The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 188

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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 188

Even though the Emperor had never said it directly, it was possible to guess from various circumstances that he had Cedric in mind.

And Countess Unise believed that she had considerably influenced the Emperor’s will.

Naturally, she couldn’t help but worry about what Countess Camellia, a key figure in Duke Loigar’s faction, had come to say.

Artizea was even heavily pregnant. What would happen if something went wrong?

But before Countess Unise could greet her instead, Artizea spoke first.

“Would you sit for a moment, Countess Camellia?”

“Your Highness.”

Countess Unise called out to Artizea as if to stop her.

Artizea let out a sigh. It wasn’t for any other reason, but because her body felt heavy.

“It’s hard for me to look up. Both of you.”

Artizea spoke sincerely.

Countess Camellia sat down with slow movements.

A few noble ladies who had followed Countess Camellia as if to escort her glanced around nervously and then withdrew. They realized this wasn’t a place for them.

Countess Unise hesitated. Then she sat down next to Artizea.

“How is your health? Pregnancy must be difficult, but you’ve been staying indoors so much that I was worried something might be wrong.”

“I’m not particularly healthy, so everyone around me worries a lot.”

“Princess Consort Loigar was disappointed. She had no chance to build a relationship right after the wedding because of the honeymoon, but she was looking forward to having an opportunity to play the role of aunt this time.”

Artizea smiled faintly. If it was Duchess Loigar, she might have thought that with pure intentions.

However, Countess Camellia couldn’t have spoken with pure intentions.

“Don’t worry. Even if my husband stands right behind His Majesty, he’s not someone who would forget that his uncle is there. Neither am I.”

Artizea continued.

“He’s been entrusted with important state affairs, so it can’t be helped. But it’s surprising. That Countess Camellia didn’t go with them.”

“…”

“You are wise, have much worldly experience, and share deep affection and trust between sisters, yet you didn’t go together on such an important matter. Is there something wrong?”

“It’s not a matter of just a month or two, and no matter how much it’s my sister’s affair, I can’t just go along that easily, can I?”

Countess Unise interjected restlessly.

The reason Countess Camellia couldn’t follow Duchess Loigar was because of the inheritance lawsuit.

More than dealing with the lawsuit itself, she couldn’t be by Duchess Loigar’s side with such a scandal attached to her.

Artizea couldn’t have spoken without really knowing the reason.

But Countess Camellia let out a breath that mixed laughter and sighs.

“I tried to insult Your Highness over something trivial, but instead I ended up saying something foolish myself.”

Countess Unise looked back and forth between the two. Artizea maintained her gentle expression unchanged.

Countess Camellia said.

“Still, I’m not particularly worried. Gannett is no longer young, and there are several people to assist her.”

Honestly, the more Duchess Loigar tried to become a good duchess, the more difficult she became to handle.

Countess Camellia didn’t think that was necessarily a bad thing.

Duchess Loigar was a person with a good nature. She couldn’t say her mind was particularly sharp. It was true that she was immature.

Could she be entrusted with important matters? Absolutely not.

But Duchess Loigar knew how to acknowledge the existence of people superior to herself. She had no prejudices either.

So she thought it would be good to let her gain worldly experience and broaden her perspective.

The practical work could be done by subordinates.

This time would be fine too. The noble ladies who followed as maids were all prudent people.

She had surrounded Duchess Loigar with people experienced in social circles and thoughtful, so she wouldn’t act impulsively.

Skyla was there too. If Skyla and the elderly Baroness Weave consulted together, there wouldn’t be any major mistakes.

When Skyla first said she wanted to become Duchess Loigar’s maid, she had been very angry.

Duchess Loigar had been pestering her for a while, wanting her favorite sister’s daughter and clever niece as her maid. Considering their status and relationship, it wasn’t strange.

Countess Camellia had continued to refuse. She kept making excuses that she was too young and had much to learn.

Regardless of the fact that she had affection for Duchess Loigar and that caring for her was important, she didn’t want Skyla to serve others.

If she were the duchess’s maid, it would be more like an aide than a servant.

“I want to become aunt’s maid. I know mother doesn’t like it. I also know well that aunt has no particular possibility of getting involved in political affairs. But there are things that can only be seen from the duchess’s position, aren’t there? Even if aunt herself says she can’t see them.”

That was the right thing to say.

No matter how much Countess Camellia explained with words, it wouldn’t compare to experiencing it directly.

Moreover, since Skyla herself said so, there was nothing she could do.

But looking back now, it was fortunate. If Skyla hadn’t been there, she wouldn’t have been able to stay behind with peace of mind.

Artizea spoke as if she had read her mind.

“With Lady Skyla by her side, you must have no worries. You must be happy to have such a clever daughter.”

“…Yes.”

Countess Camellia answered.

