The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 43

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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 43

On the way back, the two talked a bit more about the wedding.

“Even if I wanted to ask Lord Sedric to handle things, I can’t. It’s not because I want to make things comfortable for him, but because I can’t trust him with it.”

“Am I that incompetent?”

“People have fields they’re suited for and fields they’re not. Can you understand why both Countess Katasha and Countess Paelan sent letters saying they would both wear amber-colored dresses?”

Since he had no idea, Sedric silently shook his head.

“Those two compete with each other in high society. They’re currently engaged in a war of nerves over dresses, each claiming the other copied them. This time too, they’re trying to gain the upper hand by informing me in advance.”

“Do I need to worry about such things?”

“If a little attention can prevent trouble, there’s no reason not to pay it.”

“Hmm… If I assigned such tasks to my subordinates, they’d probably follow the rules and then tell them to sort it out themselves if a fight broke out.”

“Would you do that too, Lord Sedric?”

“I prefer preventing trouble beforehand. Though I don’t know the method.”

He looked at Artizea with a face that said he was ready to listen. Artizea smiled.

“Don’t seat them at the same table, and place other people at each table who require a lot of attention.”

Artizea gave him the answer.

Of course, deciding exactly where to place them was something she’d have to think about from now on.

Sedric eventually shook his head.

“Don’t worry since Ansgard helps well. I can’t ask Lord Sedric to handle such trivial matters.”

“No matter what I think about, I’m useless in the capital. Except for reducing your dance practice time.”

“Says the person who suggested we step on each other’s feet and pretend not to notice…”

Thinking about it again made Artizea feel deceived, so she said that. Thinking of that time made her cheeks flush red without realizing it.

“I know you don’t usually attend social gatherings, so when did you practice dancing so much?”

“I seem to have a good sense of rhythm. I learned easily from childhood. I was praised by dance instructors several times.”

“So you knew you danced well?”

Sedric also blushed in his own way.

“I didn’t say that to tease you. I was being sincere.”

“I don’t think you were teasing me. I was grateful. It was the first time I’d danced like that at a ball.”

Then Sedric’s face turned even redder.

Artizea thought she had answered normally. She couldn’t understand why he was acting that way.

But when Sedric became awkward, she also became unnecessarily awkward and lowered her head.

Like that, each looking in different directions, the two returned to the manor in silence.

“Miss! You’re late!”

Sophie came rushing out in a fluster, then stopped in surprise when she saw Sedric. She hastily bent her knees and waist.

“I’m, I’m sorry, Prince.”

“It’s fine. Is there some urgent matter?”

“Miss, you really can’t do this. Did you forget today is your wedding dress fitting?”

“I didn’t forget. Is Madame Emily already here?”

“Yes. Honestly, you already missed the last fitting, so we need to do this one properly. There isn’t enough time.”

Artizea let out a small sigh. It was bothersome.

When she unconsciously glanced up, Sedric was looking at her.

Sedric opened his mouth. But he hesitated. For quite a while. Because it was something that required that much resolve.

“Shall we look together?”

“The wedding dress fitting?”

“Yes. After all, I am the groom.”

Artizea looked troubled. An awkward atmosphere flowed between them.

Inviting a husband or fiancé to the toilette room was common. Especially for love marriages, it would be natural to look at the wedding dress together.

But even though they lived in the same house, the two weren’t close enough for that yet.

Rather, when sharing opinions or having practical, serious discussions, they could talk actively without barriers.

But strangely, when it came to personal matters, they became too awkward to even speak.

Sedric hesitated when entering the toilette room even when it wasn’t time to change clothes.

Artizea also couldn’t bring herself to tell him to come in.

Sedric spoke with a slightly reddened face.

“I’m sorry for saying something unnecessary. I was worried it might be a matter of your dignity.”

“Oh, no.”

Artizea lowered her head.

“Then please go in first. I need to go out again.”

“Yes. Have a safe trip.”

Artizea bowed and turned around.

Did Sedric have plans to go out? She searched her memory, but couldn’t tell if she couldn’t remember or if she never knew in the first place. Her mind had gone completely blank as if it had turned white for a moment.

Artizea walked mechanically toward the toilette room. She could still feel Sedric’s gaze from behind her.

Even putting her left foot and right foot forward became conscious, making her doubt whether she was walking properly.

Sophie followed behind Artizea with quick steps and whispered.

“Miss, why did you do that?”

“What did I do?”

“You should have asked Prince to watch!”

“It’s not like the dress design would change just because Lord Sedric looks at it.”

“Still. I caught a glimpse of it, and it’s really pretty. You’ll definitely look like a princess when you wear it.”

