The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 36

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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 36

No matter how powerful a noble might be, they could not avoid following the temple in three matters: baptism, marriage, and funeral.

The temple, as witness and guardian of sacred marriage vows, strictly prohibited illegitimate children from inheriting.

Property could be divided while one was still alive.

However, family lineage and titles were non-transferable. Illegitimate children could never inherit them.

Even if there were hundreds of children, if there was no legitimate heir to inherit the family, the family’s title and accompanying property would revert to the imperial family.

The only way to avoid this was to obtain the spouse’s consent and adopt the child.

This was also the most powerful right that a spouse who could not bear children had to protect themselves.

“Did His Majesty say nothing? Since Your Imperial Majesty also became emperor in such a way, he might have given you a hint.”

Artizea said this in a quiet voice.

The current succession struggle had actually been seeded during the previous emperor’s time.

The previous emperor had been unable to have children with his first empress for a long time. So he had one of his illegitimate children adopted by the empress and made him crown prince.

That was the current Emperor Gregor.

But when the empress died in his later years, the previous emperor remarried a young woman who was like a daughter to him.

The first child born to that second empress was Cedric’s mother, and the second was Duke Loigar, who is now being discussed as the next emperor.

The imperial court was greatly shaken.

However, it was too late to overturn the already established crown prince’s position.

The grown crown prince had already solidly built his own power base, and the previous emperor was already over fifty years old.

Moreover, the second empress’s family was of humble origin.

In contrast, Emperor Gregor also had the backing of the deceased previous empress’s family.

Nevertheless, Emperor Gregor had been continuously troubled by legitimacy issues since his accession.

Thus, he strengthened imperial power by framing Cedric’s parents for treason and purging them.

But the problems raised at that time still remained.

If Emperor Gregor had legitimate children, the succession structure would not have become any more complicated. He was already a complete emperor.

However, there were currently no children born to the empress in the imperial family. Legally, Emperor Gregor’s closest blood relative was Duke Loigar.

The temple tried to prevent marriage vows from being nullified for two generations. Duke Loigar was still the previous emperor’s only legitimate imperial son.

This succession right was actually strong enough to compete even with Emperor Gregor.

This succession right was actually strong enough to compete even with Emperor Gregor.

So if Lawrence wanted the crown prince’s position, the fastest and surest method was to become the empress’s adopted son.

If he didn’t want to do that, he had no choice but to create legitimacy in another way.

Just as Artizea had married him to the saint in the past.

All of this was true.

Poison is most frightening when it is true. Because no matter how much the poisoned person thinks about it, they logically reach the same conclusion.

Lawrence was wise enough to understand what Artizea meant.

At the same time, he was foolish enough not to realize that Artizea’s words were by no means fair.

‘Brother is arrogant and selfish.’

Artizea thought this as she quietly watched Lawrence.

Thinking that the capricious emperor’s favor belonged solely to him was Lawrence’s arrogance.

Abandoning people if it seemed like even a little loss to himself was because he was selfish.

The emperor had several other illegitimate children besides Lawrence.

But the reason the emperor particularly chose Lawrence among them for his favor was not because Lawrence was his son, nor because his birth mother’s status was high.

It was because the emperor loved Milaire and had decided to create a family with her.

If cracks appeared in that family game, the emperor’s favor would disappear like summer frost melting.

The emperor was not responsible enough to cling to a broken family, and there were countless people trying to exploit that gap.

Even Milaire knew this, but Lawrence didn’t.

The things Milaire had done to block the emperor’s anger and draw his favor to Lawrence would probably no longer remain in his mind.

Because his mother’s love and devotion were natural to him.

Artizea watched the dark thoughts stirring within Lawrence and whispered one more word like breathing poisonous breath.

“Perhaps mother is deliberately preventing him from speaking. Mother is obsessed with you, brother.”

“…Tia.”

“I’m so anxious. Although His Majesty favors you, brother, so everyone regards you as the future crown prince, if something were to happen to His Majesty tomorrow, it would be Duke Loigar who inherits the throne.”

“Tia, don’t carelessly say such ominous things. Such words alone could constitute treason.”

“Yes. …I’m sorry.”

“I don’t understand why you’re so anxious.”

Lawrence said with eyes slightly reddened from anxiety.

“I’m your sister, brother. Your safety is directly connected to my safety.”

Artizea lowered her head.

These words gave him hope that he could easily win over the Evron Duchy. At the same time, they made Artizea’s worries seem genuine and spread the anxiety.

Lawrence was silent for a moment, then said this.

“How can you so easily talk about cutting ties with mother?”

And soon he spoke again.

“But there is some merit to what you say.”

He nodded his head.

‘Done.’

Artizea felt relieved in her heart. The poison had found its place.

Sowing discord to divide forces was a basic tactic used by the weak to deal with powerful forces.

To bring down Lawrence, she first had to separate Milaire from him.

