The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 187

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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 187

The Harvest Festival is held on the day the last wheat is harvested.

That custom originated when the Grand Cathedral had not yet been established. Even then, there were temples, but they were not as organized as they are now.

The early temples worshipped the same god, revered the same saints, and followed the same customs, but each led their own faith independently.

The rituals were also slightly different. The areas they influenced were just a few villages, one or two cities at most.

So it was possible to hold the ceremony immediately on the day after the last harvest within their territory.

Once the temples became centralized and secular power was consolidated under the Cratese Imperial family, this was no longer possible.

The Imperial family did not want local lords to consolidate their influence over the people through temple ceremonies.

The bishops of the Grand Cathedral wanted to establish the authority of the Grand Cathedral by controlling the rituals.

For these reasons, the Grain Festival and Harvest Festival were now only held at the Grand Cathedral.

And the Emperor himself had to attend these two ceremonies in person to offer incense.

Even in this era when the center of wealth was clearly shifting to commerce and industry, the importance of agriculture had not diminished at all.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Empire’s enormous national power came from occupying all the fertile land.

Even though disasters created refugees every year, the population steadily grew when viewed nationally. Even when devastated by war and exploitation, recovery came after just two or three years of good harvests.

When the Empire stopped trading and controlled food and raw materials, no country could withstand it.

Not to mention the North, which had originally submitted to the Empire due to food problems, even the wealthy Kingdom of Ients, where any commoner on the street would be wearing silk stockings, would starve to death if the Empire blockaded their ports.

And successive emperors were well aware of this fact.

Since the Emperor personally visited the Grand Cathedral to offer ceremonies, the nobles naturally had to follow.

Now few nobles were actually interested in the Grain Festival or Harvest Festival itself.

What mattered was that this was a large-scale official event where the Emperor appeared. Moreover, it was a religious ceremony.

Who appeared in what attire and stood next to whom showed the direction of power.

The nobles who had arrived early scattered in groups of three to five throughout the Grand Cathedral’s spacious garden, enjoying light refreshments.

There was still plenty of time before the ceremony began. Not even news had come that the Emperor’s procession had departed.

“Will Her Majesty the Empress not attend again this year?”

“We had hopes last year too, but she didn’t come in the end.”

“This year is different though. Prince Evron and the Princess Consort are also in the capital.”

Whispered conversations echoed here and there.

“Speaking of which, it’s much more refreshing not seeing Milaire around.”

“At banquets maybe, but her showing off at official events like this was truly unseemly.”

“His Majesty went too far as well. No matter how much Lord Lawrence was…”

“Shh.”

“What? There’s no need to watch our words anymore.”

The noblewoman who had first brought up the topic replied refreshingly.

The person who had cautioned her lowered her voice and said:

“Still, we must always be careful. They say His Majesty rarely leaves the palace these days, but who can guarantee that’s really because he’s depressed?”

Then people began to watch their tongues.

Though they didn’t know where or who, everyone knew the Emperor had a secret organization.

This was not a conversation to have in such an open place.

Thump! Thump!

Then the sound of military boots shaking the ground rang out. The fallen leaves on the ground trembled.

Eyes turned in that direction.

The Evron Duchy’s carriage had entered the garden. A knight order wearing full armor, though not carrying weapons, surrounded the carriage front and back.

The people who had been chatting fell quiet.

The carriage stopped. Duke of Evron stepped out first. Young ladies let out small exclamations at his tall, handsome figure dressed in dark blue formal wear.

Duke of Evron reached into the carriage and personally helped the Princess Consort down.

The Princess Consort was in her final month of pregnancy.

Being naturally frail, she looked pitiful despite this being a joyous occasion.

The tense atmosphere in the garden relaxed.

Originally, horses or carriages could not enter the Grand Cathedral garden. Only the Emperor and Empress’s carriages were exceptions.

But it seemed the knight order and carriage had not been mobilized for other reasons.

“She’s safe.”

Viscountess Pasto covered her mouth with her fan and whispered quietly in Countess Camellia’s ear.

Artizea had stayed home and not gone out since she was over five months pregnant.

At least in early pregnancy, she had work to do and had to meet people to respond to congratulations.

However, after Lawrence was dismissed from the Southern Subjugation Army and returned, she neither went out nor received guests.

Because of this, there were all sorts of rumors.

Since the Princess Consort was originally frail, some said she had miscarried and was hiding the fact, or that she had never been pregnant in the first place.

But it had been proven that these were all false rumors.

Countess Camellia smiled wryly.

“When it comes time to give birth, everything will be revealed anyway, so why would she lie?”

“Hmm, but… there was quite a commotion. They said she nearly miscarried. Because of the temple.”

“If she had lied to take the offensive, she would have said she miscarried then.”

And while Artizea might be capable of it, the retainers of the Evron Duchy would not have been able to lie about such things. Especially not about the heir.

