The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 244

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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 244

Skyla stood in front of the dock.

A ship with over thirty sails slowly entered the harbor. The masts were painted red, and red and golden paintings adorned the hull.

The sight was almost majestic.

“The royal ship of Eimel is quite magnificent.”

“It’s the ship the King only boards when he goes out to sea.”

The foreign ministry official answered.

Prince Cardriole had not yet held his coronation ceremony. Yet the fact that he had set sail on this ship showed his position in the Kingdom of Eimel now.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t be crowned anyway. The previous King had already been dethroned.

However, since the tragic events of the Queen’s death and the King’s dethronement had repeated twice, he would take time to let the grief settle before holding the coronation ceremony.

Of course, this was possible because Prince Cardriole had already firmly grasped control of state affairs.

“What a bold thing to do.”

Skyla muttered to herself.

If the ship encountered a storm and sank, the King and his close associates would all perish.

Did he have confidence that wouldn’t happen? Well, he had probably sailed the open seas since his youth.

“Please go inside and wait, Countess Camellia. It will take quite a while for His Highness to disembark.”

“No. It’s better to maintain proper etiquette.”

Skyla said so and waited while facing the wind. Since it wasn’t cold weather, it was bearable except for her eyes drying out.

It didn’t take as long as expected. As soon as the disembarkation preparations were complete, Cardriole was the first to come down with light steps, accompanied by a few guards.

It didn’t look like a royal procession, or even a princely one.

The foreign ministry officials were flustered. Fortunately, since Skyla was standing in her proper place, no one lost their composure.

Skyla knelt on one knee before him and bowed. The flower attendants she had brought gave her flowers.

Instead of receiving them himself, Cardriole plucked one flower and pinned it to his buttonhole. His adjutants received the bouquet instead.

“I have received His Majesty the Emperor’s goodwill and hospitality very well.”

“I’m grateful if you accept it as such.”

Cardriole smiled and extended his hand to Skyla.

“You’re in quite a different situation from when I saw you in the Southern Region last time, Lady Camellia. Glory must be as sweet as golden honey, isn’t it?”

Skyla bit the inside of her lower lip once, imperceptibly. She needed to steel her heart to avoid being shaken.

She took Cardriole’s hand and stood up. Then she smiled peacefully.

“Please call me Countess, Your Highness.”

“….”

Cardriole looked down at her with a strange expression for a moment.

Had she married in the meantime and become the mistress of another family? If so, Skyla would naturally have introduced herself by that family’s name.

However, Skyla did not do so. Cardriole soon realized the reason.

Since she was Countess Camellia, there was no need to mention the family name specifically.

Cardriole also knew about Ian Camellia’s problem. It was a scheme devised by Artizea.

“You have acted like an Imperial noble.”

Skyla felt shame.

Cardriole had highly valued her abilities. He had even said he wouldn’t grind people up in political strife like the Empire did.

Was she now in a position of being ground up by political strife?

Skyla couldn’t tell.

She was favored by the Emperor. The Emperor bestowed enormous gifts upon her and frequently summoned her to serve tea.

People now whispered that the Emperor intended to make Skyla the foremost noble lady of the social circle.

This time too, she had been entrusted with the important role of entertaining two foreign princes.

Nevertheless, Skyla continued to be gripped by a sense of emptiness.

Was something not earned in her own name still her glory?

Was it the family that she protected by destroying her family?

Were her abilities still meaningful? Was she displaying her innate human qualities?

Skyla could not answer.

But as Cardriole said, she was an Imperial noble. So she answered without changing her gentle smile.

“Because I am an Imperial noble.”

“My offer is still valid.”

“Please withdraw your words. I’m afraid others might hear.”

“My adjutant says that kidnapping a married woman is not acceptable, but adultery is fine.”

His tone was infinitely light, sounding like nothing but a joke. Skyla laughed with slightly improved spirits.

“Adultery is better than treason. But if you want to seduce a woman, you should dress up a bit more.”

“I didn’t know His Majesty the Emperor would even send someone to meet me. I was planning to disembark first, arrange my attire, and then depart for the capital.”

“Then shall I arrange a place for you to change clothes even now?”

“Since I’ve already received the full protocol, it would be better to change in the capital.”

Skyla smiled as if she had expected as much.

“Then let’s go. I’ve prepared accommodations at the guest house, so please rest from your journey before going to the capital.”

“I’ll gratefully accept your kindness.”

Cardriole willingly boarded the carriage that Skyla guided him to.

* * *

Bright sunlight streamed into the spacious room. Chamber music played to prevent boredom created a leisurely atmosphere.

Cedric was dressed in full Crown Prince ceremonial attire, sitting with Leticia on one knee.

He was in the process of having a commemorative painting drawn that would hang in the gallery showing the Imperial lineage after the investiture ceremony was over.

