The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 48

Skyla was growing anxious as the time passed, and Artizea still hadn’t arrived. Her feet were tapping restlessly. Marchioness Camellia smiled as she watched her daughter.

“Just be patient. It’s not a short distance, so it’s not like she can be perfectly punctual.”

“But it’s already lunchtime.” 

She had put all her effort into preparing for today’s visit—getting the toys to play with, selecting books to show, and checking the telescope to make sure it was in perfect condition. She even made sure to oversee what would be served for lunch and what snacks were prepared, which made Marchioness Camelia smile incredulously.

“With the way you’re organizing everything, you’ll run your household very well one day. Even preparing for dinner.”

“What are you saying? That’s my husband’s job.” 

Skyla responded with a shrug, speaking confidently.

Marchioness Camelia smiled fondly at her daughter, feeling both amused and proud. Although she didn’t say it, Skyla seemed to really like the girls from Grand Duke Evron’s residence. It was surprising since she had always complained about not wanting to play with her peers, considering them childish and boring.

‘Not bad.’ 

Marchioness Camelia thought. Even though Artizea was Milaira’s daughter, custody had already passed to Grand Duchy Evron, so there was no need to avoid it. 

Artizea Rosan would eventually become at least Marquis Rosan. If she grew up away from her mother’s influence, it was highly likely that she would reclaim the family’s rights once she became an adult.

It was an opportunity to build connections outside of Marquis Luden’s influence. If Artizea became Grand Duchess Evron in the future, it would be even more advantageous.

Before that, as a mother, Marchioness Camelia was happy that her daughter had found a good friend.

“Mom, I’m hungry.”

Luca, who had been sitting on the floor coloring, whined. Skyla placed her hands firmly on her hips and spoke sternly.

“Wait a little. What do you think you’ll be eating when our guests arrive?”

“Ah, I’m soooo hungry!”

Luca yelled out, and at that moment, the head maid opened the door, announcing the arrival of the guests.

“The guests have arrived.”

Marchioness Camelia set down the book she had been reading and stood up. Skyla ran out ahead, eager to greet them.

The villa was small. It was originally a place for the family to relax, so there was no formal reception room.

As Marchioness Camelia stepped outside with Luca, Artizea was just getting out of the carriage. Lysia had already jumped down ahead.

“Hello, Lady Skyla.”

“Welcome, Lady Artizea, Lady Lysia.”

As the young girls exchanged formal greetings like adults, Marchioness Camelia smiled warmly.

“This is my mother.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Marchioness Camelia. I am Artizea of Rosan.”

“I am Lysia of Morten, Lady Artizea’s companion.”

“It’s lovely to meet you both. Skyla has been waiting eagerly.”

At those words, Skyla was startled and quickly put a finger to her lips, signaling to stop. She didn’t want to let on that she had been waiting.

However, Marchioness Camellia was not going to fulfill her daughter’s wish.  

“Luca, you should greet them too.”  

Luca, who was still only six years old, shyly tried to hide behind his mother’s skirt but was pulled out and, with a flushed face, shyly introduced himself.  

“Hello, I’m Luca.”  

“Hello.”  

“Lady Skyla’s little brother is so cute.”  

Artizea and Lysia, both without younger siblings, greeted Luca with great warmth. Although Skyla couldn’t quite understand how adorable younger siblings could be, for the two girls, who had always been the youngest, a six-year-old child was simply adorable.  

Marchioness Camellia, couldn’t help but smile, realizing that they, too, were eight years old.  

“Skyla, you can show the guests around for now. If you need anything, call me.”  

“Yes, Mother.”  

Skyla responded respectfully. Marchioness Camelia returned to the living room with no concerns. It was also time to give Luca his snacks.  

Skyla led the two girls through the side door. Lysia asked, a little puzzled. 

“Are we going in this way?”  

“We’re going to sleep there tonight!”  

