The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 47

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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 47

The most shocked person was Cedric.

He hadn’t received even the slightest mention of this matter.

“Tia.”

He reached out and grasped Artizea’s wrist.

Artizea gently shook off his hand and looked at Cedric.

“Could you bring the box I left in the carriage? The one I received from Sir Freil.”

“Tia.”

Cedric spoke in a voice that seemed to try to soothe Artizea. Artizea said.

“It’s something I can’t entrust to another person’s hands. Even in the Empress’s Palace, there must be the Emperor’s eyes and ears somewhere.”

Artizea’s words were correct. Cedric had no choice but to stand up. He bowed slightly to the Empress and left the audience chamber.

Artizea stood up and knelt again before the Empress.

The Empress leaned back languidly against her chair and asked.

“How insolent, to suspect my palace.”

“Your Majesty the Empress knows well that it’s the truth.”

Someone as suspicious as the Emperor couldn’t have failed to plant people in a place as close as the Empress’s Palace.

The Empress didn’t find fault with this either.

“So, you want to become my lady-in-waiting?”

“Yes.”

“It seems this matter wasn’t discussed between you two.”

The Empress said this.

“It’s something I decided.”

Artizea’s face was pale. This made her eyes, filled with strong will, shine even deeper and more intensely blue.

But the true feelings hidden within them were unknowable.

“Is your mother so shameful to you?”

The Empress asked this to shake Artizea.

The more noble a lady’s status, the more selective she was about choosing ladies-in-waiting.

Those who became a noblewoman’s ladies-in-waiting were usually unmarried sisters or cousins. If not that, then nieces or wards they would personally educate.

For the head of a family, trustworthy retainers bound by loyalty would become ladies-in-waiting. Such ladies-in-waiting weren’t simply women who attended to miscellaneous tasks and served as companions. They were confidants.

But this was Artizea’s first meeting with the Empress today. House of Rosan had no past connections with the Empress or House of Liagan either.

Given such a relationship, speaking of loyalty or oaths would be inappropriate.

Moreover, what benefit could be gained from becoming the Empress’s lady-in-waiting with the status of Duchess of Evron, let alone Marquess of Rosan?

It might be different if there were power struggles at the center of the Imperial Palace. But there was no reason to be beside the Empress who was currently in seclusion like now.

“You don’t mean to become my lady-in-waiting because you want to follow me. Did you dare compare yourself to House of Pesher out of a desire to anger your mother, and try to use me?”

Artizea lowered her eyes and said.

“My ties with my mother have already been severed. I don’t want to bring shame to House of Evron. It’s better for the Empress’s lady-in-waiting to become the Duchess of Evron than for Milaire’s daughter to become the Duchess of Evron.”

“Do you think I would grant that wish? Even to the point of appearing in official occasions with Gregor?”

The Empress said with disgust.

For her husband’s nephew’s wedding, she could feign illness and not attend. But for a lady-in-waiting’s wedding, she couldn’t avoid attending.

That meant she would have to be in the same place as the Emperor. And being in the same location as the Emperor, they couldn’t pretend not to know each other.

“Your Majesty the Empress will grant my wish. Because you want revenge.”

“How would tormenting someone like your mother be revenge for me?”

The Empress said coldly.

“Of course I hate Milaire. Whether there’s love for a husband or not, no woman would like her husband’s mistress.”

“…”

“When my child died, Gregor embraced that woman and her son and said it was fine because he had you. He gave that woman’s son what my child should have inherited, killed my family members and tore apart their assets to distribute to those who flatter that woman.”

The Empress ground her teeth.

“Even so…, how could someone like Milaire be the target of my revenge? Gregor’s affection for that woman is merely entertainment. Would eliminating those who don’t kneel before her under the pretext of favoritism really be something done for her sake?”

The Empress’s angry voice echoed loudly in the audience chamber.

“It’s to split the nobles’ power in half by distinguishing between flatterers and those who don’t, to purge in advance those who make sounds displeasing to his ears, and to intimidate his subjects!”

“Then will you let succession go according to the Emperor’s will?”

Even though she was Milaire’s daughter, Artizea didn’t back down or show fear at all.

“The Emperor is a greedy person. Power is something not shared even with children. The Emperor will hold onto that power until his last breath, then pass it to a child he favors enough to consider his alter ego. Currently, Lawrence has the highest possibility.”

“…”

“But what that child will inherit should all have gone to Your Majesty the Empress’s offspring. Do you wish for the Emperor to do with it all as he pleases? His ascension to the imperial throne wasn’t accomplished by his power alone. How much stake do you hold in that imperial seat, Your Majesty the Empress?”

The Empress was silent for a moment. Then she spoke in a cracked voice.

“You’re excellent at stabbing people’s hearts and stirring up anger.”

