The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 72
The spring breeze and the scent of flowers wafted through the open window, gently tickling Artizea’s nose. As she began to wake, she felt a pleasant drowsiness, but suddenly realized it was morning and jumped up in surprise.
“Ah!”
“Is something wrong, Miss? You could sleep a little longer if you wish.”
Marie said, who was opening the curtains and airing out the room. Artizea shook her head a few times, trying to wake up.
Now seventeen, she had spent the last four years working hard, but Artizea still hadn’t managed to develop the habit of waking up early for exercise.
“Ah… I really went to bed early last night…”
“Was there a particular reason you needed to wake up early today?”
“Not really…”
Artizea trailed off, unsure how to explain.
Cedric, who had been in the North over the winter, had returned just the day before. Artizea had wanted to follow him but couldn’t. Last winter, it was expected that there might be an attack by Karam, but the professors wouldn’t let her go.
[Even if you go to the North, you won’t get much rest because of the cold. If you want to travel, why not go to the East? Aunt Garnet and Skyla are traveling there this winter.]
Artizea had never wanted to travel, she simply didn’t want to be apart from Cedric, so she had shaken her head.
It hadn’t been a particularly pleasant winter. It had been colder than usual, and Bishop Akim had overwhelmed her with ancient texts, as if preparing to crack open her skull.
[Now is the perfect time for your studies, Lady Rosan. Once you become a bureaucrat, you won’t have the luxury of dedicating yourself to subjects outside your field.]
[But I’m not planning to become a bureaucrat.]
Bishop Akim had looked at her with a face full of disbelief. He had high expectations for his brilliant pupil. He believed she should dedicate herself to her studies until she turned twenty and then enter government service right away.
Of course, she could begin a political career as a Marquis, but Marquisate Rosan wasn’t a family historically involved in politics, and her mother, Milaira, was seen as a weakness.
Starting in the civil service, learning the practical aspects, building her own power, and then aiming for the position of Chancellor was the ideal path.
The youngest Chancellor in history. What an exhilarating dream it was, to rise not just as a top official or a powerful bureaucrat balancing factions, but as someone who would truly rule the empire.
And he himself would become the teacher of the famous Chancellor with both dignity and knowledge.
However, the seventeen-year-old girl, who was still months away from turning eighteen, nonchalantly rejected the teacher’s wish to pass on an unfulfilled dream.
[I don’t want to.]
[Why? Are you planning to stay at the university, like Professor Nivea said?]
[That’s still under consideration.]
[Think again. Of course, contributing to the development of academia is, in the long run, contributing to the empire. But someone with your abilities and status is almost nonexistent. It is those who change reality…]
Artizea tuned out Bishop Akim’s long-winded speech, cutting him off.
[The Crown Princess would never allow it.]
[…?]
[If I were to become a bureaucrat, she would have me as one of her lady-in-waiting. She’s been talking about it since last year, but it’s still on hold…]
Bishop Akim’s eyes widened. Becoming a lady-in-waiting to the Crown Princess was far more closely tied to power than any bureaucratic post. While advancing through the ranks of government had its own advantages, it was incomparable to the opportunity to get directly involved with the imperial power at its core.
The opportunities given to high-ranking nobles were far beyond what a commoner from the slums could ever obtain. He felt both jealousy and exhilaration, but Artizea sighed.
[I’m still not sure if that’s really the future I want.]
Bishop Akim, though angry with the girl who had so much, was wise enough not to show it. With a deep sigh, he gave his response, more of a consolation than a reprimand.
[Whatever you choose to become in the future, it wouldn’t hurt to study. Even if you decide to become a scholarly priest.]
[I don’t want to become a priest.]
That was one thing Artizea hadn’t considered at all, but regardless, she had to deal with the overwhelming tasks given to her.
Professor Nivea wasn’t much different. For some reason, the professors seemed to view assigning difficult studies as a kind of temptation.
It was a winter like that, so it was no surprise it wasn’t very enjoyable. She didn’t hate continuing her studies, but Artizea didn’t find it as exciting or irresistible as Professor Nivea seemed to.
Groaning, she dragged herself out of bed, and as she opened the bathroom door, Alice called out.
“Miss! The bath water is ready!”
“Mm-hmm.”
Artizea, feeling like her soul was dragging along with her body, walked toward the bathroom.
Marie, with wide eyes, asked if she was really going to take a bath this early in the morning.
Artizea nodded in response, warming up her body and then applying the fragrant oil to her skin. Alice carefully washed and then gently brushed her hair.
In the meantime, the third maid peeked her head into the room.
“Miss!”
“Come in, Sophie.”
Artizea yawned and waved her hand to Sophie, who quickly entered the room.
Marie smiled silently to herself.
‘Oh my.’
Sophie was a recent addition to the staff, and she was skilled at makeup. Artizea had brought her in after meeting with Milaira and deciding to take Sophie, who worked in the wardrobe, to serve her. Sophie learned Milaira’s makeup techniques as she assisted her.
When Artizea first suggested taking Sophie, Milaira had been very upset. It wasn’t because Artizea was taking away a maid who had been trained, but because Artizea had a need for a maid skilled in dressing and makeup.
Milaira herself knew every trick to beautify her face and body, and many of the makeup techniques tried by socialites came from her own hands. She was proud of this. However, she didn’t want Artizea to engage in such activities.
[You’re supposed to be studying, right? I hear that even the proud Bishop Akim has been bragging about you.]
[Bishop Akim might be exaggerating a bit.]
[If you’re going to become a priest, why would you need a maid to help you with dresses and makeup?]
[I’m not going to be a priest.]
[Why not just become one? You never listen to me and you love doing useless studies like this.]
Artizea had grown used to ignoring Milaira’s words, letting them go in one ear and out the other. Since Lawrence left, Milaira had become much more subdued, though her sadness increased. There weren’t many days where she’d lash out or have wild, frantic moments anymore.
Sophie didn’t need Milaira’s permission to move.
Artizea entrusted her face to Sophie.
“How would you like it done?”
“Make me look more mature.”
Artizea answered her with that request, feeling her heart race.
Starting today, or more precisely, starting yesterday, she was determined to show a new, more grown-up side of herself. She had firmly decided to become a more sophisticated, elegant lady.
No matter if Bishop Akim’s dream was dashed, if Professor Nivea’s temptations grew stronger, or if her mother continued to make biting comments about her future.
For this 17-year-old girl, soon to be 18, the most important thing was not power or academic achievement.
It was her first love.