The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 305

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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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1. The Sound of Falling Flower Buds (1)

That banquet began in the late afternoon rather than the evening.

When Cedric arrived at the Rosan Marquess Estate, the sun was slowly setting. Well-dressed servants carrying long brass candlesticks moved about, beginning to light fires here and there.

Butler Bill, who was greeting guests at the first-floor entrance, showed a genuinely surprised expression for a moment upon seeing him.

“Welcome, Prince Evron.”

He bowed with a tense face. Then he hurried to announce his arrival inside.

Cedric waved his hand dismissively.

“No need to announce it.”

“However… there were instructions to announce your arrival immediately upon your arrival.”

“Even if you don’t do that, the news will spread in less than 5 minutes anyway.”

Cedric spoke coldly and brushed past the flustered butler. Already, people who had seen him were whispering and spreading the word everywhere.

Making a fuss by shouting his name inside wouldn’t have any additional effect. Milaire’s mood would improve momentarily, but that wasn’t what Cedric had promised.

Though he wasn’t in a particularly good mood either.

The Western Army had held their triumph ceremony two weeks ago. Through the Archbishop’s mediation, he had compromised with the Emperor.

The Western Army returned in triumph, and Cedric’s opinions were considerably reflected in the distribution of rewards. They secured a budget for the next 6 years.

In return, Cedric stepped down from his position as Western Army commander. This meant he didn’t participate in the triumph ceremony and his achievements weren’t recognized.

Since he was of a status that needed neither advancement nor monetary compensation, it wasn’t a big problem for Cedric himself.

The Evron knights who had followed him to the west and suffered to assist him also received no reward. The Emperor’s will was that if they wanted compensation for this achievement, they should step down from their Northern Army positions and transfer to the Western or Central Army.

Providing proper compensation had been his responsibility from the start, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t angry.

However, it was all due to his own inadequacy. They had fought a war they wouldn’t have had to fight if he hadn’t gone to the Western Army in the first place.

Cedric couldn’t just abandon the west either. So his feelings of guilt were stronger. He had no choice but to control his emotions.

However, attending this banquet was something that made him unilaterally angry.

The Emperor had inserted Milaire’s matter into that compromise. He had ordered Cedric to stay in the capital and attend the Rosan Marquess Estate’s banquet.

It could be said to be something easily granted, a trivial matter. However, it was more unpleasant than being made a target of restraint.

Because it was no different from becoming part of the gift the Emperor gave to his mistress.

“His Majesty is going too far.”

Freil was even more angry than Cedric.

“If it were attending an imperial palace banquet, I would understand. But a banquet at the Rosan Marquess Estate? Isn’t this purely to boost Milaire’s pride?”

“It’s probably because of Lawrence.”

“If that were the case, I don’t think I’d be this angry. It’s because of Milaire’s feelings, definitely.”

“On what grounds do you say that?”

“Countess Unise slapped Milaire’s daughter across the face. Very refreshingly, twice.”

Cedric had nothing to say and just listened to Freil venting his indignation.

“Because of that, there’s been quite a fuss lately trying to boost Milaire’s pride. Well, even so, they couldn’t summon Duchess Loigar. Look how he gives orders immediately after Your Highness gets caught with a weakness.”

“I don’t think what I did constitutes getting caught with a weakness.”

“What Your Highness thinks isn’t important.”

Freil’s words weren’t wrong. Anyway, if it hadn’t been for the Western Army matter, Cedric wouldn’t have come to the Rosan Marquess Estate’s banquet following the Emperor’s orders like this.

And in a few hours, rumors would spread that he had attended Milaire’s banquet, which would greatly save Milaire’s face. Considering that he usually avoided attending banquets, it would be even more newsworthy than Duke Loigar attending.

For Cedric, who disliked banquets, being the subject of gossip, and Milaire, it wasn’t a very pleasant affair.

‘I’ll just have a light drink, greet some people I know, and leave.’

An hour would be sufficient. After all, the Emperor hadn’t sent him here to enjoy the banquet.

All the windows and doors of the mansion were wide open, allowing the evening breeze to flow well. The lobby was amply set with foods that could be eaten while standing, and in one corner, a small orchestra played calm chamber music.

A person making drinks and juices moved among mountains of piled fruit. Cedric encountered Bishop Nicos in front of them.

“You’ve come, Prince.”

“Bishop.”

Cedric bowed silently to him. Bishop Nicos said while receiving a fruit juice.

“The cherries are absolutely delicious today. I’m on my fourth glass of this juice.”

“It’s not pure cherry but has peeled grapes added. Please acknowledge my mixing skills as well.”

“Of course, of course, how could such wonderful flavor come from anything but golden hands.”

Bishop Nicos said with a generous laugh.

