The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 266

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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 266

What Cedric had asked for was merely two things.

Don’t get hurt.

And discuss things with him.

He had said they should take responsibility together. He had said they should find the right path together.

Was that really such a difficult thing? Marriage vows were about living a lifetime together, and a lord-vassal contract was based on loyalty and protection.

But Artizea seemed to have no intention of keeping either one.

At times like this, Cedric wondered if she truly loved him at all.

He was also consumed by self-loathing, wondering if he had failed to earn her trust.

Because he had believed their hearts were finally connected, his frustration was even greater.

‘Is it impossible to change you?’

Not changing masters, but could Artizea herself not change?

It would be fine if she were selfish. It would be fine if she acted willfully. It would actually be better if she threw tantrums and acted shamelessly.

He didn’t even expect her to return the same feelings.

He wanted to face her as human to human. Not as a tool and the master who wielded that tool.

He hoped that what flowed from his heart would reach the depths of Artizea’s heart. He hoped she would understand with her heart, not just her mind.

This way, it was no different from before he returned to the past.

‘You’re always cruel to me. To me, especially so.’

In the past, there were times when Cedric felt that Artizea understood him.

While the Emperor tested him relentlessly, wanting to see his breaking point, Artizea was vicious because she knew the limits he could endure.

In those terrible acts, he sometimes even felt unwavering trust.

Perhaps Artizea was the one person in this world who believed most firmly that he was a good person and had the qualities of a ruler.

That had sometimes made him even stronger.

But now Cedric wanted to grab her and shout.

That he was merely human, not the great being she seemed to think he was.

He needed comfort and support, love and communication too. Just because he could endure a little better than others didn’t mean it didn’t hurt when he was wounded.

If she loved him, then why was she doing this? Why was her way of devotion like this?

If Artizea truly wanted to atone for her sins, she shouldn’t try to sacrifice herself so unilaterally.

If she trusted him, if she regarded him as her lord, she should listen to his words.

If she loved him, if she had accepted him as her husband, she should cherish herself for his sake too.

Wasn’t he the one being turned into a tool instead?

What Artizea seemed to need wasn’t a companion or comrade, but just a symbolic object on which to place the emperor’s crown she had obtained.

A fresh pain gnawed at his bones.

It would have been better if he hadn’t loved her. It would have been better if he could have seen her only as the strategist of a monstrous enemy from beginning to end.

If she wanted to remain so thoroughly as a tool, why had she shown him a human face?

Cedric covered his face with both hands once again.

Prime Minister Lin said with concern.

“You seem tired. How about resting today?”

“No. I must finish the meeting. I can’t be absent from a meeting His Majesty is attending. After that, I’ll go rest.”

He felt like he would have nightmares if he slept, but even rest was a duty.

Cedric forcibly rubbed his face and raised his head. His face was flushed with fever from fatigue.

Before long, the Emperor arrived.

Everyone in attendance rose in unison to greet the Emperor.

The Emperor casually waved his hand, telling them to sit.

He too had a tired face. Although urgent practical matters had been handled at Cedric’s level, he couldn’t have been sleeping peacefully in the capital.

As soon as the Emperor was seated, he asked.

“How is the situation at the port?”

“All remaining fires have been extinguished. The important property damage hasn’t increased beyond what was reported.”

Cedric said.

“The casualties are also not significantly different from the report submitted two days ago. Those who lost their lodging have been temporarily accommodated, divided between my manor and the Marquess Rosan’s villa.”

“Hmm. Won’t that cause problems?”

“Since the burned area was mostly the state docks and military supply warehouses, most of those who lost lodging are soldiers. My manor has always had many soldiers coming and going, so there shouldn’t be any major issues. It’s only temporary until new lodging can be assigned.”

“What about civilian victims?”

“Among those who have separate manors at the port, I persuaded several to open their annexes or servants’ quarters. We’re still assessing the situation, but since the numbers aren’t large, there shouldn’t be major difficulties for a few months.”

No matter how unused they were, it was rarely easy for nobles to provide their manors as shelters.

However, Cedric thought nothing of it.

In Evron, refugees who lost their homes due to war or disaster naturally came under the Prince’s protection. It wasn’t uncommon to see bedding laid out in rows in the fortress corridors.

And with the Crown Prince opening his manor, it was difficult for the nobles to remain idle.

Especially among the devout, there were those who volunteered on their own.

Cedric added lastly.

“Count Eunice has agreed to take care of items that needed to be moved urgently. He says he has an unused warehouse on the outskirts of the port.”

“…Well done.”

The praise didn’t come readily. Those with keen senses would have noticed the subtle pause before the Emperor said “well done.”

However, it was handling that couldn’t be faulted.

Next, a Finance Ministry official briefly summarized the discussions that had taken place before the Emperor’s arrival and made his report.

