The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 69

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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 69

Artizea asked.

“Are your injuries alright?”

“Yes. They said it was just a slight tear on the surface. There’s no bleeding now.”

“What about scars?”

“They said there won’t be any. It’s nothing serious. Even if I had scratched my arm or something, it would have bled. It’s just because of where it happened that it made you worry unnecessarily.”

“That’s a relief.”

Artizea finally smiled.

“Will you help me change clothes? You always do it alone, and honestly, that’s more comfortable for me.”

“Yes, my lady.”

When Aubrey first hit her with the jewelry box, Sophie had felt tearfully miserable and angry.

But she quickly shook it off. It was better to forget about it.

Aubrey herself was just a noble young lady. But House Jordin was different.

It was the second most powerful family in the Evron Duchy after the ducal house. And Aaron and Margaret were like pillars that the people of the duchy greatly relied on.

It was natural for the people of the fortress to favor their daughter.

It was common for masters or ladies to beat maids. Just thinking about Milaire proved that. Her close maids never had a day without bruises on their bodies.

Sophie wasn’t foolish enough to forget that she was just a maid because Artizea treated her generously.

It wasn’t even Artizea who had hit her. Rather, she had gotten angry and worried about her. That was enough for Sophie.

She just hoped that nothing would happen to create a rift between her precious lady and House Jordin because of her.

Sophie let out a sigh where Artizea couldn’t see her. Then she brightened her mood and brought the dress.

What she had prepared was a velvet dress lined with soft, dense fur.

“Madame Emily is truly remarkable. Since she didn’t know how cold the north would be, she said she made it loose so you could layer thermal undergarments with help from local people there.”

“I see.”

“I actually thought it might be too big, but after sewing in thin fur lining, it fit perfectly.”

The outer fabric was a calm, low-saturation light orange, and the fur visible at the sleeves and collar was a bright barley color.

“Since it’s the New Year banquet, I chose a light color. My lady has beautiful hair color and fair skin, so any color suits you. Even an ordinary maid like me can dress you with confidence.”

“You’re doing perfectly well, Sophie.”

“Someone like me was originally just a laundry room maid.”

“What’s wrong, Sophie? If you weren’t doing well, Madame Emily would have already scolded you, wouldn’t she? My lady brought you this far because she’s pleased with you.”

Alice said while helping her adjust Artizea’s hem. Sophie’s face reddened.

Artizea looked in the mirror once and nodded. It was a pretty outfit that looked both bright and warm.

She picked up the shawl placed on the vanity. Since it was for winter, it had fur attached to the part that touched the neck. The ribbon was silk.

Sophie had tried wrapping it around Artizea’s neck once, then removed it saying it didn’t suit her.

“Sophie.”

“Yes?”

Artizea wrapped it around Sophie’s neck. Then she removed one of the gold rings she was wearing and used it to fasten the shawl.

“I like today’s outfit. I’ll give this to you as a reward.”

That was an excuse. Sophie would know it wasn’t because of the outfit but because of her injury.

Artizea didn’t justify herself.

Strictly speaking, it was Artizea herself who had caused Sophie to get hurt. She was fully aware of that fact.

This was ultimately just an act to smooth over Sophie’s wound. Compensating wasted loyalty with money.

She would not take revenge for Sophie.

She would dismiss Aubrey. But that was because it had been her goal from the beginning. Not for Sophie’s sake.

Regardless of her feelings, House Jordin took priority over Sophie.

If it had been necessary to keep Aubrey by her side, she wouldn’t have shown even a hint of anger outwardly.

People were all just numbers. So even her own people were merely resources.

That was right.

So Artizea said nothing else.

But Sophie already understood everything.

Her eyes reddened.

“I, I’m really fine.”

“Didn’t I say it was because I liked the outfit?”

“Oh right, yes. You did say that.”

Instead of wiping away her tears, Artizea lightly adjusted the shawl to secure it properly.

And she turned her gaze away as if nothing had happened.

That was when Margaret arrived.

“Your Highness, it’s Margaret.”

At the respectful announcement, Alice opened the door.

Margaret entered and instead of giving an ordinary greeting, she knelt on one knee.

Artizea only moved her eyes to glance down at her.

Margaret tensed up when she saw Sophie wiping tears with her sleeve.

This wasn’t something to dismiss as just involving a mere maid. She was one of the most favored maids brought from her family home.

It wasn’t just that she had been hurt, but that it was done by throwing a jewelry box.

Moreover, that jewelry box was something Artizea had entrusted to Aubrey. In other words, she had thrown away a task entrusted by her master.

In Evron, this was truly an unforgivable act.

“I heard that Aubrey committed a crime. I know that the sin of raising a daughter poorly cannot be compensated by anything.”

Margaret bowed her head deeply and spoke.

“I’m sorry.”

She could only hope that her apology would soften Artizea’s heart even a little and lessen Aubrey’s punishment.

