The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 104

Artizea gently wiped the tears from Cedric’s cheek. The gesture reminded her of all the times he had dried her tears when she was a child, stirring up a gentle ache and tenderness in her heart.

Cedric took her hand, now damp from his tears, and pressed his lips to her palm. Whether the tears were his or hers, they tasted the same, and he let out a small, shaky laugh.

“You’re laughing?”

Artizea looked at him curiously and, teasing him, pinched his nose lightly between her fingers.

“They say if you laugh right after crying, you’ll grow hair on your butt.”

“Haha.”

“Look at this.”

Cedric chuckled, but his eyes were still wet, and Artizea watched him with concern as she tried to wipe away more tears. Her negligee was so thin that the sleeve barely absorbed the moisture before becoming soaked itself.

Cedric pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest.

“It’s okay. I’m not sad.” 

He murmured roughly.

Memories from his past life, now hazy and dreamlike, scratched at his heart before sinking back into the depths. 

He knew those thoughts were pointless, and he’d long regretted things that would never happen again. Yet he sometimes couldn’t help but wonder.

What if he had met her before anything bad happened? What if, when she’d stood against the shadowed ballroom wall, desperate for her mother’s attention, he’d gone to her and gently turned her gaze in a different direction? 

What if he’d tried to truly talk with her, even on the day Lysia and Lawrence married?

If only he’d been less rigid and more honest, could things have changed, even a little?

Can one person really save another? Cedric knew such miracles could happen, but he’d also learned that he was not the one to make them happen. He was no saint.

So, he’d buried that longing in his heart for years, never once sharing it. Not even during the longest, darkest nights, curled up in bed beside his wife, holding her hand and whispering their deepest secrets and sins.

Now, that wish was right here in his arms, warm and breathing.

Here she was, speaking of life and happiness and the future, with no guilt, no self-doubt, no fear of her own worthiness, wanting only to love and be loved.

It struck him suddenly that ever since the day he’d brought her into his home at the age of eight, he’d always wondered: could he truly save her? Could the wounds left in a child’s heart ever be completely healed? Was she truly, as she’d once feared, tainted by ‘bad blood’? Could he help her become someone different?

He’d never managed to rescue her soul. At best, he’d pointed out the way and resolved to face hell at her side.

But now, Artizea is fine. She’d grown up straight and strong, filled with exactly the confidence he’d always wished for her. She stood here, loving him openly, without shame or apology.

He had succeeded.

“Ced…”

“I’m fine. These are happy tears.” 

Cedric whispered, overwhelmed by a mixture of old sorrow and new joy.

Then, before Artizea could protest, he cupped her chin, pressed a damp kiss to her cheek, and lifted her into his arms.

“Ah.”

She was heavier than before, but still no burden to Cedric. Artizea quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him. 

He strode over and gently laid her down on the bed.

Despite boldly coming to him in nothing but a thin nightgown, her face turned red.

Thud.

Her head sank into the soft goose-down pillow, Cedric rubbed his face with one hand. Aside from his reddened eyes, there was no trace of tears left.

“Uh, ung…”

Their lips met again, a heavy weight settled over Artizea’s body.

Artizea squirmed, caught between embarrassment and a hint of fear. Cedric soothed her, running a steady hand along her side.

“I’ll be gentle. Don’t worry.”

“Gentle…?”

Her entire body turned red at what that word implied. Cedric pressed his forehead to hers, already struggling with the limits of his patience, and let out a long, trembling sigh.

“In any case, I have to make sure we don’t end up with a baby before the wedding. I’d hate to have Marquisate Rosan slap me in the face.”

“Why are you so confident? They say noble children are hard to come by anyway. If something happens, we’ll deal with it then.”

“…”

Cedric didn’t reply. Artizea was far healthier than before; maybe things would be fine after all.

And maybe, like she said, it was better to live fully and do everything they could, just like any other loving couple. She wouldn’t be frightened or overwhelmed now by the prospect of new life.

Thinking that, Cedric felt his heart grow soft and warm, as if it might melt and spill over. And maybe, in a way, that’s exactly what was happening. 

What was flowing into her must have been his heart. 

He bent once more to kiss her and moved in harmony to align their desires.

***

The wedding of Cedric Evron and Artizea Rosan was scheduled for the following spring.

When they went to inform the Empress, she raised an eyebrow in exasperation.

“You two certainly know how to cause a scene, even your engagement was a spectacle, and now your wedding timing is odd, too. You’re not waiting until Tia turns twenty, but you’re also not rushing into it right after the engagement. And it’s not as if the contract negotiations dragged on, is it?”

“It’s hard for guests from Evron to travel here in winter. Besides, Brother Graham kept complaining.”

The Empress burst out laughing.

“He had every reason to complain! It’s not a short trip from the west, and after all the engagement-breakup fuss, you made him go all the way back without a wedding. I’d be upset too.”

“Exactly. If we make Brother come right back again, I doubt he will ever forgive me.”

“That makes sense.” 

The Empress said with a fond smile. It wasn’t all about Graham, but the Empress appreciated how much Cedric cared for him.

She’d helped raise Cedric as a child, but he was still a nephew, not a son. Children tend to forget those early years as they grow older compared to their caretakers. So Cedric’s memories of growing up in the palace must have faded too. 

Cedric had left to live on his own at thirteen, so their emotional distace would be growing. Despite that, the way he considered Graham and the rest as true family brought the Empress real joy.

“Lawrence will be coming too, I hear?”

“Yes. It is a wedding, after all.” 

Artizea answered looking slightly worried. They hadn’t seen Lawrence since he’d left for the west, but it wasn’t as if they’d cut ties completely. Of course he was invited. She just hoped nothing would go wrong.

Cedric kissed her lightly on the head.

“Don’t worry, nothing’s going to happen.”

“Yes.”

The Empress narrowed her eyes at them.