The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 245

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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 245

The arrival of the Crown Prince and Princess of Ients was more than ten days after Cadriole had settled into the capital’s guest house.

The question of whether the Kingdom of Ients was a vassal state of the Empire or not was something that Imperial citizens would casually dismiss as “of course it’s a vassal state.” However, the situation was different from the Kingdom of Ients’ perspective.

There was rarely any interference in internal affairs. The people of Ients considered themselves an independent nation.

Paying tribute to the Empire was purely the result of rational judgment.

The prosperity of the Kingdom of Ients was thoroughly dependent on the Empire.

Gold and silver flowed from the Empire to the Kingdom of Ients. The most expensive items worn by Imperial nobles were all products of Ients.

Nevertheless, it was the Kingdom of Ients that was subordinate.

The Empire could survive without Ients’ products. However, if the Kingdom of Ients severed ties with the Empire, their survival would literally become difficult.

The wealth that the Kingdom of Ients currently enjoyed, and the superior position they held in relations with other countries, could not be said to be unrelated to the Empire.

The people of Ients did not consider this shameful.

They were developing their country by using all the wisdom a small nation could muster.

However, failure in diplomacy with the Empire would directly lead to failure in domestic politics.

For this reason, the Crown Prince of Ients was in a very difficult position.

For more than a hundred years, this was the first time the Empire had demanded hostages. Even the Crown Prince and his wife.

“I’m sorry.”

Crown Prince Bernart bowed his head and apologized to his wife Natalia.

Perhaps while they were held as hostages, he might be deposed and his younger brother could claim the throne.

As a sovereign, he could not bow his head to his subordinates. However, he had to apologize to Natalia, who was both his wife and greatest supporter.

“I already knew it would be dangerous to get involved in the Empire’s succession issues. I never intended to put you in this situation too. I’m sorry.”

“You did your best but failed.”

No one had thought that Duke Loigar would fall so suddenly in such a short time.

The Crown Prince regretted several matters, and looking back, there were many things that seemed rash.

Giving the Duchess Loigar a gift that could be interpreted as treason was meant to gain leverage over her.

Conversely, it also gave her leverage over him.

It was similar to forcing someone to sign a joint petition.

The Emperor would continue to rule the Empire for a long time.

In that case, secretly cooperating with Duke Loigar was dangerous. From Ients’ weak position, they needed that much coercive power to maintain mutual cooperation.

Also, after his future ascension, it would serve as evidence to prove when Ients had started supporting him and their contributions.

Duchess Loigar was not someone who would lie about not receiving something she had actually received.

However, Duke Loigar fell before there was even time to truly provide support.

Bernart had this conversation with his close aide.

“Even when Milaire was expelled due to the curse incident, and during the secret affair incident, I felt something was off.”

These were things that could reasonably happen.

Although coincidences piled up enough to suspect divine intervention. However, they weren’t particularly suspicious.

Some things were not entirely coincidental, as earlier events became causes for later ones.

“But now that I’m directly involved, my suspicions have deepened.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you think all these events are moving too favorably for just one person?”

Bernart said this.

Duke of Evron, whom no one could have imagined just two years ago, had become Crown Prince.

The Kingdom of Ients’ actions were decisions Bernart made himself. Adopting Albert’s criticism and formulating strategy based on it were his own choices.

However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that even those were part of someone’s grand design.

“That itself wouldn’t be strange. The Kratese Imperial family has few legitimate blood relatives.”

However, precisely because of that, he had this thought.

“Did Duke of Evron really have no ambition for the throne? When he was so close to it?”

This was suspicion he could have because he was physically distant from the Empire, being from the south and a foreigner.

“I know his reputation as an honest, righteous person who loves his people. But couldn’t he have worked to create that reputation?”

For power, people could endlessly practice hypocrisy.

Reputation could be manufactured through image. Trust could be formed through deception.

It might not have been complete hypocrisy. Perhaps his care for the Evron Duchy was genuine.

But wasn’t it more likely that he moved with reputation and the Emperor’s trust in mind?

If he was careful enough to maintain such a reputation, he was definitely someone who had to be watched.

Even if he hadn’t intended all of the current situation.

He didn’t know whether Duke of Evron considered those events fortunate or not.

But if it was all really coincidence, then divine intervention must have been at work.

‘That would mean he’s a dangerous opponent in its own way.’

One cannot oppose someone blessed by the gods, someone followed by great fortune.

Bernart didn’t think the gods would intervene in human power relations. That was different from sending down saints or saintesses.

