The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 68

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 68

When Artizea had just come out of the bathroom, the toilette room was filled with silence.

Sophie had her head wound roughly bandaged. She couldn’t go find a doctor and just had another maid help stop the bleeding.

She had to return before Artizea came out of the bathroom.

Thanks to that, the wrapped bandage was sloppy. Blood was seeping through bright red, and it looked like it would come undone at any moment.

Artizea quietly looked at Sophie. Cold air settled over the toilette room.

The maids hung their heads in fear even though it wasn’t their fault.

Artizea was a master who showed very little emotion. They had guessed that even when angry, she would be quietly, frighteningly angry.

But they didn’t know she would show such ice-cold rage without moving even an eyebrow.

Sophie spoke with a forced smile.

“My lady, please change your clothes first. You need to prepare for the banquet.”

“You go show your wound to the doctor. Pola, take Sophie to see the doctor.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Pola hurriedly linked arms with Sophie and led her outside.

“Rizhe, bring me the jewelry box.”

Rizhe handed the jewelry box she was holding to Artizea.

The box made of agate and gold had cracked from falling to the floor. There was also blood on the corners.

“Unbelievable. Even if Aubrey doesn’t show me the respect she should, to throw my jewelry box on the floor and damage it, then assault a maid I brought from my family home.”

Artizea’s voice rang out coldly.

“Go find Aubrey and bring her here.”

“M-my lady, your dress…”

“Do you think I could just sit here getting dressed after being insulted by a maid like this?”

Artizea said that.

The maids were terrified and flustered.

One older maid took the lead first and bowed to Artizea.

Then she herded the other maids and hurried outside.

“You go tell Lady Margaret what just happened, and the rest of you quickly go find Lady Aubrey. When you find her, go to Lady Margaret first before bringing her to my lady.”

“Shouldn’t coming to apologize to my lady be the priority?”

“You know Lady Aubrey’s temperament. If we handle this too directly and something really big happens, we’ll be the only ones to blame. And you know how much Lady Margaret has been worrying?”

“That’s true.”

“Anyway, find her before it’s too late.”

After sharing their opinions like that, the maids scattered in all directions.

Margaret was in the Grand Hall.

Artizea had completely entrusted her with authority over the fortress’s household management. So preparing for this New Year’s banquet was also Margaret’s responsibility.

This year, she paid special attention to heating above all else.

She lit charcoal that produced less smoke here and there, and hung multiple layers of tapestries in places where drafts might seep in.

But if they only heated without ventilation, smoke could accumulate. She had to be careful so that cold air wouldn’t reach the Duchess’s seat while warmth circulated.

Artizea was an easy master to serve.

She didn’t compare the desolate duchy to the capital. She wasn’t picky about clothes or bedding, nor did she try to oppress her subordinates.

When Sedric said he would marry Milaire’s daughter, she had worried about various things.

But now those worries had completely disappeared.

Her behavior was dignified and calm. She was generous to her subordinates while still maintaining her position as a superior.

The number of people who voluntarily became loyal to her was growing. Most of them were financial officers.

The territory’s economic situation, which seemed like it would be stagnant forever, began to move with vitality.

Recently, she had a good reputation among the maids too.

If there was a flaw, it was that she didn’t eat well. They also had to be mindful that she didn’t get cold. But even that wasn’t difficult.

Margaret had also served Sedric’s mother. Actually, that time had been much harder.

Sedric’s mother was kind and good. But she was too young. She was always sick with homesickness, making those around her feel sorry for her.

Compared to that, Artizea didn’t feel young at all despite being a similar age.

She wasn’t a young mistress who needed to be taken care of, but a superior who could be trusted and relied upon.

She was exactly the Duchess the duchy had hoped for. No, more than that.

She was someone who fit perfectly with Sedric, as if filling in the parts he lacked.

“The two of them get along so well, if only some really good news would come around next spring…”

Aaron was already getting ahead of himself with expectations.

Margaret pinched the back of his hand, telling him not to talk nonsense.

“Her Highness isn’t that healthy. Before that, she needs to get plenty of nutrition, gain some weight, and exercise to be able to handle it. She’s still young too. It would be better for her to be somewhere warm.”

So the summer after next would be perfect, Margaret also joined in the nonsense talk.

Anyway, the only worry now was Aubrey.

“Aunt Margaret.”

She was holding a candlestick and checking the drafty passages again when she heard someone calling.

A beautiful young lady wearing a cozy fur coat was entering the Grand Hall.

Her loosely let down reddish-gold hair was disheveled by the wind, and her lively cheeks and straight nose were reddened as if they had faced the cold wind head-on.

The young lady wore leather pants and boots that came up to her thighs. At her waist hung a short sword and a powder horn.

