The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 197

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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 197

29.

Duchess Garnet Loigar sat in front of the vanity in the powder room wearing only a chemise.

The maids were bustling about, ironing petticoats and dresses.

It was the second day since arriving at the Duke Liagan’s residence. A dinner was to be held before they could even recover from their travel fatigue.

Neither Garnet nor Garnet’s maids complained.

Nearly half a year had already passed since Queen Eimel was assassinated. It took a long time for news to travel to the imperial capital, and it also took time to organize the imperial envoy and travel down to the south.

During that time, the Kingdom of Eimel had waited patiently. While controlling Duke Riagan’s territory.

Of course, they had plundered considerable military supplies, and ships entering the southern empire had to pay protection fees. They had seized part of the Duke Liagan’s business, and the influence they had infiltrated was immeasurable.

However, instead of sweeping through and pillaging the south before withdrawing, the Eimel army slowly yielded their positions to the southern subjugation force sent from the central government as they retreated.

All things considered, the Kingdom of Eimel had shown considerable sincerity. This was even more so considering how they had initially criticized the empire with fierce attitudes and mobilized their army.

Duke Loigar had discussed these matters with the Duke and Duchess Liagan last night.

“They said Prince Cardriole was someone you could reason with, and it seems that’s really true.”

“You mustn’t be deceived. He’s like a pirate.”

Duke Riagan, who had been intimidated all this time, answered with gritted teeth.

“Officially, no one is supposed to know, but everyone in the south knows. That he controls the pirates.”

“Then wouldn’t that make him even more remarkable? Even if he can use the Kingdom of Eimel’s resources, it means he can handle those who are no different from unleashed beasts.”

“He’s probably just avoiding total war out of fear. If the empire truly decided to subjugate him, there would be nothing but destruction for him.”

Duchess Liagan also tried hard to persuade Duke Loigar.

But Duke Loigar’s thoughts were beginning to change somewhat.

According to the original plan, he intended to visit the Kingdom of Eimel and negotiate directly with the king.

If the king agreed to pin the crime of the queen’s assassination on Prince Cardriole, the military forces he possessed would be disbanded by the imperial army.

If they shed the kingdom’s protection, the military would ultimately be nothing more than an illegal armed group. They could be branded as pirates and completely subjugated.

No matter how elite Prince Cardriole’s soldiers were, they couldn’t survive without supplies. And if they continued to pillage for supplies, they would truly degenerate into pirates.

Furthermore, he planned to gain profit by implicating Ientz as an accomplice.

But if Prince Cardriole was someone you could reason with, he could change his mind.

An alliance with a young and strong prince would last longer than one with an old and powerless king.

Duke Loigar didn’t doubt that such an alliance would be established.

Prince Cardriole was a pirate. There was no way he would refuse an invitation to tear apart the flesh of the Kingdom of Ientz together.

Perhaps Duke Loigar’s plan to visit the Duke Liagan’s residence as soon as he arrived was because he was considering a similar plan.

That’s why a dinner was being held immediately.

Duke Loigar gently stroked Garnet’s shoulder and said.

“If you’re tired, you don’t have to come out today. Duke Riagan said he’ll hold a ball in a few days, so you can show your face then.”

Today was just a preliminary skirmish anyway.

Garnet answered without turning her gaze away from herself in the mirror.

“It’s fine. You said Prince Cardriole is also attending, right? It would be improper for me to be absent.”

“No one would be so rude as to complain about a noble lady who traveled far resting because she’s tired. Recovering from travel fatigue comes first.”

“Would it be better if I didn’t go?”

At Garnet’s question, Duke Loigar shook his head in great confusion.

“I’d be happy if you came with me. Didn’t I tell you? You’re like a symbol of peace.”

“Then I’ll prepare. That’s my role, isn’t it.”

“Alright.”

Duke Loigar lightly massaged Garnet’s shoulder and bent down to kiss her temple.

“I’ll come get you when you’re ready.”

“Yes.”

When Garnet answered, Duke Loigar went outside.

‘Well, what could I do here anyway?’

Watching his figure through the mirror, Garnet thought this.

The mirror was large and clear enough to occupy the entire front wall. Even without decorating it with gold and jewels, a mirror of this size could be called a treasure in itself.

Originally, this wasn’t the room Duchess Liagan had intended to give to Garnet. She had tried to give up the best room in the house, namely, her own powder room and toilette room.

Garnet had refused. It wasn’t as if there were no other rooms left in the Duke Liagan’s residence, and she didn’t want to hear that a guest had taken over the host’s room.

So the duchess gave her the room that had traditionally been used by the duke’s eldest daughter.

The eldest daughter of Duke and Duchess Liagan had married before her parents took residence in this mansion. So the room was generally maintained as it had been when the Empress used it in her girlhood.

Even so, it had been decades since the Empress had stayed here. The breath of the wise Princess of Liagan would not still linger within.

Even if it did linger, she wouldn’t have been able to learn from it. Garnet had had several opportunities to have audiences with the Empress even before she began her seclusion, but she had always found her intimidating.

Garnet was seized by a feeling of powerlessness.

When she decided to follow the envoy, she believed things would be fine soon.

