The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 94

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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 94

Mel still wore the attire of a knight with her insignia covered. However, Fiona and Hailey wore modest clothes made of undyed cotton and had their hair tied up and covered with plain cotton headscarves.

Unlike Mel, who maintained her status as a member of the knight order, these two were now officially complete commoners. Strictly speaking, their status was even lower than Sophie, who worked in the castle.

“Don’t kneel.”

Artizea waved her hand. Then she sat down and offered seats to the three people.

“Please sit.”

“How could we dare.”

“I would prefer it if you did.”

The three people exchanged glances with each other.

There was no way to know what business Artizea had called the sisters for.

The sisters did not resent Artizea. They were not unaware of what Aubrey had done.

Hailey, the third sister who was close in age to Aubrey, even expressed disgust toward Aubrey, saying that what was coming had simply come.

“How many times did I tell you not to cover for her? I’ve been saying since we were young that she was having thoughts above her station.”

Mel had been unable to say anything to Hailey, who was so angry.

But even so, there was sadness and pain. There was also anxiety.

Mel had no other feelings, like a true knight of Evron.

However, Fiona, who was naturally timid, was in a sensitive state. Aubrey’s wrongdoing was wrong, but separate from that, she also had a husband and children. It was impossible for her not to have resentful feelings.

Hailey was the owner of a sharper reason than that. She could easily guess that the reason Artizea had summoned them was because of the uneasy atmosphere pervading Evron Mansion.

‘Surely she won’t hold us responsible?’

Aubrey was already dead and Jordin had been punished. How could they do anything about the remaining effects?

Along with rights, duties had disappeared. Sin ended by receiving punishment.

Mel, as the eldest daughter with responsibility for the count’s family, might be a little different, but that was the case for Fiona and Hailey, who had little to inherit.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard the news, but in a few days I will leave this place and return to the capital.”

“Yes.”

Mel answered as the representative.

“I know that this could increase the people’s anxiety. It’s probably not a pleasant matter for you either. At a time like this when the Prince is personally guarding the fortress at Told Gate, the fact that the duchess is leaving the duchy to return to the capital, even using winter land routes, would look as if she’s running away in fear of conflict, abandoning the people.”

“We don’t think such thoughts at all.”

Mel spoke seriously. Artizea shook her head.

“Not everyone’s heart is like yours. There are also rumors that I conspired with the Southern Sea people to flee. Leaving in such circumstances is bound to cause misunderstandings.”

Artizea spoke bitterly.

“We are sorry.”

That rumor was essentially started by Aubrey. So all three sisters bowed their heads.

“I’m not reproaching you. That’s just how the situation is.”

“Your Highness.”

“I have no desire to become a praised duchess. I may never come to this territory again. However, resentment must not reach the Prince, and the unity of the duchy must not be broken.”

Even Lisia was surprised by these words.

“So, Sir Mel.”

“Yes.”

Mel answered respectfully. She had no idea what Artizea was trying to say.

“Would you become my head maid?”

Mel’s eyes widened. To Artizea, that face looked more like Cedric than Aaron or Margaret.

“I won’t bother talking about Aubrey. Though she committed a sin, I know it was personal deviant behavior. Saying more would only pain your hearts.”

“Your Highness…”

“The punishment given to the Jordin family was directly decided by the Prince, so I cannot overturn it here. Moreover, Margaret is someone who once took responsibility and stepped down, so she cannot be called back. In that case, Sir Mel seems to be the appropriate choice.”

Fiona and Hailey drew in their breath.

“I would like you to take on the role of governing the duchy in my place as my head maid.”

By doing so, she could effectively restore the Jordin family without touching the punishment Cedric had imposed.

Of course, she couldn’t immediately return their title. The white uniform service imposed on Aaron and Margaret would also remain as is.

However, the position of the duchess’s head maid was certainly no less than that of a count. The people of the duchy would think of this as the return of House Jordin.

All the retainers and people who sympathized with the Jordin family would be pleased.

“However.”

Mel stammered a little.

“I am a blood relative of a traitor.”

“You have washed away your family’s shame yourself and proven your loyalty. You are knowledgeable in military affairs, well-versed in the duchy’s circumstances, and trusted both internally and externally. This would reassure the people, restore the Jordin family’s honor, and give me an opportunity to regain the retainers’ trust.”

Mel bowed her head.

“Your words are too generous. The Prince has already entrusted the management of the mansion to Agate Marquis.”

“The Prince entrusted it to Agate Marquis because he thought I would be here all winter. Since I know nothing about military affairs, he asked him to assist in that area.”

However, governing not only the mansion but the entire duchy could not be sufficient with military capability alone.

