The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 39

The brass tube had elegant engravings, but it seemed quite old. Grand Duke Roygar spoke with a slightly awkward expression.

“This used to be in the Grand Duke’s residence. I heard it was a gift for Grand Lord Leopric when he was young.”

“Yes…”  

Cedric answered in surprise. Grand Duke Roygar continued.

“When I visited here before, I was so envious of it that I begged for it as a gift. Duke Leopric, saying he no longer had any use for it, generously gave it to me.”

As though reminiscing about old times, he let out a small sigh.  

“I’ve been meaning to give it to you when you grew up, but it seems it’s only now that I’ve brought it.”

“…Thank you.”  

Cedric slowly reached out and touched the box, feeling a wave of emotion.

It wasn’t the fact that it was his father’s belonging that moved him. He had inherited many things, far more important items. 

But the fact that it was passed on to him through Grand Duke Roygar’s hands touched his heart. It felt as if he wasn’t standing alone over his parents’ grave, but rather, as though many people, with their memories and warmth, were passing something on to him. 

Garnet smiled and said,  

“Didn’t your sister get upset about it? Why don’t you talk about that?”

“Oh.”  

Grand Duke Roygar’s face reddened slightly. Cedric looked at him, puzzled, wondering what story this was.

He glanced at Garnet before opening his mouth, as though giving up.  

“It was because Grand Duke Leopric was being so generous that I kept asking for it.”

Cedric smiled as well.  

“That must be because he genuinely wanted to give it to you.”

“How embarrassing. It’s a story from when I was young…”  

Grand Duke Roygar swept his lips, then continued.

“You look so much like Grand Duke Leopric. When you were born, I thought, ‘How could someone look so much like him?’ Sister was happy, but Mother… that is, your grandmother, was a little disappointed.”  

“I see.”  

“As you grew up, I thought you might look more like Sister, but you still resemble him in so many ways.”

As he said this, he pointed at Cedric’s hand, which was holding a small dish with fruit. He had cut it into bite-size pieces, ready to offer it to Artizea.

“Even your behavior.”  

“Hmm.”  

This time, Cedric felt a little embarrassed. Grand Duke Roygar chuckled.

“When Sister Floella was pregnant with you, she ate constantly. At that time, Grand Duke Leopric had the habit of bringing her snacks all the time.”

Cedric’s face turned red. While it had started for a different reason, he, too, had developed a habit of bringing Artizea snacks.

Artizea tilted her head, then asked something she had been curious about for a while.  

“Did you eat a lot when you were a child, Lord Ced?”  

“Of course. Even when he was a baby, he needed two wet nurses. They said it was like raising twins.”  

Grand Duke Roygar chuckled and shared the story with Artizea. Cedric’s face turned even redder at hearing this for the first time.  

Artizea pursed her lips, finding it intriguing and stared at Cedric. He looked embarrassed but didn’t suggest they stop talking about it.  

It wasn’t that no one had ever shared childhood stories with him. But when it came to his parents’ thoughts on him as a baby, very few people had told him.  

He had heard things like, “They loved you,” or “They were so happy when you were born,” but those were often vague, abstract statements. Cedric never doubted them, but he treated them as the usual kind of pleasantries people offer.  

But in Grand Duke Roygar’s story, his parents felt vivid and alive.  

“…And so, when you threw a basket out the window, Sister’s six-month embroidery of Duke Leopric’s new cloak got completely covered in mud…”  

“…”

The silence that followed was inevitable.  

* * *  

It was nearly evening when Grand Duke Roygar and Garnet stood up.  

“Why don’t you stay for dinner?”  

Both of them shook their heads at Cedric’s suggestion. No matter how close they were, it wasn’t typical to receive an unscheduled meal invitation, especially since it hadn’t been planned in advance. If it wasn’t prepared, it could lead to awkwardness.  

Instead, Grand Duke Roygar extended an invitation for the next time.  

“Next time, how about having dinner at our house?”  

“If you invite me, I’d be happy to come.”  

Cedric answered, and Grand Duke Roygar nodded approvingly. Garnet bent down toward Artizea and said,  

“I’ll come visit again. Until then, take care.”  

“Yes, goodbye.”  

Although quite a bit of time had passed, Artizea stood up straight to see them off. Garnet waved at her, then exchanged goodbyes with Cedric before stepping into the carriage.  

Grand Duke Roygar followed behind and closed the door.  

Soon, the carriage began to move. Grand Duke Roygar turned to Garnet with an apologetic look.  

“It must have been boring, huh? I just kept talking about old stories.”  

“No, it was fun.”  

Mostly because Cedric’s face was so entertaining, but Garnet didn’t mind. She had a lot of stories now to tell her friends about Lord Evron. She giggled, looking forward to it.  

Artizea was also sweet. She seemed shy, but she was kind and smart.  

“I’ll have to bring Skyla next time.”  

“Next?”

“Lady Artizea said she likes books. Skyla does too. They’ll get along just fine. And it seems like Lord Evron is concerned about Lady Artizea’s social circle as well.”  

“Marchioness Camelia will like it too.”  

Grand Duke Roygar nodded. Although he hadn’t thought about political matters at all today, looking ahead, it was better to build stronger connections from many angles.  

“Thank you.”  

He said it sincerely. Garnet replied, “For what,” but her face showed a sense of pride. She felt good about doing something so ladylike today.  

At the dinner table, Artizea was nodding off. Cedric saw this and smiled bitterly.  

“You must be tired.”  

“I’m fine.”  

Artizea quickly opened her eyes and shook her head.  

“Bored, right? Just talking about people you don’t know.”  

“No, it was about Lord Ced.”  

To Artizea, Cedric felt so much like an adult that it was fascinating and fun to hear about his little childhood moments.  

And a little sad. She knew he didn’t have parents, but it was the first time she’d thought seriously about it.  

So during the meal, Artizea was quietly lost in thought.  

After the meal, Cedric took her to her bedroom. Artizea hesitated at the door, then made up her mind and held out both hands.  

“Why?”  

“Your hands.”  

At that, Cedric willingly offered his hand. She gently wrapped both of hers around it and softly stroked the back of his hand.  

She couldn’t reach his head to stroke it, so she did this instead.  

At that thought, Cedric suddenly smiled and crouched down in front of her.  

“Are you going to stroke my head?”  

“Ah.”  

Artizea’s face turned red. Cedric leaned his head toward her.  

“Do it.”  

She cautiously stretched out her hand and gently patted his head.  

“It’s good to do this when you’re sad.”  

“Do I look sad?”  

“No. But I thought you might be. You did well.”  

It was an unclear statement, with no direct object, and probably Artizea herself hadn’t fully formed her thoughts.  

But that little, warm hand was the best comfort Cedric could receive.  

Cedric smiled and gladly accepted her gentle head pat. He knew that Artizea had no idea how well he had done, but in his mind, he felt deserving of the praise.