The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 250

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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 250

Natalia said.

“Lord Bernart said that these accessories would be made for at least twenty years.”

“The Kingdom of Ients has the ability to continuously lead new trends using the same materials once they discover a particular material.”

Artizea replied.

“That’s Ients’ strength. You don’t need to thank me. It was just something good for both of us.”

Then Natalia smiled.

“Lord Bernart said the same thing. He said Princess Consort would probably think she exchanged it for wolf fur promotion.”

“….”

“Even so, I still want to thank you. On behalf of my hometown people as well.”

Artizea stroked her teacup without answering.

She felt uncomfortable.

Using Natalia wouldn’t be difficult.

She was someone who was upright with strong people and sympathetic toward weak people.

Artizea’s past could easily evoke sympathy. The baby’s existence would be able to gain empathy.

In fact, that was partly why she had brought Leticia out.

If she was reluctant to use schemes to draw her in, it would be fine to honestly propose a deal.

If Bernart were the opponent, Artizea would have used both methods without much hesitation.

The political world of the Kingdom of Ients was as dirty and dark as the Empire’s, and the merchant class systematically wielded enormous real power.

Bernart had been walking a tightrope between them, practically leading the nation’s affairs in place of the foolish king.

Artizea liked this type of person. In fact, they were easier to deal with than anyone else.

There was no need for many words. Contracts would be kept as long as mutual interests aligned.

There was no burden in deceiving and betraying them. The one who was fooled was simply more stupid.

But Natalia was different.

Perhaps this was the only change in her mindset since returning.

She didn’t feel comfortable using this kind of person. Because she now knew there were people who would help if she spoke honestly and asked for help.

Artizea lowered her eyes and picked up her teacup.

Natalia glanced at her slightly. Honestly, she had been too tempted by the tea food since earlier, but it was embarrassing to eat alone.

However, Artizea didn’t even think of picking up a fork.

‘It should be fine. It was brought out to be eaten.’

Natalia picked up her fork.

The flower-shaped sugar confection was so beautiful it seemed too precious to break apart.

Natalia carefully picked off one green leaf with her fork.

No matter how much was prepared, she couldn’t eat it all. Unless it was in front of family or close friends, it was normal to eat food only to the extent of maintaining courtesy.

Moreover, having been invited to the Imperial Prince’s Palace, she couldn’t devour all the refreshments by herself.

She planned to eat sparingly.

The sugar confection was harder and less sweet than expected. Like a feather, it gently brushed her mouth and melted away completely.

Natalia took a sip of tea to calm her mind. When the fragrant and sweet taste left by the sugar confection blended with the tea, it was pure happiness.

Natalia’s eyes and mouth softened.

She had thought the Ients Royal Palace chef was impressively skilled, but the Imperial Prince’s Palace chef seemed even more talented.

This time Natalia reached for a lemon madeleine.

Artizea was about to speak but stopped. Because small but certain happiness lingered on Natalia’s face.

“Does it suit your taste?”

“Oh, yes.”

Natalia looked embarrassed.

“The chef’s skill is truly excellent.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste. We called someone who was about to retire from Evron Mansion, and he was worried whether he could do well since he was old and didn’t know the new trends of the capital. I’ll have him greet you later, so please praise him.”

“I think I should give thanks rather than praise?”

Natalia said this while breaking the madeleine in half. The fluffy madeleine split smoothly.

Artizea also picked up her fork. She didn’t really feel like eating, but since Natalia was eating so deliciously, she didn’t want to break the atmosphere.

While talking about the diplomatic envoys who had arrived in the capital, the investiture ceremony, and commerce, the teapot became empty.

Natalia put down her fork with slight regret but inevitable feelings. She was in a very good mood.

Artizea fiddled with her teacup handle. And finally decided to speak honestly.

“Actually, there’s something I’d like to ask of you, which is why I invited you.”

Natalia tilted her head.

“What request could there be that I could fulfill?”

Artizea gestured with her hand.

The servants who had been nearby to attend withdrew like a receding tide. The guards stepped back more than fifteen paces to create distance.

Hailey persuaded Natalia’s bewildered maid and withdrew with her. This was possible because Natalia didn’t require separate guards.

Natalia tilted her head curiously. Artizea said.

“Could you stay at the Imperial Prince’s Palace until the investiture ceremony?”

