The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 194

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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 194

In the end, Countess Camellia told Count Brennan the location of this safe house.

It was to cross-reference the information Count Brennan knew with what was actually happening.

The fact that Marquess Luden kidnapped Ean but returned him safely suggested several things.

‘Kidnapping without a trace isn’t easy. It won’t work a second time.’

If he had decided to eliminate Ean, it would have been most rational to eliminate him during this opportunity.

The fact that he chose not to meant Marquess Luden had decided to use Ean. In that case, the target of that conspiracy could only be Countess Camellia herself.

“Have you made up your mind?”

Count Brennan asked.

Countess Camellia looked at her with hollow eyes.

“I need to verify more.”

She couldn’t rely solely on Count Brennan for information. Cross-verification was essential.

Even though Lawrence had been expelled, the succession structure wasn’t established with Duke Loigar.

Cedric was different from Lawrence, who had major weaknesses. With support from the people and military, he was actually harder to push aside.

The idea that Cedric would become a new competitor might have been Countess Camellia’s oversensitive worry.

It was certain the Emperor would elevate him to check Duke Loigar. But hadn’t Cedric himself never shown such ambition?

However, his position had changed dramatically in the past few days. Because of what happened at the harvest festival.

Now, even if Cedric had no ambition, the world wouldn’t leave him be.

To make the princess blessed by God into the future Emperor.

“Now is not the time to cause internal strife.”

“You seem to have forgotten which side is more urgent, Countess.”

Count Brennan replied to Countess Camellia’s words.

“Count…”

“I have no reason to fight Marquess Luden right now. However, if I must choose between the Camellia and Luden houses, I’ll help because I think the Camellia house surviving would benefit His Highness the Prince.”

Count Brennan smiled as she watched Countess Camellia clutch the edge of her shawl.

* * *

Artizea was severely ill for three days.

The surgical site healed quickly. However, the afterpains were unavoidable. At their worst, they hurt enough to make her scream.

Cedric barely slept during those three days.

The baby was cared for by Ansgard and the wet nurse, while a doctor and midwife stayed by Artizea’s side.

In reality, all he could do was massage her belly as the midwife instructed.

However, the baby cried frequently in the nursery, and Artizea’s pain didn’t stop just because it was night.

So Father Colton, who visited ten days later, couldn’t help but be surprised.

“You’ve grown thin, Your Highness the Prince.”

“I haven’t been able to sleep for several days. Thank you for your concern.”

Cedric expressed his gratitude while patting the baby’s back.

Father Colton was invited to the nursery.

It was still a bit early to have the baby meet outsiders. But it was common to invite a trustworthy clergyman to bless the baby.

Though that wasn’t the purpose of inviting Father Colton, it served as a proper excuse to the outside world.

The baby burped. Cedric put down the towel he had on his shoulder and adjusted the baby to a more comfortable position.

Father Colton smiled as he looked at the baby’s face.

“She resembles Your Highness the Prince.”

“Does she?”

Since he couldn’t tell himself, Cedric answered awkwardly while stroking her cheek.

“I’d have nothing more to wish for if she’s just as healthy as I am.”

“Nothing is more precious than health. How is Her Highness?”

Cedric sighed.

“She’s better now. But just two or three days ago, it was serious. I thought labor pains only happened during childbirth.”

“It’s the work of carving away one’s own body to bring new life into the world. How could it be easy?”

Cedric nodded at Father Colton’s words.

“You want to hold the naming ceremony next week?”

“That’s right.”

Cedric stood up while holding the baby with one arm. He personally handed Father Colton a card he had prepared in advance.

Father Colton took the card from an envelope stamped with a dark blue seal.

Inside was written the baby’s name.

『Letisha Morin Evron』

Only last night had Cedric finally decided on the baby’s name. There were still papers full of name candidates on his desk.

Father Colton smiled gently and said,

“It means happiness and love. It’s a good name.”

“Not following ancestral names and trying to prevent excessive expectations from those around us – this wasn’t easy work either.”

“But isn’t next week too soon? The naming ceremony only needs to be done within a month, so it would be better to prepare more. The Young Lady is healthy, but Her Highness won’t be in good physical condition, making it difficult to hold a large event.”

“There’s an opinion that it would be better to finalize the will quickly. And if time passes, there might be people who want to name her instead.”

Cedric smiled bitterly.

Father Colton also understood who he was referring to and made a troubled face.

While they were having this conversation, the door opened slightly. The nursery door made no sound. They had padded the door frame with cloth, worried that sounds like knocking might make the baby cry.

Alice checked inside, bowed silently to Cedric and Father Colton, and opened the door wide.

Artizea walked in carefully, leaning on a cane and supported by Sophie.