Artizea spoke coldly without even giving her a glance.

“Have you found Aubrey?”

“I’m sorry. We’re looking for her now.”

“I trust you know that Aubrey has been insolent to me all this time.”

“I have nothing to say. Even though Your Highness gave her many chances, my child was foolish and immature and committed a crime.”

“Raising children isn’t something that goes as planned. I have no intention of scolding you. Nor do I doubt House Jordin’s loyalty.”

Margaret only bowed her head.

Although Artizea said that, she didn’t give permission to stand up. That meant she wasn’t absolving Aubrey of her crime.

“Alice, bring the box and give it to Margaret.”

Alice brought the broken jewelry box that had been placed on the vanity and gave it to Margaret.

“Fix it perfectly. As if the cracks were never there. If you do that for me, I’ll forget everything.”

“I understand.”

Margaret’s hands trembled slightly.

What Artizea mentioned was the box, but it was clear that it didn’t simply mean the box.

It meant to handle Aubrey’s punishment herself so that no rift would form between the ducal house and House Jordin.

And she would forget about it with that.

“Thank you for your merciful decision.”

Margaret bowed deeply again and withdrew from the room.

Then she urgently called for the head maid.

“Have everyone who’s free search for Aubrey. Tell them I ordered it, and tie her up with rope if necessary.”

“Yes.”

“Make sure to prevent her from entering the banquet hall and catching Her Highness’s eye at all costs. Inform all the guards too.”

“B-but, Lady Margaret. Then rumors might spread…”

“She committed a crime against Her Highness. Are rumors the problem right now? She might be at home, so I need to go check briefly. Send someone if anything happens with the banquet preparations.”

“Understood.”

Margaret gathered her skirts and hurried outside.

‘Foolish thing.’

Becoming the Grand Duchess’s maid was also an opportunity Artizea had given Aubrey.

She had kicked away that opportunity and proven her own insolence. Now Aubrey would never again rise to a high position within the Evron Duchy.

* * *

Regardless of her emotions, Aubrey’s matter itself was a trivial issue for Artizea. The affair that had been dragged out for so long due to concerns about House Jordin had finally come to an end.

What remained was the New Year banquet.

Artizea headed to the Grand Hall, escorted by Cedric.

Despite being a spacious banquet hall with high ceilings, it was heated warmly enough to feel cozy.

Expensive white charcoal braziers were placed throughout. The candlesticks positioned everywhere were numerous enough to brighten the hall even at midnight when all lit.

Nearly a hundred fist-sized crystals were placed around to reflect the light.

To cover the dark-colored tapestries and create a cheerful atmosphere, long strips of pale purple and white silk were draped here and there.

Though it couldn’t compare to the splendid banquets of the capital, it was sufficiently majestic and luxurious.

As the two entered, all attendees rose in unison and bowed.

Cedric lightly exchanged glances with his retainers while escorting Artizea to the head table.

Servants busily carried wine cups. Liquor aged for over ten years, diluted with snow, was served to everyone in wide-mouthed cups.

Artizea also received a cup. Cedric whispered quietly.

“You don’t have to drink if you can’t.”

“It’s fine.”

Artizea neither enjoyed alcohol nor had a strong tolerance for it. However, Margaret had diluted her drink more than others’ so she could empty her first cup.

She also had dried fruits and orange-colored candy added to the cup. That much she could manage to drink.

Cedric spoke while standing.

“It’s wonderful to welcome the new year together with everyone after three years. Thank you for protecting Evron during this time. I’m not sure how many times I’ve given the same greeting.”

Small laughter rippled through the crowd.

“Many things will change going forward. But I hope we can all welcome the new year together next year, unchanged from how we are now.”

“That won’t do! I’m getting married too!”

One of the knights shouted. Those around him knocked him down with punches, asking what nonsense he was spouting in His Highness’s presence.

So this time Cedric laughed.

“Bringing more family is always welcome, so don’t worry. Now then.”

Cedric raised his cup.

“To an honorable life!”

“To the glory of Evron!”

Following Cedric’s lead, the attendees shouted in unison.

“To Her Highness the Grand Duchess!”

Another troublemaker shouted something different alone and got beaten down.

Since this happened every year, Cedric just laughed.

Then he turned to Artizea, lightly clinked his cup against hers, and emptied it.

Artizea drank half her cup and sat down.

The brazier under her chair was warm, making her feel comfortable.

Aaron was the first to approach and offer his greetings.

“Happy New Year. You’ll surely have even better news this year.”

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you all. But where’s Margaret?”

Since Aaron was alone, Cedric asked curiously. Aaron glanced slyly at Artizea.

Since she had no intention of blaming Aaron and Margaret, Artizea spoke calmly.

“She said earlier that something came up and she needed to step away briefly. She can give her greetings later.”

Cedric nodded. Only then did he realize that Aubrey was also absent.

He assumed Artizea had assigned her some task and let it pass.

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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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