The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 26

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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 26

Cedric’s visit to the Rosan Manor happened the next morning.

The atmosphere at the House of Rosan had changed considerably from his last visit.

Rather than having gotten worse, it was chaotic.

The servants of the marquess house were frightened by the fact that the Duke of Evron had come as the Young Lady’s guest.

This was because Bill had been stripped of the treasury keys and ledgers the day before.

Bill hadn’t been expelled yet, but was confined to his room copying ancient texts that Artizea had assigned him.

Most of the high-ranking employees at Rosan Manor now were people who had actively aligned themselves with Bill.

Even the low-ranking servants and maids who couldn’t influence such conflicts were mostly people who had scraped together bits of their meager wages to buy Bill at least a bottle of liquor as a bribe at year’s end.

However, that didn’t mean they were completely on Bill’s side.

Most were people who had served the House of Rosan for a long time. But they had groveled to Bill because they would have nowhere to go and nothing to do if expelled.

If a legitimate heir wanted to exercise their rights, they naturally wanted to kneel before them.

So they couldn’t help but be confused.

Had the world turned upside down overnight? Or would things return to normal when Milaire and Lawrence came back? Would there be a fight? Should they now serve Artizea as their master?

By rights, following Artizea was correct. However, many had been steeped in the prejudice that the Young Lady was nothing within the manor for many years.

Even Jacob, who had temporarily been entrusted with the treasury keys, still hadn’t fully grasped the situation.

In the midst of all this, the Duke of Evron visited. The employees who thought he was the cause of this upheaval were cautious, not knowing how to treat the Duke.

However, the tide had already turned. The few maids on Artizea’s side were moving about actively.

“Welcome, Your Highness. The Young Lady asked me to escort you to the toilette room.”

Sophie greeted Cedric in a very happy mood and said this.

“The toilette room?”

“Yes. Madam Emily is there right now.”

Cedric hesitated.

The toilette room? Unless they were intimately close like family, wasn’t that a place only lovers or those exchanging seductions would invite someone to?

Sophie smiled brightly.

Cedric belatedly realized that he was the one who had sent the clothes as gifts and was preparing to propose.

His face turned red.

Artizea’s toilette room was overflowing with fabrics and accessories, spilling out into the corridor.

Cedric hesitated once more in front of the open doorway. He could hear excited voices from inside.

“My goodness! It suits you so well!”

“Your skin is white as snow, so any color looks good on you!”

“How about this pink? The Young Lady always tries to wear only dark colors. Sometimes you should wear cute clothes too!”

“Oh my, this really suits you well too. Well, with hair and eyes like that, anything you put on would look good. Good. Let’s pick this one too. It would be perfect for making a picnic dress.”

“This one too!”

Cedric couldn’t muster the courage to step inside. However, Sophie, who had guided him, called out boldly.

“Prince Evron has arrived.”

The toilette room fell quiet for a very brief moment.

Emily and her staff all knelt on one knee and bowed respectfully.

“It is an honor to meet you, Prince Evron.”

Emily’s voice was half a tone higher than usual. Cedric flinched.

If this was a battle of wills, Cedric was the one who had lost. Seeing him flustered, Emily chuckled.

Such enjoyable moments were rare. A man who had bought and sent an entire seamstress workshop, and a girl who would become beautiful from now on—wasn’t this the most interesting moment?

“That’s enough.”

Artizea drew attention with her gentle voice. Cedric breathed a sigh of relief.

“I apologize for the intrusion so early in the morning.”

“It’s been more than two hours since breakfast. It’s rather late to call it early morning.”

“You wake up early.”

Cedric said this.

As a military commander and knight, he was accustomed to waking up at dawn.

However, most nobles, especially those without positions, enjoyed parties until dawn and didn’t wake up until well past noon, didn’t they?

Artizea smiled.

“Please sit. I should have received you in the drawing room, but the toilette room is the only space in this house I can definitively call my own, besides my bedroom. I hope you don’t think it’s rude.”

“I’m the one who should apologize for visiting so early without an appointment.”

Cedric spoke awkwardly and sat in the offered seat. Artizea called Sophie.

“Sophie, please serve His Highness a cup of warm mint tea. Bring me one too.”

“Thank you.”

“Rest for a moment first. You look tired. Let’s talk after that.”

At Artizea’s gesture, Emily and the employees began organizing the jewelry samples and fabrics they had scattered everywhere.

Watching this, Cedric spoke without much thought.

“By the way, Madam Emily has been here since early.”

“There are so many clothes to make.”

