The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 315

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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 (9)

At that moment, the correct response Hailey should have taken was to calmly play dumb and say, “What are you talking about?”

But she couldn’t do that. No one had ever asked her so directly before.

Hailey realized that her secret was completely exposed. Regardless of being the real power in the Empress’s Palace, she was just a much younger sister in front of Mel.

“It’s none of your business, sister.”

In the end, Hailey replied like that with a bright red face.

When she looked around, realizing she had made a mistake, the servants’ gazes scattered in all directions.

Hailey was currently the most promising daughter-in-law candidate in social circles, and Freil was the most promising son-in-law candidate.

Both were the Emperor’s trusted subjects, earning the Emperor and Empress’s favor through their own abilities. Moreover, they weren’t heirs who would inherit their family estates.

So if they could be brought into one’s family through marriage, that influence could be gained entirely.

Additionally, Hailey came with the bonus of a marriage connection to Count Jordin’s family.

Some thought this was an advantage, while others thought Freil was better for that reason, but in any case, it was certain that all parents with sons between seventeen and twenty-five were salivating.

Excluding important information that couldn’t be approached in the Empress’s Palace, this was definitely information that could make money.

Of course, separate from that, it was an interesting story. How could one endure the hard work of being a servant without such small pleasures?

Hazel and Mielle had excited expressions without any intention of hiding their interest.

Hailey frowned.

Whether Hailey did so or not, Mel spoke with an indifferent expression.

“As your sister, I can’t just watch you engage in a relationship you can’t tell others about.”

“It’s not like that! Where on earth did you hear such talk?”

“I could tell just from the letters you write. Mother still seems half-doubtful though.”

Hailey’s mouth hung open and wouldn’t close. Naturally, she had never written such things in her letters. She wasn’t the type to write about trivial matters in the first place.

Mel didn’t tell her from which context in the letters he had noticed, and spoke stiffly.

“As you know, the North is at a very important crossroads right now. We can’t let His Majesty’s northern policy be ruined because of your indiscreet romance.”

“Sister, it’s not like that!”

“If it’s not an indiscreet relationship, then it should be fine to introduce him to our parents soon.”

That’s when it happened.

Unfortunately, Freil suddenly poked his head out from around the corner of the opposite corridor.

An earthquake occurred in Hailey’s pupils.

The servants’ gazes rushed toward that direction, then scattered in all directions as if hit by a bomb.

“Pfft.”

Hazel finally burst out laughing. Mielle pulled her hand to stop her, but even her lips had suppressed laughter hanging on them.

Only the oblivious Freil tilted his head in confusion. But he first gave a military salute to Mel.

“It’s been a while, Sir Mel. You must have had a hard time traveling the long distance to the capital.”

“Not at all. I’m glad to meet you again.”

Instead of receiving the military salute, Mel greeted him according to ordinary etiquette. This was because she had given up her military position when she became Artizea’s head maid.

Freil said.

“His Majesty has cleared his entire afternoon schedule for tomorrow. I thought it would be better to prepare for the briefing with me first, so I came to see you.”

“I see.”

“There are also security matters we need to discuss. Did I come too early perhaps?”

Freil looked toward Hailey. Hailey made eloquent eyebrows, but Freil had no idea why she was doing that and looked back at Mel.

“If you were planning to have a family conversation…”

“No, it’s nothing important.”

Mel answered.

Freil looked back toward Hailey with suspicious eyes.

Hailey was now turning her gaze away and looking down. Behind her, Hazel was still grinning, and Mielle was desperately biting her lips.

Only Mel had an unchanged expression. Freil felt some threat to his personal safety, but there was nothing he could do.

He shouldn’t have come around the corridor when he felt the servants’ gazes were threateningly sharp.

Hazel slightly interjected and asked.

“Um, are Sir Freil and Sir Mel close?”

Hailey’s gaze was piercing, but how could she call herself Belmond’s daughter if she yielded to such looks?

Mel had an calm expression, but Freil’s eyes rolled around. It was just a question about personal matters, nothing special, but the atmosphere was strange.

But since he couldn’t not answer, he calmly stated the facts.

“I was in Sir Mel’s unit when I was a squire knight.”

“Oh my, ah!”

Hazel covered her mouth excitedly. Mielle pinched Hazel’s side.

Hailey interjected with a cold voice.

“Stop the useless talk. If you’re going to discuss security matters, we’ll be going now.”

“Since it’s a matter within the Empress’s Palace, we need Lady Hailey’s help,”

“Sister is the head maid. You can decide and give orders if there’s anything needed.”

Hailey spoke ambiguously, unclear whether she was addressing Mel or Freil. Then she gestured to Hazel and Mielle to go back and turned around sharply.