But there was also the blessing of the harvest festival, so it was unknowable.

That’s why Bernart had said this to Natalia.

“If Duke of Evron is to become Emperor of the Empire, I want to go and see for myself with my own eyes.”

The proposal to personally visit and seek audience with the Emperor to beg forgiveness was made for that reason.

The demand for the Crown Princess to come along was excessive. However, as a vassal state involved in treason, they had no choice but to comply.

And Natalia was a knight who protected Bernart before being Crown Princess.

Though it pained them to leave their babies behind, they couldn’t spare a skilled knight from the Crown Prince’s inner circle.

Especially not someone the Empire wouldn’t count among the guard numbers.

“Naturally, I must go to protect Your Highness. I’m just worried whether I’ll be able to help, since I’m not skilled at socializing.”

Natalia was genuinely worried about this.

She had heard that the social circles of the Imperial capital were completely different from the court of the Kingdom of Ients.

The splendor of dress might be similar, but in the Kingdom of Ients, speaking indirectly was rare.

For important matters, they didn’t stake honor and family name on trusting someone’s character. Instead, there were clear documents and contracts.

Still, she was determined to do well.

The Duchess of Evron was five years younger than Natalia and was raising a baby.

This meant they were relatively close in age and had common topics to discuss.

Though they were going as hostages, Natalia was still the Crown Princess of Ients.

There would be opportunities to become close with the Duchess of Evron. Her role was very important.

Bernart collected all available rumors and secretly hidden information about her.

The evaluations were extremely divided.

Not a few people saw her as a pitiful girl who grew up abused under a terrible mother and was rescued by Duke of Evron.

On the other hand, many viewed her as a noblewoman favored by the Emperor and a new power holder. At least it was certain she was capable of handling that position.

“If Duke of Evron might not be the person his reputation suggests, we should think the same about the Duchess.”

If all of this was Duke of Evron’s scheme, Bernart said the starting point must have been his marriage to the Duchess.

“It’s better to be cautious first and then find out they’re good people. Rather than approaching carelessly and discovering they’re schemers beyond our ability to handle.”

Natalia was extremely tense because of this.

And now, Natalia found herself caught up in a completely different kind of bewilderment than she had expected.

Cedric said.

“Blue-purple would be good.”

Cadriole retorted.

“In cases like this, isn’t it proper to save face for the guest?”

This was about silk flowers to decorate Artizea’s hair.

Bernart, sitting alongside the two men, said to Natalia.

“Go with orange opal.”

It wasn’t related to Natalia anyway. She wasn’t in competition.

Only her husband was choosing accessories for her.

“Blue-purple.”

“Please abandon the misconception that cool colors automatically suit platinum hair, Prince Evron.”

Cadriole spoke sarcastically to Cedric.

Fatigue settled into Artizea’s complexion. Her already pale face became even paler.

Suddenly, she met eyes with Natalia.

Natalia forced herself to smile at her. In that moment, a mutual understanding formed between the two.

‘I really don’t want to do the toilette.’

The Kingdom of Ients had no social activity called toilette. While Natalia’s stamina was second to none, completing her grooming in front of others felt awkward and unbearable.

For Artizea, any occasion centered around displaying one’s appearance before others was stressful. The toilette was no exaggeration to call the essence of such events.

But the rain of two nations had gathered. As wives of heirs, they were beings who could represent their respective countries.

Moreover, being young women, the social circles had high expectations.

With the welcome ball approaching, they had no choice but to open the toilette room and stand side by side.

‘That alone is difficult enough.’

She hadn’t expected such unforeseen stress to arise.

“Blue-purple.”

Cedric spoke again.

“Yellow butterfly decoration.”

Cadriole followed up.

Sophie looked at Artizea with a troubled expression. Artizea looked at the faces of the other guests who were watching with keen interest.

The heirs of three nations sat side by side, drawing everyone’s attention.

Of course, the wise Bernart paid no attention to what was happening beside him. Though he was probably collecting information and judging people in his mind.

‘If he’s deliberately doing this to create a frivolous impression, then he’s achieved his goal.’

Since he was being so blatant about it, no one found it suspicious.

What made her sigh was that Cedric was sitting right next to him, participating in the same foolish behavior.

She couldn’t tell whether Cadriole had planned for that as well or not.

‘I’m just being used to create buzz.’

Artizea lamented.

Sophie offered a compromise.

“Blue-purple flowers and yellow butterflies would go very well together.”

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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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