The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 260

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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 260

Sedric’s complexion hardened. His face couldn’t hide how frozen he was.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Princess is frail, and it hasn’t been long since she rose from her sickbed.”

“You know that I cherish the Crown Princess.”

Sedric didn’t answer. His hand beneath the conference table clenched into a tight fist.

“Sending a frail child far away—do you think my heart would be at peace? But that’s precisely why she must be sent for the people’s sake.”

“….”

“That is the duty of the Imperial Family. Now that you’ve become Crown Prince, you must think about such things too.”

It went without saying that those words would have stirred resentment in Sedric.

However, the Emperor’s face remained composed.

“Even if the Crown Princess were incompetent, she would still need to go and convey the Imperial Family’s will, but she’s a saint, isn’t she? Besides, even if she weren’t a saint, I would have sent that child.”

The Emperor continued.

“The Crown Princess is capable and good at managing people, and she’s had deep connections with the temple from before—there’s no one more suitable.”

“If a member of the Imperial Family must go, I will go instead.”

“How many days has it been since you became Crown Prince, and you want to leave the capital?”

The Emperor spoke reproachfully.

“Develop awareness as someone who will inherit the crown.”

Sedric gritted his teeth.

However, when Artizea heard this story, she answered calmly.

“I’ll go.”

“Absolutely not.”

Sedric spoke without a moment’s hesitation.

“His Majesty’s purpose is to separate you from the capital.”

Simply sending her far away—would he really do nothing else?

That was impossible.

If he had decided to eliminate her, he couldn’t stop at just separating her. There would certainly be an assassination attempt.

If the saint died while caring for the plague, there would be those who would resent Evron and the Western Army, who should have protected her.

The temple’s authority would also fall.

On the other hand, sympathy votes for Leticia would rise.

Then what if they sent sufficient guards with her? That would be equally dangerous.

After that, there would be the possibility of being manipulated at will in political strife.

Sedric knew he was still woefully inadequate in that regard.

Unlike before, he wasn’t surrounded only by Evron people.

There were officials from the central region, including Prime Minister Lin. There were also close advisors who could function as strategists, including Editor Belmond.

Nevertheless, Artizea was still indispensable. Losing her would be like losing the central axis.

But Artizea said calmly.

“It’s fine. There are many places to seek advice now. I think what I can do in the capital is essentially finished.”

“Tia.”

Sedric opened his mouth. Artizea stopped his words and continued.

“The rest is what you must do, Lord Sedric. Enduring and defending against the offensive. I have no more advice to give.”

“It’s not necessarily about that issue. I cannot send you to the west.”

Sedric became serious.

“It’s awkward for me to say this, but the west still has dangerous security and poor administrative power.”

“If you’re worried about assassination, I’m not completely inexperienced in that area either.”

“….”

Sedric let out a hollow laugh at Artizea’s words as she averted her gaze.

“Then you should know well, shouldn’t you? If there’s an assassination attempt in the west, rather than disguising it as poison or an accident, it’s more likely that a military unit would disguise itself as bandits and attack.”

This time Artizea lowered her gaze completely and fell silent.

Because that was exactly what she had done.

In the end, no matter how many times she tried, it only resulted in raising Sedric’s reputation.

Sedric spoke firmly.

“I’m not doubting your abilities, but I don’t think there’s much you can accomplish in the west.”

The friction between the Western Army and the warlords, and between the Western Army and the Central Army, was long-standing.

Adding Evron to that would only increase the number of factions to create friction.

Sedric himself had been a military commander from the beginning. So he could unite and subjugate them with his authority.

But Artizea was different.

Her tactical talent hadn’t been tested. But even she couldn’t suddenly create experience she didn’t have.

Without military experience, she couldn’t win their devotion.

Even those loyal to the Crown Princess and respectful of the saint—that was separate from inter-unit friction.

There would be countless people willing to sacrifice their lives to protect her.

But there wouldn’t be many who would truly acknowledge and follow her commands.

“Moreover, if word spreads that the saint who will become Empress is going, there will be more than a few who target and attack her.”

Especially the warlords who belonged to the Western Army but had effectively become independent forces occupying castles.

They would surely try to kidnap her and make her their wife.

“It would only burden Lisia and the faithful priests in the west.”

“I don’t plan to go to such dangerous places. If I say I’ll only stay in major administrative cities, would you permit it?”

“The journey itself is dangerous.”

“But I… have made up my mind to go. I was considering it even before His Majesty spoke.”

“Tia….”

