The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 73

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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 73

11.

Lisia became Artizea’s maid.

It was what many people had expected. As the heir of Baron Morthen, her status and position were appropriate to become the Grand Duchess’s maid. Their ages were similar too.

Moreover, Artizea had shown her more than ordinary favor from the beginning.

Artizea had the room next to hers given to Lisia. She also assigned three separate maids to her.

She even selected the finest clothes from her own wardrobe, had them altered, and gave them as gifts.

Her wardrobe still had quite a few clothes that had never been worn. Some would be difficult to obtain in the Evron Duchy even with money.

Lisia refused in bewilderment.

“You can’t give me all of this, Your Highness. Besides, these clothes were gifts from Prince…”

“Don’t worry. I know it wouldn’t be proper to give gifts I received directly to someone else. These are all things I bought separately, so please accept them without concern.”

Artizea said so.

“My maid’s appearance is related to my own dignity.”

Lisia looked troubled, but gratefully accepted.

In fact, she only had one or two dresses suitable for formal occasions, so such consideration was necessary to stay by Artizea’s side.

Baron Morthen’s house was poor. The village of the rebels itself was like that too.

The House of Evron provided support. However, creating a village was an expensive undertaking. They also had to avoid the Imperial Court’s attention. They couldn’t guarantee a comfortable lifestyle.

Lisia had never been particularly interested in luxurious and extravagant things from the beginning.

So dressing her in fine clothes and hanging jewels around her neck was Artizea’s desire.

Artizea felt skeptical that she seemed to be trying to compensate for her guilt in such a way.

But there was no reason to suppress the desire to do so.

At least she should repay Lisia as much as she had received from Cedric. Because that was originally Lisia’s.

Artizea also sent people separately to Baron Morthen’s house. To bring anything Lisia needed, and also to take care of the Baron’s household.

Naturally, the maids became respectful toward Lisia. Unlike with Aubrey, they realized that Lisia would become the second-in-command.

Since she had come for the New Year banquet but couldn’t return, Lisia wrote a letter to her father.

『To Father.

I am doing well. I think you have already heard the news, but I have come to serve as Her Highness the Grand Duchess’s maid.

I apologize for not consulting with you beforehand as it was sudden.

However, Her Highness the Grand Duchess currently has no maids at all, so I cannot leave her side. Normally, Sister Aubrey should be here, but she was expelled for committing a wrongdoing.

Since the daughter of Count Jordin was driven out, many people were afraid.

But within two or three days, everyone understood the situation and the fortress quickly returned to normal. Her Highness graciously did not hold Aunt Margaret or Uncle Aaron responsible.

Her favoring me as a maid is also because of that incident, I believe.

Her Highness has a cold side, but she is a dignified and elegant person. She is clear about rewards and punishments, and possesses the authority befitting that.

This time too, Prince also entrusted the work to Her Highness without interfering at all in what she handles.

Evron has been without a mistress for too long until now. At first, everyone seemed a bit confused, but now things are settling into place.

According to Aunt Margaret, although there was the previous Grand Duchess, she married young and was ill throughout before passing away early, so this is the first time serving a truly powerful mistress.

Moreover, Her Highness is a person overflowing with wit and intelligence. She has already discovered problems in the territory from unexpected angles several times, so the administrators fear yet respect her.

Above all else, she and Prince trust and love each other.

She is not someone detached from politics. But she doesn’t seem like someone who would be swayed by her family and drag Prince into political strife, as you worry about, Father.

Prince also didn’t marry for political purposes.

If there’s something that makes me anxious, it’s that Her Highness treats me too well beyond what I deserve.

I worry that I might not live up to expectations and not return loyalty equal to the favor she shows me.

Her Highness plans to bring in two more maids, selecting only from loyal retainers of the ducal house. When that time comes, I’ll visit home once.

Lisia.』

When Lisia was finishing her letter, Artizea entered the drawing room.

Lisia quickly rose from her seat. A maid following Artizea set down a tea service tray on the table.

“Just sit. Were you writing a letter?”

“No. I finished it.”

Lisia shook the letter to dry the ink, folded it, and pressed it to one side.

Then she quickly opened the tea container lid.

“You want to do it?”

Artizea asked. Lisia’s face reddened.

“If you’ll allow it.”

“Alright. Try it.”

Artizea said as she took her seat.

Lisia wasn’t particularly skilled at brewing tea.

She first scooped tea leaves with a tea spoon and transferred them to the teapot. Her hand trembled as she poured the hot water.

When Artizea did it, the movements looked very simple and beautiful.

But when she did it herself, she didn’t know why it was so difficult. It was even worse when she thought someone was watching.

“You can practice slowly.”

