The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 237

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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 237

Artizea’s voice could be heard coming from the floor.

Countess Camellia looked at Anne who had entered carrying a basket. Anne spoke up in alarm.

“It wasn’t me, Mia. Just like you said, I checked if anyone was around and even passed by two shops on the way.”

However, considering the time interval of her entry, it was clear that Anne had been followed.

Mia let out a small sigh.

“I’m not suspecting you.”

If she had sold them out for a reward, it wouldn’t be Artizea coming secretly like this, but the Royal Guards or investigators who would have burst in.

They would also be much easier targets for Anne to contact.

The problem was how Artizea had learned of Anne’s existence.

Anne was a maid who had been close to Countess Camellia during the days when she lived in the attic. They had worked together in the laundry room.

Laundry work was arduous and held the lowest rank among the manor’s maids.

Even in that small world, there existed all the political maneuvering and ugly human relationships that could be seen in social circles.

Since their bodies were exhausted and they were poor, not even the shells of hypocrisy and dignity remained, leaving everything in its most naked form.

Without a friend, it would have been an unbearable period. And sometimes such friends became people worth remembering for a lifetime, even without meeting again.

To Countess Camellia, Anne was such a person.

When she first had money to spend after becoming Gannett’s maid, she had paid for about half of Anne’s wedding expenses.

They hadn’t met since then. It wasn’t that she had deliberately kept her hidden for times like this.

The main reason was that their lives had changed so they no longer had occasion to meet. And she had also wanted to cut ties with her past.

When things turned out this way, Countess Camellia remembered Anne.

Anne would help her. And even someone who had investigated her background to a considerable degree wouldn’t think to investigate Anne.

So she sent all the carriages she had prepared as decoys. She made special additional preparations for one of them to plant the belief that the real Young Lady and Prince were riding in it.

And she herself hid with the Young Lady and Prince, receiving Anne’s help.

If it were just the children, hiding in the capital would be safer. In case of emergency, she planned to send them separately to orphanages.

Unlike Gannett, the Young Lady and Prince’s faces weren’t well known outside. Though there were portraits, children’s faces change little by little as they grow.

Hidden that way, even the Emperor would find it difficult to locate them. There were countless orphans in the capital, and there would be no way to know where any particular child had come from.

To preserve their bloodline and maintain their status, they would need to go to the Eastern Region.

However, the probability of being captured during escape was not low. Even if they safely reached the Eastern Region, they would become tools in power struggles and suffer under the threat of assassination.

That wouldn’t have been what Gannett wanted.

So Countess Camellia made saving their lives the top priority.

After the situation calmed down, she could arrange for a wealthy patron to take them in.

Until then, she planned to hide with the children without risking the danger of leaving the capital.

To hide perfectly, she relied solely on Anne. She even gave up on gathering information.

If she moved her information network as Countess Camellia, there was no way to avoid catching the attention of the Emperor’s investigators.

Artizea knew about Anne. Even before returning, Countess Camellia had ultimately been unable to avoid relying on Anne’s help.

But for Countess Camellia, this was unimaginable.

It couldn’t be helped.

“Auntie, did a scary person come?”

The second Young Lady, who was four years old this year, asked with a frightened face. She was the most sensitive and quick-witted child, so even when the environment was arranged and she was reassured, she rarely felt at ease.

“It’s alright, Young Lady. Please go inside.”

Countess Camellia soothed the child and sent her to the inner room.

She smoothed her collar, but unable to completely flatten the wrinkles, decided to put on a thick velvet cloak over it.

It couldn’t be called indoor clothing. But wearing clothes that didn’t match the situation seemed better than looking shabby.

She hadn’t thought about such things for a while. But now that she had become a loser, she was concerned about it.

“Anne, can you go outside and tell the people to come in?”

“Huh? Yes…”

“Cover your face when you go talk to them, then you go home.”

Anne looked relieved.

Countess Camellia didn’t bother to mention that the people who had come already knew Anne’s name and identity completely. It would only increase her anxiety.

Instead, she removed the ring from her finger and gave it to Anne. The golden gem the size of a thumbnail would be difficult for Anne to dispose of at full value.

“Mia.”

“I’m giving it to you because I’m grateful. It’s something I treasured most. Since you might get involved, absolutely don’t dispose of it within 5 years. When you do sell it later, don’t forget it’s expensive enough to be something a countess treasured, and be careful.”

Anne even spread out her handkerchief to receive it. Her face looked like she was about to cry.

Countess Camellia urged Anne again to go and deliver the message.

Anne hesitated then went outside.