Cedric moved his body as if feeling stuffy. He had been sitting in the same position for an hour already.

The court painter said.

“If you move, the Young Lady will wake up.”

Cedric stiffened his body again. It would be terrible if she started crying.

Artizea smiled wryly.

“That’s why I said it would be better to just paint you alone.”

“I’ll stay still.”

Cedric spoke in a repentant tone.

“I already told you that the Young Lady’s portrait was painted separately.”

The court painter said. Artizea also sighed slightly.

“It’s not unprecedented, but I wonder if you really must do this.”

“But I’ve been so busy lately that unless I make time like this, I won’t have time to see Leticia’s face. I’m worried she might forget my face at this rate.”

Cedric spoke seriously.

Although he didn’t go to the North, there was no way he could relax during winter.

He wouldn’t be able to go to Evron Duchy for a long time in the future.

Even before, there were times when he couldn’t go to the North due to Western Army issues or other reasons. But those were all temporary absences.

Now it was somewhat different. Cedric had to completely restructure the system so that Evron Duchy could function properly even without him.

The Emperor in his own way, and the vassals in theirs, cast suspicious glances wondering if he might be leaning toward the other side.

Artizea thought this would be difficult for someone like Cedric to endure.

However, he was not shaken at all.

「These are things that must eventually be dealt with. Both the trust issue and the fact that I cannot continue staying in the North.」

Besides that, work piled up like a mountain and poured down on Cedric.

The Emperor transferred part of domestic affairs to him.

Thus, in addition to the security and welfare issues around the capital that he was already responsible for, Cedric became responsible for education and part of industry.

And while coordinating the protocol for the Crown Prince investiture ceremony, he also had to be involved in diplomatic matters.

Moreover, he was even forming his close associates.

These days, he would return in the middle of the night and immediately collapse on the bed, then leave silently at dawn.

Artizea recalled past events.

Was it this busy during Lawrence’s time too?

Not particularly. Lawrence was perfectly versed in court etiquette and protocol.

In fact, even if he made some mistakes, a single gentle smile made it seem like he hadn’t done anything improper at all.

There were similarly no difficulties when it came to forming his inner circle.

If the only consideration was whether something would be advantageous to him or not, then loyalty was the only thing that needed to be confirmed.

Among the domestic affairs he had taken over, there was nothing particularly difficult, and above all, the Emperor helped him directly.

‘Even if His Majesty removes his suspicions about Lord Sedric, he won’t stop testing him.’

Artizea thought as she watched Sedric from behind the painter.

Not particularly suspecting betrayal or treason, but constantly testing what kind of character Sedric possessed.

Like someone hammering a diamond they hold to confirm whether it’s real.

Artizea felt tired and lowered her head.

What would happen with Lawrence’s disappearance?

She didn’t think he had the ability to disappear while evading even the Emperor’s eyes.

If he had managed that, it would mean he was a ‘returned one.’

Capable people gain positions, but positions also change people.

Lawrence had lived as Crown Prince and Emperor for nearly twenty years.

Before returning, he had experience with victory. He was also accustomed to ruling people. Even if it was through the most cruel methods.

‘So it was just luck that all the ‘returned ones’ moved positively until now.’

She was lost in thought, thinking she should consider more risk factors, when something soft and moist touched Artizea’s face.

“Ah.”

Artizea looked up in surprise.

Leticia was making “Woo-, woo-” sounds and waving her arms, wanting to go to Artizea.

Sedric had approached nearby.

“It seems she’s forgotten my face.”

He said gloomily. Artizea couldn’t help but smile.

“What about the portrait?”

“A brief break, they said.”

Sedric sat beside her with a relieved expression, still holding the squirming Leticia who was struggling to be let down.

“I think it would be fine to just paint the face properly and then fill in the rest handsomely.”

“That won’t do.”

“It won’t?”

“It’s an important painting. There’s meaning in capturing reality as it is.”

Sedric sighed.

“What about you?”

“Me? What about me?”

“Have you finished your portrait?”

“I can have mine painted when I have time after the investiture ceremony. It doesn’t have to be completed before the ceremony.”

“Hoo, kuuuu.”

Leticia whined. Sedric held Leticia again, seating her on his lap as he spoke.

“No, you can’t forget daddy’s face.”

“She probably hasn’t forgotten. She just won’t stay still in anyone’s arms lately. She’s so active.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I said I would raise her, but…”

Sedric trailed off. Artizea smiled bitterly.

“You can’t handle state affairs while carrying a baby who isn’t even a year old yet. And you should thank Marcus for that.”

“Still.”

“Once she starts walking and running, take her with you then. I don’t think I could handle it.”

Sedric laughed.

Artizea looked at that smile. When she saw him smile, she had the illusion that everything would be fine, and that she could make it so.

So she closed her eyes. Sedric’s lips touched her eyelids and then moved down to her lips.

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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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