The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 41

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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 41

Artizea said.

“How reckless. From what I can see, your life could be easily taken with just 2 gold. Even if you stake your life, it means nothing to me.”

“Someone with such great vengeance that they wouldn’t confess anything even if their body was set on fire would surely be of help.”

Deary said this and tried to put her hand into the brazier to prove her words. Alice hurriedly grabbed her.

Artizea smiled bitterly.

“There’s no need to do foolish things to prove your resolve. If you get severely burned, wouldn’t you become useless instead?”

“Then will you grant my request?”

“Even if I use you, I can’t send you to the Loigar Duchy or the Camellia Marquess family, Deary. I already know almost everything about you. That means Countess Camellia could easily find out too.”

Artizea said this.

“And perhaps I might just use you and not grant your wish.”

“But you’re going to destroy Duke Loigar and Countess Camellia, aren’t you?”

Deary’s father was the second son of a baron. Though he didn’t inherit a title, his rank was at the bottom of the nobility.

Her only sister had caught Duke Loigar’s attention. The Duchess of Loigar was displeased with this.

Nothing had actually happened. Deary’s sister wasn’t foolish enough to be interested in a married man.

Duke Loigar had simply shown some one-sided favor. Deary’s sister had even fled to a relative’s house in the western regions to avoid it.

Yet Countess Camellia killed Deary’s sister to comfort her brother’s heart.

The murder was clever. Deary’s sister was disguised as having committed suicide.

Deary’s family didn’t believe she had committed suicide. However, revealing the truth was impossible.

Even if they had uncovered it, it probably wouldn’t have dealt any blow to Duke Loigar or Countess Camellia.

Such incidents were so common that people wouldn’t even pay attention to them for long.

Left alone, Deary abandoned her status as a noble’s daughter. And she entered service as a maid at Viscount Wieve’s estate.

That was four years ago.

For four years, she realized how insignificant her existence was.

“There cannot be two absolute powers in the world. You are Duke of Evron’s fiancée and Lord Lawrence’s younger sister. For whoever’s sake, I know that someday you will fight against Duke Loigar.”

Deary looked at Artizea with intense eyes.

“If using me increases your chances of victory, if you can destroy those people that way, that will ultimately be my revenge.”

That couldn’t possibly be enough. But for Deary, becoming a component of the weapon Artizea would wield was the only way she could get revenge.

Artizea knew several people with such determination.

And as Deary said, such people were useful.

“Fine. I’ll use you. If you’re lucky, you might become part of the blade that pierces Duke Loigar’s throat.”

“Thank you.”

Deary was genuinely delighted.

It wouldn’t be difficult to include Deary in the work already in progress anyway.

Artizea had planned to send a spy to the Liagan Duchy in the South. She decided to put Deary in that position.

Whether there would be use for her later or not, she couldn’t be certain.

But originally, spies only become useful when they’re sent from times when hostile relationships weren’t even considered.

Thanks to Deary, Artizea was able to lay down one strategic piece completely separate from the intelligence organization she would create in the future.

Though it wasn’t a plan within the original blueprint, it was a significant move.

“Stand up, Deary.”

Artizea removed her veil. This meant that Deary was now her person.

Deary’s gaze touched on Freil once.

But it soon dropped respectfully. If Artizea thought it was fine for him to know, then she was fine with it too. That’s what it meant to pledge loyalty.

Artizea handed her a marriage certificate.

Deary Ford thus became the wife of Rexen, whose face she didn’t even know.

“You’ll go to the southern city under the name of Countess Rexen. You can tell the head maid at Viscount Wieve’s estate that you were fortunate enough to become a lower noble’s second wife.”

“Yes.”

“Since you said there are relatives of House Ford in the south, it won’t be difficult to blend into social circles. On your way, you’ll receive a letter of introduction to go to Duchess Liagan’s maid.”

“Yes.”

“From there, do your best with your abilities. If possible, try to gain the duchess’s trust. It would be even better if you could become a maid, but if not, you should at least become a friend of the maids.”

“Yes.”

“Good. When you become useful, I’ll contact you again.”

Artizea gave her an ebony box decorated with gold corners.

Instead of wedding gifts, Deary took out the ring inside the box and put it on.

Then she stood up. Holding the ebony box under her arm, Deary knelt down once more.

“I will pray to God for news from you.”

“The one you should pray to isn’t God, but the devil.”

“Either way is fine with me.”

“I wish you luck.”

Artizea said this.

Deary left.

In the end, of the four teacups, only Artizea’s and the priest’s were used.

This time Artizea offered Freil a seat. Freil’s mind was completely confused.

He moved away from his guard position beside Artizea and paced a few steps.

“You bought a western noble’s title to send a spy to the Liagan Duchy?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

Artizea personally tilted the cold teapot.