Artizea said.

“In warm regions, they say making the water stream thin and dropping it from a high place makes the water softer, but here the water would cool down if you did that. It’s natural that you’re not used to it.”

“We didn’t have tea utensils at home.”

Lisia said. She had learned it as part of her education in childhood. However, she rarely had opportunities to actually use it.

“I’ll definitely master it before winter passes.”

Lisia knew that Artizea bringing tea utensils lately and brewing it herself in front of her was to teach her.

Hearing those words, Artizea smiled faintly.

“I don’t think the beauty and refinement that social circles demand truly represent a person’s dignity.”

“Yes.”

“However, it can reduce opportunities for attack. It’s not just about oneself, but also relates to the judgment of the person who chose you, so it’s better to pay attention to such things.”

Artizea said this thinking of when Lisia would become Empress in the future.

The Saint Empress would receive the love and support of all the people.

But the place where Lisia would actually have to live wasn’t among the people, but in social circles.

Being the daughter of Baron Morthen was one of the factors that made her seem easy to look down upon.

Devout ladies supported her. But quite a few mocked Lisia for lacking refinement because she was from a rural countryside.

Of course, Lisia wasn’t broken or saddened by such things. Still, it wouldn’t be bad to reduce weaknesses in advance.

Lisia interpreted Artizea’s words completely differently. She thought of ‘the person who chose you’ as Artizea, not Cedric.

She smiled brightly.

“Yes. I’ll practice hard to become a lady who won’t embarrass Your Highness.”

Artizea looked at her with slightly surprised eyes. Then she lowered her gaze.

“I’m grateful that you treat me with sincere goodwill.”

“Why do you say such an obvious thing?”

“Actually, I thought it couldn’t be helped if there was more hostility. Aubrey was rude to me and disloyal to the ducal house. But I thought that would be normal.”

Artizea let out a light sigh.

“Aubrey’s inability to hide her true feelings was certainly foolish, but I think it was something that could happen. That’s why I didn’t hold Count Jordin responsible either.”

“Your Highness is thinking wrongly. Just by Prince’s choice alone, Your Highness is worthy enough to receive our loyalty and love.”

“Is that so.”

“I think it was a very excellent choice.”

Lisia said respectfully, placing her hand on her chest. Then she smiled.

“But even if Your Highness hadn’t been the kind of mistress that subordinates generally desire…, I would have been very happy.”

“Lisia…”

“Because His Highness would have chosen for his own happiness, not out of responsibility.”

Artizea turned her head to hide her trembling sigh.

While Lisia’s words made her genuinely happy, she felt pain as if a large needle was piercing inside her chest.

She felt sorry for marrying him, even temporarily. Because it seemed like she wasn’t returning Cedric to her completely.

Yet she couldn’t help but feel secret joy in being called his wife. She felt guilty about that too.

Artizea’s expression became complicated, so Lisia wondered if she had misspoken.

She looked at Artizea cautiously. Artizea spoke as if making an excuse.

“I hope you don’t misunderstand. His Highness and I have no relationship whatsoever.”

“Your Highness.”

“Lord Sedric is a lord worth serving. That’s why I decided to entrust myself to the Rosan Marquess Estate. That’s all there is to it.”

Lisia made a troubled face.

There was a sound of knocking at the door. Lisia checked the clock. It was snack time.

Rizhe opened the door. As usual, Sedric stood there holding a plate of cookies in one hand.

Artizea naturally rose from her seat.

“Please come in.”

“It seems I’ve timed this well.”

Seeing that tea was prepared, Sedric smiled.

Lisia brought a new cup and set it down in front of Sedric.

“Your Highness timed it perfectly to prepare this.”

Sedric set down the cookie plate and took his seat.

Artizea brought a saucer and personally transferred about a third of the cookies. Then she had a maid bring a tray and placed the teacup and cookies on it.

Sedric furrowed his brow.

“If I’m being a bother, I’ll excuse myself.”

“No. I have some things to take care of anyway. Lisia, would you serve tea to His Highness in my place?”

“Whatever it is you need to do, I can handle it for you instead.”

Lisia said in confusion.

“I don’t want to be disturbed.”

“But His Highness is…”

“Isn’t it also a lady-in-waiting’s duty to entertain guests in my place when I’m busy?”

“But…”

Artizea lightly pressed Lisia’s shoulder, signaling her to remain seated.

Then she gave a slight bow to Sedric.

“Excuse me.”

The furrows in Sedric’s brow underwent tectonic shifts, becoming towering mountains and deep valleys.

Whether she noticed or not, Artizea simply left the drawing room.

The maid bowed with the face of someone who had committed a mortal sin. Then she followed behind with the tray.

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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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