The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 25

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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 25

Countess Camellia slowly lifted her teacup to hide her expression.

The interval before her next words revealed that her thoughts were complicated.

However, Countess Camellia did not lose her composure.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Do you think Duke Loigar has some relationship with Baron Itz, Young Lady?”

She spoke in a beautiful tone like rolling pearls.

However, her mind was complicated.

Baron Itz was one of Duke Loigar’s important sources of funding.

It wasn’t that he played any important role in Duke Loigar’s faction. He simply offered vast amounts of money and received some protection in return.

Since it wasn’t a relationship bound by loyalty, it wouldn’t matter to cut him off.

So if she could withdraw from this situation, that would be better. Especially if it was true that Sedric had secured Baron Itz’s ledgers.

With Sedric involved, there was no possibility that this matter would be quietly concluded through behind-the-scenes negotiations or political settlements.

With women and jewels involved, the newspapers would sensationalize this story tremendously.

The Emperor would throw them a scapegoat instead of taking the risk of forcibly suppressing public outrage.

Baron Itz alone wouldn’t be enough to calm the anger, so they would need to offer a larger prey of higher status.

She had to prevent becoming that target.

After all, Baron Itz only provided money. It was a large sum, but it wasn’t indispensable. This wasn’t the time to be greedy.

However, she couldn’t readily follow Artizea’s words. How much should she trust what this girl was saying?

Sedric Evron disliked backroom politics.

Countess Camellia had also heard the rumors that he had fallen for the Young Lady of Marquess Rosan.

Were those rumors actually true?

Even if they were true, was he the type of person to abandon his duties at the request of a woman he had fallen for?

It was unknowable. Sedric was a young man, and young men sometimes lost their minds when they fell for women and did things they shouldn’t do.

There was no guarantee that Artizea could sever the connection between Baron Itz’s case and Duke Loigar, but there was also no guarantee that she couldn’t.

Artizea set down her teacup and looked at her with blue eyes.

“Baron Itz is a vulgar man. He would have given bribes to anyone who might benefit him. He probably gave precious gifts here and there as greetings, hoping to have his weaknesses overlooked and receive protection. Receiving gifts from such a person was imprudent, but…”

Artizea smiled and finished her words.

“A dignified person like you, Countess, would never have imagined that the jewels received as gifts from the Baron were jewels stolen from commoners.”

Countess Camellia’s fingertips lightly brushed the rim of her teacup.

Artizea brought the teacup to her lips again. Countess Camellia observed Artizea carefully.

Artizea’s lips curved in a gentle arc, and her eyes were bright as if something pleasant had happened. Her movements were elegant and composed.

She wore a dress made of cheap fabric with ruffles sewn on, the sleeves worn so thin from repeated washing that they had become short. Yet this didn’t catch the eye.

Though she was still young in age, her behavior was unmistakably that of a seasoned noblewoman from high society.

Until now, she had never properly looked at Artizea. Milaire’s daughter, a pitiful girl. That was the entirety of her impression of Artizea.

She was the heiress of the Rosan Marquess family, yet would never hold that inheritance in her own hands. She was Lawrence’s sister, but wouldn’t even be used for political marriage.

She would spend her lifetime being parasitized and devoured by Milaire, and Lawrence would try to gain freedom by offering his sister as food to his obsessive mother.

Countess Camellia prided herself on understanding human nature well. Milaire would never let her daughter go.

Many parents viewed their children as extensions of themselves, or rather, as possessions.

There were plenty of people who felt pleasure from tormenting, controlling, and abusing others.

However, beating servants or maids who were strangers was clearly different from abusing one’s own child.

Few things satisfied such base power lust and possessiveness as the pleasure felt when beating a young child to near death, then watching that child cry while still reaching out their arms, begging to be held.

Why would anyone need to let go of such a well-trained possession?

So she hadn’t been someone worth paying attention to.

But the girl before her now wasn’t the pitiful child she had imagined, but a complete lady.

To Countess Camellia’s eyes, Artizea seemed to harbor a blue and bright flame within her.

‘It’s regrettable that I discovered this so late.’

The Countess thought this to herself.

Sometimes friendship could be more passionate than romance, but her daughter was far too inadequate to captivate this girl.

What about her son? His appearance was passable, but he was far too lacking to steal away a woman who had already met Sedric.

Countess Camellia briefly excused herself and rose from her seat. She returned with a velvet-covered jewelry box.

Inside was a diamond necklace.

Artizea could recognize that the jewel set in the center was Saint Olga’s Heart.

