The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 22

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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 22

At that time, Cedric was visiting Odoroff Jeweler following Ansgard’s advice.

“It is an honor, Prince of Evron. For someone of Your Highness’s stature to visit our shop is truly our glory.”

Cedric was guided to a reception room with comfortable sofas. Sipping the tea the jeweler offered, he asked calmly.

“Someone told me that if I wanted to know about the history or owners of historic jewels, I should come to you.”

“Is there a particular jewel you are seeking?”

The jeweler asked curiously.

“I’m looking for a jewel called Saint Olga’s Heart.”

“Do you mean that diamond that was the heirloom of the Peshier County family?”

So it was a diamond. Cedric learned this for the first time. Since it was called a heart, he had naturally assumed it would be a ruby.

“Yes, I’m looking for the Peshier County family’s heirloom.”

Then the jeweler looked very troubled. Seeing his expression, Cedric asked again.

“Don’t you know? Or is there some difficult circumstance that makes it hard to speak of?”

Jewels were used both as a means of secret transactions and as a way to accumulate wealth.

Gold was more common and had higher liquidity than diamonds or sapphires. It was also easier to hide its origins.

Jewels with names and history attached were useful trading instruments in a different way. They were often used as bribes. Because they held value beyond mere material worth.

Moreover, this was the heirloom of a family that had committed suicide and been destroyed for the sake of the Empress.

Some would want it as a trophy, while others might want to preserve it as a memento for their comrades.

Or even if there was no sinister purpose in obtaining the jewel itself, the distribution process might have been illegal.

“I don’t want to investigate that jewel—I simply want to purchase it.”

Then the jeweler let out a small sigh.

“I understand. I’ll write a letter to the person who holds ownership of that jewel. Perhaps this might be a good thing. Since someone of Your Highness’s standing has shown interest…”

Telling him to wait a moment, the jeweler stood up.

While he was writing the letter of introduction, Cedric got up and looked around the jeweler’s shop.

In the reception room where he had been guided, some of the collection pieces that Odoroff Jeweler possessed were displayed as decoration.

He examined a pair of cufflinks and a gold watch on shelves carved into the wall.

Though he knew little about jewels, he noticed a necklace that was surely very expensive and a bracelet made of woven diamonds.

Cedric impulsively picked up that bracelet.

The bracelet was unusual. Made by weaving small diamonds in two rows like a bead bracelet, it looked modest but sparkled in all colors when it caught the light.

The jeweler soon returned with an envelope sealed with wax.

Cedric put the bracelet down on the table with a more stern expression than usual.

“Since I received information, it would be proper to buy something.”

“Oh my! Do you mean this? Thank you so much.”

The jeweler, who hadn’t even dared to hope, bowed deeply with shining eyes.

Freil, who had been waiting silently by the door for his lord’s business to finish, looked incredulous.

Cedric knew this but pretended not to notice.

The place Odoroff Jeweler told them about was the house of a man called White.

“He was a man who ran a small jewelry shop. He had good judgment and was trustworthy. If things had gone well, he could have become quite a renowned jeweler by now…”

“Has he quit now?”

“In business, some investments can feel like gambling.”

“Risk and profit are proportional, so that makes sense.”

“That’s true, but when unexpected dangers strike, no amount of preparation can overcome them. What White experienced was like preparing for fire prevention in a grain warehouse only to be hit by a tsunami.”

Odorov didn’t reveal any more of the story.

Thinking it was like solving a riddle, Cedric headed to White’s house with Freil. Freil continued to grumble complainingly.

“This is excessive.”

“Are you saying it’s excessive for you to follow me?”

“Your Highness, have you really decided to marry Milaire’s daughter?”

Cedric glanced back at him and replied.

“I thought you agreed with it.”

“No, I understand it’s because of the Western Army.”

“Didn’t you say it was actually a useful strategy?”

“It’s not that I think it won’t be effective. I’m asking whether it’s worth sacrificing Your Highness’s life for it.”

Freil drew out his words.

Cedric ignored him and spurred his horse. Then Freil quickly urged his horse to catch up with him.

And he spoke seriously.

“Your Highness, even so, Milaire’s daughter is a bit much, isn’t it?”

“Do you doubt my judgment that much?”

“Pardon?”

“Are you saying you don’t trust my judgment that the Marquess Rosan’s daughter is different from Milaire?”

Even though he knew Freil wasn’t that kind of person, Cedric deliberately said this. Then Freil shook his head.

“It’s not that. But still…”

“The Marquess Rosan’s daughter set a condition of two years. I don’t think a two-year political marriage is too high a price to pay for the Western Army.”

“A political marriage and divorce with Milaire’s daughter will stain Your Highness’s honor.”

Cedric suddenly recalled Artizea’s words.

“The Western Army will receive the proper treatment they deserve, and the Evron Duchy will escape danger. Even so, will Your Highness abandon all of that for the sake of personal reputation?”