“I need to go see for myself what Brother Lawrence is trying to do.”

Artizea clenched her cold fingertips and lowered her eyes.

She couldn’t understand Lawrence’s purpose.

If he wanted to become Emperor again, there was no reason to cause trouble in the west. He absolutely had to come to the capital and enter the Emperor’s embrace.

If his past memories had returned, he couldn’t possibly not know this.

‘Is it because of pride?’

Indeed, after Lisia’s death, Lawrence had become an incomprehensible existence even to Artizea.

Before that, she could understand what motivated him.

So she could advise him, and they could work together reasonably well as lord and vassal.

But after that….

‘No, the result can be… deduced from logic.’

If destruction itself was the purpose, it made sense.

And if he wanted to cause trouble, there was no place more suitable than the west.

The central and southern regions were firmly controlled by the Emperor.

Considering his birth, the possibility of taking a leading position in the east was infinitely low. Moreover, by the Emperor’s will, the east was currently in chaos.

Therefore, Lawrence’s means of acquiring military power in a short time was to persuade the western warlords.

When Sedric reorganized the Western Army, not everything could have flowed smoothly.

Among those who had already firmly established their territories as warlords, there must have been some who disliked Sedric.

Because the Monster Wave was the reason they could maintain their power and strength.

‘Brother Lawrence knows that ultimately, to gain power, he needs military backing.’

Imperial authority without military loyalty was a house built on sand.

‘Even so… the purpose is still unclear.’

So she needed to go see for herself.

“Even if you go, nothing will change. It will only increase the risk factors.”

Sedric said.

“If you’re worried, I’ll arrange to call Lisia back instead.”

“Would she listen?”

Artizea spoke skeptically. She was even wearing a bitter smile.

“It’s not just because of Lady Lisia. There are things that can only be seen by getting close.”

What Lawrence does is her responsibility. If he had memories, it would be even more so.

All the evil deeds he had committed were backed by her. All the evil deeds he would commit in the future would come from her mind.

Sedric rubbed his face with both palms.

“I understand. If you insist on it.”

He answered heavily and let out a long sigh. Then he said.

“I will go with you.”

“Don’t say such nonsense. His Majesty told you to remain in the capital.”

“My presence or absence in the Western Regions would make a world of difference.”

“Someone must guard the capital. And would you leave Leticia alone?”

Sedric had no words to respond.

“You said you would raise the child yourself, so you must take responsibility.”

“That’s… true, but…”

Artizea briefly stroked her cheek, lost in thought.

Without suspicion, smoothly. Nothing was better than that.

She had such thoughts for a moment.

Even if their power temporarily diminished and they appeared to be pressured by the Emperor or exiled for crimes, it might be better to leave the capital.

Since they held military power, they could handle any civil war that might break out in the capital if something happened to the Emperor during their absence.

But no. Sedric should indeed stay here.

‘The fact that they want to eliminate me might mean they still have Sedric in mind.’

Above all, as long as Leticia was there, they couldn’t do anything reckless.

She had Natalia stay at the Imperial Prince’s Palace. She had also instructed Marcus and the maids about various dangerous situations.

But that alone wasn’t enough.

The parents’ absence would provide the Emperor with a good justification.

She absolutely couldn’t let her be taken away. If things went wrong, Leticia would become Sedric’s political enemy.

Artizea spoke gently.

“I won’t do anything dangerous.”

“I can’t trust that promise of yours.”

Sedric replied and stood up from his seat.

“I’ll think about it. I’ll also ask Lisia for her opinion.”

“That would be too late. Above all, His Majesty has his intentions.”

“Isn’t that exactly what we should prevent?”

Sedric said coldly.

“Didn’t you say that what’s good for the enemy is never beneficial to oneself?”

“That’s true.”

“His Majesty wouldn’t have done this thoughtlessly, yet you’re following along so obediently.”

Sedric bent down and placed his hand on the armrest of the sofa where Artizea was sitting. Then he met her eyes.

“What haven’t you told me?”

Artizea averted her gaze to the side.

“Tia. Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t hide anything from me?”

“It’s a matter of life and death.”

It was when Sedric sighed.

The Imperial Palace, which had been quietly sleeping, awakened all at once. From the drawing room of the Imperial Prince’s Palace where they were, they could see lights brightly illuminating the Imperial Palace.

“What’s happening?”

“I’ll go find out.”

Sedric stood up.

Before he could even leave the drawing room, urgent footsteps could be heard.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, there’s a fire at the port!”

That was the second incident.

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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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