The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 177

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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 177

Cedric entered the capital and first stopped by the Imperial Palace.

However, the Emperor would not see him. The Chamberlain came out with an apologetic face and spoke respectfully.

“His Majesty is currently taking a nap.”

“I see.”

“He has finally been able to sleep properly for the first time in weeks. It is certainly not His Majesty’s intention to treat Prince Evron coldly, so please understand.”

He was not the type to be hurt in his pride over such things, and in fact, even if the Emperor was doing it on purpose, he was not in a position to argue about it.

The Chamberlain said.

“I will convey the message that Prince Evron has arrived. If there is no urgent matter, how about returning to the Duke’s Residence to rest for today?”

“I would be grateful if that were possible.”

“Yes. When His Majesty awakens, I will inquire and arrange an audience schedule for tomorrow or the day after and inform you separately.”

Cedric nodded and turned around.

There was nothing particularly worth reporting anyway. He had simply stayed at the Southern Subjugation Army’s camp, maintaining discipline and observing training.

Even that, since Gayan had already established the entire system and they were elite soldiers, there hadn’t been much for him to do.

So he thought it worked out rather well.

As he left the Imperial Palace early, his adjutant asked.

“Did you not have an audience with His Majesty?”

“His health does not seem to be very good.”

At that, the adjutant pressed his lips tightly shut.

Cedric smiled bitterly. If it had been Freil, he would have openly complained about the Emperor for several sentences.

Even though he had always scolded him not to do such things, Cedric newly realized that he had found quite a bit of comfort in that attitude.

“Go to the Joint Command Headquarters and report that the handover was completed safely. I’ll go home first.”

“Yes.”

The adjutant gave a military salute. Cedric also responded with a military salute and mounted his horse.

When Cedric arrived at the Duke’s Residence, Artizea was in the garden.

The guards stopped Cedric at the main gate and informed him of this fact. They were concerned that the pregnant mistress might be startled by the sound of horse hooves.

Cedric dismounted his horse right there. He gave his subordinates orders to disperse.

He walked into the garden alone.

The garden that the gardener had tended with care had become quite beautiful in the span of a year.

Cedric felt this anew. It seemed like just yesterday that Artizea had nearly tripped over a clump of grass.

Artizea was cutting flowers.

A maid beside her was following with a large basket. Another maid was creating shade with a large parasol embroidered with silver thread waves.

Cedric stood for a moment watching her without deliberately making his presence known.

In the few weeks he hadn’t seen her, her belly had swollen considerably. When he left, wearing loose clothes made it unnoticeable, but now anyone could tell she was pregnant.

Artizea cut several flower stems with pruning shears and tossed the blossoms into the basket.

Then she straightened her back, leaned back her upper body, and let out a long sigh.

That sight looked both peaceful and made his heart race.

Cedric was swept up in a strange emotion.

When he first regained all his memories, he had thought.

It would have been better if he had been the one to return first. No, it probably would have been better if Artizea had never returned at all.

If that had been the case, he could have saved her before she touched evil. Before she came to think that profit and loss rather than good and evil made human relationships, before she came to believe that only bringing benefit was love.

If that had been the case, they wouldn’t have had to pay a price for this tranquility.

Cedric let out a long sigh. Then he strode toward Artizea.

“Ah.”

Artizea, hearing the footsteps, turned her head. And she was startled.

“Lord Cedric.”

“…”

Not readily knowing what to say, Cedric swallowed his words once.

Then he said.

“I’m back.”

It was nothing special to say.

Artizea couldn’t understand why it made her ears burn.

She already knew he would arrive today or tomorrow.

This was thanks to Cedric sending someone ahead to inform her before he began the handover to the new commander of the Southern Subjugation Army.

But it felt very fresh. That Cedric was here. As if there had been no time apart.

Cedric reached out and took the pruning shears from her hand. Then he handed them to the maid.

Artizea’s cold fingertips became a little warmer. They were moist.

“Is it alright for you to do such work?”

“I can’t walk well without having something to do. They say it’s good to move my body a bit now that I’m in the stable period.”

Artizea lowered her gaze slightly. She thought she should greet him properly rather than just talking about such things, but her mouth wouldn’t open easily.

Misunderstanding this, Cedric asked.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m fine. I can’t walk for long, but it’s natural. The baby is… growing well too.”

Cedric looked embarrassed.

“It seems to be quite active.”

“I’m glad. That both you and the baby are healthy.”

“Yes…”

The maid holding the basket silently bowed her head and withdrew. The maid holding the parasol hesitated for a moment, but soon folded the parasol and withdrew.

