The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 254

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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 254

Artizea herself couldn’t understand how she had managed to walk all the way to the Prince’s Palace.

Her right hand, which was holding onto Cedric’s hand, trembled violently. She couldn’t tell if it was because her stamina had hit rock bottom, or because she was putting strength into her hand to endure as best she could.

Her vision was dim and her back was soaked with sweat.

“Collapse. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Cedric’s voice reached her.

Artizea no longer had the strength to make judgments. So she collapsed as Cedric instructed.

As soon as she relaxed her tension, her consciousness faded.

Cedric steadily caught her as she fainted.

Though Artizea hadn’t realized it, he had already called for a doctor on the way. He had also reorganized the security of the Prince’s Palace.

This wasn’t Cedric’s first time experiencing such a situation.

Artizea’s position was completely different from Lisia’s at that time. The rumors about the forged oracle hadn’t fallen like a bolt from the blue.

The capital’s social circles and central political world were her domain. She was also playing a leading role in infiltrating the Imperial Palace.

She wouldn’t have the initiative taken away by the Temple or face organized pressure.

Nevertheless, he could fully imagine what kind of impact that oracle would have.

Cedric turned to look at the Archbishop and priests who had been following behind.

The Archbishop made the sign of the cross.

“Archbishop, now doesn’t seem like an appropriate time for conversation. My wife appears to be quite exhausted.”

“You mean this? I simply wish to stay by her side until she awakens.”

“I understand the Temple’s anxious feelings, but how could she rest comfortably that way? Please return for now. From what I can see, Father Colton seems to have given you a hint about this matter.”

The Archbishop didn’t answer and only smiled slightly.

Since Cedric couldn’t tell whether that had been Artizea’s intention or not, he only said this:

“In that case, you two must have much more to discuss now. Go back and discipline the Temple.”

“Those words…”

“Not everyone believes and follows oracles. Don’t those with power often believe they themselves are heaven?”

“I understand what you mean.”

When Artizea had drawn upon her holy power, the Emperor’s face had become completely expressionless. It was a face without shock or confusion.

The fact that he had hidden his emotions to that extent meant he was that angry.

The Archbishop hadn’t seen such a face from the Emperor in decades.

It had been long since the Emperor had reached a position where he didn’t need to manage his expressions.

There were times when he showed exaggerated anger or appeared very pleased for political reasons.

Conversely, this meant that this time the Emperor was so shaken that he couldn’t decide whether to show positive or negative emotions.

“I’ll send word when my wife awakens. Until then, absolutely don’t make a fuss about this matter, and not only maintain internal discipline but also prevent this oracle from leaking outside.”

“Understood.”

“And please take the Karam half-blood that Count Eison brought as a witness from the Temple and care for them. There must be other half-bloods besides that witness.”

At those words, the Archbishop made a troubled expression as if feeling reluctant.

It was clear whose side he should take in the audience chamber.

Above all, he wasn’t decisive enough to unilaterally overturn something decided by the bishops’ council in a much earlier era.

However, taking the Karam half-blood was another matter entirely.

Allowing the northern priests to show mercy and tolerance was an indirect and conceptual matter.

But if asked to truly care for them, could he do it? Even he, who knew the results of the bishops’ council, felt this disgusted.

As if noticing this, Cedric said:

“I’ll arrange to send someone from my side to care for them.”

“However…”

“My wife received the oracle, but I will be the one to become Emperor. Keep that in mind, Archbishop.”

Thinking he had spoken too harshly, Cedric added gently:

“Having the Temple take them would be the way to quietly wrap up this matter. At a time like this, we can’t drag out the conversations that took place in the audience chamber.”

“Understood.”

The Archbishop nodded.

Cedric’s words weren’t wrong. It was a time when focusing solely on the oracle that the Saint would become Empress wouldn’t be enough.

Cedric carried Artizea inside and spoke to the knight following behind:

“Secure Negil.”

“I’ve already given the orders. Should we not take measures regarding the other accusers?”

“They’re worthless fellows, so leave them be.”

Cedric said this and entered Artizea’s bedroom, laying her down on the bed.

Her face was pale and she was breaking out in cold sweat.

Hailey said:

“She said beforehand that if she collapsed, it would be a stamina issue, so she’d recover with proper rest.”

“Did you know?”

“I didn’t know the specific details.”

“I see.”

Cedric sighed.

Well, there was no way Artizea would have revealed such matters to others.

“She said she had no holy power.”

She would have tried to keep it secret by herself until the very end. For use at decisive moments, like this time.

Cedric gently stroked Artizea’s forehead once.

He hadn’t known there were physical limitations to using holy power. Lisia had seemed unaffected, but perhaps that was because she had a naturally robust constitution.

