The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 71

The second change was when Pavel left.

“Will you be staying in the South for a long time?”

“Maybe, maybe not. I’m not sure yet.”

Pavel, who came to say his goodbyes, told Artizea with a face full of worry.

“I want to figure out what I can do, what I should do, before coming back. Mother suggested that since I’m leaving anyway, I should visit some neighboring countries too. Considering the position of Duchy Riagan, that might be necessary.”

“I see…”

“It’s a secret from Ced. He’ll think I’m completely clueless.”

Artizea thought that wasn’t really necessary, but she promised Pavel nonetheless.

“I’ll send you a gift. They have some beautiful salt crystals in the South that are perfect for jewelry, and also seashells.”

“I don’t collect seashells anymore.”

“They’re pretty enough to be used as jewels.”

Pavel smiled and patted Artizea’s head.

“I’ll be back. Listen to Ced and behave while I’m gone.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t cry.”

“I’m not crying.”

“Are you really not going to cry? You cried a lot when Lysia left, didn’t you?”

At those words, Artizea, already with red eyes, playfully slapped his shoulder. Pavel, smiling, comforted her and said his goodbyes to Cedric.

“Well, it’s not like we’re saying goodbye forever.”

“Come visit with Tia sometime.”

At those words, Cedric slightly furrowed his brow. It was a subtle change in expression, one that most people wouldn’t notice, but as his close friend, Pavel caught it immediately.

“What’s up with you? Are you saying you can’t come because it’s too far? I went all the way to the North.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then what was with that look just now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think I’m that easy to fool? You definitely looked like you hated the idea just now…”

Artizea stepped in and stopped the two from arguing. After all, they were going to be apart for a long time, and it would be so sad to part after fighting.

After Pavel left, Cedric smiled while resting his hand on Artizea’s head.

“Pavel won’t be gone that long. The coming-of-age ceremony has to be held in the capital. He’ll need to formally inherit his title.”

“Two years is a really long time.”

Artizea said, but Cedric, knowing that two years would pass in the blink of an eye, simply smiled.

The third change was when Lawrence left with Graham.

There was no opportunity for a separate goodbye with Lawrence. Even if there had been one, Artizea wouldn’t have taken it. Lawrence, after all, was not given the opportunity to say goodbye to his family. He had been confined to the house and was now leaving immediately with Graham’s personal guard as a trainee knight, heading to the West.

Soon after, Artizea went to meet Milaira.

She still felt a bit hesitant about entering Marquis Rosan’s residence.

She hadn’t seen Milaira much during this time. Artizea had invited her to the Grand Duke’s residence several times and suggested meeting outside, but Milaira rarely accepted.

“I never had a daughter like you.”

The responses to her letters were often along those lines.

Artizea knew that Milaira wouldn’t outright refuse to meet her, but the reason she hadn’t done so wasn’t just because of Cedric’s rule of meeting in safe places. It was also because Artizea felt anxious about going to Marquis Rosan’s residence.

But now, it seemed like she really had to go. After sending Lawrence away, she could only imagine how heartbroken Milaira must be.

“If you have the courage, it’s fine.”

Cedric said this and, accompanying Artizea, went to Marquis Rosan’s residence with her. She asked him to wait in the reception room while she went alone to meet Milaira.

Milaira was lying on the bed, submerged in depression, clung to Artizea and cried. Listening to her pleas to either ask Cedric to bring Lawrence back or to request something from the Empress, Artizea felt an odd sense of discomfort.

She still wanted to heed her mother’s words. There was a desire in her to wonder if she would be loved more if she did what Milaira asked.

But still, she knew she shouldn’t do what was wrong. Even if it was her mother’s request, there were things that were simply wrong.

If it was just something outside of her ability, she would have tried to find a way to make it work. But if it was wrong, she knew she shouldn’t do it.

She tried to comfort Milaira.

“His Majesty made the best choice to teach Brother Lawrence. This is for Brother.”

“What do you know?!”

As soon as Milaira heard Artizea’s words, she shouted angrily, then collapsed, sobbing into the bed. She then grabbed Artizea’s arm, begging her not to leave.

“You won’t leave me, will you? You’ll come back, right?”

It was the Emperor’s command. Milaira understood why it had been given and had heard a detailed explanation. She knew that Artizea couldn’t change the decision, yet she still threw a tantrum, terrified that her last remaining child might leave as well.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Artizea stroked her mother’s head and thought again.

She wanted to grow up quickly.

The professors and the priests often asked what she wanted to do in the future.

Cedric’s words resonated deeply with Artizea. She had always been told that she could do anything, encouraged to explore various fields of study. But for her, growing up didn’t mean becoming someone who could just read more complex books or write better. What she truly wanted was to become someone she could rely on in times like these. 

Like Cedric.

Thinking of this made her eyes well up with tears.

When she came out with her swollen red eyes, Cedric, who had been waiting in the reception room, was startled. But he cautiously checked her expression to avoid upsetting her and asked.

“Did you hear something bad?”

“No.” 

Artizea then reached out to hug his waist and buried her face in his chest. She had thought it childish to act this way, but at that moment, she couldn’t think of anything else to do.

Cedric gently wrapped his arms around her affectionately and patted her back. 

“I want to grow up quickly too.”

“You’re already doing great.”

“Still… Lord Ced doesn’t know.”

Artizea felt that Cedric couldn’t understand her completely. The frustration of not being able to express her feelings fully made her feel even younger, angry, and helpless.

Cedric gently lifted her into his arms. Artizea clung to his neck and buried her head on his shoulder. Feeling her warm breath tickling his neck, Cedric softly said.

“How could I not understand? I know you better than anyone.”

“But you don’t…”

“I do know, that’s why I don’t want you to feel like this.”

She wanted to prove her worth, to become someone’s support, to do something and change the harsh reality that wouldn’t change unless she did. She had believed that when she grew up, everything would be different, though she was also afraid. 

How many years had passed as she counted the days, waiting for that change?

But, in the end, the time when she would have to stand on her own would come. The truly difficult part would begin then.

How could she, at such a young age, even imagine how long she would have to endure until she realized that she couldn’t live alone? It might take a long time, or perhaps, if luck was bad, she might have to endure it for the rest of her life.

Cedric wished Artizea would never realize that truth and hoped that, even when that future came, she could remain in his embrace a little longer in peace.

“You don’t need to grow up quickly. You can take your time. I’ll wait for you.”

With a smile, he held Artizea in his arms and left the mansion. He knew there wouldn’t be many more days like this, when he could hold her so easily. 

It was a happiness for him as well.