The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 308

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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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2. Spring Breeze (2)

Leticia grabbed Artizea’s hand and pulled her along. Then she patted the sofa where she usually sat with her palm.

“Oh my.”

Countess Unise laughed.

Artizea gave her an awkward smile and sat down as Leticia directed.

Then Leticia dragged over a cushion, placed it on Artizea’s lap, and shouted.

“Mama, book!”

Countess Unise said with a grin.

“If Her Majesty reads the book, then aunt has nothing to do, shall I go home?”

Just last time, Leticia would have looked tearful if she said she was leaving. However, in the meantime, Leticia had grown once again.

The baby grabbed Unise with her soft hands and pulled her to sit on the sofa. Then she struggled to lift up a book that was placed on the side table.

Since Artizea’s books were mostly heavy volumes, Leticia almost dropped the book.

“No, Lady Leticia. If you’re not careful, it will hurt your toes.”

Mielle quickly came over and held the book for her.

“Aunt too, book.”

Leticia raised both arms high and said.

“When reading, you have to be here!”

Countess Unise laughed, saying “Oh dear, oh dear.” Mielle smiled awkwardly and handed over the book.

《The Language and Culture of the Era of Saint Thomas Nathan, Shield of Told》

It was a title that looked more manageable to open to the first page than the previous one. Of course, Countess Unise had no interest in such content whatsoever.

In the first place, she had never been interested in reading in her entire life.

When she obediently placed the book on her lap as instructed, Leticia made a satisfied “Hmm” sound.

Since laughing out loud would make her sulk, the adults’ laughter only passed between their gazes like ripples. Leticia crawled back to her spot and patted the seat next to her. Mielle sat beside her and opened a picture book.

Countess Unise saw this and let out a sigh.

“How is it that Your Highness likes books so much?”

“She doesn’t know how to read yet. She probably finds looking at the pictures interesting.”

“That’s what Your Majesty the Empress says because you don’t know well. Our children would be startled and run away the moment they saw a book from a very young age.”

Countess Unise complained.

“Paper was only useful for folding and tearing, nothing else. Larni has always liked to run around outside and play since she was young, but Fiona would never read books even when sitting quietly at home.”

“I see.”

“Well, since neither my husband nor I had anything to do with reading, we couldn’t say anything to the children. It would have been good if we had set an example from such a young age like Your Majesty the Empress.”

“I wonder.”

Artizea had a gentle expression.

“Having talent in academics doesn’t necessarily guarantee happiness.”

At those words, Countess Unise answered with an ambiguous expression.

“When they’re young, you think as long as they’re healthy, that’s enough. But when they grow up, it’s not just about that.”

“I see.”

Since Artizea had said this thinking of her own childhood, she didn’t particularly argue.

Countess Unise had a thoughtful expression for a moment. Artizea guessed what she was about to say and spoke first.

“I have no intention of taking Lady Fiona or Lady Larni as maids.”

“Your Majesty the Empress!”

Countess Unise made a displeased sound.

“I heard the rumor that Viscount Pesher’s daughter entered as a maid.”

“So that’s why you came.”

“No, it’s not just that.”

Even after revealing her true intentions, Countess Unise cleared her throat as if it wasn’t so. Leticia opened her bright eyes and looked at her.

Just then, there was a knock. The one who opened the door and entered was Viscount Pesher’s daughter, who was currently the topic of conversation.

“I’ve brought tea, Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Leave it there and go.”

Viscount Pesher’s daughter entered with careful steps. A maid who followed her placed the tea tray on the table.

Viscount Pesher’s daughter poured hot water into the teacups to warm them. Artizea looked down at her movements with quiet eyes.

At first, she was quite nervous and her hands would tremble. She even broke several cups, so the head maid had to bring a separate, more suitable tea set.

But now Viscount Pesher’s daughter had become quite accustomed to it.

She had no real intention of teaching her anything anyway. There wasn’t really any need for that. As for education as a noble, the Empress Dowager had already provided enough.

Having her as a maid would probably last about a month or two. The Empress Dowager wanted to add a line to Viscount Pesher’s daughter’s resume saying she had been the Empress’s maid before marriage.

Since Artizea herself had married as the Empress Dowager’s maid, it was something she couldn’t refuse.

On a smaller scale, there was also the purpose of letting her practice acting as a dignified noblewoman in unfamiliar places by staying by Artizea’s side for a few months, away from the Empress Dowager’s care.

