The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 103

After finishing his dinner, Cedric told the servant to let him know when Artizea came out of the bath, then sank into an armchair. He was tired, but falling asleep for the night felt like a waste. He just wanted to close his eyes for a moment.

‘Tia was planning to leave tomorrow, but it wouldn’t hurt to delay the trip by a day. We can spend a leisurely day here together…’

He hoped they could talk late into the night. A glass of good brandy would make it even better. Just knowing he didn’t have to exercise such strict self-control tonight felt like a luxury.

Before he knew it, sleep crept up on him. After two days of riding, a hot bath and a full meal, it was inevitable. 

He vaguely recalled not locking the door, but sleepiness muddled his thoughts and he forgot why that had even mattered.

It was around this time that Artizea, her hair still damp and wrapped in a thick robe, arrived outside his room. There was no one in the corridor. Sophie had promised to clear the area beforehand, but Artizea was still surprised not to see even a single guard.

It was a relief, really. If anyone had been around, she would have died of embarrassment.

She reached for the doorknob and the door opened silently. A small piece of leather fell at her feet. She glanced at it, puzzled, but didn’t bother to pick it up.

In fact, this was something the guard had wedged in the door earlier to keep it from shutting tightly. Like the servant who ignored Cedric’s order to notify him when Artizea left the bath, the guard was clearly on her side. If Cedric had wanted the door locked, he should have done it himself.

All the servants of Grand Duchy Evron were on Artizea’s side. Of course, everyone at Marquisate Rosan supported her. 

While a few of the knights may have been loyal to Cedric, that didn’t matter much. It was always easier to keep the housekeeper and the head maid happy, and both they and even Ansgar supported Artizea. 

Who would dare cross the future mistress of the house? Loyalty was one thing, but survival was another.

In short, Cedric was on enemy ground.

Artizea stepped inside and paused, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness. Cedric was sprawled in the armchair, neck resting on the back, deep asleep.

‘He must be exhausted…’

Cedric was the sort of person who could fall asleep or wake up instantly at any time, so for him not to stir at her footsteps meant he was truly spent.

Seeing his tired, asleep face, Artizea felt guilty. He had come all this way just to see her and she was acting petulant as if his devotion wasn’t enough.

She moved quietly closer, peering at his face before lightly touching his cheek with her finger.

Still, Cedric didn’t react. His mouth was slightly open with steady breath. Artizea brushed his lips, pouting a little with frustration.

“Tsk.”

How was she supposed to misbehave if he was like this?

She sat in front of him, debating what to do. Finally, she decided on just a bit of mischief.

She slipped off her robe and, dressed only in a negligee, climbed onto Cedric’s lap. If he still didn’t wake up after that, it was his own fault.

“Hoo…”

Cedric let out a long sigh. Artizea peered anxiously at his face, her heart thundering in her chest.

“Tia, don’t tease…”

He mumbled sleepily, pulling her down to rest against his body. Artizea stiffened in surprise, but Cedric seemed to fall right back to sleep, his hand dropping from her back. 

Once or twice, his hand moved as if to hold her again, but Artizea, pressed to his chest, could hear his heartbeat slow and steady.

Her own heart, on the other hand, was racing. Annoyed at herself, she stayed like that for a moment, then pinched his chest.

“Ugh!”

Cedric woke up with a scream. Realizing the soft, delicate body in his arms and the sweet scent, his eyes flew wide in surprise.

Artizea wrapped her arms around his neck. Cedric instinctively pulled her closer by the waist, awkwardly sitting up.

“Trying to run away again?”

She asked disgruntedly. Cedric froze.

He knew he should push her away, but the feeling of her pressed close, separated from him by only a whisper-thin layer of fabric, melted his resolve. It felt as if his skin and muscles were dissolving wherever she touched him. He held Artizea tighter.

“You’re going to be the death of me.” 

He muttered without thinking, and Artizea’s face instantly brightened. Cedric let out a shaky breath.

“I told you, we shouldn’t…”

“What are you so afraid of?”

She finally voiced the question she’d been holding back.

Cedric leaned back, closing his eyes, and Artizea could feel the tension running through his body.

Convinced now he couldn’t push her away, she pressed a kiss to his neck. Cedric groaned.

“Tia.”

Unless he was determined to throw her off, he was never going to win this battle. The soft curves of her body pressed against his chest, and then Artizea climbed all the way onto his thighs, her hand slipping under his collar.

Cedric exhaled shakily. Artizea asked again.

“If you don’t want this, tell me why.”

“…Have you ever thought about having a baby?”

The murky voice caught her off guard. She asked back, surprised.

“A baby?”

It wasn’t something she’d given much thought. 

If they got married, she’d have children and raise them. If the child took after Cedric, they’d be beautiful. If they took after her, well… at least they’d have her mother’s face. Just the face.

The firstborn would be heir to Grand Duchy Evron, and what happened with Marquisate Rosan was a conversation for another day. Raising a child well wouldn’t be easy, but Cedric, Ansgar, and Marie would all be there to help. 

It felt like a lot, but she was sure she could manage.

But Cedric’s next words took her completely by surprise.

“I’m scared of losing you.” 

“Ah…”

He brushed his lips over Artizea’s fingers, as if he wanted to bite them gently, and sighed again.

“And I’m afraid of what you’re afraid of.”

“It’s true, the thought of being in pain is scary…”

Artizea looked at him strangely and smiled.

“So, what, you plan to spend your life just kissing me and looking at my face?”

“I wouldn’t mind. I don’t care about heirs, either. We could always adopt.”

“Well, I care.”

She slipped her finger between his lips, tracing along his teeth. The gesture sent a jolt of excitement through her.

“I want to experience everything I can. To love Cedric, to fight with you, to live with you, to kiss you and more. If we have children, I want to raise them together, grow old together. Haven’t you ever thought of that?”

“Tia…”

“I had no idea you were such a coward. Are you… crying?”

Artizea was startled. She thought Cedric’s eyes were just a little misty, but then a single tear slid down his cheek.