The Emperor pressed his sunken eye area with his hand.

“Melburn.”

Cedric watched the Emperor with tension that made him momentarily forget his fatigue.

Perhaps the Emperor already knew that the Melburn that was reported was a Karam crop.

His secret investigators were monitoring even merchants from Evron.

Even if not, the fact that he had returned the relief grain as Melburn instead of wheat without permission was certainly grounds for reproach.

It was as if he had arbitrarily received the nation’s assets in something worthless.

However, the Emperor didn’t nitpick petulantly.

The northern supply problem was always a headache for him too.

Just because he disliked Cedric didn’t mean he could abandon northern defense.

There had been accusations that Cedric was conspiring with Karam, but the Emperor still didn’t know exactly what the situation in the north was.

He couldn’t even subdue the eastern region, which he had designated as treasonous. He had no capacity to deal with the north as well.

In the end, he had no choice but to trust Cedric and leave it to him.

It was ironic. Just three years ago, he could have pulled Cedric from the north and wielded him.

But now he was being cautious, fearing that if things were exposed and he couldn’t handle the situation.

The Emperor pressed his eyelids once more. Then he blinked to clear his vision and said.

“Since the Crown Princess has foresight, the burden on my shoulders becomes lighter. Then have the Department of Internal Affairs cooperate with the military to take supplies from the relief grain warehouses.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor drank a cup of water.

“Have you discovered the cause of the fire?”

“We were desperate to extinguish it, so we haven’t determined the cause yet. My apologies.”

General Huber, who was present as the military’s representative, bluntly said.

“How could a fire just suddenly start? It was definitely the work of those eastern rebels.”

“Don’t speak thoughtlessly, General Huber.”

“The patrol intervals near the state docks are very short. It’s no exaggeration to say they patrol almost without rest. We pay especially close attention to the granaries, ensuring no sparks fly, and we’ve placed large water containers everywhere as a precaution.”

Even if a fire had started due to dryness, it couldn’t have spread so easily from the warehouse to the distant docks.

So this was definitely arson, General Huber emphasized.

“They probably expected us to temporarily use the central army’s provisions for northern supplies. If that had happened, it would have delayed the southern expedition army’s return. The supply plan would have been severely disrupted.”

Then the eastern subjugation would become a distant prospect.

General Huber said triumphantly.

“They never could have imagined that the Crown Princess had prepared ample food supplies by managing the western relief grain.”

“Indeed… Earlier someone mentioned sending troops to the east to gain finances, but unless it’s plundering, you can’t properly suppress them that way.”

Quite a few people were convinced by those words.

“Now that I hear it, it sounds plausible. Several people with the audacity and capability to pull off such a thing come to my mind as well.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor let out a small groan.

Cedric carefully observed the Emperor’s complexion.

General Huber easily spoke of arson because he knew nothing. But Cedric was certain that Lawrence had committed this act.

He had burned down warehouses and docks that were under guard surveillance.

Considering the number and importance of locations that caught fire simultaneously, there must definitely be an insider in a high position.

If so, there was a high probability that person was in this meeting room.

‘Does His Majesty truly not know…’

It wouldn’t be the Emperor.

He thinks of the Empire as his own. So while he might politically turn away or abandon something, he would never give up the nation’s territory.

That was the decisive difference between him and Lawrence.

Even if he had decided to abandon the North and let them starve to death, he wouldn’t do something as insane as burning down ports and supply materials.

However, it was incomprehensible that the Emperor still didn’t know Lawrence had left and disappeared from his place of exile.

Even if Lawrence had won over all those who were guarding and monitoring him, he couldn’t have gotten his hands on the entire communication network.

Cedric lacked the ability to read the Emperor’s expression.

‘There’s a high probability that someone close to him is covering His Majesty’s eyes.’

That was a part even Artizea couldn’t touch.

Approaching the information network that the Emperor personally handled was dangerous.

However, Lawrence’s position was different. Even if he were caught doing so, the Emperor would not take his life.

Above all, among the Emperor’s confidants were many who had long been loyal to Lawrence.

If even one or two of them had their memories return, it could become dangerous.

Prime Minister Lin spoke.

“Let’s put that matter aside for now. It doesn’t seem like something to discuss in this meeting.”

“Mm.”

“The most urgent matter is rebuilding the docks.”

Bellon let out a sigh long enough to blow away the documents placed in front of him.

“The problem is the budget. This year’s finances are already in deficit. We couldn’t properly collect salt taxes last year, and this year is precarious too. We’ve only just gotten back on track.”

“Complaining won’t make this something we can postpone.”

“I know that too.”

That’s when it happened.

“Your Majesty!”

Someone shouted. Cedric and Rin, who had been sitting on the Emperor’s left and right, both jumped up almost simultaneously.

“Your Majesty!”

The Emperor had collapsed, slumped over the table.

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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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