“To encompass the Empire, I must keep in mind the most influential family in the south.”

Suddenly the scale of the story expanded tremendously.

Freil became fully alert.

“Encompassing the Empire, surely you don’t intend to enter the succession struggle?”

“Yes.”

“Are you serious?”

“Why do you think I’m not serious? Lord Sedric’s mother was the legitimate princess of the previous emperor. In terms of bloodline, it’s actually not an exaggeration to say that Lord Sedric has the first right of succession.”

Artizea said calmly. Freil sharply retorted.

“Don’t try to drag the Evron Duchy into a meaningless war.”

“You haven’t never thought about it until now, have you, Sir Freil. And I’m not the only one who has made such suggestions.”

Artizea smiled.

“Power inherently has the nature of excluding others. This is something that must be done even just to survive.”

If nothing is done, what lies before Sedric is purge.

A military power holder who has captured the hearts of soldiers is dangerous. A hero of the people is even more dangerous.

If someone has both while possessing legitimate imperial bloodline, they must obviously be eliminated first.

If Sedric had been foolish or incompetent, it might have been better. Then Evron could secure safety by supporting one of the two successor candidates.

But Sedric was too outstanding. Even if Freil himself were someone from Lawrence or Loigar’s side, he would definitely try to eliminate him.

“I understand what you’re saying, Young Marchioness. But how can I trust you? Lord Lawrence is your real brother.”

“Even if I tell you that someone unqualified shouldn’t become emperor, it would be hard to believe, wouldn’t it?”

Artizea said.

“Then what if I tell you that I covet the position of empress? Would that be believable?”

“You proposed a contract marriage with a two-year limit.”

Freil said. If becoming empress was the goal, she would have made a proper political marriage, not a time-limited contract marriage.

Artizea smiled.

“That’s right.”

Freil closed his mouth before that smile.

Artizea said gently.

“I want to prevent destruction. Lord Sedric was the only alternative.”

“Young Marchioness.”

“The Empire no longer has the vitality it had at its founding. Laws have become meaningless, and administration fails more often than it succeeds.”

She continued.

“For now, it’s maintained because imperial authority is strong. His Imperial Majesty may be selfish and arrogant, but he’s not incompetent. But can Brother Lawrence or Duke Loigar truly unite the Empire like His Majesty Gregor? I don’t think so.”

“I won’t deny that.”

“The North will be abandoned, the West will perish to monster waves, the East will try to become independent, and the South will be devoured by the Kingdom of Aimel. The Empire will fragment and be engulfed in war.”

Artizea closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh.

She had desperately tried to maintain the Empire after Lawrence became crown prince.

But it would have been better to just let it fragment.

If it was going to perish anyway, it would have been far better for the world to have various factions fight and open a new era, rather than crumble into ruins under a mad emperor’s grip.

Then Sedric would have had some way to recover.

Artizea felt anguish and placed her hand on her chest. She tried to calm her heart.

“But with Lord Sedric’s methods, he can never seize power in the current Imperial Court. To acquire power itself, appropriate means are necessary. Lord Sedric’s justice can be realized after gaining power.”

Artizea knew that her methods, while not righteous, were effective.

She already had successful experience.

It hadn’t been a successful life. But being discarded came later—the process of making Lawrence emperor had been successful.

This time too, Artizea was confident she could do it.

Her role was to place power in Sedric’s hands. Just like with Lawrence, what came after wasn’t her concern.

“So that’s why two years. To stay by His Highness’s side and do things Evron cannot do.”

Freil said this and fell silent for a moment. He was wise enough to understand the meaning behind Artizea’s words.

His heart churned.

Freil felt ashamed of himself at the scope of the future this barely eighteen-year-old young lady foresaw, the magnitude of her resolve, and her unwavering coldness.

“I understand your meaning. You were right, Young Marchioness. I won’t tell His Highness the Prince about this matter.”

Freil let out a small sigh.

The loyalty Sedric receives and the public support backing him all stem from his righteousness.

If that were damaged, Artizea’s intentions couldn’t be fulfilled. But at the same time, things that couldn’t be done his way had to be accomplished.

In the end, Artizea would do what Evron couldn’t, then fall away.

Freil knew he was the most suitable person to help her.

Because he knew how to doubt.

He could doubt Artizea and doubt what she did. Conversely, he would doubt incoming information.

And he could make judgments outside of Sedric’s will.

What was needed for such work wasn’t loyalty. It was distrust and prudence.

That’s why she had revealed everything to Freil, even knowing he could become a threat to her organization.

He slowly knelt on one knee before Artizea. Then he bowed his head and kissed the back of her hand, as if pledging loyalty.

“You’ll need support, won’t you? I’ll join you.”

Artizea nodded slightly.

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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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