Skyla proudly declared. The villa had a small tower that seemed out of place considering the building’s size. It was only four stories high, but because the main villa was only two stories, the tower appeared much taller.  

When they reached the second floor, they found a spiral staircase leading up. Lysia looked a bit concerned, but Artizea managed to climb all the way up without stopping though out of breath.  

At the top of the tower, there was a spacious room with a large telescope in the center. Instead of a bed, three low mattresses were spread out on the floor.  

There were cushions of various colors, soft chairs, and star-shaped decorations scattered around.  

“Isn’t it amazing?”  

“Wow!”  

Artizea marveled, forgetting to catch her breath. Lysia also gasped in awe. Skyla had something to be proud of.  

“When my mother bought the telescope for my birthday last year, she also gave me this room.”  

“That’s incredible!”  

Both Artizea and Lysia were genuinely envious. They had never seen such a beautiful room.  

Feeling even more proud, Skyla said,  

“Let’s put our things here and go have lunch. We’ll eat by the creek.”  

“Sounds great!”  

The three girls eagerly rushed down the stairs.  

It was a delightful day.  

Lunch by the creek was delicious, and the dinner table, where Marchioness Camellia, and Luca also joined, was filled with a refined and warm atmosphere.  

At first, Skyla had tried to keep her distance to maintain some formality, but it didn’t take long for the eight-year-olds to open up to each other.  

They looked at the stars through the telescope, talked about the books Skyla had read, and Lysia shared stories of the constellations she knew. Then, once the children were likely asleep, Marchioness Camellia came up, and the three girls spread out their mattresses and lay down to rest.

“We have to get up early tomorrow morning.”  

Skyla said this, trying to console herself, though it was clear she was a bit disappointed. Lysia chuckled.  

“I can wake up early, even in the middle of the night. I’ll make sure to wake you up.”  

“I can wake up on time too! I have an alarm clock.”  

Skyla said this with determination, as if to make sure she wasn’t losing the competition. In fact, Artizea, who struggled to wake up early in the mornings, kept quiet, unable to join in.  

The sky seemed to spill through the large skylight. Artizea laid there and stared at it blankly. She didn’t realize right away that Skyla was calling her.  

“What are you thinking about?”  

“Just… I feel like I’m dreaming.”  

Artizea muttered in a dazed tone.  

She never thought she’d have a friend. Lying in such a beautiful room, looking at the night sky as she fell asleep, being invited to a friend’s dinner table, the telescope, the picnic by the creek—all of it was something she hadn’t even known existed.  

It was joyful and happy, but strangely, it made her feel sad. Artizea didn’t know the reason for this sadness, and in fact, she didn’t know exactly how to express this feeling.  

She just gazed at the sky, half sleepy and half dazed, when Lysia suddenly jumped up.  

“Let’s sleep together!”  

“Huh…?”  

Lysia dragged her mattress over and placed it next to Artizea’s. The goose-feather mattress was light enough that it moved easily even with a child’s hands.  

“…Me too!”  

Skyla hesitated, thinking that moving mattresses wasn’t very ladylike, and sleeping together wasn’t very adult-like, but in the end, she wanted to join in. She stood up and pulled her mattress closer. Lysia helped her.  

Artizea was startled and sat up. The three mattresses were now joined together, and the three girls sat together in a circle, gazing at each other’s faces in the moonlight.  

Lysia giggled.  

“Do you want to have a pillow fight?”  

“That’s childish… Ow!”  

Skyla, having been hit first, retaliated. Lysia crawled away on her knees, throwing cushions, and Artizea was hit by one.  

“Hey!”  

She grabbed her own pillow and stood up indignantly. Skyla and she silently agreed to team up, but they couldn’t beat Lysia alone.  

The next morning, no one was able to get up on time. Marchioness Camellia went upstairs to wake them for breakfast, only to find the three girls fast asleep, tangled together. She smiled and decided to let them sleep until they woke up on their own.