Countess Camellia opened the basket Anne had brought.

It contained the betel nuts she had requested for her persistent headache.

Countess Camellia put tea leaves in hot water and added a little chopped betel.

Adding it this way instead of properly during the tea processing stage would ruin the tea’s flavor. But Countess Camellia didn’t care.

Soon the door connected to the warehouse floor opened.

Belmond Editor entered first. Artizea followed behind him.

Countess Camellia looked at her with calm eyes. It was surprising that her only companions were Belmond Editor, Hazel, and Alice.

“You’re still brave, Your Highness. I might have brought along some guards.”

When Countess Camellia said “still,” she was referring to that night when Artizea had come to find her alone.

She was reminded of that day because Artizea remained dignified even in shabby maid’s clothes.

Even then, she had thought it remarkable that Artizea felt no shame about her worn sleeves and mended dress.

Countess Camellia thought anew that dignity was not determined by appearance.

On the other hand, she herself seemed to be someone who couldn’t help but seek such assistance.

Even now, she was wearing a cloak because she disliked meeting Artizea in simple indoor clothes.

“Please sit. Shall I offer you a cup of tea?”

“From the aroma, it seems you’ve added betel nuts, but they don’t agree with me.”

Artizea said.

“I don’t mean anything by it, so please understand. I’d appreciate just a cup of warm water.”

“…”

Countess Camellia personally poured warm water into a teacup and handed it to Artizea.

Artizea drank it without hesitation. Both Hazel and Belmond Editor flinched. Both had intended to taste it first themselves.

Countess Camellia couldn’t wait for Artizea to speak first. She was the one in need.

“Princess Consort must have come all this way because you have a proposal?”

“Yes. It’s both a proposal and information.”

Artizea smiled.

“I hope you won’t doubt what I’m about to say, Countess. If I had intended to take away everything you have left, I wouldn’t have come alone like this.”

Countess Camellia thought she had already lost everything. When Skyla betrayed her, all her hope and wishes had already disappeared.

But she didn’t bother to answer.

“Have you heard the news that Prince Loigar has committed suicide?”

“…”

“I heard he used a pistol.”

“Ah.”

A brief sigh escaped from Countess Camellia’s lips.

Artizea spoke with a deepened smile.

“I think you probably knew what promise my husband made regarding that pistol.”

That was right.

Ending the situation with Duke Loigar’s death was the option with the best chance of saving Gannett.

To conclude the situation, they needed a final person responsible to bear the guilt, and also someone to persuade the Emperor from outside to spare Gannett’s life.

So Countess Camellia had placed that pistol case on the study desk. She had also placed the candlestick containing bullets in one corner of the study.

She believed that he loved his wife in his own way, and she knew he truly loved the children.

She thought the chances were about fifty-fifty.

What Duke Loigar might have thought while pulling the trigger was not important to Countess Camellia at all.

She was grateful that he had died as intended.

She was also half-doubtful whether Cedric would try to keep his promise.

However, she had done everything that was possible.

Whatever happened to the Eastern Region, Countess Camellia was no longer interested.

The power and status she had desired had vanished like bubbles. However, Skyla would be able to enjoy sweet honey as the first betrayer.

All that remained was to fulfill Gannett’s request and protect her.

Artizea said.

“Since it’s something my husband has decided, I have no intention of opposing it. However, I cannot do everything for you.”

“….”

“Duchess Loigar will not be executed but exiled. His Majesty will not concern himself with what happens after that. That is as far as I can help.”

Then she could be spirited away during the exile journey. Artizea’s words meant that as long as it wasn’t done too openly, the Emperor would turn a blind eye.

“You must want something in return.”

“Have her come to a hiding place we’ve prepared.”

Countess Camellia’s face hardened.

Artizea took another sip of water and said.

“The North is cold, but it’s also far from central politics and the place where His Majesty’s eyes reach least. You need not worry. Though it will be difficult to live as luxuriously as before, I will ensure you can live without want as a noblewoman and as children of a noble family.”

At the same time, they would also become hostages and a hidden card regarding the Eastern Region.

Countess Camellia understood the meaning.

She cleared her throat. She felt humiliated.

But it was Artizea who held the knife handle.

Children with imperial blood were political beings simply by virtue of being alive.

She would have to accept that much.

If she could live quietly with the children, that would be the life Gannett wanted as well.

As long as the Eastern Region didn’t commit the foolish act of putting forward a fake, Artizea would also choose to let them live as if they were dead.

Countess Camellia finished her decision and said.

“Please help get the Young Lady and Prince out of the capital.”

“I will do so.”

Artizea nodded.

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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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