The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 199

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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 199

As soon as he spoke those words, Cardriole regretted it.

Officially, he had never visited the Empire’s capital. He had never met Cedric or Artizea.

Duke Loigar looked at him with interest.

Cardriole didn’t bother trying to compose his expression. Changing his expression now would only confirm that his true feelings had been revealed.

So instead, he deliberately showed more surprise. As if he had done so to make the conversation more enjoyable.

“I heard there was trouble with the succession.”

Though he had never heard such a thing, Cardriole said this calmly.

The news that the temple had confined Artizea and nearly been charged with treason had swept through the entire Empire. Naturally, the news had reached other countries as well.

However, Cardriole hadn’t truly believed the story that Artizea had been pregnant. He thought it was a lie told to escalate the situation.

If that were the case, there would be no reason not to say she had miscarried. That way, they could bind the temple in an even stronger snare, and the lie wouldn’t be exposed.

Gannett spoke with a gentle expression.

“You must have heard incorrect news. Fortunately, both the baby and the Prince’s Consort are safe.”

“It seems the circumstances made it difficult to receive accurate news.”

“How fortunate.”

The Liagan Duke and Duchess also spoke.

They only knew that there had been a treason incident. Since then, they had been constantly besieged by Eimel and couldn’t obtain proper information.

Duke Loigar said.

“I was always worried because Cedric has a temperament that doesn’t care for his own safety, but isn’t this fortunate? Not only because Evron has an heir, but it seems he’ll find stability now that he has a wife and child.”

“I see.”

The atmosphere soon became harmonious. Talk of marriages and babies was always a topic everyone could discuss with smiling faces.

Especially when it was about other people’s family affairs with no interests involved. The only one whose mind might be complicated by this matter was Duke Loigar.

That was how it appeared on the surface. In reality, it was Cardriole whose mind was in turmoil.

What was going on? Cedric was the saint’s fiancé. Cardriole had never doubted that the two were lovers.

It wasn’t common for a man to throw away everything for a woman.

‘Come to think of it, I should have known when I saw how his eyes rolled back.’

Artizea had been so composed that he had been momentarily deceived.

The world had already changed. Living a second life didn’t mean living the same life as the first.

They were already married. Whatever happened between a man and woman wouldn’t be strange, but he couldn’t help cursing him as a man without principles.

That day, whatever happened, he should have secured him first.

Or killed him on the spot.

If there really was an heir, the option of going to seduce him after the political situation was settled had disappeared.

Cedric didn’t need the legitimacy that the saint provided to become emperor. The marriage had already been established as a marriage.

If Cedric ascended to the throne, Artizea’s child would become the next emperor. Even taking political risks would be equally unreasonable.

It didn’t seem likely that Artizea, who was starved for family affection, would give up her own child.

‘Shameless bastard. That frail woman. I was at least planning to wait three years.’

The alcohol went down like water.

* * *

Usually, drinking sessions would follow after dinner.

However, today they disbanded as they were. Both Cardriole and Duke Loigar had complicated thoughts.

Duke Loigar, who came out arm-in-arm with Duchess Loigar, spoke once he was certain only his subordinates remained around.

“Find out if Prince Cardriole has ever visited the northern or central regions.”

“The northern region, sir?”

“The sea routes are connected, aren’t they? It’s not impossible to go if one wanted to.”

There was simply no reason to go all the way to the north, leaving behind the developed south and east.

But Cardriole had definitely met Cedric before.

“I’ll make contact. But the results won’t come quickly.”

“Have them investigate urgently.”

“Yes.”

The secretary withdrew with hurried steps.

Gannett looked up at her husband with an anxious expression.

“Is something wrong?”

“It’s nothing serious. If Prince Cardriole happens to know several people within the Empire, we might need to negotiate differently.”

If Cardriole had a relationship with Cedric, his relationship with the Liagan ducal family could also be defined differently.

The Empress hated Duke Riagan, and Artizea was the Empress’s maid.

‘The Duchess of Evron has political sense.’

When Artizea had opened the doors of the Empress’s Palace, everyone knew her as Milaire’s pitiful and incompetent daughter.

Therefore, no one thought to connect the Liagan ducal family to that incident.

But thinking about it now, it wouldn’t be strange if Artizea had been involved in this matter.

Gannett wanted to say something more. However, Duke Loigar didn’t notice and escorted her to the toilette room.

“Rest well. No one will bother you until tomorrow.”

“…Alright.”

“The day after tomorrow, you must appear in the most beautiful form in the world and let people know what a lucky man I am.”

Gannett only nodded.

Duke Loigar lightly kissed her lips and turned away.

The attendants who had been following at a distance quickly clustered behind Duke Loigar.

Duke Loigar called another attendant and spoke quickly.

