The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 30

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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 30

Artizea stopped by the toilette room briefly before heading to the terrace where the tea party was prepared.

Now her toilette room was overflowing with flowers and gifts.

Sophie tensed her neck and shoulders as she greeted Artizea.

“Welcome, Young Lady. Will you be changing clothes?”

“No. I just came to take a look. Are all these flowers gifts?”

“Yes. The ones from the Evron Duchy were placed in the bedroom, and I’ve written down exactly who sent what. Among the remaining gifts, flowers and lace from ladies were used to decorate today’s terrace.”

“And?”

“Among the gifts from men over forty, those exceeding the amount you mentioned before were stored separately after consulting with the butler. And expensive gifts like jewelry or anything sent by unmarried young men were all returned without exception.”

Sophie spoke nervously, worried she might have disobeyed some instruction.

“For married men, I made a list and stored them in the warehouse so you can check and decide personally later.”

“Well done.”

Artizea answered lightly. Sophie relaxed and giggled.

Sophie had been hired as a general maid for the House of Rosan and was assigned as Artizea’s maid because she had a talent for clothing care.

That was one of the few things Bill had done to treat Artizea like a proper young lady.

Even though she was called a maid serving a young lady, her salary was no different from that of the lowest servants.

When hands were short, she was even called to the laundry room that everyone else hated. She could hardly be called the personal maid of the heir.

Sophie liked Artizea, so she had no complaints about her own poor treatment.

But Artizea being ignored, and the shabby clothing room and toilette room were not things she could fix no matter how hard she worked.

So she was always sorry.

All of that had been turned upside down within a month. Bill was driven out and the staff was replaced.

The rude ones were expelled, and all important positions were filled with people who were respectful to Artizea.

Most of them were members of the Hanson family who had changed their names and old employees who had been friendly with them, but Sophie couldn’t know that much.

Those who had whispered that Artizea was ugly, as if they had no eyes, now kept their mouths tightly shut as if it had never happened.

Invitations and flowers arrived like mountains every day for the young lady who had no one calling on her before.

Having served through the hard times paid off, and now Sophie was recognized as one of Artizea’s closest attendants along with Alice.

The packed clothing room, the jewelry, and the toilette room overflowing with flowers and gifts were all under her care.

There were even people who slipped her bribes asking her to deliver letters to Artizea.

It was as if heaven and earth had been transformed.

At first, she felt anxious. It seemed like Milaire and Lawrence could return at any time and overturn everything.

But now she only felt proud. Even Sophie, who was just a maid, could tell that Artizea was now a celebrity in high society.

The political world and public opinion were in turmoil over the Baron Itz incident, but that wasn’t the only topic in high society.

The Duke of Evron’s engagement couldn’t help but become a hot topic.

Sedric had always been the center of people’s attention from when he safely grew up and held his title succession ceremony until now. Who would become a relative of the Evron Duchy. Who would claim the Shield of the North, the Hero of the West.

So there were few people talking about Sedric himself regarding this engagement.

The interesting part about Sedric was the reputation and influence he gained from this incident rather than the engagement itself.

On the other hand, Artizea had suddenly become a celebrity in high society, as much as people had thought she was nothing before.

Whether Sedric had decided to join hands with Lawrence or not, what would happen to the Rosan Marquess estate’s wealth. The nobles could debate all night long with just those topics.

Artizea’s name was mentioned that much. People wanted to know what kind of person she was.

The young ladies told somewhat more romantic stories.

Artizea had been treated not even as an ugly duckling but as an egg until now.

There wasn’t anyone who wasn’t curious about how she had come to be connected with Sedric.

From their chance meeting at a temple in the outskirts due to a broken carriage, to Sedric and Artizea dancing at the Endar County ball, the engagement gift that triggered the Baron Itz incident, and the year’s worth of dresses from Emily’s workshop being fully reserved – everything was wonderful.

Young men of marriageable age also showed interest as if they had discovered pearls on a beach.

Some requested dates or sent gifts.

Artizea passed over such attention indifferently. Sophie found this very strange.

She had known from before that Artizea was not one to show her emotions easily.

But still, she wasn’t truly indifferent. Rather than showing feelings only to be ignored or criticized, she was holding back.

Sophie often thought she was really just a girl younger than herself.

But from some point on, Artizea had become truly indifferent.

Being deep in thought had been her way since childhood, but now it seemed as if she had no personal concerns at all.

Even these beautiful gifts that would have excited her before, she now regarded like pebbles on the roadside.

Sophie felt sorry for her.

“Let me redo your hair, Young Lady.”

“It’s fine. It’s just a casual tea time.”

“Still. This is your first time hosting such a tea party.”

Artizea smiled.

“It’s a common thing for the guests. Never mind.”