“You know the history of the duchy and have long assisted Aaron and Margaret by their side. You were scheduled to stand directly under the Prince as Count Jordin in the future, and as a knight, you can capably handle military matters, so there is no one more suitable than you.”

Artizea’s intention was sufficiently conveyed. Fiona and Hailey looked at Mel tensely.

“Would it be difficult?”

Artizea asked again.

Considering various things, there was no better solution than this.

However, she was Aubrey’s enemy. If it was emotionally unacceptable, there was nothing to be done.

“No.”

Mel answered in a choked voice.

“Since a daughter of Jordin committed an unforgivable sin against Your Highness, a daughter of Jordin will repay it. Even if you said you would use me as a maid, I should gladly devote my life, but since you are adding honor, I can only be grateful.”

“Thank you.”

Artizea spoke in a quiet voice. It was sincere. If Mel had not accepted the proposal, it would mean leaving an element of unrest in the duchy.

This time she spoke to Fiona.

“I hope you will also help Sir Mel and care for the duchy together. The reason I called all three of you together is that this is not so much a proposal to Sir Mel individually, but rather a story expressing my wish for the entire Jordin family to return. I hope you will understand my sincerity…”

And finally, Artizea looked at Hailey and spoke separately.

“You were unmarried.”

“Yes.”

“If your heart permits, I would like you to follow me to the capital as a maid.”

Hailey’s face momentarily reddened with excitement, then turned pale again.

“The Jordin family has lost its title. Making Mel sister the head maid is a matter within the duchy, so there should be no problem. But I think it would be difficult for someone like me to be recognized as Your Highness’s maid in the capital.”

“Sister Hailey, please don’t speak like that. If we’re talking about that, my birthplace is…”

Lisia interjected.

Artizea gestured for her not to say more. She disliked the conversation becoming complicated or troublesome in that way.

“Lisia’s problem and Sir Mel’s problem are ultimately matters within the duchy, far from the capital. I’m not saying this to look down on the duchy, but ultimately what’s important is how many of the Evron ducal house’s retainers come as my maids.”

“Are you saying it’s possible to show the outside world how deep the relationship between the duchy and Your Highness is, while forcibly creating trust?”

Hailey asked provocatively.

Artizea looked at her with a slightly surprised face. Not only had she grasped the former, but the latter words also meant that Hailey had figured out all of her intentions.

Forcibly creating trust. Those words were correct. In short, taking Hailey as a maid included the meaning of keeping the Jordin family in check, as a hostage.

Artizea smiled.

“Saying it like that makes me really want to take you along.”

Hailey bowed her head respectfully.

“I will follow.”

“Hailey!”

Surprised Fiona raised her voice. Following to the capital was a different matter from Mel becoming head maid as a formality to manage the duchy.

Whether it meant Hailey personally would pledge loyalty to Artizea or follow as a hostage, it was unacceptable to Fiona.

Hailey ignored Fiona.

“Trust between people doesn’t just happen naturally. And I know well how important the person who will be by Your Highness’s side in the future is. Thank you for giving Jordin an opportunity to gain trust despite there having been betrayal once.”

“Capable and perceptive people are always welcome. As you said, I had the intention of creating trust with Jordin even by force, but beyond that, I’m becoming interested in you.”

Hailey stood up and knelt on one knee before Artizea.

Artizea finally met with Margaret.

Margaret, though terribly haggard, showed proper courtesy to Artizea.

“I raised a foolish child wrongly and caused Your Highness to experience such a terrible ordeal that you should never have had to endure. I have no more words to offer. Even my life cannot repay this debt. I am sorry.”

It was the first time they had met since that day.

Margaret knelt and spoke these words while tears streamed down her face. Artizea personally took her hands and helped her to her feet.

“I’m sorry.”

She could say nothing more than that. But Margaret seemed satisfied with just that, washing Artizea’s hands with her tears.

All the people rejoiced when they heard the news about Mel.

Cedric’s punishment remained in effect, with his title still stripped for three years. However, there was no way that Mel, who had become the Grand Duchess’s head maid, would fail to inherit the count’s title.

With this, the punishment was diluted and House Jordin was forgiven. In the duchy, it was believed that the Jordin family’s long-standing loyalty had been rewarded.

Some people still felt uneasy.

However, Artizea thought that most would soon forget what had happened once she left. That was human nature, after all.

When you create a reassuring and familiar situation for people, they settle into it. And for the people of this place, Mel succeeding Aaron and Margaret was only natural.

Three days later, Artizea finished her preparations and left Evron Mansion. The bitter winter wind was blowing on the long road home.

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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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