“Is the information network in the north still alive?”

“We cut contact after Archbishop Akim’s incident.”

“So you’re saying it can be reconnected. Find out if there were any unusual incidents at the main castle.”

“There have been no notable incidents since entering wartime status. What should we focus on investigating? Should we survey everything generally?”

“Yes. And… I think I heard a story about Eimel merchants who tried to steal being killed at the main castle.”

Duke Loigar paused to think before speaking.

At the time, it wasn’t a story he considered very important.

Southern merchants were essentially half-pirates to begin with. They traded in cities with military power and good maintenance, but turned into pirates when they encountered ships they could swallow without worry in the vast ocean.

It wouldn’t have been strange for such people to appear at Evron’s main castle.

Moreover, Karam’s attack came right after that. With all the talk of war, that incident was practically buried.

But certainly.

‘Even Count Jordin’s family was punished.’

He heard it was because his daughter had leaked information about the main castle to Eimel merchants during the dangerous situation when Karam attacked.

In a place like Evron where military discipline was important, it was something that could certainly happen, so he didn’t pay much attention.

At that time, he hadn’t thought about becoming hostile to Cedric. Moreover, whatever information those Eimel merchants had taken was irrelevant to him.

Whatever information a count’s daughter knew wouldn’t be anything significant.

But what if it was connected to Cardriole?

He knew it was an excessive leap. But at least it was certain that Cardriole knew something about northern affairs.

‘That war against Karam ended too easily compared to what was initially discussed.’

Even now, they were still confronting Karam in the north. Military reports were still coming in.

However, there was no guarantee that they weren’t fabricated. In the north, the Duke of Evron held a position like a king.

Very few people paid attention to the north.

The Emperor might be different. But at least until this moment, Duke Loigar had never thought deeply about the north.

“Besides that, bring me anything unusual. Since it’s a remote region, there probably aren’t many special stories.”

“It will take considerable time for someone to travel to and from the north.”

“I know. I’m not asking you to complete information gathering before negotiations here are finished.”

Duke Loigar said.

In any case, it was necessary to secure weapons to use against the Evron ducal family.

Skyla returned after Gannett had finished bathing and changed into her nightgown.

“You weren’t visible during the banquet. Where were you?”

“I remembered I had some packing to take care of.”

“There’s no official schedule tomorrow, so it would have been fine to put it off.”

“I ate dinner separately. Don’t worry.”

“I was thinking of introducing you to Prince Cadriole, but that’s unfortunate. Actually, no. Since I went out today without any particular thoughts, it might be better to meet him properly dressed up at the ball instead.”

Skyla shook her head.

“I’m not interested in that prince.”

“He’s a very charming man though. What a waste.”

“I don’t want to leave the capital. I’m not interested in frivolous romance.”

More than that, Skyla wasn’t interested in men in general. She had long decided that she would marry someone suitable for stabilizing the Camellia Marquess family.

But she didn’t think she could make Gannett understand that. She would surely hear something about how her personal happiness was important too.

“More importantly, Aunt.”

Gannett tilted her head. It was because Skyla was looking at her with a serious expression.

“Someone from the Kingdom of Ients says they want to meet you.”

“Someone from Ients?”

Gannett tilted her head again. She didn’t understand all the implications contained in Skyla’s words.

If they wanted to meet, couldn’t they just request an audience?

Though there were only two people in the bedroom, Skyla lowered herself and knelt beside Gannett’s bed.

Then she spoke quietly in a hushed voice.

“It’s the head of the Pelona Trading Guild. You know about the Pelona Trading Guild, don’t you, Aunt?”

Gannett nodded. She often used products from the Pelona Trading Guild herself.

“They say they came as a representative of the Merchant’s Guild.”

“Why would such a person want to see me?”

By this point, Gannett could understand that the word ‘secretly’ was omitted before that request to meet.

“The money used by Queen Eimel’s assassin to buy an imperial title came from the Kingdom of Ients.”

“Yes.”

“They seem worried about that. They’re probably trying to make an appeal to you.”

Gannett hesitated.

Appeals to help reduce punishment were something she often received. Gannett considered it part of her duty to some extent.

As a high-ranking noblewoman, it was natural responsibility to look after the difficulties of those below her.

But this matter involved international relations. Shouldn’t she get her husband’s permission first?

She also felt afraid of meeting with a foreigner alone.

If only her sister were here at times like this, she would know what to do.

Skyla said.

“Couldn’t you decide after meeting them first?”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. You’re going to become Empress soon. There will be many such petitions from foreign countries in the future. If you think it’s a difficult matter to judge, you can discuss it with Uncle then.”

Skyla’s words seemed reasonable.

Anyway, if it was just meeting them, it didn’t seem like it would cause any harm.

Gannett nodded, saying she understood.

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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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