The two hesitated. Since Mel was the head maid, if they had to follow one of them, it should be Mel.

But Hazel was used to following Hailey around, and Mielle now had to go see Leticia. It didn’t seem right for them to interfere with Freil’s business.

Mel silently gestured for them to follow Hailey. Hazel politely asked.

“May we really follow Lady Hailey?”

“As I told Hailey earlier, I have no intention of interfering with the work you’ve been doing. Act comfortably. And right now, I’d like you to excuse yourselves.”

Hazel and Mielle quickly bowed together and withdrew from the scene.

Mel also dismissed the servants. Then she began walking toward the garden alongside Freil.

“There must be many unfamiliar aspects. It’s a place with many eyes, ears, and mouths.”

“I’m prepared for it. But I’ll have to manage.”

“You put your luggage toward the garden, right? Aren’t your husband and children uncomfortable?”

“They prepared separate quarters for the children within the Empress’s Palace. Near the baby’s room.”

“That’s the safest place. Still, your husband must be worried.”

“Aren’t the children at an age where they should be separated now? Being close to Her Imperial Highness is also an honor.”

“But I remember him being a conservative person. Was there any trouble coming to the capital?”

“He worries a bit too much, but he’s not a man who doesn’t know what’s important.”

Mel smiled faintly and warmly.

“The North is changing much faster than you imagine.”

As if waiting for someone to provide a trigger, the society that had been stagnant for decades began to change explosively.

That flow was at a level that couldn’t possibly be stopped by the concerns of stubborn old men.

Freil also smiled following her.

“If I had said this would happen four years ago, I probably would have been hit and told not to talk nonsense.”

“It’s something that anyone from Evron couldn’t help but be impressed by. Whether in a good way or bad way.”

“Yes.”

“So, have you made your decision?”

“Was it you, Sir Mel, who recommended me as the northern governor?”

“I offered a few words so His Majesty could narrow down suitable candidates. The fact that it should be someone unrelated to Jordin was something His Majesty was already thinking about.”

“Hmm…”

Mel stopped walking and looked at Freil.

“The situation is quite complex. Even though the world is changing, Evron’s exclusiveness hasn’t completely disappeared. The new northern governor will have to simultaneously open the Allia Wall and Told Gate while hiding what’s happening in Evron from the homeland to an appropriate level. Appeasing those with complaints is a bonus.”

“Just hearing about it doesn’t sound like something a person should do.”

“But that’s what our lord wants. For Evron.”

Freil’s expression became complicated.

“Do you have the heart to lead the North?”

If asked whether he had ambition, he could answer that he absolutely did not.

Power was only needed to the extent that he could freely take care of himself.

Wealth was nice to have, but he didn’t think it was worth sacrificing something to achieve.

The life Freil wanted was to work moderately, leave work before sunset, hold a book he wanted to read, have a drink with delicious snacks, and then fall asleep.

‘Wait, let me wipe away some tears.’

Rather than becoming a powerful person by becoming the Emperor’s trusted subject, wasn’t he becoming a work slave who couldn’t even take care of his own life?

However, Evron was his hometown.

Just as Hailey had once loved Evron while finding it frustrating, harboring hope while also feeling disgust, he too had various thoughts about it.

After thinking about many things over the past few days, he came to realize anew why he remained as an aide.

He was not one to lead from the front. He lacked conviction about what ultimate ideal the world should change into.

He was accustomed to devising strategies for given goals and weighing success and failure. However, he could not set goals with his own hands. He lacked confidence that he could.

He was not the type of person who could firmly establish goals that were unlikely to succeed through willpower alone.

But being a governor of the direct territory probably could not be done with such a mindset.

“You think too much.”

Artizea had once said that. Freil could not use himself completely as a means like she did.

But this was Evron.

Freil knew that strategically, he was the right person for Sedric’s goal.

Evron was his hometown, and he had various thoughts about it.

There is no one who is completely apolitical. There is no one who has no ideals whatsoever about the land they live in.

So perhaps.

His inner turmoil must have shown on his face. Mel spoke.

“If you’re hesitating, it’s right not to do it.”

“…Yes.”

“Well, there’s still time. Think it over carefully.”

Freil nodded.

“That aside.”

“Yes.”

“If tears come to Hailey’s eyes, you’ll have drops of blood coming from your pores, so keep that in mind.”

Mel uttered something terrifying in the same tone he had been using for their previous conversation.

Freil’s legs understood those words before his head did. His steps involuntarily stopped.

“Pardon?”

He asked back, but Mel did not respond. Instead, the scabbard at his waist rattled.

Blood drops had not yet emerged from Freil’s pores, but cold sweat poured out profusely.

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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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