“I’m not a child. I don’t want to become a princess.”

Artizea said that.

When they went up to the 2nd floor, Emily greeted her with a bright face.

“Welcome, Marchioness. Didn’t Prince come with you?”

Artizea frowned slightly.

“I think I made a really wonderful dress in such a short time. Prince would definitely be satisfied too.”

“He didn’t come with me.”

Noticing that Artizea didn’t seem to like this, Sophie quietly informed her.

Emily’s face showed visible disappointment.

“Aren’t you doing this because it’s easier to overcharge Lord Sedric than me?”

“Of, of course not.”

Emily vehemently denied it.

“It’s a wedding dress, of all things.”

“It’s my dress. As long as I’m satisfied, that’s enough. I have no intention of bothering Lord Sedric.”

“How can you say such a thing? And it’s a wedding dress, of all things.”

Emily said while pinning the dress to fit Artizea’s body.

“I understand you’re busy. But you’re too uninterested, Marchioness.”

As someone who made clothes, she simply couldn’t understand. Wasn’t the wedding dress the alpha and omega of the wedding ceremony, the beginning and end, the flower?

“There’s no time. There are many other things to prepare.”

“That’s true. It’s too rushed. You should praise me for getting this far in just over two months. Fortunately, I happened to be stocking various white fabrics at the time.”

“I’m causing you trouble.”

“You’ve gained a little weight in your arms and shoulders since I last measured you. It looks much better. Your waist is also fine now.”

Emily pinned the waist to fit perfectly, saying it looked too precarious before. Sophie interjected.

“The butler and kitchen have united to pressure His Highness, so you’ll look even better soon.”

“Prince Evron?”

“Yes. I heard he’s become a dedicated snack errand boy?”

Sophie puffed up with pride as if it were her own story.

“Stop it. Lord Sedric brings snacks because he feels awkward too.”

“I personally saw the butler putting late-night snacks in Lord Sedric’s hands.”

“That could happen. Why are you going around telling everyone about such a trivial matter?”

Artizea scolded Sophie.

But it was a serious matter for Emily. She asked worriedly.

“Will you perhaps gain a little more weight?”

“How could I gain that much weight in just a month or two?”

“You’d look better with a little more weight on you. That said, I’m worried the dress might not fit properly if we do the fitting in this state.”

Emily made a thoughtful “hmm” sound with a troubled expression.

“If it really becomes problematic, we can always tighten the waist area with a corset then… Now, please look in the mirror.”

Artizea turned toward the mirror as Emily instructed.

“How is it?”

“It’s well made.”

“Well, of course it is!”

Emily said.

The dress had a fitted bodice and from the waist down, it was designed to spread out voluminously with delicate pleats in thin fabric.

“It’s not the latest fashion trend, but since Young Lady has an overall slim figure, this elegant design would suit you better than something that emphasizes body curves.”

Artizea gave a bitter smile, thinking how gracefully Emily had just said she was skinny as a rail.

“If I had more time, I would have properly adorned it with gems to make it shine, but there wasn’t enough time for that. Still, I managed to get fabric embroidered with silk thread.”

Emily said this while showing Artizea the fabric around her waist area.

White embroidery thread on white fabric wasn’t particularly noticeable. But it sparkled whenever light touched it.

“It’s too modest for a wedding dress for someone who will be Marquess Rosan and Duchess of Evron, but this is the best we could manage with what’s available right now.”

“Wow! But it’s incredibly beautiful!”

“It suits you so well!”

The maids burst into exclamations. Emily’s nose rose by about a centimeter.

Artizea gave a bitter smile.

“Yes. Let’s go with this.”

After all, Artizea wasn’t the real protagonist of this wedding.

Right now it might seem like all of high society was paying attention to their wedding, discussing the bride’s dress and the wedding gifts.

But what everyone was actually anticipating was scandal.

What kind of appearance would Milaire make at the wedding—the same Milaire who had slapped and trampled her own daughter at the tea party.

What attitude would the Emperor, who was showing favor toward this wedding, take toward Milaire.

What kind of appearance would the Young Lady make—the one who went from being the family’s burden to reclaiming the marquess household in an instant.

Was she manageable or not. Was she worth using or not. Had Duke of Evron fallen from grace or not.

Those were the real points of interest.

Once all the attendees were revealed, the bride’s wedding dress would become nothing more than passing gossip.

But Artizea found herself caught up in a strange stirring feeling inside her chest. It seemed like anxiety, or perhaps her heart pounding with nervousness.

Knock knock.

Just then, the sound of knocking on the toilette room door was heard.

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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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