The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 59
Cedric returned home after the sun had set.
As far as he could remember, this winter in Evron had witnessed a large-scale attack by Karam.
Not everything unfolded exactly as he had recalled, but the timing seemed right. He had been negotiating with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defense, preparing for any eventuality.
He was seriously considering Artizea’s earlier suggestion to give up some northern lands and move the frontlines southward. In the other world, land and power could never be relinquished for survival, but now things were different.
He believed that once Eloise ascended the throne, her reign would stabilize. She also had a tendency to squeeze Evron, but her goal wasn’t to suppress them. If that was the case, now seemed to be the time to act.
He was confident that negotiating with Karam was possible. He understood their way of thinking and political system, and while he wasn’t fluent, he could manage some of their language.
He wasn’t sure if there was anyone capable of negotiating on their side, but given that land was a massive resource they could offer, he didn’t think it was entirely impossible.
The greater challenge would be the cultural issues or border reduction. The temple would likely be hostile instead of helping.
‘To negotiate with Karam, the imperial power needs to be stronger, which means the Emperor must first deal with the current noble powers.’
He thought that to do that, the fastest method was purging them. As he considered this, Cedric couldn’t help but smile bitterly at his own conclusions. The throne seemed to transform people like that.
He suddenly realized why he had distanced himself from politics in his youth.
He had intended to live for personal happiness and for those close to him in this life, but if he turned a blind eye to the outside world just because the cave was warm, it would lead to ruin.
Well, for now, he could rely on Eloise, so the burden of responsibility was much lighter.
He had come back after a heavy day, only to be surprised that Pavel was waiting for him, even postponing his appointment with the Emperor.
“Well, that, it’s nothing major, but Tia to Lawrence…”
After hearing everything that had happened that afternoon from Pavel, Cedric was deeply surprised.
He had never expected Artizea to completely let go of her attachment to family. Did she really not know she was being used in her first life, and still clung to them until the very end?
What had been achieved over many years was merely giving up. It wasn’t even revenge.
Artizea was doing much better now than she ever had before. Having been removed early, her period of abuse was shorter, and she had endured fewer instances of being ignored.
He thought she would have more lingering feelings, but he never expected her to cut off Lawrence herself. Even though she knew Lawrence didn’t care for her, she must have still cherished him as the last remaining thread to her family.
“Anyway, pay more attention. You’ve been spending too much time running around to meet Sister lately.”
“I’m sorry. And thank you.”
“Thank you for what? They’re my siblings too.”
Pavel said this and quickly left to go to the palace for dinner.
Artizea didn’t come to the dinner table. She had gone to bed early, they said.
With a somber expression, Lysia poked the boiled carrot with her fork, showing little interest in eating.
Cedric watched her for a moment before speaking.
“I understand that you’re concerned about Tia.”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
“Still, don’t do anything rash, Lysia. I’ve told you before, the relationship with the Marquisate Rosan family is complicated, so you shouldn’t meet him on your own.”
“Oh, I haven’t met him alone.”
Though she had bumped into Lawrence a few times, she immediately said that she had never intentionally met him.
Cedric noticed her reaction, but nodded. Had it not been about Artizea, he would have warned her more strongly about not meeting people like Milaira or Lawrence, but he couldn’t say that to her directly. He didn’t want the young Lysia to tell Artizea the truth, which would make her feel hurt.
“Don’t worry too much about Tia. I’ll talk to her.”
“Yes.”
“More importantly, you need to prepare for meeting Baron Morten next week.”
Lysia’s eyes widened.
“Do I have to prepare for that? Meeting my father is a happy occasion, but…”
“Don’t you think he’ll be curious about how much you’ve studied?”
Her face immediately turned sad. Cedric knew it was easy to distract a child’s thoughts. With this, Lysia would be thinking about Lawrence less throughout the week.
Baron Morten’s visit was connected to Lysia’s career concerns, so it was indeed an important matter.
After finishing the meal, Cedric went to the kitchen, where he personally heated milk and added honey and melted chocolate. The kitchen staff looked flustered, but Cedric didn’t mind, and he carried it to Artizea’s room.
He knocked on the door, and the rustling sound from inside stopped.
“May I come in?”
There was no answer, but he waited for a moment. Soon, the door creaked open slightly, and Artizea’s face peeked out.
Her eyes were red, and she looked like a rabbit, just like Pavel teased about. Cedric gently pushed the door open and entered.
The maid had said she was probably asleep, but Cedric knew better. Artizea was the type to stay up late and sleep in. When her thoughts were tangled, she couldn’t fall asleep easily.
Cedric placed the tray with the cup of milk on the table and lit the room. There was a small, round indentation on the bed, as though she had just been lying there inside the blankets.
“I wasn’t trying to skip dinner.”
Artizea muttered in a small voice, as if in defense. Cedric asked puzzledly.
“Have I ever scolded you for that?”
“No, but…”
“It’s okay. Eating well, sleeping well, and staying healthy doesn’t mean you can’t skip a meal now and then. But you must be hungry, right?”
Artizea rubbed her stomach, looking uncertain. Cedric gestured for her to sit down and handed her the milk.
The sweet scent of the milk spread with the warm steam. Artizea took a cautious sip.
The sweetness spread pleasantly throughout her body. She had thought she didn’t want anything to eat, but after that first sip, saliva quickly filled her mouth. She gulped down the entire glass of chocolate milk in no time.
“Is it good?”
“It’s good.”
Cedric smiled and took the empty cup from her, then pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.
Artizea, feeling embarrassed by the childlike treatment, snatched the handkerchief from him and wiped her mouth herself. She blushed, worried that it might be smeared around her lips.
Cedric took the handkerchief from her and placed it on the tray. Artizea, still with her head down, fidgeted with her fingers and mumbled.
“Aren’t you going to ask?”
“Should I?”
This meant that Cedric already knew why she had been huddled in her bed and skipped her meal. She felt gloomy suddenly. She didn’t want to show him this weak and pitiful side of herself….. Being young was already enough.
Cedric had already given her the answer five years ago. Sometimes, it’s better to only meet family occasionally. And some family… she knew that meeting them wasn’t necessary.
Yet, it felt like she was lacking that she was still feeling sad.