Lady Ford’s matter was already ancient history. Her husband had ultimately accepted her will.

Wasn’t that enough? Here, Duke Loigar would handle the problem splendidly and achieve merit, and that merit would benefit her and the children.

Yet she couldn’t understand why her heart felt so heavy.

“You have been tired lately. Your complexion is pale, so wouldn’t it be good to wear something with red tones to make you look more vibrant?”

Baroness Weave suggested.

Garnet carefully examined the several dresses the maids were holding up.

“This is the first time meeting Prince Emel.”

Queen Eimel’s assassination had become the cause of war. Unless she intended to provoke a fight, red clothing was an inappropriate choice.

“Ivory would be good.”

When Garnet made her choice, the maids moved busily.

They applied pale pink powder to the skin that would be exposed above the deeply cut bodice to hide blemishes and add vitality, and tightly laced the corset around her waist to make her abdomen flat and free of excess flesh.

Over that, she put on a short petticoat. The purpose of puffing out from the waist to the hips wasn’t to make the skirt into a voluminous bell shape, but to create elegant flowing curves.

Meanwhile, Scayla stood beside Garnet holding a jewelry box.

“What would be good?”

“I think this would suit you.”

Scayla opened the lid of the jewelry box to show a necklace made of small peridots strung in two rows.

“Won’t it make me look too young?”

Garnet disliked looking like there was an age gap between her and Duke Loigar.

She knew that her husband cherished her more because of their age difference.

But now she wanted to be called a wife who fulfilled her role, not a cute young bride.

“It’s perfect for the dress color. If you don’t want to look too flashy, I think this is good.”

“Really?”

Garnet turned the back of her neck toward Scayla, asking her to put on the necklace.

Scayla placed the peridot necklace around Garnet’s neck.

“It really suits you.”

“Your Highness has a slender and long neck, so it’s elegant.”

“You’re dignified and refined, yet pure as a flower. His Highness the Prince will have to be on high alert today, won’t he?”

The maids poured out praise. Garnet’s face brightened a little. Her mood seemed to have improved somewhat.

Watching this, Scayla felt strange.

Only after serving her alone did she begin to understand why Countess Camellia sometimes felt sorry for Garnet.

In fact, whether she looked mature or not, Garnet’s role remained unchanged.

Duke Loigar’s words about being a symbol of peace weren’t wrong. Just by being here, Garnet could indicate that Duke Loigar didn’t want a solution through force.

However, Garnet’s role in that was very minimal. Even if she appeared in a gorgeous dress of red silk embroidered with gold thread, war wouldn’t break out again if there was no intention to fight between Duke Loigar and Prince Cardriole.

Garnet probably knew too. The fact that the things people around her said were important, that she had to do well, the things she could worry about, were far removed from the laws that truly moved the world.

The only important thing was the fact that she was Duke Loigar’s wife and the mother of his heir.

Suppressing all such sentiments, Scayla smiled and said.

“What’s wrong with looking young and beautiful? Her Majesty the Empress was already in a position leading the empire as Crown Princess at your age, aunt.”

“Lady Scayla.”

Baroness Weave carefully called Scayla’s name.

The Empress’s story wasn’t something to be brought up so lightly. This was even more so considering this was the Duke Liagan’s residence.

Scayla spoke as if she had made a mistake.

“What I mean is, Aunt, you are already the Empire’s foremost noble lady, no matter what you look like.”

“Thank you.”

Gannett replied.

She headed toward the toilette room. Since the maids had already finished their preparations, they quickly checked each other for any disheveled spots and tidied up.

Then they followed Gannett outside.

Gannett and Duke Loigar were the last to arrive at the banquet hall.

The banquet hall was spacious. A separate long dining table had been prepared for the attendants.

However, the real guests that the Duke and Duchess of Riagan had to entertain were essentially only the Duke and Duchess of Loigar and Cadriole.

At least the atmosphere on the surface was harmonious.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness the Princess Consort.”

Prince Cadriole kissed the back of Gannett’s hand with a grin.

Having heard so much talk about him being a scoundrel and a pirate, Gannett was honestly a bit intimidated.

The young, handsome prince was certainly bold in his actions. However, Gannett didn’t get the impression that he was rude.

“Since today is just for exchanging greetings, let’s simply enjoy our meal comfortably.”

“We have so much to discuss going forward. I’m thinking it’s fortunate that the special envoy isn’t some blockhead frozen stiff by the northern winds.”

Duke Loigar burst into hearty laughter at Cadriole’s words. He understood that he was referring to Cedric.

“You wouldn’t know much about the northern winds.”

“When you travel around by ship, you meet various people and hear stories.”

Cadriole said with a wink.

Duke Loigar sensed something. However, he didn’t reveal it.

They weren’t close enough yet to share their true thoughts.

While the distinguished guests exchanged harmonious greetings, the attendants found their assigned seats with their nameplates.

It was when Skyla took her seat.

Something fell from between the napkins.

“…”

Fortunately, it caught on her skirt rather than falling to the floor.

Skyla didn’t show her surprise and unfolded the napkin to place it on her lap. Then, pretending to arrange it, she picked up the item.

It was a small key and a note.

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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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