In any case, the reason the carriage could enter was clear.

The temple had once put Artizea in danger.

This time she was even in her final month. They had no choice but to provide accommodations.

It was a situation that inevitably drew attention and comments, so eyes were fixed on them.

As if to shield her from those gazes, Cedric carefully wrapped his arm around Artizea’s shoulders. Then he asked:

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

“I’m fine. There are still over two weeks until the due date.”

“I said I could come alone.”

“It’s an official ceremony. It’s good to show my face at least once.”

Though moving around wasn’t comfortable, she had decided it would be better to come.

This was the first major official event held since Cedric became Chief Administrator.

Duke Loigar and his wife were away from the capital on embassy business. At a time like this, even Milaire and Lawrence, who had always been by the Emperor’s side in unofficial moments, were absent.

In other words, Cedric was the only member of the imperial family who would ascend the altar following the Emperor.

She couldn’t miss such a moment. A couple standing together would leave a much better impression than Cedric alone.

And the same went for public attention.

Artizea knew well what rumors were circulating outside. It was obvious without having to investigate.

Showing her full-term appearance at this time would help leave a strong impression.

Cedric and all his subordinates were overly worried. However, even if labor pains suddenly came, it was now a time when there would be no problems for the baby.

Bishop Nicos came out to greet them.

“Welcome, Your Highness, Your Highness. We have set up a canopy and prepared comfortable chairs.”

“Thank you.”

Artizea expressed her gratitude and followed Bishop Nicos’s guidance toward the canopy set up near the altar.

Cedric said:

“We brought a doctor and midwife just in case, Bishop.”

“I see. I’ll have them clear a room.”

Bishop Nicos looked a bit flustered. However, it wasn’t something he couldn’t accommodate.

“You worry too much.”

“You came quite a distance by carriage. You’re the one who doesn’t worry enough.”

Cedric said this and seated Artizea in the chair.

Though she had said she was fine, both her legs and back were aching, so Artizea accepted Cedric’s support and slowly leaned back in the chair.

Then she smiled.

“Getting some fresh air makes me feel much better.”

“Then I’m relieved.”

Cedric sat beside her and personally placed a cushion behind her back.

“Are you thirsty? Shall I bring you something?”

“I’m fine. There’s water here too.”

Artizea lifted a water glass from the small table placed beside her chair.

Cedric looked around. He was searching for something else he could do for her.

Being accustomed to this, the guard knights stood at their posts without any particular thoughts.

Only Bishop Nicos felt awkward at becoming a hindrance and slightly bowed before stepping away.

Artizea waved her hand, saying she was really fine.

“There’s nothing particularly difficult today anyway. I’ll just rest while enjoying the autumn scent, and we’ll return right after the ceremony ends.”

“You promise.”

“I’ll rest, but Lord Cedric shouldn’t be resting.”

Artizea said, pointing to those standing at a distance, anxiously wanting to come greet him.

Cedric let out a small sigh.

“I know.”

“Whatever you see today, don’t forget that Lord Cedric knows nothing about it.”

“I’m keeping that in mind. I’ve been busy with military affairs, so I haven’t paid much attention to other industries within the duchy.”

Artizea smiled and nodded at Cedric’s words.

“I should also greet the ladies I know after such a long time.”

Cedric didn’t want to leave Artizea alone, but he had no choice. That too had been agreed upon in advance.

Finally, only after receiving Hailey’s glare did Cedric reluctantly stand up. As if they had been waiting, several people approached to greet him.

Almost no one approached Artizea. There were hardly any people with personal connections to her, and it wasn’t easy to approach a pregnant Prince’s Consort of high status just to make casual conversation.

Countess Unise and her daughter Fiona were the first to approach Artizea.

“It’s been a long time, Your Highness. Even just sitting still, the aches and pains everywhere must be no ordinary matter. Are you alright?”

Countess Unise spoke with a kind face. Artizea also answered with a forced smile. In fact, she was aching everywhere even now.

“The fetal movements are quite strong.”

“Isn’t it about time for them to calm down?”

“I heard they do calm down toward the end, but our baby seems not ready yet. Originally quite active… The head maid said seeing that, it must be a son.”

“That has nothing to do with it. Our second daughter also kicked so much.”

Countess Unise shook her head.

“She’s still like a little rascal now. Tearing up all the frilled clothes.”

“It’s nice to see her so spirited.”

“That said, she doesn’t particularly have talent for martial arts or horseback riding either. She just likes playing outside. Getting her face all tanned.”

“Lady Larni is still young. Isn’t being healthy the most important thing?”

Artizea said so. However, as she was already starting to worry about her own unborn child’s education, she could understand Countess Unise’s concerns.

“What kind of conversation are you having?”

Just then, Countess Camellia interjected.

Countess Unise looked at her with a face full of wariness.

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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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