Not long after laying her on the bed, Artizea’s breathing became comfortable. She truly seemed to have collapsed from exhaustion without any other problems.

From thinking alone in such a serious situation to revealing that she was a Saint, she must have agonized intensely.

What was the real oracle she had received?

Even before seeing her holy power, Cedric hadn’t doubted Artizea, but he still thought it was strange.

Lisia was a Saint. It was Lisia’s blessing that had saved Artizea during childbirth, so that was certain.

Then were there two Saints?

‘Don’t oracles and holy power move together? Or did another oracle come down to Tia while Lisia’s oracle remained intact?’

Cedric felt resentment.

If God wanted to save humanity, it would be better for God to take on flesh and descend personally.

Instead of giving holy power to just one powerless human and throwing them into the world’s storms.

The world couldn’t be changed with just one miraculous power.

Artizea had probably hidden her holy power because it was meaningless.

‘With this personality, she couldn’t have not experimented with it… If she collapses every time she uses holy power, it’s better not to have it.’

Artizea’s brain would be much more helpful than powerless miracles.

Cedric regretted that he had perhaps handled things poorly, forcing her to make such a desperate move.

As he kissed her dry fingers, Sophie and the maids looked anxious. Cedric had no choice but to leave Artizea in their care and withdraw.

Alice approached Cedric and whispered quietly:

“News came from the Main Palace a little while ago. His Majesty the Emperor has retired to his chambers.”

Though it was sunset, it was still early to retire to his chambers. The Emperor had probably gone to rest to organize his thoughts.

But in any case, it seemed nothing would happen today.

“Good work. Let me know immediately if any news comes in.”

“Yes.”

Alice withdrew. Managing the network of servants and employees, she would have a very busy day today.

It was just as Cedric stepped outside the bedroom.

A knight with a poor complexion approached. He gave a disciplined military salute and said:

“I wish to ask how you would like to deal with Rowan Jeiden.”

“…”

Cedric felt conflicted.

Ever since Aubrey had betrayed him, he had always thought that anyone could do the same. This had been even more true since his memories returned.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but feel heartache.

“Unless he specifically tries to return to Evron, there’s no need to do anything. He’s a capable man, so someone will recruit him.”

“The thing is… he’s currently at the gates of the Prince’s Palace.”

The knight spoke with a troubled expression.

Cedric headed toward the main gate. If Rowan had simply left, it wouldn’t have mattered much, but if not, he needed to handle the situation himself.

Rowan stood in front of the main gate of the Imperial Prince’s Palace.

Those who had been his comrades until yesterday hurled curses at him.

“Get lost, you bastard!”

The one who threw the punch was a senior knight who had become a knight in the same year as his sister.

“How dare you call yourself a knight of Evron!”

“How dare you betray His Highness the Prince!”

“You tried to sell out all of Evron, and now you have the nerve to crawl back here!”

“Your sister must be wailing in her grave!”

The knights swarmed out and surrounded him.

“Wait! I—!”

“Get lost!”

The senior knight grabbed him by the collar and dragged him outside the Imperial Prince’s Palace grounds.

That’s when it happened. The commotion died down. The knights hurriedly straightened their postures and cleared a path.

Cedric appeared.

Rowan looked up at him with a face covered in blood and bruises. Cedric didn’t bend down to meet his gaze or extend his hand to wipe away the bleeding wounds.

“Your Highness the Prince… I was wrong.”

Rowan muttered.

When Negil had said that Cedric would even join hands with Karam for Evron’s sake, he had felt like he’d been struck in the back of the head.

He realized what he had done wrong.

If he had doubts, he could have simply asked. If he had truly trusted Cedric and been loyal to him, he could have knelt before him and offered his honest counsel.

If he had believed that Cedric wouldn’t cast him aside for such things. If he had earned the trust that he could keep secrets.

Cedric spoke.

“I understand you.”

Tears streamed down Rowan’s face.

“Since I cannot explain everything to everyone and seek their agreement, it’s natural that some would harbor distrust and opposition would arise.”

Above all, it was Cedric himself who had betrayed first.

“However, just because I understand doesn’t mean Evron has any reason to forgive you.”

Cedric said.

“I strip Rowan Jeiden of his knighthood and banish him from the Evron Duchy. However, since this was something he did personally, considering House Jeiden’s past achievements, this punishment is limited solely to Rowan Jeiden alone.”

“Your Highness the Prince!”

“You decided not to follow me, so go your own way.”

Cedric said only that and turned away.

The knights who had been cursing Rowan all turned away in unison. Guards crossed their spears to block Rowan’s path.

There was no further punishment, no anger. Only the wariness one would show toward a stranger remained.

He had become someone completely unrelated to Evron.

Standing dazed in front of the main gate of the Imperial Prince’s Palace, Rowan realized what he had thrown away.

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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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