The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 200

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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 200

Letisha Morin Evron’s naming ceremony was held modestly at home.

The naming ceremony was a ritual where a baby’s name was registered as a human being who would receive God’s protection.

Therefore, if a newborn baby died without growing properly, parents would immediately give any name and rush to the temple with the child.

For nobles, it was a ceremony that held meaning beyond faith.

A baby who had undergone the naming ceremony could have their name entered in the family genealogy. Inheritance rights would also arise. They would finally be recognized as a member of the family.

So the naming ceremony of the eldest son who would become the heir was always an important event.

For great nobles, it was common to rent the largest chapel in the Grand Cathedral. Of course, a separate reception would be held at the manor.

But Cedric and Artizea did not do so.

The two had no intention of taking the baby outside the house and exposing her to many people’s eyes.

However, just because the event was modest didn’t mean the attendees were insignificant.

Prime Minister Lin, whom Cedric had asked to be the baby’s guardian, as well as several important figures from the government and military, naturally had to attend.

As for family, the retainer group from the Evron Duchy who had departed to coincide with the birth had arrived.

Though no one had ordered it, the knights polished their plate armor to a shine and stood in formation holding spears and swords.

The morale that had begun rising from the moment of Leticia’s birth had continued for weeks. Their spirits were so high it seemed they could breach city walls if ordered to march out.

Cedric had spoken to Artizea with concern.

“Won’t this needlessly provoke the Imperial Palace or make us look like we’re making a fuss?”

“That’s not the real problem anyway. The knights are fine. It’s because they’re from Evron.”

Everyone would think it natural. Though one couldn’t say they weren’t making a fuss.

Even though entry to the baby’s room was forbidden, retainers and knights constantly loitered in front of it.

It was useless to tell them she wouldn’t come out before her hundredth day.

Marcus, who was officially appointed as Leticia’s bodyguard, sternly scolded them every time.

He said the sound of military boots on the floor would wake the precious baby’s sleep.

After that, the knights walked on their tiptoes. A few days later, Ansgard took pity on them and laid thick carpets in the corridor.

From the temple side, Bishop Nicos and several other bishops visited carrying holy relics. It was no exaggeration to call it a bishop’s council.

It only stopped at that level because they had politely declined the archbishop’s visit in advance.

Most importantly, the Emperor attended.

This alone virtually determined the status of this naming ceremony.

“The Sun of the Empire has personally come to Nook, and I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Cedric and Artizea knelt respectfully before the Emperor and spoke.

“When I’m worried about the few members of imperial blood, how could I not come to celebrate the birth of such a healthy child?”

“We are deeply honored. Had we known Your Majesty would personally attend, we would have prepared a more proper venue.”

“If your house is Nook, then the only thing that can be called a house in this empire is the Imperial Palace alone.”

The Emperor spoke jokingly.

“Was there no word from the temple?”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, God’s blessing simply descended upon the Harvest Festival altar. Thanks to that, Leticia and I saved our lives, so we are infinitely grateful for your sacred favor. What involvement could the temple have?”

Artizea spoke while bowing her head so deeply her forehead nearly touched the floor.

The Emperor gazed quietly at the top of Artizea’s head, then turned to look at Cedric and asked.

“Do you think the same?”

“My wife’s will is my will.”

The Emperor knew, Artizea herself knew, and Cedric knew that Artizea’s words couldn’t be sincere.

But they would leave it at that because they feared the Emperor.

The Emperor was pleased with this.

“Since you wish to live virtuously, God must have blessed you as well. It’s a good thing, so I wish to bestow a name.”

Cedric almost clenched his fist reflexively. However, since what was held in his hand was Artizea’s hand, he deliberately relaxed his strength.

Artizea’s fingers lightly touched his palm. Cedric released the tension from his hand.

This was one of the things they had anticipated when the Emperor announced his attendance.

“Let it be Helge. Since she received sacred blessing, that meaning should be preserved.”

“It’s a good name.”

Bishop Nicos, who had been listening nearby, interjected with a delighted expression.

Regarding the Leticia matter, the bishop’s council had reached consensus that a miracle had simply appeared during the ceremony to save the lives of the Grand Duchess and the princess.

In fact, even if they wanted to know more, there was no way for them to find out.

So now they hoped that by the princess receiving high status and treatment befitting the blessing she received, they could show people how precious sanctity was.

Cedric spoke with his head bowed.

“Those are words we cannot bear.”

It was possible for the Emperor to bestow a name. However, a third name was not acceptable.

Having three names was only for royalty. Direct descendants of the royal family were members of the Kraetes family but dared not attach the empire’s name to their own, so they used the last name instead of a surname.

If there were princes and princesses, it wouldn’t have mattered. Bestowing a third name in special cases to add glory was entirely possible.