“Then just a moment.”

Sophie adjusted her outfit again. When she slightly adjusted the sleeves to reveal the bracelet, Artizea’s fingertips twitched.

“Slightly shorter sleeves are prettier these days.”

“…”

“Since it’s gotten much warmer. It’ll be summer soon.”

Artizea didn’t answer. But her cheeks were slightly flushed.

Sophie was satisfied. The bracelet was beautiful, and it was good that the young lady was engaged to a wonderful man.

And more than that, she liked best how Artizea’s face changed like a girl’s when that topic came up.

* * *

The guests had already arrived on the terrace.

Among them, the only person officially acquainted with Artizea was Mielle, Henry Kishower’s daughter. Artizea greeted her first.

“Welcome, Miss Mielle.”

“Hello, Lady Artizea. I’m happy you invited me like this.”

Mielle smiled brightly as she took Artizea’s hands in greeting.

“How is your health today?”

“Maybe because the weather is nice, I’m feeling very well. Well enough to accept Lady Artizea’s invitation like this. I really enjoyed using the bath salts you gave me last time. After soaking in water with those dissolved in it, my hands and feet stay warm and I can walk for longer periods.”

“Even in hot weather, soaking in warm water makes your body feel much better.”

“Thank you for always being so thoughtful. I wonder if father properly conveyed my gratitude. Oh, this is my cousin Hazel.”

The young lady who had been waiting beside Mielle blushed and greeted her in turn.

“Hello, Lady of Rosan Marquess.”

“I’m pleased to meet you. I am Artizea of Rosan.”

Artizea slowly bent her waist and bowed politely.

“Thank you for inviting me like this. I really wanted to meet you.”

Hazel greeted her as happily as if meeting a childhood friend after several years. Then she introduced the other three.

Neither Mielle nor Artizea had much connection to social activities, so they didn’t know many people.

The other guests invited this time were introduced by Hazel for the benefit of the two with narrow social circles. They were all young ladies of marriageable age.

Of course, they weren’t really strangers to Artizea.

Since she had information about most people in high society, she had basic information about all the guests.

Among them were some without any particular background, but there were also those who would become notable ladies in the future.

Among them all, Artizea was particularly interested in Hazel.

She was intelligent, had a good memory, and was sociable. And she had very wide connections and was somewhat materialistic.

She knew how to show off her connections without being unpleasant, and was also skilled at widely spreading news that came through those connections.

Most importantly, Hazel’s parents owned the most influential newspaper in the capital. She wasn’t someone bad to befriend.

Artizea and the guests took their seats. The guests all examined her outfit and the manor with sparkling eyes.

Artizea’s dress looked modest but was made of high-quality cotton fabric.

Her unadorned appearance looked dignified instead, and the diamond bracelet on her slender wrist was emphasized all the more.

Several guests’ gazes subtly passed over the bracelet. It seemed to be that bracelet rumored to be the engagement gift she received from Sedric.

Since this engagement news appeared in newspaper articles, two-strand diamond bracelets had been trending as love gifts over the past month.

Wasn’t it a jewel whose name was mentioned alongside Saint Olga’s Heart, which had triggered the incident?

Sedric hadn’t even thought about it, but thanks to this, Odorov Jewelers was reaping handsome profits from information fees.

Not only the diamond bracelets, but also the two-strand crystal bracelets made at prices affordable for commoners as proposal gifts were selling tremendously.

“Come to think of it, Count Alphonse isn’t here. I heard he’s always by your side.”

Someone asked with curiosity.

The story that Sedric had sent one of the strongest and most trustworthy among the Evron knights to Artizea had also become famous.

“Yes. He’s not here today due to urgent business.”

Just then, a maid came running as if her feet were on fire.

“Young Lady! Young Lady!”

“Why are you making such a commotion? Can’t you see there are guests here?”

Artizea scolded the maid. But the maid, pale as a sheet, spoke urgently.

“Madam has returned!”

Noisy sounds came from outside. Shouts calling for Bill and someone’s screams could be heard.

Artizea rose from her seat with slow steps. She didn’t want to appear strange to others.

“I’m sorry. I’ll step away for a moment.”

“Ah, yes.”

Mielle answered with a pale face.

Just as Artizea opened the door to the terrace, Milaire was right there.

“Mother.”

Milaire looked at Artizea with a fierce expression.

Behind her, the head maid with a dying expression clung to Milaire’s dress hem, saying “There are guests here.”

Artizea lowered her eyes with a calm expression.

Milaire’s gaze swept over her from head to toe as if appraising her. Then she looked at the flowers and lace decorating the terrace.

“I heard rumors all the way to the Separate Palace that you’ve caught yourself a man and are living quite well?”

Milaire said sharply.

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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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