Artizea really didn’t have many clothes.

First, she would need party dresses, probably an engagement dress. And she needed to acquire almost all new clothes from outdoor dresses to tea-time dresses to everyday clothes to indoor wear. Naturally, this wasn’t something that could be finished overnight.

Cedric nodded. He was the one who had told her to do as she pleased. Though he had no idea how many clothes would actually be made.

As soon as he showed interest, Emily dropped the fabrics and accessories she was organizing and approached. In her hand was a navy blue fabric.

The fabric, endlessly embroidered with fine patterns in silver thread, looked expensive even to Cedric who knew nothing about such things.

“What do you think of this fabric, Your Highness?”

Even when asked for his opinion, Cedric had nothing to say.

Emily spread the fabric and draped it over Artizea’s shoulders. It matched well with Artizea’s bright platinum hair, making her white face appear even whiter.

“It’s the finest Ients embroidery. Only one roll came into our workshop. I think this fabric would match perfectly with the dark blue color of the Evron Duchy’s formal wear.”

Artizea said.

“That’s too much. Making a dress entirely with Ients embroidery would cost at least as much as a villa. Using it just on the hem would be sufficient.”

“Let’s do as Madam recommends.”

Cedric interjected. He didn’t know about dresses or fabrics, but he could add a word about money matters.

“Doesn’t Madam know best?”

“It’s expensive, but this kind of embroidery is close to artwork. Wouldn’t it be better if someone who suits it wore it?”

“That person who suits it is the Young Lady! There are very few people who could pull off this kind of fabric.”

Artizea brushed off such praise. It was a merchant’s praise anyway. What wouldn’t they say to make a sale?

When Artizea remained indifferent, Emily looked frustrated. She finally closed her eyes tightly and said.

“I’ll only charge for the fabric cost.”

“I’m not trying to bargain.”

“Instead, when the Young Lady marries, please entrust me with the wedding dress and the first party dress you’ll wear after marriage.”

Artizea thought for a moment.

Honestly, she hadn’t said she wouldn’t do it to get a discount. However, if they would reduce it that much, she couldn’t help but be swayed.

It was Cedric, not Artizea, who answered.

“Do that.”

“Your Highness.”

“A lady shouldn’t worry about prices when receiving gifts.”

Artizea looked at him with a subtle expression and nodded.

The simplest and best way to spread rumors between men and women was to spend money. It was strange that Cedric knew such things.

Well, he must have known since he sent Emily in the first place.

“Thank you. Then, we’ll proceed that way.”

Emily expressed her gratitude with a bright face.

This work would add the best line to her career.

These two hadn’t set a wedding date yet, but the possibility was very high.

If she got the chance to make the Duchess of Evron’s wedding dress, it would be worth enduring a considerable financial loss.

How regrettable it had been not to make the Duchess of Loigar’s dress.

Artizea had an elegant frame and fair skin.

Though she had never tried adornments that suited her and had rarely shown her beautiful appearance, she was naturally graceful and ladylike.

She wasn’t a passionate beauty like her mother Milaire.

She lacked the charming attitude and lovely smile that people demanded from young ladies of this age, and she didn’t possess sweet features or rosy cheeks either.

However, people with such beautiful bone structure and composed bearing shine brighter as they age.

Emily had the ability to see beyond a person’s outward appearance and perceive their true nature within.

She wasn’t saying this just because Artizea was a big client—she truly was excellent material.

An outstanding model, the finest fabrics, and a generous patron—this was truly a seamstress’s joy.

“I’ve interfered for far too long. Well then, I’ll take my leave assuming we’ll proceed as planned.”

Emily spoke politely and bowed. The employees followed suit, bowing behind her, then organized the design sketches and samples before flowing out like a receding tide.

Left alone amidst the mountain of remaining fabrics, laces, and dizzying array of various items, Cedric became quite awkward.

Soon Sophie came and set down refreshingly fragrant tea on the table before leaving.

Alphonse stood guard outside the door.

Cedric took a sip of tea and let out a long sigh.

“I feel like I can live now. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“You look more tired from dealing with Emily than from staying up all night though.”

“I’m simply not used to it.”

Cedric spoke with a serious expression.

“Various things happened last night. I want to apologize to the Young Lady about that, and there’s also something I’d like to confirm.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“I told you that I would bring Saint Olga’s heart when we next met, but it seems I won’t be able to keep that promise. I don’t think I’ll be able to give it to you as an engagement gift.”

Artizea was neither surprised nor disappointed.

“So you knew everything after all.”

Cedric let out a sigh.

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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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