However, Emperor Gregor currently had neither princes nor princesses. Leticia alone having three names would take on symbolic meaning.

The Emperor smiled slyly.

“It’s natural for parents to gain honor through their children.”

Before Cedric could harden his expression, Artizea pulled his hand again.

And she answered instead of Cedric.

“We are deeply honored.”

“Then let it be so.”

Bishop Nicos personally rewrote the document to be placed on the naming ceremony altar with gold-mixed ink.

After placing the document back on the altar, Marcus, dressed in dark blue ceremonial robes, came out holding Leticia.

Though a newborn wrapped in white swaddling clothes couldn’t look particularly impressive, the knights cheered. Despite being warned several times from above, it was useless.

“Waaah!”

Startled Leticia burst into tears. The knights immediately stopped their cheering.

The knight who had cheered first was punished by those on either side. Seeing this, other attendees laughed quietly.

Marcus comforted Leticia in his arms and headed toward the altar. Cedric and Artizea also went to his side.

The naming ceremony ended simply by pouring blessed wine on the document placed on the altar and burning it.

Next, by recording Leticia’s name in the Evron ducal family genealogy kept in the House of Lords, and also adding new records to the documents kept by the Evron ducal family, the brief procedure was completely finished.

Only then did Cedric hurriedly take Leticia in his arms.

Leticia flailed her arms as if uncomfortable. Marcus took the baby back from him and held her.

Only after holding her for quite a while did Leticia finally stop crying and roll her tear-wet eyes.

Bishop Nicos looked at Leticia’s face with a serious expression, as if trying to find some sacred trace.

Leticia made a sound as if complaining. The Emperor laughed.

And he extended his hand.

“Let me hold my great-niece once.”

“Ah, that is too much of an honor.”

Artizea interjected in confusion. Marcus didn’t know what to do.

“Don’t worry. Are you afraid I might drop the baby? I’ll be more skilled than you or your husband.”

When the Emperor said he would do it, there was no way to stop him.

The Emperor skillfully took the baby in his arms as he had said. He didn’t dislike babies. Though he had never raised one directly, he had held all his children and grandchildren.

“Let me see. She looks exactly like Cedric.”

“Yes.”

Cedric answered with an uncomfortable attitude.

“My. The retainers of the Evron ducal family are quite anxious.”

The Emperor laughed as if amused. And he lifted Leticia up in his arms.

How this appeared in people’s eyes was obvious.

* * *

The first guests invited to the baby’s room after the naming ceremony were Hazel and Mielle.

Artizea had been planning to welcome those two as maids for some time.

In Hazel’s case, she possessed keen initiative, curiosity, and observational skills. She also knew well how rumors in social circles circulated.

And she had the special characteristic of being a daughter of the Belmond family.

Having the greatest influence in the capital’s media carried the power to make even families that weren’t strictly nobility become members of the social circles.

Such changes were recent.

While Hazel herself was a useful talent, more than that, Artizea had decided to keep Hazel close because she wanted Leticia to understand the new world from a young age.

Mielle, in contrast to Hazel, had been accepted for the sake of stability.

It was clear that Mielle couldn’t properly function as a maid.

However, by bringing in the cousin sisters together, it was done to ease the burden Hazel might feel about her status, and to fulfill the Kishower couple’s wish that Mielle could enjoy a somewhat normal life.

And there was also trust that neither of them would be swayed by other forces to harm the baby. Though being used unknowingly was another matter entirely.

‘Right now, I can’t fill Young Lady Leticia’s surroundings while worrying about even unconscious manipulation without intent to betray. That’s actually an unavoidable aspect even for the most loyal knights.’

Hailey thought this as she guided the two.

“I heard about the naming ceremony. They say the Young Lady resembles Prince so much?”

Hazel asked in a cheerful voice. Hailey answered matter-of-factly.

“Yes. I actually thought newborn faces were indistinguishable, but they really look identical, so I could tell.”

“Prince looks very masculine. But since he’s handsome, the Young Lady will become a beauty too, right? I’m looking forward to it.”

“Hazel.”

Mielle lightly hit Hazel’s arm as if embarrassed, stopping her.

Hailey watched this scene with a sour feeling.

Artizea seemed to have considerable expectations for Hazel.

However, from Hailey’s perspective, not knowing Hazel’s future, she could only think that she was truly a bright, sociable young lady who loved conversation. In many senses.

「Until she learns how to guard her tongue and how to be suspicious and spread misinformation, I’ll have no choice but to pay more attention.」

Freil, who had been quietly listening to Hailey’s lament about increased work, asked this.

「But honestly, a bit.」

「Honestly, a bit?」

「Aren’t you jealous? Of Princess Hazel.」

「Are you crazy?」

Hailey answered immediately. Freil just shrugged his shoulders. “Never mind then” was written on his face.

Hailey thought she had answered too quickly, but it was too late.

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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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