No, this wasn’t an accurate expression either. Artizea thought her way of speaking was wrong.

“Why are you making such a request?”

She couldn’t understand.

Bringing someone into the Imperial Prince’s Palace, especially a foreigner, couldn’t be a simple matter.

Moreover, she was a crown princess. Whether she stayed at the Imperial Prince’s Palace with Bernart or apart from him, either way would become a political controversy.

Artizea spoke slowly as if hesitating.

“Natalia… you are one of the finest knights in the Kingdom of Ients.”

“Where did you hear such a thing?”

Natalia asked, unable to hide her bewilderment.

It was true that she had been a knight before marriage. She was confident in her skills too.

However, those skills had never become famous. Because Bernart, who was the first to recognize her, recruited her and she immediately left the knight order.

So even with background investigation, at most they could only learn that a woman from a remote region had come to the capital and joined the knight order rather than the general army, becoming a topic among officials.

Natalia pressed her lips tightly together.

She had planned to just relax and socialize.

However, if Artizea knew her identity, the situation was different.

Artizea said.

“There’s no hole in Crown Prince Bernart’s counterintelligence. You can think it was almost certainly by chance that I found out.”

Unable to speak honestly, Artizea only said it was by chance.

Natalia gripped her fork.

“Don’t be so wary. If I had wanted to attack Crown Prince Bernart, there would be no need to use force at all. There would be no need to separate you either.”

“What’s your purpose?”

“As I said, I’m making a request. I’d like you to stay at the Imperial Prince’s Palace.”

Artizea said in a subdued voice.

“That’s why I’m asking about that purpose.”

“Because you’re not someone who would just watch a baby die. Even if that baby is entangled in all sorts of political interests.”

Natalia wrinkled her nose and looked at Artizea.

Complex shadows were cast over Artizea’s face.

Natalia said.

“I understand Evron has many excellent knights and loyal retainers.”

“Yes. But the limitations are clear. The number of Evron knights staying in the capital is legally restricted. So anyone can guess our full strength.”

Even if increased through loopholes, it couldn’t be expanded in a short time.

The fact that the organization was simple and its members homogeneous was also a problem.

There had been people like Hailey and Freil before, and things were changing rapidly as generational change occurred.

However, it was still far from enough.

Artizea didn’t doubt Evron, but she also knew its limitations well. Evron alone couldn’t defend the entire Imperial Prince’s Palace right now.

That’s why she thought it was too early when the Emperor told her to enter the Imperial Prince’s Palace.

“If there are attackers, they’ll fully consider Evron’s strength. But if you’re here…”

“Because I’m a force no one would think of.”

Natalia muttered.

Bernart had also made her hide her abilities for this reason and married her to keep her by his side under the name of wife.

Moreover, Natalia was the crown princess of a foreign country. Attacking her could become a diplomatic issue.

Conversely, her defending could be justified as a humanitarian reason to protect the baby.

Also, she would be effective as a witness.

In case of emergency, even if Evron testified for Evron, it would be ignored. However, Natalia’s words could not be ignored.

Artizea raised her gaze and met eyes with Natalia. Natalia was looking at her with straightforward eyes.

Artizea eventually lowered her eyes again.

It was then.

A knight came running in with rough footsteps. A guard knight tried to stop him midway, but he paid no heed and shouted toward Artizea.

“Your Highness! Please go to the audience chamber now!”

“What’s the matter?”

Artizea stood up, dragging her skirt. The knight said with a face turned bright red.

“Count Eison has accused Prince Evron of treason and heresy!”

“…What did he claim as evidence?”

“He says it’s collusion with Karam!”

Artizea let out a sigh.

It was a sigh of relief.

Natalia looked at her while half-risen from her seat.

“If you could show me a small kindness, could you stay until I return?”

“But…”

“Please write a letter to Crown Prince Bernart. I think His Highness the Crown Prince will understand all of my intentions.”

Artizea’s voice was cold and emotionless, different from what it had been just moments before.

Natalia nodded.

As Artizea came outside, she ordered the guard knights to tighten the security of the Imperial Prince’s Palace.

Hailey came running out and followed behind her. Artizea spoke to Hailey in a low voice.

“You heard the story, right? Go to the temple yourself. It would be good to bring all the bishops, but you must bring at least the Archbishop.”

“Yes.”

Hailey answered and slipped away.

Artizea headed toward the audience chamber.

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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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