“I’m honored.”

Artizea bowed her head deeply.

Anger and desire move people more easily. Fear and restraint are much more useful means of controlling people.

Even knowing this, the Empress said:

“There’s definitely my stake in Gregor’s imperial throne. Do you covet it? Is what you want the Empress’s position?”

“What I want is to reclaim my rightful due, and to have the power to never again live subserviently to others.”

The Empress wouldn’t believe talk of following justice or the right path. It would be easier to understand if she spoke of ambition or revenge instead.

If she hadn’t known Cedric and Lisia, Artizea herself would have been the same.

So Artizea answered that way.

“Because that would be the greatest revenge against those who looked down on me.”

The Empress let out something like a scoffing laugh.

“That’s of no use to me whatsoever. If I grant your wish, what will you repay me with?”

“When the Emperor passes away, I will make him the loneliest and most miserable person in the world.”

Artizea answered without hesitation.

The Empress was speechless. Even the Empress’s ladies-in-waiting dared not open their mouths.

Sharp, tense air filled the audience chamber.

Artizea felt neither concern nor worry. While she might not be confident about making someone happy, she was confident about making someone miserable.

Even if he died lying on a bed decorated with gold, nothing would remain in the Emperor’s hands.

“Do you know your words could be heard as treason?”

“I could speak in roundabout terms, but I know that’s not what Your Majesty the Empress wants to hear. I’m telling you I can do exactly what you desire.”

The Empress’s expression changed.

That’s when it happened.

The door opened carefully and a servant spoke respectfully.

“Prince Evron has returned.”

Cedric returned carrying the box himself.

He noticed the tension pervading the audience chamber. But instead of showing bewilderment, he entered with a calm and stable demeanor that pushed away that atmosphere.

Cedric’s presence pressed down heavily on the audience chamber’s atmosphere, making it gentle.

He set the box down on the table.

Cedric knew that serious and significant conversation had taken place while he was away.

But he didn’t ask about it on the spot or act tactlessly.

Instead, he helped Artizea up and asked in a gentle voice.

“Why were you kneeling?”

That alone loosened the taut tension.

The Empress looked at the box and asked.

“What is that?”

“It’s a gift Tia prepared to present to Your Majesty the Empress. Olga’s heart rightfully should be reclaimed by Your Majesty the Empress, so it cannot be a gift.”

Countess Marta approached.

Cedric quietly extended his hand to prevent the Countess from opening the box.

“I don’t think now is the time to open it.”

Artizea smiled, feeling as if Cedric had seen right through her thoughts.

The Empress looked at Cedric and said as if sighing.

“How did you end up with such a wife?”

Cedric looked troubled. Though he didn’t know what conversation had taken place, he could guess what the Empress wanted to say.

“I think she’s wonderful.”

“I heard rumors that you’ve fallen for her.”

“That’s true.”

The Empress let out a long sigh as if lamenting.

“Since you’re young, I can’t help but think you might be lacking in judgment…”

Nevertheless, her heart stirred with emotion.

There was no reason to trust her. All Artizea had now was the Rosan Marquess Estate’s wealth and Cedric.

But Artizea had succeeded in reclaiming the Rosan Marquess Estate even from a position of having nothing.

Her skill in handling people was exceptional and her goals were clear.

Though there were rumors that she had fallen in love with Cedric, the Empress thought it must be false.

The magnitude of ambition Artizea had revealed and her confident attitude reminded the Empress of her own younger days.

But within that was a coldness and objectivity that she herself had not possessed in her girlhood.

Artizea didn’t believe she could persuade others through the greatness of her ambitions and purposes. This was rare for someone her age.

What she offered as compensation wasn’t something she had hastily thought up for her own benefit either. It was precisely targeted at the Empress.

Such a woman wouldn’t be swayed by emotions and ruin her plans.

The Empress spoke to Artizea in a much softer voice.

“Most people devote themselves to blood relations and family, but some choose separately whom they will serve.”

“I am honored.”

Artizea bowed her head. The Empress seemed to have seen through whom she truly wished to work for, beyond the ambition and hatred she had spoken of.

The Empress spoke slowly.

“Since I know such a person myself, I won’t deny the Young Marquess’s desires.”

Then the Empress gestured.

“Marta, I’d like you to bring that from my bedroom.”

“Your Majesty the Empress…”

Knowing what the Empress was referring to, Countess Marta asked in surprise.

“When one receives a gift from a young lady, isn’t it customary to bestow an even greater reward? Moreover, since she’s about to be married, I cannot be negligent.”

“I understand.”

Countess Marta answered respectfully and withdrew.

The Empress looked at Artizea with a tired expression.

It seemed as if all the dignity she had worn until now had worn away, exposing her true face.

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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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