She knew there had been exchanges between Skyla and Artizea while preparing for the Empress’s birthday celebration. They had some friendship too.

She had thought it was a good thing. Even if they weren’t allies, Skyla could build connections by associating with Artizea and would learn much.

But the situation was different from then.

At that time, Countess Camellia thought the real enemy was Lawrence, and Artizea was trying to gain advantage by going between both sides.

Not an ally, but not an enemy either.

But what about now?

Now Duke of Evron was not a kingmaker but Duke Loigar’s most powerful competitor.

If Duke Loigar and his wife hadn’t gone to the south, they would be standing side by side behind the Emperor today.

With Cedric playing a major role as Minister of State Affairs in the morning court, it was clear how this would look to people.

This situation couldn’t have been created simply by the Emperor’s will to balance political power.

If it were the Cedric everyone had known until now, he would have chosen not to attend the ceremony at all rather than stand behind the Emperor.

And that change had happened after he married Artizea.

She couldn’t know all the conversations between the couple and Cedric’s change of heart, but it was clear that the real enemy was Artizea.

‘This is not good.’

Skyla was fascinated by Artizea.

She was a same-sex peer who would be easiest to envy. Yet there was no sign of rebellion against Countess Camellia’s high evaluation of Artizea.

At an age when she could easily feel hurt and compared when a parent continuously evaluated someone so highly.

‘I’ll have to seriously discuss this issue when she returns.’

Above all, Countess Camellia wanted Skyla not to bow to anyone from the heart.

To avoid revealing her complicated thoughts, Countess Camellia consciously maintained a smiling expression.

Anyway, it was true that having Skyla there was reassuring.

But then Artizea brought up something in an unexpected direction.

“Out of sight, out of mind, as they say. But with Lady Skyla there, you have nothing to worry about, Countess.”

“How can you say such things when the affection between Princess Consort Loigar and the Countess is so deep?”

Countess Unise answered.

She thought she should protect Artizea, but somehow the situation had become reversed. But she was worried that this might turn into an argument.

Artizea didn’t deny Countess Unise’s words and said with a smile.

“Of course. I know that well. So Countess Camellia wouldn’t worry about the pot getting heated, would she?”

“Pardon?”

“They say power cannot be shared even between parent and child.”

Countess Unise tilted her head, but Countess Camellia understood.

She unconsciously tensed her fingers.

Marquess Luden’s recent movements had been suspicious.

His cold treatment of Countess Camellia was nothing new.

But apart from that, he had also been an important advisor. The Camellia Marquess family was the highest-ranking family among those under Marquess Luden, and the Countess was also Duke Loigar’s advisor.

But recently something was different. Marquess Luden was keeping his distance from Countess Camellia. It had been since she defied his order to assassinate Ian Camellia.

It couldn’t be helped. Assassination wasn’t something that could be handled so simply. Especially not from a position where she would immediately be pointed to as the culprit if he died now.

In the first place, the order to kill Ian Camellia was because of Marquess Luden’s wounded pride. There was no reason worth taking such a risk.

‘I can’t find out on my own.’

Countess Camellia had no separate intelligence network extending toward the Luden Marquess family.

It was only natural. Marquess Luden was not someone who would tolerate Countess Camellia prying into his activities.

That made her even more anxious. She knew well that Artizea likely possessed a considerable level of intelligence network.

What did she know that made her say such things to her?

Was it just a general statement? Was it merely divisive tactics or probing words?

She couldn’t tell the difference.

Countess Camellia intended to observe the situation of the Evron Duchy. She wanted to know how deeply involved Ian Camellia was in these affairs.

However, she only ended up with her mind in turmoil and withdrew with a dark expression.

Following that, noble ladies approached as if they had been waiting to pay their respects. Words of blessing were scattered about.

“Her Highness is not feeling well, so please don’t make such a commotion.”

Countess Unise organized the people.

She felt the vicissitudes of life. Just early last year, Artizea had been Milaire’s unwanted burden.

She herself had even tried to strike her.

It was truly fortunate that she had only hit her once back then.

The Emperor’s carriage arrived.

Cedric approached in that direction. Henry Kishower, the head of security, saw him and bowed his head slightly in greeting.

Cedric let out a sigh and composed himself. When he glanced back toward Artizea, she was completely hidden by the parasols the noble ladies were holding.

One of the guard knights dismounted and opened the carriage door. Cedric extended his hand to assist the Emperor.

“I’m not that old yet.”

The Emperor scolded him. Cedric replied indifferently.

“Among the laypeople present here, I have the highest rank.”

“It’s about etiquette, isn’t it.”

“It would be best to disembark before the reception arrives.”

The Emperor muttered and then accepted Cedric’s assistance as he stepped down from the carriage.

Bishops in ceremonial robes approached the carriage in procession, leading with sacred objects and candlesticks.

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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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