Artizea didn’t notice this.

Her hand was still in Cedric’s hand.

She thought she shouldn’t pull it away, but she didn’t yet have the courage to grasp it back.

Artizea hesitated and then said.

“Did you… return safely without incident?”

It was a greeting no different from before.

But it was different.

When she had said it before, it was asking for meaningful information.

Whether there had been any events among the things that happened where he went that would affect future political situations.

But now she hadn’t said those words because she wanted to.

Asking if he had returned safely was such an ordinary, family-like greeting.

Cedric smiled. He lowered his head. Artizea’s face reddened.

Their lips touched.

Cedric’s hand wrapped around her back.

* * *

News of Cedric’s arrival soon spread to various places.

Duke Loigar was no exception.

“What news from the Southern Subjugation Army?”

“Duke of Evron’s adjutant has submitted a detailed report, so we should know soon. By now they should have begun marching south.”

Duke Loigar had no authority to intervene in that matter.

However, as the Emperor’s special envoy going south, he could receive news through official channels.

Until now, Duke Loigar had almost no connection with the military. The Emperor held the Central Army quite firmly, and he himself had never been involved in military affairs.

Even spending considerable amounts of bribes through unofficial routes, he could only hear information that was a step behind.

Now the military was bringing him news on their own. The practical utility was one thing, but the satisfaction was also great.

There were also high-ranking officials he had been able to win over through this affair.

“Good. Very good.”

Duke Loigar said with satisfaction.

Then he pushed the thick documents he had been reviewing since last night toward his secretary.

It was a list of attendants who would accompany him on this southern journey.

He was going as an imperial envoy to a trading hub with foreign nations.

Although he wasn’t going for trade issues, such opportunities were rare. Even a mere attendant could wield considerable authority.

It was a chance to conduct trade negotiations under the Empire’s prestige.

So among the merchant guilds in Duke Loigar’s faction, there wasn’t a single one that didn’t want to get involved.

If a guild master was in a position to speak directly with Duke Loigar, they came in person to make requests.

If they were smaller guild masters or minor nobles who couldn’t, they made appeals through secretaries or butlers.

The bribes that accumulated this way were quite substantial, so Duke Loigar was grinning from ear to ear every day.

Of course, he didn’t decide on attendants based solely on those bribes.

“The proportion of cloth merchants is too high. Even though we’re supposed to make contact with the Kingdom of Ients, I don’t understand how they all have the same idea.”

“My apologies.”

“Reduce it to about 60% of the current number, and fill the empty spots with smaller guilds and craftsmen. Thinking about the future, we need to consider diversifying our trade sectors.”

“Yes.”

“If anyone brings interesting stories, I’ll meet with them personally.”

Duke Loigar said.

Just then.

A knock was heard. It was the Head Maid.

“What is it?”

“My lady says she absolutely must see you, and well…”

The Head Maid was flustered.

Duke Loigar sighed and rose from his seat. Then he said to his secretary.

“Don’t wait, go and do what you need to do.”

“Yes.”

The secretary stood up after him and bowed politely.

Duke Loigar clicked his tongue and headed toward the Duchess’s quarters.

“Gannett, it’s me.”

Duchess Loigar’s quarters were in complete chaos.

Cushions were thrown everywhere, and vases and clothes were scattered about. The maids had opened large bags and were each kneeling around them.

Countess Camellia stood in one corner with her head bowed.

Duchess Loigar sat in an armchair with a flushed face, fuming.

Duke Loigar sighed inwardly.

“What’s wrong, Gannett? What’s got you angry again?”

“I’m going too.”

“Gannett… This isn’t a pleasure trip…”

“You said you’re going to resolve the Ford family matter.”

Duchess Loigar said sharply.

“Didn’t I explain? It’s to eliminate groundless rumors and persuade His Majesty.”

“So you’re going alone for several months, or maybe even close to half a year?”

Duke Loigar glanced at Countess Camellia. Countess Camellia subtly shook her head so the Duchess wouldn’t notice.

It meant she was in no position to dissuade her.

“If you’re not planning anything suspicious, there’s no reason I can’t come with you.”

“I’m going there to do boring work.”

The Duchess said sulkily.

“Do you think I’m a child? Are you worried I’ll cling to you and demand you play with me while you’re busy working?”

“It’s not that…”

“I won’t let you go alone.”

Duchess Loigar declared firmly.

Although she had been living as if she had forgotten for quite some time, the truth was she hadn’t.

How could she forget that the husband she thought doted on her had set his eyes on another woman?

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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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