Cedric took a glass of golden liquor with a single cherry and came out from the table with Bishop Nicos.

“What brings you here? Though this appears to be a relatively decent banquet, there wouldn’t have been any reason for you to attend, Bishop.”

“Because Prince has attended. The Archbishop is concerned about various things, so I came to keep you company.”

Bishop Nicos said. Cedric smiled bitterly.

The Archbishop seemed to have sent Bishop Nicos because he felt sorry that Cedric had to do such things despite his mediation.

To clear away those who might swarm like flies beforehand, and to mediate in advance if any problems arose.

“That wasn’t necessary. I was just planning to greet some people I know here and there and leave.”

“Don’t feel burdened. The cherry juice is excellent too.”

Bishop Nicos winked. Cedric laughed.

The two slowly moved from the lobby toward the hall. Since a prince and bishop were together, those trying to approach to make an impression couldn’t easily come close.

Splendid dance music echoed through the hall. The chandelier swayed, scattering shining shadows across the marble floor.

Most of those dancing were young men and women. The atmosphere was more refreshing than expected, which Cedric found surprising.

All the hall’s windows were open, and all the terraces were accessible. Even the wall alcoves had no curtains, leaving no secretive spaces at all.

Though splendid, there was none of the sensuality or dissolute atmosphere one might associate with Milaire’s name.

Bishop Nicos laughed as if realizing Cedric’s impression.

“It’s the Rosan Marquess Estate’s banquet, after all. Marquess Rosan’s wife now has grown children, and both will be attending today’s banquet, so she’s being mindful of various things.”

“Ah, I understand. Come to think of it, you mentioned His Majesty is saving face because Countess Unise tormented her daughter.”

Cedric realized anew and naturally turned his gaze to look around the hall. Countess Unise was in attendance wearing modest clothing.

Cedric’s eyes met hers. Both Cedric and Bishop Nicos in his temple vestments were conspicuous figures, so Countess Unise had naturally turned her gaze their way.

Cedric nodded slightly to her. Though they weren’t close, she was his cousin after all. He couldn’t pretend not to know her.

However, instead of returning Cedric’s greeting, Countess Unise’s face turned red and blue, then she huffed and turned away, leaving the hall.

Cedric sighed. Bishop Nicos chuckled.

“For Countess Unise, it’s quite a blow to her pride, and now Prince is adding insult to injury.”

“Yes. I can imagine.”

While having this conversation, Cedric suddenly looked at the young lady who had been talking with Countess Unise.

Instead of following Countess Unise or finding a new conversation partner, she moved toward the wall and stood against it.

The young lady wore splendid clothes that didn’t suit her gaunt face at all.

Her waist was cinched tight enough to break, and her skirt was round and large. The bodice was heavily embroidered with flower patterns that stood out prominently, and on one shoulder was a large corsage as voluminous as the skirt.

The young lady was completely buried in her clothes.

Bishop Nicos looked at who Cedric was staring at and exclaimed “Ah.”

“That’s the Rosan Marquess’s daughter.”

“The one who was slapped by Countess Unise?”

“Yes. In fact, this banquet was held for her, in a way.”

Bishop Nicos said with a bitter smile.

Only then did Cedric understand the excessive attire. It wouldn’t be strange for Milaire’s daughter to wear clothes as splendid as her mother’s.

‘Well, she seems young. She’s probably immature.’

Cedric thought this with prejudice.

She was Milaire’s daughter and Lawrence’s sister. The future Marquess Rosan. There would be nothing special about her tasting power, enjoying luxury, and acting arrogantly.

However, the young lady showed no sign of flaunting her splendid clothes. While similarly young men and women were all dancing or gathering to chat among themselves, she stood alone against the wall, unable to move.

As if she could become a decoration painted on the wallpaper by staying like that.

Adding to the fact that no one spoke to her, she looked pitiful, as if crushed by the mass of fabric.

Her pale face was expressionless, and it was unclear whether this was because she was trying to control her emotions or because her mind wasn’t present.

Somehow that expression bothered him. Cedric didn’t know anyone who had such a face at a banquet.

Though Cedric himself didn’t like banquets, he had never been so expressionless.

“Poor thing.”

Bishop Nicos let out a small sigh. Cedric looked at him questioningly.

Bishop Nicos smiled bitterly.

“She can’t be enjoying being at the banquet, but she’s been appearing like this repeatedly lately because she’s the one who was slapped by Countess Unise.”

“What do you mean she can’t be enjoying it…”

Sedric let his words trail off. He felt ashamed that he was curious about Milaire’s daughter.

He thought it was no different from being curious about gossip.

Bishop Nicos seemed to notice this and smiled knowingly.

“If you’re concerned about it, why don’t you ask her for a dance?”

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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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