The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 44

Skyla had initially been very excited about this tea party. Going out with Aunt Garnet was a treat, making new friends was a plus, and she was well aware that Grand Duchy Evron was of higher rank than her maternal side, Marquisate Luden.  

She had even gone out of her way to bring her favorite book as a gift.  

‘I heard Lady Artizea likes books.’  

Her mother, Marchioness Camellia, had given a wry smile and said, “Do you really need to bring that?”  

The book Skyla had chosen was a history book meant for adults. She knew her daughter wouldn’t understand everything in it, but she thought there was nothing wrong with a little intellectual vanity, as long as the book wouldn’t negatively affect her. 

She didn’t mind Skyla reading anything from the library, as long as it wasn’t harmful. Although she thought it inappropriate as a gift for a friend her age, she still sent it because, deep down, Marchioness Camellia had a bit of pride about her smart daughter.  

However, when Skyla arrived at Grand Duke Evron’s residence and met Artizea, she was disappointed.  

Artizea was completely covered in pink frills. Her pink shoes were adorned with red beads, and her pink hairpin had white lace and red imitation jewels.  

Her companion, Lysia Morten, wasn’t much different. She was dressed in a similar mint-colored frilled dress, almost identical in design to Artizea’s.  

‘So childish.’  

Having graduated from frills and lace last year, Skyla inwardly looked down on the two girls, thinking they were still so young. If Marchioness Camellia had heard this, she would’ve laughed out loud.  

But Skyla knew how to be polite, so instead of offering her honest opinion, she greeted Artizea respectfully.  

“Hello, Lady Artizea. I’m Skyla from Marquisate Camellia.”  

“Hello, Lady Skyla. Welcome to my tea party.”  

Artizea greeted her with a serious expression, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Skyla. She had hardly had the chance to make friends, except for Lysia, so meeting another girl her age made her heart race.  

She wondered if Skyla would like her? She hoped she would.  

As her heart pounded, Garnet spoke up with a smile.  

“I brought a delicious walnut pie as a gift. Our family’s chef makes them wonderfully.”  

“Thank you.”  

Artizea’s face lit up. Garnet handed the pie box she had personally brought to Ansgar, then turned to Skyla.  

“You brought a gift, too, didn’t you?”  

Skyla unconsciously made a dissatisfied face.

Skyla had chosen her gift with great care, but when she thought that Artizea might not understand its value, she felt a little regretful. 

However, she couldn’t just not give it to her. She handed over the gift she had brought, tucked under her arm.  

“It’s a gift. Thank you for inviting me.”  

“Thank you. You didn’t have to bring a gift.”  

Artizea, recognizing by the weight that it was a book, was overjoyed, her face turning bright red.  

The adults who were watching smiled at the polite exchange, but the serious-faced children looked as though they were in the most important positions in the world.  

Seeing this, Pavel, who had arrived earlier, looked uneasy. He hadn’t brought a gift. He had only thought of coming here as just another visit, without any special expectations. 

But now that he thought about it, this was Artizea’s first tea party.  

“Hmm.”  

“What are you so worried about, Prince Pavel?”  

“Oh, Lady Luden.”  

Pavel, who had been pondering by himself, suddenly found a perfect excuse.  

‘I should say I couldn’t bring it because I was supposed to give it outside.’  

He had been wondering whether to give Artizea the little pony he had. Though he didn’t feel terribly attached to it, at this point, it seemed better to give it. He no longer rode the pony himself and only saw it occasionally.  

He would have to think about her birthday gift for next year, but if everyone else was giving gifts and he didn’t, Artizea might feel left out.  

Skyla and Pavel exchanged greetings and sat down.  

Two seats remained empty. Skyla was puzzled, wondering who else might be coming. One was likely for Lord Evron, but who was the other one for?  

“Have you used the telescope?”  

Garnet asked kindly, turning to Artizea. She nodded enthusiastically.  

“It was amazing! Did you know that there are rings around some stars, Lady Garnet?”  

“We have a telescope at home, too.”  

Skyla chimed in.  

“You can see a small moon next to another star.”  

“Oh, I saw that too!”  

“If you read Zakarian’s ‘Secrets of the Stars’, you’ll learn there are six stars with moons…”  

She spoke with a raised nose, recalling something she had read in a book. Artizea, having never read the book, looked at her with admiration. 

Then, as if remembering something, she spoke.  

“Now that you mention it, I’ve read about the principles of how the moon and stars move.” 

Artizea was about to dive into the formula, when voices from outside caught her attention. It sounded like Cedric had arrived but hadn’t come in yet.

“I’ll go check.” 

Lysia stepped off her chair and stood. She had recently learned that it was a lady-in-waiting’s duty to welcome guests on behalf of the master.

The four people seated all waited for the new guests, curious about what was being discussed outside. It took a little while before Cedric finally entered.

When Skyla saw the boy following him inside, she momentarily forgot about the conversation with Artizea.

‘Wow, he’s beautiful.’

That was her first thought.

It took a moment for her to realize that he was Lawrence.

She didn’t fully understand what it meant to be the Emperor’s mistress, but she knew that the most beautiful woman in society was Milaira.

And she knew that the most beautiful boy in the world, Lawrence, was Milaira’s son.

While refined adults tried to avoid discussing Milaira in front of children, it was impossible to completely hide the topic. Everywhere you went, people talked about her. In a world where even the way she combed her hair became a trend, it was inevitable that the story of her son, who looked just like her, would also be discussed.

And Lawrence truly was as stunning as they said. Even if Skyla didn’t know he was Artizea’s brother, she would have recognized him instantly.

Artizea was so surprised that she jumped out of her chair.

“Brother!”

It was probably the first time she had called someone else before Cedric.

Lawrence was a little upset, but he had no intention of taking it out on Artizea. It had nothing to do with Cedric’s threat. Absolutely not.

“You came! I thought you wouldn’t come!”

Artizea said with a face full of joy. Lawrence replied nonchalantly. 

“I had some time.”

“I’m so happy you came.”

“Seems like you’re doing well.”

“Yes, I’m really doing well. Brother is doing well too, right?” 

Artizea asked cheerfully. Lawrence nodded.

“Can’t really have a reason not to do well.”

“Please sit over here.”

 Artizea guided him to a seat and approached Cedric, still smiling with joy.

“Thank you for coming, Lord Ced.”

“Of course, I had to come.” 

Cedric said with a smile.

Seeing Artizea so happy made his emotions a bit more complicated.