

That was the first clue that made Skyla notice this affair.

 

Artizea answered calmly.

 

“It was a day that couldn’t have even the slightest mistake. Preparing for contingencies is natural.”

 

“And I also know you gave comfort and encouragement to Princess Hazel of House Belmond. I had built some friendship with Princess Hazel at that time.”

 

“Whether it was Princess Hazel or anyone else, if a talented young lady was hesitating to display her talents, I would have given her a push.”

 

Artizea raised her eyebrows slightly.

 

“Are you now trying to argue that I used Her Majesty the Empress as bait to trap your mother based on that?”

 

“I know well this cannot be evidence, Your Highness. This is something I haven’t even told mother about. I’m telling you these thoughts I’ve kept only in my heart, not as evidence anyone could accept, because I hope suspicion will disappear by explaining why I decided to submit.”

 

Skyla bowed her head respectfully.

 

“Your Highness couldn’t possibly have tried to expel Lord Lawrence for Duke Loigar’s sake, nor could you have done so for emotional reasons. So I thought the remaining reason must be Prince Evron.”

 

Thinking that way and looking at the current results, wasn’t it quite an excellent state, if not perfect? Artizea had not failed.

 

Artizea, who had been putting on an angry face, changed her expression again and leaned back comfortably against the backrest.

 

“Fine, let’s assume you’re right.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“It’s just an assumption. So, if that were true, what would you like to do?”

 

Artizea asked with a relaxed attitude.

 

Skyla felt her breath catch.

 

Artizea was calling it an assumption. But what Skyla was saying wasn’t an assumption.

 

The risk was borne by Skyla alone.

 

But if she didn’t speak, everything she had said so far would be nothing more or less than leaking information from Duke Loigar’s side.

 

“Please allow House Camellia to lend a hand in opening Prince Evron’s reign.”

 

“That’s not something you can promise, Miss. You’re not yet the Marquis Camellia or the Marchioness.”

 

“Yes. But I would be far more useful than Ean Camellia.”

 

Artizea observed Skyla with a cautious attitude.

 

How far was she prepared to go?

 

Skyla was different from ordinary noble ladies. At the very least, she would know that she had to betray her mother and all her close relatives.

 

And if Skyla was truly prepared to betray to that extent, she would naturally be a far more superior and useful blade than Ean.

 

It was then.

 

There was a sound of knocking on the drawing room door.

 

“My lady, it’s Alice.”

 

“Come in.”

 

Artizea spoke without taking her eyes off Skyla.

 

It was Alice who entered. She approached with a pale face that seemed tense, knelt on one knee beside Artizea, and whispered low in her ear.

 

“A letter has come from the Southern Region.”

 

Artizea took the letter and tore it open right there. It was news she had been eagerly waiting for.

 

It was urgent news sent by the Southern Intelligence Organization.

 

『Queen Eimel, died by poisoning. Eimel Kingdom Army, landed in Riagan Duchy. Countess Rexen, committed suicide. Will send urgent reports as new information comes in.』

 

Skyla saw Artizea’s lips, which had been wearing a gentle yet meaningless smile until now, turn expressionless.

 

She was curious about what news it was.

 

However, Artizea folded the letter and stood up.

 

“Please return now.”

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“All the conversation for today is finished. Go back, Miss Skyla. I’ll call for you if there’s anything needed.”

 

Artizea issued an order to leave. And she hurriedly left the place.

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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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