The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 34

She had worried that Cedric might get tired of it. She knew that Cedric had a kind nature, but after all, he was only thirteen. He would soon go through puberty, and mood swings and confusion would follow. The feelings of that time don’t last long, and if it was just pity, he might forget about it faster than a younger child.

For Artizea’s sake, the Empress had even thought that maybe it would have been better to fight with Emperor Gregor. She had believed it was wrong to shake up the life of a poor little child with such half-hearted pity.  

But when she saw how settled Artizea had become, it was clear that Cedric was truly sincere. The two girls sitting side by side looked like a pair of pearl earrings. The Empress couldn’t hide the smile that came naturally.

Her eldest daughter, who resembled Gregor, had been smart and clever from a very young age. Her second and third sons, however, had started breaking everything they could reach the moment they learned to walk. Cedric was kind and gentle, but he often didn’t walk; he flew about.

‘What could Milaira possibly have against such a well-behaved and cute child?’

The Empress thought this to herself as she spoke leisurely.

“I hear Pavel really enjoyed traveling with you two. He wasn’t too naughty with you, was he?”  

“He was very kind to me.” 

Artizea answered confidently. Lysia nodded beside her.  

The Empress made a sound of surprise, her lips slightly pursed. She couldn’t quite believe that the troublesome boy had been kind to a younger girl rather than tormenting her.  

“How was he kind?”  

“He gave me horse rides, shared snacks, and took me on picnics. He even came looking for me when we played hide-and-seek.”  

Artizea wiggled her little fingers, counting each thing one by one.  

“He also taught me.”  

“Oh.”  

This time, the Empress let out an actual exclamation. Realizing it was because she was in disbelief, Artizea blushed, looking a bit upset.  

“He really did teach me.”  

“What did he teach you?”  

“Multiplication and division.”  

Of course, Artizea already knew both. She had never formally learned them, but when Lawrence had his tutor, she would eavesdrop and pick things up.  

Still, the way Pavel taught was different from Lawrence’s tutor, so it was fun, and she worked hard to learn. However, once she showed she could do division in her head, Pavel had stopped teaching her, feeling disappointed.  

“And classical poetry…”  

“Classical poetry?”  

“Yes. The words were hard, but it was fun.”

As she spoke, Artizea’s face gradually relaxed, as though the tension had eased.

“Show what you have learned.”

Cedric urged her like a proud parent eager to show off. Artizea hesitated shyly before eventually reciting two pieces of classical poetry.

The Empress was genuinely surprised. This wasn’t something an eight-year-old would typically learn—these were subjects that even thirteen-year-old Pavel was just beginning to study. If it had been Pavel, he wouldn’t have been able to memorize them.

She wondered if Cedric could memorize them too and glanced at him. Cedric awkwardly smiled.

“I don’t know much about literature, Your Majesty.”

“Building culture isn’t about talent.” 

The Empress casted a glance at Cedric. She then turned to Artizea and began asking her about the meanings behind the poems. Even though there were difficult, ancient words mixed in, Artizea understood everything.

The Empress couldn’t hide her amazement.

“You’re very smart.”

Although it wasn’t a compliment directed at him, Cedric beamed with pride. Artizea stammered a reply.

“Tha, thank you for the compliment.”

It was the first time anyone had ever called her smart. Her mother always said she was a slow and clumsy girl. Since coming to Evron, she’d heard people call her pretty and kind, but this was the first time anyone had called her smart.

She felt very happy, but it also felt surreal. Cedric added,

“Her Majesty never says things just to flatter someone.”

“Yes.”

The Empress gave Cedric a sideways glance. While it was true she didn’t say empty compliments, and that Artizea was indeed sharp, it was strange to see Cedric so proudly pleased as if she were his own child.

“No wonder Pavel came back saying he was going to study harder and made a timetable. I suppose he didn’t want to lose to his younger sibling. Cedric, you can’t lose either.”

“Yes.”

Cedric replied briefly, with a grin that showed he didn’t seem to care much about the competition. Unlike Pavel, he didn’t feel embarrassed for not having the same memorization or learning ability as Artizea.

Then, in a natural motion, he took the half-empty milk cup from Artizea’s hand and set it down on the table, before offering her a chocolate cookie. It seemed like he wanted her to eat it, and Artizea’s face turned red, feeling embarrassed.

The Empress watched this with a bemused expression.

Lysia stretched both her hands and placed her empty milk cup on the table. She took the cookie from Cedric’s hand, but kept fidgeting. The Empress observed and asked Lysia,

“Are you bored?”

“No, no!”

Lysia replied loudly, flustered.

It’s normal for an eight-year-old to find it hard to sit still in front of adults. The Empress nodded and spoke.

“I heard you’re very good at pitch-pot. You didn’t lose to Pavel either, right?”

“Prince Pavel is also very good!”

The Empress couldn’t help but smile again at Lysia’s energetic response. Healthy children tend to make adults smile.

“Pavel must have really enjoyed playing with both of you. Make sure to visit often and play with him.”

“Yes!”

“Yes.”

The two girls answered in different voices. The Empress then turned her gaze toward Cedric.

“Don’t be too careless now that you’ve left the palace.”

“Of course.”

“Come and visit often. Graham is on the verge of getting really upset.”

Since Graham harbored resentment toward his father, it was likely he saw Cedric’s departure from the palace as a betrayal. The Empress didn’t want the children’s bond to deteriorate.

When they grow up, there is a high chance that political reasons will cause them to part ways or argue. She hoped that the camaraderie from their childhood would someday serve as a bridge for trust and communication.

Knowing this well, Cedric willingly agreed. After a small laugh, the Empress stood up first.

“It must be boring for you to have tea with adults. Cedric, why don’t you show the children around the Empress’s palace? Pavel will be in class, but when he’s done, you can play together.”

“Ah, Your Majesty. If I may, I would like to have Viscountess Pescher take care of that task.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“I was thinking of greeting the Emperor, but I felt it might be too soon for Tia and Lysia.”

“Hmm. That’s probably for the best.”

With the Empress’s gesture, Viscountess Pescher immediately came closer. The Empress kindly spoke to the two girls.

“Enjoy your tea, tour the palace, and then meet Pavel before you leave.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Artizea tried to stand but almost stumbled because she didn’t place her feet properly on the footrest. If Lysia hadn’t caught her, she would have definitely fallen.

The Empress smiled once more at the two girls as they greeted her while standing on the footrest and then left the room.

Cedric said, 

“I’ll go to the main palace, so be sure to listen to Viscountess Pescher.”

“Yes.”

Lysia responded cheerfully, while Artizea answered more timidly.

Cedric gave each of them a light pat on the shoulder. He’d once been scolded by Lysia for messing up her carefully styled hair, so he knew better than to ruffle their hair.