The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 323

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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 (17)

Hailey forced her scrunched face to relax. Wrinkles formed three times deeper around her eyes, but her lips somehow managed to curve upward.

It was family she was meeting after four years. She didn’t want to cause conflict at the dinner table.

Besides, Yulli wasn’t someone who just talked without substance. He genuinely believed that the happiest thing for a person was to marry when they came of age and raise children. And he had lived his own life that way.

Four years ago, Yulli had said similar things. That she would be too late.

But when Hailey smiled and said there wasn’t anyone suitable, he would end the conversation by lamenting that he had no one to introduce her to.

By Yulli’s standards, there really weren’t many suitable partners for Hailey.

Since Hailey also worked as a manager and was Jordin’s daughter, it would be better if her husband was the supportive type. However, among young men of appropriate status, there were hardly any suitable candidates.

Yulli’s lower status also posed a slight barrier.

Later, when Mel became Count Jordin and the generational change occurred, Yulli would become the lady of the house. If the third child’s husband had higher status than Yulli, it could disrupt the household order.

Yulli had once expressed his worry to the second child Fiona’s husband that perhaps it was because he was inadequate that Hailey couldn’t find a match.

When Hailey heard this through Fiona, she squeezed her eyes shut. She wanted to scream.

“The problem is, even if I say no, big brother-in-law would never understand.”

Hailey pleaded while pretending to cover her ears tightly. However, Fiona knew what Hailey wanted to say but pretended not to know and looked away as she spoke.

“It’s not like brother-in-law’s concerns are completely unfounded.”

“What right would the third daughter’s husband have to make advances on the future lady of the house?”

“That’s true if we’re being cold about it, but how can people be like that? It’s not like they’ve been strangers all this time, and honestly, those people are those people. Well, you’re smart, so you probably can’t understand people who create conflicts over such things.”

The last sentence was clearly meant for her to hear, no matter how she thought about it.

Recalling that memory, Hailey reflected once again. Family was indeed more precious when distant.

In that regard, Hailey knew well that she wasn’t suited for building a family.

She loved her parents and sisters. She respected Mel and liked her nephews too. But when she was with them, breathing became stifling as if she had a fever.

“When you were in Evron, it was difficult to find someone suitable for you, but now it’s different, isn’t it? I heard that Her Majesty the Empress favors you greatly.”

“Yes… That’s right…”

Hailey answered listlessly. Isdin, Mel’s eldest son sitting across from her, giggled. Hailey kicked Isdin’s ankle under the table.

Mel opened his mouth.

“That’s enough.”

“But Lord Mel.”

“If you only nag after meeting for so long, you’ll be hated.”

Yulli closed his mouth. Hailey breathed a sigh of relief.

But the next words sent chills down her spine.

“She’ll handle herself well. It’s not like there aren’t men to meet.”

Those words sounded like nothing but a warning to be careful with her conduct.

The piece of bread she was chewing felt like it was made of sand grains. Hailey glanced around cautiously and saw Yulli’s eyes sparkling.

“Ah, I see! I had no idea. Well, our Hailey is so smart that there wouldn’t have been anyone to meet in that small fortress, but the capital is different.”

“Don’t put too much pressure on her, Yulli.”

“Haha, I’m not trying to pressure her. I’m just happy.”

Yulli was probably sincere. At least it was definitely something he was saying for Hailey’s sake, more so than Fiona.

Was this what they called a complete disaster?

Hailey sighed.

“It’s not like that.”

“What do you mean it’s not like that?”

“I still have a lot of work to do. Now isn’t the time to be interested in such things. Besides, marriage would inevitably create restrictions on my actions, and right now I’m already busy just assisting Her Majesty the Empress…”

“That’s exactly when having a spouse would make life more stable, Hailey.”

Hailey twisted her lips into a smile. Marriage bringing stability? For that, she’d need to meet a man like Yulli and receive his support, but she’d go crazy from the stuffiness.

That’s when it happened. A savior arrived.

A servant who knocked on the restaurant door carefully entered and handed Hailey a note.

“See me for a moment.”

That was all it said, but it was enough to know who it was from.

Hailey put down her napkin and stood up.

“I have some business, so I’ll step out for a bit.”

“Hailey.”

“Enjoy your meal. Brother-in-law, don’t make that face. We’ll be living together for a while.”

To the point of going crazy from frustration, that is.

Hailey added that to herself and left the restaurant.

Though the nights were still chilly, to a northerner it felt like a summer evening.

Hailey didn’t bother with a shawl and went outside empty-handed in her thin indoor dress. She was heated from stress, so the wind felt refreshing.

