The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 53

Throughout the tea party, Lysia found it difficult to focus on the conversation. Not only was she constantly thinking about her meeting with Lawrence, but he kept coming up in discussions as well.

“So, Brother Igor and Lord Lawrence are quite close. He sometimes visits our house too.”

Lady Swaro brought up this topic as if bragging about it, mentioning that they would soon be able to watch Lawrence and the others continue their croquet game in the garden.

In the small social circle of the girls, Lawrence was always an important subject. At their age, concerns like social rank or political views weren’t the main focus. 

Lawrence, now in his teenage years, had grown into a striking young man, retaining his angelic looks from childhood while developing a fresh masculinity and allure. Even the adults who disliked his birth often found themselves captivated by him.

Even boys of his age were either crazy with him or hated him intensely. There was no one who remained indifferent. It was no surprise that Lady Swaro would take pride in her brother’s connections.

While the conversation bounced between suggestions to go out to the garden or settle on the terrace, Lysia sipped her tea while feeling uncomfortable. The trivial conversation kept replaying in her mind, bothering her.

“How about Miss Lysia?”

A girl sitting next to her suddenly addressed Lysia. Surprised, Lysia looked up at her.

“No, since you’re Lady Rosan’s companion, I’m sure you’ve had many chances to meet Lord Lawrence?”

“Sometimes.” 

Lysia replied, feeling very uncomfortable. She couldn’t bring herself to lie.

“What’s he like? I’m sure he’s very kind.”

“No… actually, since he’s her older brother, he might not be kind.”

Another girl with an older brother spoke sincerely, and Lysia awkwardly smiled.

“He’s not particularly kind to lower-ranked people.”

“I see…”

The eyes fixed on Lysia seemed to expect her to say something positive, but she had nothing to share. There were no good memories worth mentioning, and nothing she could say to make the situation any better. She had some painful memories but wasn’t willing to share them with anyone, especially not with others.

Since the tea party wasn’t very enjoyable, Lysia decided to excuse herself earlier than the others and stepped outside. She thought about going for a ride if Artizea didn’t return soon.

As she kept her head lowered and walked briskly. Just then, she heard her name being called.

“Lysia.”

Lysia, startled, looked up and glanced around. From the lobby, Lawrence was striding toward her from the direction of the sofa, now looking fresh and neat, as though he had washed off the sweat and changed into clean clothes.

Lysia flinched and took a small step back.

“What’s the matter? Am I going to eat you?”

Lawrence asked with a laugh. Lysia clenched her fists and raised her head.

Thinking about it, there was no reason for her to shrink back. She hadn’t done anything wrong to him, and he wasn’t someone to be scared of or tremble in front of.

“What brings you here?” 

“I figured we could talk a bit since we haven’t seen each other in a while. I was waiting to take you back, but I guess you’re not interested.”

“You want to take me back?” 

“Yes, you look like you could use it.”

Without hesitation, Lawrence reached out and pressed his hand against Lysia’s cheek. Lysia flinched and stiffened, surprised by the touch. He laughed softly at her reaction.

“I was wondering if I did something wrong to you.” 

“Your face doesn’t look like you feel sorry at all.” 

“How could I apologize if I don’t know what I did wrong?”

His words made sense, but somehow, she couldn’t accept them. Lysia shook her head.

“You haven’t done anything wrong to me.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Well, if that’s the case, you have no reason to be angry with me, right?”

“…I’m not angry.” 

Lysia tried to speak calmly. Lawrence smiled broadly.

“I’ll take you back then.”

“I can go by myself.”

“I was thinking of seeing Tia on the way. But if that’s the case, I guess it can’t be helped.”

Lysia tightened her grip harder. The thought that Artizea might be pleased with the unexpected visit made her feel bad about turning it down.

Thinking that he knew about this and was doing this on purpose made her even angrier, and she couldn’t hide her feelings. She shot him an angry glare.

Lawrence laughed, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

In the end, Lawrence got into Lysia’s carriage. She sighed softly. 

She was worried about the others, like Lady Swaro, asking questions later. But right now, just being in the same space with him was making her uneasy. She kept her head down and tightly clutched her skirt.

The silence in the carriage lingered for a while. Lysia could feel Lawrence’s gaze on her fingers. It made her uncomfortable.

“Why are you doing this to me?” 

Finally, she was unable to hold it in any longer and asked.

Lawrence tilted his head and asked in return.

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t like me.”

There was no immediate answer. Lysia felt oddly nervous and absentmindedly tapped her feet. It shouldn’t matter to her how Lawrence felt about her, but she realized it was the silence and his gaze that were making her uncomfortable.

Lawrence asked again, his voice still mixed with laughter.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because I’m just a country bumpkin and a worthless person.” 

Lysia replied without much hesitation. She could say this because she didn’t actually think of herself that way.

Lawrence casually replied,  

“That’s true. You still haven’t lost your country bumpkin ways.”  

Lysia stiffened and looked up in anger. Lawrence continued to look at her with a smile on his face.  

“I never said I don’t like you.”  

Lysia thought to herself if she has to hear that? Still, there was an uncomfortable flutter in her chest. She lowered her eyes again.  

“I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t like me.”  

“Really?”  

“No matter what I think, it doesn’t matter to you, right?”  

Lawrence didn’t answer right away. Lysia knew he was smiling.  

She couldn’t understand what was so funny. Every time they met these days, it seemed like he was mocking her. But his bright, happy smile left an uncomfortable sensation in her chest.  

She felt like she was losing by keeping her head down, so she looked up again. Their eyes met, as if he had been waiting for this moment.  

His smiling eyes stared into hers. Lysia glared at him, feeling like she was in a silent battle.  

He spoke,  

“I do care.”  

“What?”  

Lysia, still caught in the staring match, forgot the conversation they had been having. Lawrence spoke clearly, one word at a time.  

“I care about what you think of me.”  

“Uh…”  

Lysia was taken aback and fumbled for words.  

At that moment, the carriage arrived at Grand Duke Evron’s residence and came to a stop. The servant opened the door, and without needing the steps, Lawrence quickly got out and extended his hand to Lysia.  

The servant, who was about to bring the portable steps, hesitated. It would seem more like she cared about Lawrence if she refused to take his hand, so reluctantly, Lysia accepted his hand.  

He easily helped her down.  

“Thank you.”  

“Thank you? It’s the least I can do.”  

Lawrence replied nonchalantly, then waved toward his waiting carriage. The coachman slowly brought the carriage to the front gates.  

As he was about to climb into the carriage, Lysia asked in surprise,  

“You said you were going to see Lady Tia.”  

“It was a lie. Go inside.”  

Lawrence casually replied and climbed into the carriage. The carriage started to move, leaving a dumbfounded Lysia behind.