Father Colton stood up from his seat, made the sign of the cross toward her, and greeted her.

“I’m glad to see you looking well, Your Highness.”

“Thank you for coming, Father Colton. As you can see, I can’t move my body freely, so please forgive me if I act improperly.”

“Not at all. Thank you for meeting with me when you’re not feeling well.”

“Don’t mention it. I was the one who requested this.”

Cedric approached Artizea’s side.

“Are you sure you’re okay? We could have just gone to your drawing room.”

“They say walking helps recovery. And I should see the blessing Father gives.”

Artizea said while lightly stroking Letisha’s cheek with her index finger.

The mistress’s bedroom and nursery were on the same corridor, but even that distance wasn’t easy to walk yet.

Sophie and Alice supported Artizea on both sides and helped her lean against a comfortable chair.

Cedric tried to place the baby in Artizea’s arms.

Her eyelids trembled and her mouth babbled. Cedric quickly took the baby back and patted her.

Then the baby’s face became smiling. Artizea unconsciously smiled too.

“You’re holding her well now.”

“I’m still a bit anxious. I feel like she might break if I hold her wrong.”

Even while saying this, Cedric placed Letisha on one arm again and rocked her gently like a cradle.

Just because the baby was born didn’t mean he could rest from work. During the day he had to work as Chief Administrator, and whenever he had time, he had to handle Evron Duchy affairs too.

Since urgent matters could arise at any time, he was trying to hold her as much as possible when he had time.

His efforts seemed worthwhile, as the baby responded well to Cedric’s voice.

Letisha fell asleep before long. Cedric carefully placed the baby in the cradle.

Father Colton took out a bottle of holy oil from his robes and approached her side.

“The Young Lady probably doesn’t need such blessings…”

“No. Please do it.”

Neither Artizea nor Cedric particularly believed that sanctity dwelt in temple rituals. However, there was no harm in it either.

Either way, it was a blessing wishing for the child’s health and happiness. It was something to be glad to receive as much as possible.

Father Colton applied holy oil to the baby’s forehead and cheeks. When he clasped his hands together, the wet nurse and maids knelt.

Cedric and Artizea also clasped their hands.

The prayer for the newborn baby was finished briefly.

Cedric looked into the cradle for a moment and then said,

“Then let us move to another location.”

They couldn’t hold their discussion in the baby’s room, not knowing when the child might wake up and start crying again.

After entrusting the baby to the wet nurse, Cedric personally supported Artizea.

The three of them returned to Artizea’s drawing room.

Artizea leaned back against the sofa, which was softly padded with cushions, and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Alice secured the surroundings and brought water.

“Make sure the door is properly locked and guard the entrance. We won’t need any refreshments.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Alice finally closed the door and left.

Only then did Artizea ask.

“How is the temple these days? I’ve only heard that they’ve been holding several special prayer services.”

“For now, they’re purely holding services for the believers who are rejoicing that a miracle has appeared. There was talk of holding a thanksgiving ceremony, but I advised postponing it for the time being.”

Father Colton said. And he made excuses on behalf of the temple.

“There are hardly any precedents of miracles manifesting so clearly during rituals. The temple doesn’t know the actual facts, so they’re simply acting according to what they know.”

“Father, you…”

Cedric hesitated.

This was because he thought the ‘actual facts’ Father Colton mentioned referred to Lisia being a saint.

If so, did Father Colton also have memories?

If that were true, considering their past relationship, there was no way Father Colton would approach Artizea favorably. Cooperation would be even more out of the question.

Father Colton looked at Artizea. Artizea hesitated slightly.

However, it was time to speak.

“I received an oracle.”

Cedric couldn’t immediately understand what those words meant.

Father Colton thought Cedric couldn’t believe it and added.

“It’s true. The divine directly called Her Highness through this body.”

“No, I don’t mean I can’t believe it.”

Cedric looked at Artizea with a confused expression.

“Is such a thing possible?”

“Since it actually happened, I suppose we can’t say it’s impossible. However, what manifested at the harvest festival wasn’t my holy power. I want to make that point clear to Father Colton as well.”

“Then…”

“Don’t make hasty assumptions. I can assure you that whatever thought you just had is not the truth. The divine does not protect saints.”

Father Colton closed his mouth.

Artizea looked at Cedric and said.

“I have no holy power. The content of the oracle also doesn’t seem meaningful to me. Not at this point.”

Artizea paused mid-sentence and took a deep breath.

“The reason I’ve kept it hidden until now was because there was no need to waste energy on a matter where I could play no practical role, and increase the danger.”

“Tia…”

“But since this situation needs to be resolved, I’m going to announce that I’m a saint.”

It was better for her to take on the risk than for Leticia to become endangered.

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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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