The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 241

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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 241

Skyla covered her mouth with her hand.

Skyla knew very well how much of a complex it was for Countess Camellia to have lived as a maid.

Even though it was to achieve her goal, Skyla could fully imagine how much determination it must have taken to put on those clothes.

“You don’t need to do that, Mother.”

Skyla said desperately.

“Mother has been completely pardoned. His Majesty the Emperor has issued an imperial decree. Not only Mother, but our entire family, the entire Camellia Marquess family has been pardoned of all crimes, and it will remain valid as long as I am alive.”

Countess Camellia glanced at Artizea.

Artizea stepped away from the scene.

If she insisted on staying here, neither of the two would be able to force her to leave.

However, she decided to just do so.

“Skyla.”

Only then did Countess Camellia call her daughter’s name with a cracked voice.

Skyla spoke earnestly.

“There’s no need to run away like this.”

Skyla had not obtained everything she had hoped for.

Artizea, whom she had believed would support her to become the Camellia Marquess, had completely refused the meeting.

The Emperor, knowing who the real traitor was, still wanted to make Ian the master of the Camellia Marquess family.

So that Skyla would have no choice but to depend on someone else to gain power.

That was probably to create a new Countess Camellia who would be loyal to the Emperor himself.

However, Skyla had obtained what she wanted most.

She had gained the right to decide the life and death of her mother, father, and younger brother with her own hands.

The imperial decree granted by the Emperor would not become invalid even if the owner of the imperial seal changed. Unless all of the predecessor’s legacy was denied.

So there was no need to be involved in politics any further.

Conversely, she could also be involved.

Becoming the Emperor’s subject was completely different from becoming a vassal of Marquess Luden.

It meant submitting to the Empire’s sole and complete power. Not receiving unfair pressure from relatives who saw her as excrement.

Her mother could now truly become Countess Camellia. The title still belonged to her father.

“…Phew.”

But Countess Camellia let out a long sigh at Skyla’s earnest words.

“What meaning would that have now?”

“Why do you say it has no meaning? The fight isn’t over!”

“If I return, what will happen to your position?”

Countess Camellia said.

“Ian Camellia may have joined hands with you, but he won’t forgive me. Isn’t that natural?”

“…Mother…”

“You did well, Skyla. You saved the lives of our entire family and became the Emperor’s meritorious subject, so depending on how you handle things from now on, you could become his trusted retainer.”

“What I wanted wasn’t to become His Majesty’s trusted retainer!”

“Wasn’t this something you did after making a great resolution in your heart? Don’t regret it and do as you wish until the end.”

“Must you really do this?”

Skyla said with tears in her eyes.

“Even if I tell you that Father and Luka are worried?”

“I’m sorry to your father, but… I want to go to someone who needs me.”

“Mother…”

“It’s time for Luka to choose his own life for himself too.”

“I need Mother too.”

“You’ve proven that you can do well without me, haven’t you?”

Countess Camellia lowered her eyes.

“Now the Camellia Marquess family belongs to you and your husband, so don’t let Luka challenge that authority.”

Skyla knew that this was the last advice her mother was giving her.

That’s why tears were about to well up.

Countess Camellia extended her hand. Skyla ran over and embraced her.

“There’s no need to regret it. I am fortunate. Despite getting my hands dirty in politics and staining my hands with quite a bit of blood, I can return alive, can’t I? Moreover, my daughter defeated me to save my life.”

Skyla sobbed quietly.

Countess Camellia patted her back a few times.

However, eventually Artizea, who had finished her walk, returned.

Skyla had no choice but to step back. And as soon as she did, Countess Camellia entered the carriage.

Artizea said with a smile.

“Did you have a good farewell?”

Skyla looked at her with pained eyes.

“How can Your Highness always maintain the same expression?”

“Well, I suppose it’s thanks to practice.”

“…”

“You have saved your mother’s life as you wished. What more do you need?”

“…That’s right.”

Skyla wiped her face with her hand once.

However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t maintain as calm and bright a complexion as Artizea.

“That’s right. Even if I hadn’t betrayed, Your Highness would have created another traitor.”

“I’d like to tell you that there’s no point in agonizing over what’s already done.”

Artizea said.

“Perhaps even if you hadn’t betrayed, someone else might have, or even if you had decided to betray, you might have failed. Or His Majesty might have completely buried your accusation.”