When she stepped into the garden, Freil was waiting with a lantern.

“What about an outer garment?”

“You said it would be brief. It’s not even cold, so why an outer garment? Or are we going somewhere?”

“Not exactly. What about a lantern?”

“There’s one right there.”

Freil looked at the lantern in his own hand. It seemed to mean this one would be enough.

“I need to return to the main palace.”

“What? You’re not going to escort me back?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Or do you need time past lights-out?”

“No, that’s not it either.”

Freil answered. Hailey shrugged her shoulders.

The two took a brief walk through the garden. There wasn’t really anywhere else to go.

In the Imperial Palace where even the walls and floors had eyes, it would be foolish to think anything could be hidden.

“Though the problem is that I sometimes do such stupid things myself.”

Hailey thought blankly as she looked up at the night sky. Because the night was so clear, it was a sky that seemed like stars would pour down.

“How was it? It must have been a long time since you met your family.”

“What’s different about it being a long time? When we meet, I’m happy, big sister is scary, and nagging is annoying. Oh, I was surprised that my nephew had grown so much.”

“Do you get nagged at home?”

“Don’t you?”

“My grandfather was the type to say he’d provide food and a bed, but I could grow up or not as I pleased.”

“Ah…”

Freil had lost his parents and grandmother at a young age and was raised by his grandfather. She remembered hearing that he was an incredibly free spirit.

“Well… It’s not really my sister, but my brother-in-law.”

Freil looked at Hailey with pitying eyes.

He didn’t have personal acquaintance with Yulli. However, he knew as much as others did about House Jordin’s eldest son-in-law.

“Well, never mind. What did you want to talk about?”

Hailey shook her head and asked.

Freil hesitated for a moment. Sedric had advised that he should bring up what came to mind when he thought of it, or he’d regret it.

He had come determined to follow that advice, but it wasn’t easy to bring up the topic suddenly.

“Lord Mel brought up the matter of the northern governorship with me. It seems he plans to discuss that matter with His Majesty again tomorrow.”

“…”

Hailey closed her mouth.

She also knew about the issues surrounding Freil’s appointment as northern governor.

In fact, if she thought purely politically without considering Freil’s personal issues, it would be better for him to marry before taking the position.

The best choice would be a daughter from the newly prominent class of central bureaucrats. If that was difficult, then next would be someone from the northern knight class.

Hailey’s feelings became complicated.

“Won’t you say anything? Go or don’t go?”

“Is my opinion important? What are we to each other?”

Hailey answered hostilely without realizing it. It was because she had just been thoroughly nagged about marriage.

That didn’t mean she wanted Freil to propose to her.

Marriage was not what she desired. She would have to endure people she hadn’t chosen following behind her husband as family, and the kinship relationships continuing to expand even after that.

Her mother and second sister said she was peculiar. That was normal, they said, and the relationships formed that way were what supported each other’s lives.

Mel, who was in a position to take responsibility for all of that, would smile.

“I don’t think the responsibility isn’t heavy. But that responsibility also makes people stronger.”

She thought that perhaps she and her eldest sister were of different species after all.

It wasn’t that there hadn’t been a time when she was caught up in some momentary impulse. But she had already missed that moment.

Now Hailey was stable. She had become the one governing the Empress’s Palace as Artizea stepped back from the forefront.

Artizea’s judgment that she would adapt well to life in the capital and might even move for the sake of power was not wrong.

Hailey was satisfied now. There was both fulfillment and substance. In a few years, she planned to share responsibilities with Hazel and advance into the bureaucracy.

Considering the countless challenges she faced in public situations, having a private life of drinking tea while basking in sunlight in a comfortable room was just right.

Thinking about it that way, it seemed there really was such a thing as the “right time” that Yulli often spoke of.

As Hailey was about to resume walking, Freil grabbed her hand. Hailey looked back at him in confusion.

“I’m planning to go to the North.”

The tension completely drained from Hailey’s shoulders. Because of that, she realized she had been tense.

When she shook off his hand, Freil obediently let go.

“That’s good. His Majesty the Emperor will be pleased.”

“Lady Hailey.”

“What?”

Hailey realized she wasn’t smiling. So she deliberately used two fingers to pull up the corners of her mouth, creating a smiling face.

“Congratulations.”

“Is it something to congratulate?”

“Actually, that’s what you wanted to do most, isn’t it? Your ambition isn’t something as small as wanting to have power or swim in a mountain of gold coins.”

Freil’s eyes shifted.

“Power is fine, but I do want a mountain of gold coins.”

“Then being Northern Governor would be difficult. Ask to be sent to the South instead.”

Hailey beamed.

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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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