The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 68
Emperor Gregor looked somewhat displeased but didn’t respond. While he felt a little uncomfortable being criticized by his daughter, the truth was that he hadn’t thought it was a big deal.
He had known for some time that Lawrence was hanging around with bad people and getting caught up in reckless behavior. Hunting was one thing, but there were some other dangerous activities too.
As a parent, he had hoped Lawrence would make better friends and live a more virtuous life. However, when he considered it more objectively, he realized that Lawrence didn’t really need to.
Lawrence would never get close to power. He couldn’t enter politics, nor could he expand his influence among the nobles.
A low reputation would keep him safer. His duty was to do nothing at all, which meant he could neither harbor ambitions nor experience any sense of achievement. It wasn’t so strange that he would seek stronger thrills in his games.
The Emperor often thought sympathetically that, unlike his half-siblings, Lawrence likely felt disheartened by his inability to accomplish anything. This was different from his own bloodline, which had no descendants from collateral lines, so he felt a deeper pity for him and treated Lawrence more leniently.
Eloise spoke in a calm tone.
“If Your Majesty wishes to overlook this, then so be it. If you’re concerned that something like this might happen again, replacing the servants might be a good idea.”
“Graham won’t be satisfied with that.”
“Does that really matter?”
Eloise casually took a sip of her tea. The Emperor sighed deeply.
He had expected this kind of reaction from her. His young, confident daughter didn’t fully understand his concerns.
This was why he had kept Cedric around. When thinking about Lawrence’s future, Cedric was far more reassuring than Eloise.
For the two eldest illegitimate daughters, Charlotte and Grace, it was clear how they should be cared for. Marrying them off to ambitious yet financially stable mid-tier nobles with a hefty dowry would ensure they lived content and ordinary lives. Their greatest achievement would likely be showing off their wealth in high society.
In the past, the Emperor had gotten a promise from Eloise that she would protect her half-siblings after the Emperor’s death, as long as they didn’t commit treason or similar crimes.
Eloise wouldn’t voluntarily break that promise. From the beginning, unlike Graham, she had no interest in her father’s illegitimate children. As long as they didn’t interfere with her rule, she wouldn’t bother with them.
However, conversely, if they became a nuisance, she was someone who could easily frame them for ‘treason or similar crimes’ and dispose of them. The Emperor knew this well because his daughter took after him.
The three siblings born to the Empress have a very close relationship. If Graham insists on removing Lawrence, Eloise would willingly approve. Once the decision is made, she wouldn’t need to be involved in plotting or executing the plan.
Emperor Gregor felt that time was running out. Lawrence would soon come of age.
Pavel wasn’t a person who could prevent that. The third, innocent, and kind-hearted child was a very lovable one and a precious presence who helped keep the family bond strong despite the uniqueness of the imperial family. However, it was hard to believe that he would ever become a political figure capable of opposing Eloise in the future.
Therefore, the only person he could rely on was Cedric. He hadn’t given his approval for the engagement five years ago with this expectation, but since Artizea was Cedric’s fiance, he felt more at ease asking for his help.
“Ced, I know this is a difficult request, but… could you take care of Lawrence in Evron?”
Cedric had already braced himself, knowing that he wouldn’t be surprised by anything that came next. When he looked at the Emperor without hesitation, Emperor Gregor felt both surprised and reassured. Cedric truly was a thoughtful and dependable child.
“Please be clear. If you’re considering exile, then it would be difficult for me to do so, since you are asking as a ‘request.’ Simply sending him far from the capital won’t be an appropriate punishment for Lawrence.”
“Well, if we remove him from the capital, we won’t be disturbing Graham’s nerves. If we’re not intending to make him suffer in a cold place, then maybe sending him to the south would be a good option, Your Majesty.”
“It’s not exile. No matter where he is sent, if he’s allowed to idle, he’ll live however he pleases. What I want is for him to be taught strict discipline. His mother doesn’t have the ability to do that, and even though we’ve sent several tutors, there were limitations.”
The Emperor sighed after saying this.
“I’m considering sending him to Evron for knight training.”
“…”
“Family ties are difficult to sever. You must control Lawrence now, for when your fiance becomes an adult, you will need him to be under control.”
Cedric knew that Eloise was watching him with a curious gaze. The Emperor continued.
“I don’t mean to treat him specially. Think of it as a military service and be tough on him. That should satisfy Graham.”
“Your Majesty, you say that, but it won’t be like that in practice.”
“…”
“As long as Marchioness Rosan is by Your Majesty’s side, it will be even more difficult. No matter how isolated Evron is from the capital, the knights there wouldn’t dare treat Your Majesty’s beloved son carelessly.”
Emperor Gregor let out another sigh in response to Cedric’s refusal. Honestly, everything Cedric had said was correct.
But Cedric wasn’t finished speaking.
“If Your Majesty’s decision is final, then perhaps we should send him under Brother Graham’s care.”
“Oh.”
Eloise exclaimed in surprise.
The Emperor, who had only considered separating Graham and Lawrence, looked at Cedric with a slightly startled expression.
“Under Graham?”
“How about formally making him an apprentice knight and assigning him to the staff? If we want to teach Lawrence real discipline, he needs authority that he cannot defy.”
“But…”
“Brother Graham, being responsible for someone formally, would never torment him as a supervisor. The western region would suit Lawrence’s temperament well.”
It was a plausible suggestion. The Emperor stroked his chin thoughtfully. Considering the future, he realized that having Lawrence completely submit to Graham wouldn’t be a bad idea after all.
“Alright. That’s a good idea. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
Cedric replied, feeling a sense of relief inside. The Emperor smiled gently.
“In the end, Tia will take care of Marquisate Rosan. I hope you’ll be there to help her when that time comes.”
“Of course.”
Technically, Lawrence wasn’t a member of Marquisate Rosan, but Cedric replied obediently. Taking care of Milaira was the right thing to do, and under the worst circumstances, Lawrence too should be taken care of.
Cedric stood up from his seat first. Now it was up to the two of them to figure out where to place Lawrence and how to persuade Graham with a concrete plan.
He bowed politely and began to leave.
“Oh, Chief Attendant.”
The Chief Attendant had been waiting outside the door. Still wearing his usual composed expression, Cedric smiled at him and spoke warmly.
“Have you seen the injured boy?”
“Yes, he has arrived. I will bring him in as soon as His Majesty calls for him.”
“Once the audience is over, please send him back to my house. I’ll take care of him for the time being. If he’s been a servant at such a young age, he probably doesn’t have anywhere else to go.”
The Chief Attendant looked slightly surprised at those words.
“I take some responsibility for this. I should have anticipated it, and I’m sorry I didn’t act sooner.”
“No, it’s not your responsibility. It’s… I appreciate your help.”
The Chief Attendant bowed deeply. Cedric spoke in a reassuring tone.
“It will get better. Once he’s calm enough to write, I’ll have him contact the Chief Attendant.”
“Thank you so much for your consideration.”
The Chief Attendant bowed once more.
Once the Chief Attendant learns of the discipline plan for Lawrence, the Chief Attendant would likely feel relieved. Cedric hoped that his mind would ease, even if just a little.