“…”

“Isn’t it foolish to believe that one’s choices will always bring the best results? In the end, after making an effort, you have no choice but to accept the outcome.”

“…”

“Some people do nothing to avoid owing debts of the heart, and others choose to endure suffering trapped by emotion. You were simply someone who couldn’t do that.”

And she had simply known that.

Skyla let out a weary sigh.

“Where Mother will be… please let me know later. If we’re friends, you can do at least that much, right?”

Artizea nodded.

As long as she held the Duchess Loigar and her three children as hostages, there was very little concern that Countess Camellia would cause trouble in the north.

Binding them as family would be even better.

Skyla turned away. Artizea returned to the Empress’s carriage.

During the procession heading to the separate palace, that cargo carriage would be switched with another.

What happened after that was no longer Artizea’s jurisdiction.

* * *

The sound of waves could be heard.

Hating to find comfort in it, Gannett kept the windows tightly shut.

The maid kept opening the windows, saying that people become depressed if they don’t get sunlight even inside the house.

The maid, who was from the north, said that in the north you couldn’t sunbathe even if you wanted to like now, and recommended getting plenty of sun here at least.

But Gannett simply didn’t feel like doing so.

She couldn’t believe at all that the children were alive.

“Uncle hoped that you would risk your life to save Aunt.”

Although Cedric had said that, Gannett couldn’t quite grasp that either.

“I can take care of your living expenses. But only Aunt can protect the children.”

Gannett thought he was lying. That he was saying this to save at least one person.

Yet she couldn’t give up and continued to cling to life stubbornly.

For the first time, Gannett thought her husband was cowardly. If he had loved her even a little, he couldn’t have died like that.

And she also felt pity for him.

Even though she knew what kind of upbringing he had gone through, she had never thought that he might have suffered.

From the age of 6 until before her death, she had always thought of him as a great adult superior to herself.

After dying, resentment and jealousy became meaningless. Only the regret that she had become an adult too late and accomplished nothing remained, striking her heart daily.

She reflected on her entire life and prayed to live again.

If she could live once more, this time she would surely be able to fulfill her role as Duchess Loigar.

Then perhaps it wouldn’t have ended that way.

She wouldn’t have accepted that jewelry box. She would have thrown it into the sea herself.

She wouldn’t have followed him to the Southern Region. She would have forgiven her husband and demanded he show behavior worthy of her trust.

She wouldn’t have harbored ill feelings toward Lady Ford. She would have apologized and ensured no one could harm her.

She would have persuaded her father. She wouldn’t have let her sister live that way.

She could have done all that. Because she was Loigar’s wife and the Prince’s Consort.

‘I wanted to close his eyes. I thought I would be holding his hand when he died.’

When she came to have such thoughts after nearly two months, Gannett realized she had accepted her husband’s death.

And then the carriage arrived.

“My lady.”

The maid called to her.

Gannett was knitting in front of the fireplace.

It was something she had asked the maid to teach her a few days ago. She thought if she kept her hands moving, she might not get lost in thought.

She had ignored the sound of the carriage. She thought it was probably a grocery delivery.

“My lady!”

The maid called out again and threw the door wide open.

Cold wind rushed in and Gannett frowned.

Then she saw the children getting out of the carriage and her eyes widened.

“Mama!”

The spirited eldest child was the first to shout and run toward her.

Gannett forgot to put on her slippers and ran outside barefoot.

“Mama!”

“Mama!”

All three children burst into tears. Gannett embraced the eldest and second child at once, and saw the third child, who couldn’t run on their own, being carried in Countess Camellia’s arms.

“Sister.”

“It’s Mia.”

Countess Camellia answered quietly.

“That name seems to suit me better, my lady.”

With tears blurring her vision, Gannett couldn’t look at Countess Camellia properly.

Countess Camellia set down the third child. The third child clung to Gannett’s neck, sniffling.

“I said I wouldn’t see you again…”

“There’s no need to remember a maid’s name or face.”

“Sister, you killed father. I will never forgive you.”

“Do that. But the current you doesn’t seem to have the strength to cast me aside.”

“I’m not, I’m not a lady anymore.”

Gannett couldn’t continue speaking and wailed. She couldn’t tell what she wanted to say.

The children overflowed in Gannett’s embrace. So Gannett couldn’t collapse.

She used all her strength to hold the children tight.

It was the first time she had embraced all three children at once. So Gannett realized for the first time that her arms could stretch that long.

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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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