So he smiled slightly.

If Artizea hadn’t said that, he too would have considered the proposal an insult and been angry.

“I have no intention of preventing my soldiers from receiving the proper treatment they deserve out of fear that my name might be stained.”

“Your Highness.”

“And that is something the Marquess Rosan’s daughter made me realize.”

Freil could say nothing more and fell silent with a strange expression.

‘Is that simply all there is to it?’

He wanted to ask that question.

Yes, this political marriage was worth doing.

Sending the dress was also good. It would be an excellent means of making this look like a love marriage to lull the Emperor into complacency.

But was it necessary to buy a diamond bracelet and put it in his pocket?

There was no such need. But he seemed to have no awareness of it himself.

‘If I tell him, will he realize it himself?’

Freil pondered.

Would Cedric even understand this concern? Honestly speaking, what if he really ended up serving Milaire’s daughter as the Grand Duchess for life?

While he was having these thoughts, the two men’s horses had arrived at the address Odoroff Jeweler had given them.

Cedric hesitated as he dismounted. There was a black banner hanging in front of the entrance.

It was a sign of mourning.

“Oh no…”

Hearing his sigh, Freil said.

“I understand your concern, but let’s go in. You can’t make time to visit again, can you?”

“You’re right.”

Cedric let out a deep sigh.

Freil knocked on the door.

What emerged cautiously from the dark house was a young woman who appeared to be just over twenty.

“You seem like distinguished gentlemen, but what brings you here? My father has passed away. You can tell me your business.”

The woman spoke with a face worn by suspicion and fatigue. Dark shadows had settled heavily under her eyes.

Freil hurriedly took out the letter of introduction he had been keeping and gave it to the woman.

The woman broke the seal right there, read the contents, and looked at Cedric with a startled face. Then she hastily knelt on one knee.

“A common woman dares to behold the countenance of His Highness the Grand Duke.”

“No. Don’t kneel. Such formalities are troublesome for me as well.”

“I am honored.”

The woman spoke politely but in a tired voice and stood up.

The two were guided to the drawing room.

It was already evening, so the house was dark. The woman lit a single candle in the drawing room.

Then she brought out a tray with cups filled only with hot water, knelt down, and placed it on the table.

“I apologize for having nothing proper to offer you. Our house doesn’t even have decent tea leaves. But since my father’s soul has not yet left this house, please allow him the honor of knowing that Your Highness has seen him off on his journey by accepting this cup of water.”

“I’m the one who should apologize for visiting during such a difficult time.”

Cedric wasn’t particularly thirsty, but he slowly drank the hot water until the cup was empty. Freil followed suit.

“Thank you. If my father knew, he would be truly happy.”

The woman bowed her head in greeting and spoke.

“Odorov’s letter of introduction mentioned that Your Highness is looking for a jewel… Though my father has passed away, the ledgers from his days as a jeweler remain intact, so I’ll help you as much as I can.”

“I apologize in advance for troubling someone in mourning. I’m looking for a diamond called the Heart of Saint Olga. Mr. Odorov said that Mr. White owned it…”

Clatter clatter.

The woman’s hands trembled violently. The teacup she was holding shook and made noise as it hit the saucer.

Freil safely took the teacup from her hands and set it down.

The woman looked up at Cedric with a pale face. Her expression seemed both angry and filled with disgust and hatred.

Cedric had simply wanted to buy the jewel at a fair price.

However, the woman’s face clearly indicated that something more than a simple jewel transaction had occurred involving that diamond.

“That jewel is not in our house.”

“Who did you sell it to?”

The woman hesitated for a moment, then got up and disappeared into the back.

Her behavior was so unusual that Cedric and Freil exchanged glances.

The woman soon returned to the drawing room with several document envelopes.

“This is the ownership transfer contract for the Heart of Saint Olga.”

She pushed one document envelope toward them. The name of the jewel purchaser written on the contract was Baron Itz.

“This is the promissory note that Baron Itz issued when drawing up the contract.”

Cedric took out the promissory note to examine it. The date the note was written was seven years ago.

“The rest are replies to letters we sent asking for repayment of the note. My father wrote letters for seven years straight, but only about ten replies came back. All of them asked to delay payment.”

The woman spoke through gritted teeth. The last letter contained angry words asking if he didn’t trust him, saying he would pay when the time came.

What had happened was obvious. The nobleman had deliberately delayed payment and then ignored it.

Baron Itz had stolen the diamond using his status and a single signed piece of paper. In fact, such incidents weren’t that uncommon.

Freil examined the contract and said.

“According to this contract, ownership of the diamond only transfers when the promissory note is paid in full.”

“Yes. He said he added that condition to prepare for any contingencies.”

“It seems like you could win if you went to court.”

The woman broke down sobbing.

“How could we possibly do that? That diamond was presented to Countess Camellia.”

Cedric and Freil exchanged glances.

Countess Camellia was Duke Loigar’s sister-in-law.

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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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