Her spirited gait made even the air seem to dance. Her red lips were full, and her blue eyes were as vivid as a forest.

If she had a bow and quiver on her shoulder, she would look like a hunting goddess who had just jumped out of a painting.

Margaret asked in surprise.

“Lisia, did you come on horseback?”

“Don’t worry, Aunt. My banquet dress will arrive soon. I just came a bit early because I was feeling restless.”

“Early? Everyone else arrived days ago, you’re the only one who’s late. The banquet is today and you’re just arriving now.”

“I had some concerns. You know about our village’s situation. I hesitated until the last moment.”

Margaret sighed softly and said, “I see.”

The name of the village where Lisia lived was the Village of the Rebels.

The Village of the Rebels had no official name. It was a village not marked on maps.

When the previous Duke and Duchess died for treason, most of the retainers, knights, and employees who were in the capital were also killed.

The Village of the Rebels was a village where their families lived in hiding.

Even after the treason was cleared, the village remained hidden. If it was revealed that they had hidden the bloodline of traitors at that time, it would damage the Evron Duchy.

So they decided to live as dead people until the end.

It was something they could do because they had already become one community after years of living together, comforting each other with the same pain.

Only young people were carefully coming out one by one to reclaim their family names and find new places to settle.

So this time too, they had long deliberated whether or not to come pay respects to Artizea.

Margaret smiled brightly.

“It’s fine. Her Highness already knows about the Northern Village of Told.”

“Yes. I saw what you wrote in your last letter. Prince must really trust Her Highness.”

“Of course. At first I had many worries too. But she’s really someone who suits being a Duchess. No, she’s much more amazing than that. It’s like she perfectly fits the parts Prince was lacking…”

“That’s fortunate.”

“More than anything else, Prince likes her, so that’s the best thing.”

Margaret chuckled.

“You’ll be surprised when you see too. He was someone who rarely showed bright expressions.”

“I remember him being rather stoic too. Serious. Though he was kind.”

“Right. I learned for the first time that he could make such expressions too. Just for that alone, I, Aaron, and everyone else are all grateful to Her Highness.”

Then suddenly thinking of Aubrey, Margaret sighed.

Aubrey was too immature. Three years ago, the reason she could act familiarly with Sedric, and that it was tolerated, was because she was still young.

Now she was already 18, so she should know her place. Didn’t even Lisia, who was a few months younger than Aubrey, know what was right?

Margaret shook her head and looked at Lisia.

“Anyway, I’m relieved that you came.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Come to think of it, this concerns you too. You know that Her Highness said she would choose maids from among the ducal house’s retainers?”

“Yes. You wrote about it in your letter.”

“Aubrey, you see, became His Highness’s first maid.”

Margaret was about to lament.

Just then, a maid came running urgently.

“Lady Margaret, something terrible has happened!”

“What’s the matter?”

“Well…”

The maid lowered her voice and explained to Margaret what Aubrey had done.

Margaret turned pale.

“I need to go see Her Highness. Lisia, your room has been cleaned—the one you used before.”

“Yes, I understand. I can go by myself, so don’t worry.”

Margaret hurriedly left the Grand Hall to go to Artizea.

Lisia looked around the banquet hall for a moment with nostalgic feelings.

“It’s nice and warm.”

During Sedric’s absence, the fortress’s New Year banquet was just a small gathering of whoever was available.

Even remembering when Sedric was present, it wasn’t particularly beautiful. Though many people gathered, the atmosphere was cold and always felt like a memorial service.

But today was different. The decorations were bright and the band was practicing dance music.

Lisia smiled, glad she had brought her only formal dress.

What kind of person would Her Highness the Grand Duchess be? Her heart fluttered with excitement.

Artizea sat in her armchair, waiting silently for Sophie to return.

Alice asked carefully.

“Are you very angry?”

“Not particularly angry.”

But it was clear that wasn’t her true feelings.

“I really didn’t expect Lady Aubrey to act this way.”

The best outcome would have been for Aubrey to realize her position first.

But it seemed she ultimately couldn’t accept that she was merely in a servant’s position.

If she was going to rebel anyway, it was better for her to do it decisively. She had thought this would happen someday.

But she hadn’t expected her to hurt Sophie. She thought Aubrey was immature, but didn’t know she was this reckless.

Sophie returned after finishing the bleeding treatment. Though some blood had seeped through the bandage, her complexion looked much better.

Sophie spoke with a worried expression.

“I’m sorry, my lady. I shouldn’t have provoked Lady Aubrey’s temper…”

“It would have happened eventually. It’s not your fault.”

“Yes.”

Sophie replied in a subdued voice.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————