The red tea filled the flower-shaped cups. Countess Unise received the teacup from Viscount Pesher’s daughter.

“It smells lovely.”

“Thank you.”

Viscount Pesher’s daughter finally opened the lid of the sugar bowl and withdrew. The sugar wasn’t cube sugar but sugar crystals dyed in various colors.

“Oh my, how pretty.”

“It was sent from the Southern Region. It seems this is about to become a new trend.”

Countess Unise picked up a piece of sugar and put it in her teacup. Leticia struggled.

“Me too! Me too!”

“No. Stay back, Lady Leticia.”

Mielle tried to hold her, but Leticia slid down from the sofa and ran to the tea tray.

Artizea smiled wryly.

“As you can see, children like it too. I only give them one as a reward…”

Leticia clung to Countess Unise’s knees with sparkling eyes. Countess Unise looked at Leticia, glanced at Artizea once, then looked at Leticia again.

“I shouldn’t give her one, right?”

“Auntieee.”

Leticia held onto Countess Unise’s knees and pressed her body against her legs. Artizea quietly shook her head.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

“Eeng.”

When Countess Unise spoke, Leticia made a pitiful sound. Mielle intervened.

“Lady Leticia, shall we go eat some fruit then?”

“Fruit?”

“Yes. Let’s go to the kitchen. Fresh fruit must have arrived this morning.”

Leticia jumped up excitedly. Then she grabbed Mielle’s hand happily, then turned to look at Artizea as if remembering something.

“What about Mama?”

“Mama will talk with aunt here, so go with Sister Mielle and come back after looking.”

“But I have to read my book…”

“You can read it later in the evening. Mama will read it to you.”

“Really? Promise!”

“Promise.”

Only after hooking pinkies did Leticia wiggle and do a little butt dance, then grab Mielle’s hand and go outside.

Artizea watched their retreating figures and chuckled softly. Countess Unise said.

“How can she be so well-behaved? If it were our Fiona, she would have already thrown herself on the floor crying twelve times.”

“Fiona will be engaged soon, so if you keep saying such things, she’ll be hurt.”

“No matter how much she claims to be grown up, she needs to act like an adult to be treated like one. But really…”

“No, not in the Empress’s Palace.”

Artizea said again.

“Wasn’t what you wanted most to not get involved in complicated matters and comfortably enjoy wealth as relatives of the Imperial family?”

At those words, Countess Unise pressed her lips tightly together. Was something really going to happen in the Empress’s Palace?

Come to think of it, Artizea had been too quiet lately.

While her policy of not engaging in official activities except for ceremonies hadn’t changed, was Artizea someone who couldn’t do anything just because she stayed quietly within the palace?

It didn’t seem like these sheltered, naive daughters who had grown up pampered could act with such awareness. Seizing opportunities wasn’t something just anyone could do.

Seeing Countess Unise speaking eloquently with her expressions, Artizea smiled.

“I don’t know what you’re imagining, but it’s probably not that.”

“Of course. Of course not.”

Countess Unise answered blindly. Artizea spoke gently.

“I’m planning to call some people from the north soon.”

“Ah, from Evron?”

“Yes. I’m thinking of selecting a few maids for Leticia. They’ll also serve as guards, and with the Evron Duchy being reorganized as a direct territory, we need to replace several people.”

“Ah, I see. Come to think of it, my husband mentioned that too. He said His Majesty plans to entrust the Evron Duchy’s trade to merchant guilds rather than estate management…”

“Yes. We’ve decided to dispatch a governor soon. Not leaving it to retainers as proxies.”

“Oh, and now that I think about it, the management of Evron Mansion has been handled by the Empress’s lady-in-waiting until now, hasn’t it?”

“Yes. I’m planning to call her in this time. She’ll be a perfect guard for Leticia.”

Countess Unise’s mind was working busily. Her facial muscles were equally busy accordingly.

Artizea took a sip of tea while watching that face.

Until the officials dispatched to the direct territory could adapt, the old retainers including House Jordin would remain in the capital.

Finally, what the nobles had been anxious about was happening. Northern nobles coming down to claim vested interests.

Of course, what they were worried about wouldn’t actually happen.

‘It’s perfect as a smokescreen.’

Artizea also looked away from Countess Unise.

It would be good if no turmoil arose. This was also part of what she was doing to ensure that.

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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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