“This necklace was designed for Saint Olga’s Heart. Please take this as it is.”

“Then I will pay the appropriate price for the remaining jewels.”

“Young Lady of Marquess Rosan, please don’t make this into a transaction. You have already paid the appropriate price. And I can guess for which precious person you are seeking this jewel.”

Countess Camellia spoke in a soft and gentle voice, as if recounting memories.

“Long ago, when I wasn’t recognized as the daughter of Marquess Luden and couldn’t even be called a lady, I once saw from afar the most noble lady in the world.”

“Yes.”

Artizea answered carefully, making sure not to reveal her emotions.

“Now my husband cherishes me, and Her Grace the Duchess of Loigar follows me calling me sister, so others call me a noblewoman. But back then, I couldn’t even imagine greeting that person, having a conversation, or even showing myself within her sight.”

Countess Camellia said.

“So when that person kindly treated a friend of not-so-high status and spoke words of praise about a precious jewel in that house, I was so envious that I couldn’t forget it.”

Artizea knew why Countess Camellia was speaking this way.

By making this not a seizure but a gift to the Empress, she could maintain a soft and favorable atmosphere while denying her relationship with Baron Itz.

“I couldn’t bear that such a precious jewel was possessed by a vulgar man who wasn’t even a true noble. But when this old woman got hold of such a childhood memory, I became desperate to have it beautifully adorned.”

Countess Camellia smiled.

“Now that Saint Olga’s statue has disappeared and cannot be found, this is a temporary measure.”

“I see.”

Artizea said calmly.

Of course, Countess Camellia’s words were not to be believed.

The Countess wasn’t the type to call such things memories, and even if it really was due to admiration and memories of the Empress, she would have already offered this diamond to the Empress.

Artizea thought this was probably a trophy for Countess Camellia.

Compensation for her girlhood when she was overshadowed by noblewomen she thought were inferior to her.

She probably obtained it as proof that she had now become a person of power with much higher status than Baroness Peshier, someone even the Empress couldn’t treat carelessly.

But Artizea thought Baroness Peshier had lived a much more fulfilling life than Countess Camellia.

Because she had met a master worth dying for, gained that master’s trust, and could die for her.

Countess Camellia smiled and said finally:

“I trust that you will convey my feelings to that person well.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

Artizea personally took the jewelry box and rose from her seat.

“I apologize for the late night intrusion. May the goddess of night’s touch gently caress your bedchamber.”

“Don’t you think we could become friends who understand each other well? Please visit often in the future.”

Artizea only smiled.

It was true that they understood each other. But she and Countess Camellia would never become close friends despite their age difference.

Countess Camellia’s goal was to make Sedric join Duke Loigar’s faction, or at least make it appear so.

And Artizea would someday bring down Duke Loigar.

When Artizea left the Camellia Marquess estate, the moon had already tilted westward and the morning star had risen in the east.

Everything had begun to move and could no longer be stopped.

She didn’t go directly into the Rosan Marquess estate, but got off the carriage near the back gate.

She didn’t want to let others know about tonight’s outing. When she left, she had also walked out and taken an unremarkable carriage.

The night wind was cold. Alphonse draped a cloak over her shoulders.

“Rizhe.”

Artizea called one of the two maids following behind.

Young Lise Hanson, who had arrived at the Rosan Marquess estate yesterday and still didn’t know what role she would play, shrank her neck and answered, “Yes.”

“Your grandfather is currently at the Evron Duchy, right? Are other relatives there with him?”

“No. But my uncle lives in the capital.”

Rizhe answered thus. It was the response Marcus had taught her in preparation for when Artizea might ask.

“I see.”

Artizea nodded. It probably meant that the eldest son had the means to contact other family relatives instead of the aging Marcus.

She took out a letter from her bosom.

“Then, go to your uncle and deliver this letter to him. That would be better than your grandfather.”

Sending a letter to the Evron Duchy at such a late hour risked drawing unwanted attention.

Bringing the Hanson Family back into the House of Rosan was still something that needed to be prepared in secret.

“Don’t worry. You just need to deliver it. Your grandfather and uncle will discuss and decide on the important matters.”

“Yes.”

“Take my carriage. It would be difficult to find a rental carriage at this late hour. After delivering the letter, you may visit your grandfather if you’d like. Just act discreetly enough not to draw attention from the other maids.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Rizhe took the letter, tucked it into her bosom, and bowed respectfully to Artizea.

Soon the carriage departed. Artizea also turned her steps toward the manor.

The preparations to seize the Rosan Marquess Estate were complete.

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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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