The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 36

“You were just teasing him to make him cry. Hurting others is a bad thing.”

Unlike Lysia, Artizea understood that Eloise’s words had a deeper meaning, but she wasn’t particularly concerned. 

Eloise wasn’t angry. If someone of her stature, like the Crown Princess, were truly angry, she wouldn’t have asked the question in the same playful manner, looking directly at the children.

As Artizea thought, Eloise let out a light chuckle, which quickly turned into loud laughter.

“Wow, you’re so sharp.”

Lysia was taken aback, confused by why Eloise had responded so sharply and was now laughing.

Eloise continued to laugh, shaking her head.

“You’re such a straightforward and good kid.”

Although it was a compliment, Lysia didn’t quite take it that way, feeling like she was being laughed at. Seeing her sulking face, Eloise grinned.

“Do you like books?”

“I do.” 

Artizea replied, while Lysia, still a bit upset, answered a beat later.

Eloise stood up abruptly, disappearing between the bookshelves. She returned shortly with two large picture books, one featuring a rabbit on the cover and the other a beautiful castle, both thick and well-made.

“This is an apology gift.”

“Oh.”

Lysia was surprised. She felt a bit hurt, thinking that Eloise was mocking her, but she also didn’t think the situation warranted an apology with such a gift.

Artizea hesitated as well. She wondered if it was okay to accept such a gift for no particular reason.

Noticing their hesitation, Eloise put on a mock-serious face.

“Children should just say ‘thank you’ and accept it.”

“Thank you.”

After a moment of hesitation, Lysia spoke first. Artizea followed suit, saying thank you as well.

Since they had received the gift, Artizea expected the conversation to end, but Eloise leaned her chin on her hand, smiling and staring at them intensely, almost uncomfortably.

When they both remained silent, still holding their books, Eloise spoke again.

“Open them.”

Both opened their books almost at the same time. In Artizea’s book, a fluffy rabbit appeared, while in Lysia’s book, a vibrant castle emerged.

“Wow!”

Both exclaimed in unison, astonished. They had never seen a picture book like this before.

Eloise smiled with satisfaction. These books were gifts from a famous artisan when she was young and were quite valuable.

Well, they weren’t exactly treasures fit for the palace, but since Pavel was too old for them now and the books would likely fade with time, Eloise decided to gift them to children she liked.

“Aren’t they beautiful?”

“They’re so pretty!”

Artizea spoke with a tone of admiration. Lysia flipped to another page, and after seeing a princess in a gorgeous dress, she gasped in awe.

“I’ll give it to you both.”

“Thank you.”

This time, the words of gratitude came right away. Eloise smiled.

“You’re so cute.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m saying you’re cute.”

Just then, the door suddenly opened. Pavel walked in, saw Eloise, and quickly ran over, standing in front of her as if to block her path, and demanded.

“Sister, you didn’t, like, bully them, did you?”

“Hmm? Why would I?”

“Ah, you have a… bad personality…”

“What did you say?”

“You tend to joke around too much.”

Pavel quickly tried to change the subject. Eloise just chuckled. It seemed like the youngest sibling was trying to play the role of the older brother, but it was only amusing to her.

However, she decided not to make things awkward. While she thought younger siblings should be teased a little, doing that now would make her look like the bad guy in front of these two little children.

Artizea widened her eyes and looked up at her. Her face looked just like the rabbit from the picture book.

“Well then, you two enjoy yourselves. I’ll be on my way.”

As Eloise casually stepped aside, Pavel seemed flustered and stammered. She smiled and turned to Artizea and Lysia.

“Feel free to come visit the Crown Princess’s palace sometimes.”

“Thank you.” 

The greeting was said by Viscountess Pescher, who stepped in for the children. Eloise nodded and left the room with light steps.

Her dress didn’t trail behind her much, but something in the air seemed to leave a long, lingering mark like a trail. Artizea let out a deep sigh without realizing it.

Pavel spoke sympathetically.

“Did Sister bully you after all?”

“No, she wasn’t.”

She was a bit mischievous, but Artizea didn’t think she was a bad person. Eloise didn’t actually get angry. In fact, she gave such a nice gift and even invited them to come visit again.

Artizea hugged the picture book tightly. Seeing that, Pavel said,

“Ah, rabbit.”

“It’s from the Crown Princess.”

“The rabbit’s hugging a rabbit.”

Pavel chuckled. Lysia, also holding her picture book close, said,

“Do you not get along with your sister?”

“Huh? No.”

Pavel answered, then fell into thought. Was their relationship good? He didn’t want to say yes, because his sister often teased or bullied him. But if they weren’t getting along, he thought there should be more to it, something more like real hatred.

Artizea spoke quietly.

“I envy you.”

“What?”

Artizea couldn’t respond to that question and shook her head. 

It was hard to say that she envied having such a good relationship with her siblings that they could tease and play with each other. Lawrence had never once teased or bothered her in such a way. There was no need to even think about whether their relationship was good or bad. it was simply nonexistent.

As she was lost in these thoughts, Viscountess Pescher turned to Pavel and asked,  

“But isn’t it still your study time?”  

“Ack, that…”

Pavel’s face turned pale when he realized that word had gotten out that he had escaped from the study room when he heard Cedric had taken Artizea and Lysia to the palace.  

“Ah, just for today…”  

“You’ve been so diligent, saying you shouldn’t be outdone by your younger siblings lately…”  

“Ah, well…”  

Pavel scratched his head, letting out a big sigh, and then glanced at Artizea. Misinterpreting the look, she smiled brightly and said,  

“We’ll stay here and play.”  

“Alright.”  

Pavel answered gruffly, turned to leave, but then stopped and said,  

“I’ll take you on the swings later.”  

Now, it was Artizea’s turn to turn pale. Pavel had promised to swing her so high that the swing ropes would spin around. But it was too high for her, and she was scared. However, if she refused, Pavel would be disappointed.  

Lysia, on the other hand, just giggled happily.  

* * *

A few days after Artizea and Lysia visited the Empress’s Palace, Grand Duke Roygar expressed his intention to visit.  

Cedric thought it was rather surprising when he received the letter. While an uncle is typically considered a close relative, Cedric and Grand Duke Roygar didn’t have much interaction to begin with. This was true even in the other world.  

Cedric wasn’t ignorant of the political moves that likely led to Grand Duke Roygar’s decision to visit.  

‘He probably thinks a thirteen-year-old is easy to manipulate.’  

It wasn’t entirely an incorrect assumption.  

Cedric had no intention of dabbling in politics so early. He’d continue to stay out of it for as long as possible, and the Emperor would likely prefer that as well.  

Even if a situation arose where he had to align with someone, it certainly wouldn’t be with the Eastern Nobles Alliance.  

‘Uncle must have forged strong ties with the East due to business reasons.’  

If his parents had truly been assassinated, it was natural for Grand Duke Roygar to seek support from a nearby faction, and Cedric had no intention of belittling that.  

However, becoming close with him was something Cedric would need to carefully consider.  

Despite his reservations, the reason Cedric replied positively to Grand Duke’s letter was because of one particular line:  

[Together with my fiance, Lady Garnet.]