“Don’t worry too much. His Imperial Majesty is still in good health.”

“Yes…. I’m sorry for unnecessarily saying ominous things.”

Artizea spoke with a passive attitude.

Lawrence stood up from his seat. Artizea stood up following him.

“You don’t need to come out. The butler will see me off.”

“Brother.”

“I hope we can meet again soon with clean faces. At that time, with Duke of Evron as well.”

“Yes.”

Artizea bowed her head to him. Lawrence patted her shoulder once and strode outside with large steps.

Voices greeting from a distance could be heard. Artizea sat buried deep in the sofa for a moment with a tired feeling.

With this, Lawrence would prevent Milaire from interfering with the wedding.

Knock knock.

There was a sound of knocking on the door.

What entered through the opened door was Marcus. He was respectfully holding a single letter on a silver tray.

Artizea smiled awkwardly.

“You don’t need to do such errands yourself.”

“This is the news you’ve been waiting for. I was worried it might catch Lord Lawrence’s attention, so I brought it myself.”

He held out the tray. On it was a letter sealed with melted gold bearing the sea dragon’s crest.

It was an invitation from the empress.

“Finally.”

The final objective she had hoped for when she threw herself before the guests had arrived.

Artizea smiled with satisfaction.

* * *

Lawrence’s mind was so complicated that he didn’t even realize he had arrived home until the carriage door opened.

“I am your father, but I have no intention of unconditionally making you my successor. I cannot do so either.”

The emperor’s words came to mind anew.

“Just get Cedric under control. Then I’ll take care of the rest.”

At the time, he had been filled with resentment and had dismissed it lightly. But thinking about it now, those words had sufficient implications.

Amallie Harper, the emperor’s loyal retainer, had once advised him. It was when talk about Artizea and Cedric first began to emerge.

“Duke of Evron is of legitimate imperial bloodline. If you can receive his loyalty, that alone would greatly supplement Lord Lawrence’s legitimacy.”

Those words touched on Lawrence’s complex.

When he didn’t hide his displeasure, Harper spoke coldly.

“The Emperor is the sole and absolute authority of this Empire. Lord Lawrence, do you lack the confidence to embrace even the Duke of Evron while aspiring to become Emperor?”

He should have listened more carefully to Harper’s words.

Perhaps the Emperor was already arranging various matters for Lawrence’s sake.

And he had a duty to meet his father’s expectations.

With such thoughts, Lawrence strode into the cold Rosan Manor.

Milaire hurriedly came out to the manor lobby to greet him. Her face was swollen from crying so much.

“Lawrence, Lawrence, you’re here? What does Tia say? Is she coming back?”

“Mother, do you think she would come back after being grabbed by the hair and beaten in front of her fiancé and guests?”

“This is her home. Of course she should come back!”

“The Duke of Evron wouldn’t allow that.”

“That’s ridiculous. Who does that man think he is? She’s my daughter! Besides, she’s still young, isn’t she? Who is the Duke of Evron to do as he pleases? I didn’t give permission for marriage!”

Milaire clung to Lawrence and shouted.

This was rare behavior for Milaire, who always tried never to show Lawrence a bad side of herself. She was that desperate.

But Lawrence pushed her away with a cold attitude.

“Mother, are you determined to ruin my future?”

At Lawrence’s words, Milaire made a hiccupping sound as if frightened and closed her mouth.

“Wh-what do you mean by that?”

“You heard it together with me when His Majesty said it was fortunate that Tia became connected with the Duke of Evron. So why are you acting like this?”

“Th-that’s… that’s not it. No matter what, how could Tia treat me like that? Did I deliberately try to humiliate Tia? You know, don’t you? How I gave birth to her? How I raised her?”

“Indeed.”

Lawrence looked at her with a ruthless gaze devoid of any warmth.

“You gave birth to her with great difficulty. This is the second time. Isn’t that right?”

“Wh-what do you mean second time…”

“You blocking my path. Giving birth to Tia was like that, and this time too. Mother, do you want to kill me?”

Lawrence gently adjusted the scarf around Milaire’s neck, speaking softly.

Milaire shrank her neck in fear.

“Wh-what do you mean? Why would I want to kill you?”

“Those who covet the Emperor’s throne can only do one of two things: die or become Emperor. Mother, please don’t do useless things and just stay quiet.”

Lawrence gritted his teeth.

“Anyway, Mother, you don’t have the ability to depose the Empress or make me Crown Prince, do you? So please just stay quiet.”

“Lawrence, you know too, don’t you? The Empress is…”

Milaire mumbled with a miserable face. Lawrence turned around sharply.

“No, no. Lawrence, Mother will never disappoint you. I won’t do it again. I’ll never disappoint you again. Lawrence, Lawrence!”

Milaire hurriedly followed him and grabbed his arm. Lawrence roughly shook off her hand and left the manor once again.

Milaire collapsed and wailed.

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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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