The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 70
Eloise was not the type of child to be forced into anything, and recently, the Empress had been rethinking things. She began to question whether Eloise truly needed to strengthen her power through marriage.
There was no more trustworthy ally to the Emperor than a trusted cousin. However, in the current Krates Empire, there was no faction that could realistically oppose Eloise in the future.
Gregor had used the Eastern noble alliance of Duchy Riagan and Grand Duke Roygar to keep the power of Duchy Orca in check. While Duchy Orca remained wealthy and powerful, it no longer had the strength to challenge the throne.
At one point, it seemed like they might have tried to challenge Graham, but since the direct heirs of the Imperial family were so close, the Imperial throne was unlikely to be shaken.
Duchy Riagan would be inherited by Pavel, and Cedric from Grand Duchy Evron was loyal to Eloise. Meanwhile, Grand Duke Roygar’s succession rights were ranked 4th. It had once been a significant right when the children were young, but now that they were grown, it had become a true collateral branch.
Given these circumstances, Eloise might no longer need a marriage alliance to back her.
Of course, as a mother, the Empress longed for a respectable noble family to marry her daughter into, but Eloise might have different thoughts.
‘If it was Gregor, in such a situation, he would have chosen a smaller, more easily controlled family. And since Eloise is like her father…’
The Empress thought this and observed quietly. Eloise would have no intention of sharing power with her future husband.
Still, it wasn’t an important issue. What worried the Empress now was her second son, who would soon leave in great disappointment toward his father, and her youngest, who was looking downcast.
Pavel slowly finished his plate, aware that the Empress was watching him. He let out a sigh.
“It’s not really a problem, just something on my mind.”
“Is it because of Graham?”
Pavel shook his head.
“It’s not the first time Brother has argued with Father. It’s not that…”
“It’s not?”
“I think… maybe I’m still a kid…”
Pavel trailed off, feeling like his own words made him seem childish.
Though he had teased Cedric about being old or acting like an uncle, he didn’t truly feel a gap between them. He knew that Cedric, even without officially inheriting his title, was effectively running Grand Duchy Evron and participating in the governance of the Northern part of the Empire, but it didn’t feel real to him.
To Pavel, Cedric was simply a friend who had a lot going on.
Pavel wasn’t particularly jealous, so even if Cedric excelled in martial arts, he didn’t feel personally left behind.
Just like how he had never thought of Artizea as anything other than a younger sibling despite her finishing her studies faster, it was simply a matter of different innate talents.
But today was different.
Not only Graham, but even the Emperor, without a second thought, consulted Cedric about important matters. And, just like leaving behind a child, they told Pavel to remain in his quarters. Though the excuse was that someone was needed to take care of Lysia, even without that, he would have played no role whatsoever today.
For the first time, Pavel felt as if he had fallen behind.
The Empress smiled. While Cedric and Eloise might be one thing, considering Graham at eighteen, Pavel was indeed a late bloomer. He had been sheltered by his innocent nature and had grown up without hardships, and being the youngest didn’t help either.
“Graham is five years older than you. And Cedric is mature. He’s been effectively performing the duties of a Grand Duke for the last five years.”
“That’s why…”
“You always complained that he never played with you, and now you’re acting surprised.”
Pavel pouted and quietly finished his plate. If Eloise or Graham had been around, they would’ve teased him, saying he was being treated like a child.
The Empress left Pavel to his own devices. It would have been easy to nudge him in the direction she wanted, but now that he was starting to think about his future, she wanted to let him ponder it on his own for as long as it took.
“I’m going to the South.”
After dinner, with tea in front of him, Pavel spoke with a resolute expression. The Empress, expecting him to think it over for at least a few weeks, was surprised and looked at him.
“Really?”
“I’ll eventually become Duke Riagan. I want to know more about what I’ll be doing in the future.”
And he wanted to do it well. He couldn’t just keep holding his siblings back.
The Empress looked at Pavel with a proud smile. She wanted to pat his head, but she knew if she treated him like a child, he’d sulk, so she refrained.
As she thought about how everyone had grown so much, she felt both proud and a little sad.
* * *
This year became a year of many significant changes for Artizea.
The first was Lysia leaving for Evron. Baron Morten had stayed in the capital for about a month, and during that time, Lysia had fully decided to return with her father.
“I want to receive proper knight training.”
To the somewhat disappointed Artizea, Lysia suddenly said with a very grown-up expression on her face.
“I want to become a strong person. I also want to do something I’m good at.”
“Yes. And Lysia said you wanted to become a ranger…”
“I might even become a knight. That sounds good too. I want to be someone who can save the weak.”
Artizea, though deeply touched, held back her tears with all her might. She couldn’t hold Lysia back when she was pursuing her dreams. Moreover, she knew very well how powerless Lysia must have felt after dealing with Lawrence’s situation.
“You’ll definitely become an amazing knight, Lysia.”
“Just wait. When we meet next time, I’ll surprise Lady Tia.”
Though Lysia also felt a sense of loss, she smiled and said her goodbyes.
However, in the end, Artizea hugged her tightly and shed tears.
“We’re not saying goodbye forever, though. Huh, uhuh.”
Even as she said it, Artizea cried bitterly at the sadness of parting from her first best friend.
After the guide urged her, Lysia finally managed to get on the carriage. Artizea, held by Cedric’s hand on her shoulder, stared longingly at the carriage’s departing figure.
Lysia, who had stuck her head out of the carriage window, waved her hand, and only after the mansion disappeared from sight did she finally sit down in her seat.
“Feeling sad?”
Baron Morten asked. Lysia nodded.
Although she had visited the Evron estate a few times, having lived here for five years and considered it her home, she couldn’t help but feel sad.
“Wouldn’t you have wanted to stay longer?”
“There’s nothing for me to do here. There will be someone else who fits better as Lady Tia’s lady-in-waiting.”
But Lysia said resolutely.
Inside her bag were two boxes. One contained a pistol engraved with Barony Morten’s family crest, and the other contained a fine sword. Both were specially made by Cedric for her.
[You’re still young, not incapable. Trust your heart and beliefs. You’ll definitely go down the right path, and I know that.]
More than the gun or the sword, those words were the most precious gift. Lysia set out for the future with the belief that she could achieve whatever she set her mind to.