The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 74

Artizea glanced at Cedric as she sat down, watching his expression. His face was warm and gentle, but there was no hint of surprise or unfamiliarity.

‘I knew this light makeup wouldn’t work…’

She tried to hide her disappointment as she settled into her seat. Cedric, cutting a piece of bread, placed it on her plate and asked.

“Did you skip breakfast while I was gone?”

“I had something, even if just a little. I made sure not to sleep too long.”

“Good job.”

Her happiness from the compliment was quickly overshadowed by the melancholy of receiving praise for such simple things. Artizea sulked as she stirred her salad with a fork.

“Lysia asked me to send you a letter and a gift. I’ve asked Ansgar to take care of it, so you’ll get it later. She also said thank you for the gloves and the coat you sent.”

“Is Lysia doing well?”

“She’s a diligent and strong child. I wouldn’t say she’s the best of the trainees overall, but I’ve heard she’s quite good. It’s too early for her to be formally knighted, but maybe after that, we could invite her to visit.”

“I could go to Evron, too.”

“Hmm. It’s too soon this year, but maybe next year or the year after would work…”

Although she was happy to hear news of Lysia, Artizea’s disappointment grew deeper. It was because Cedric still referred to Lysia as a ‘child.’ If Lysia was a child, wouldn’t that mean Artizea was a child too?

Artizea tried to change her thoughts. After all, she knew that it was unreasonable to expect Cedric to fall in love with her just because she had applied some makeup. She understood that no sudden shifts in feelings would happen at the breakfast table.

They had already exchanged pleasantries the previous evening, but they continued to talk about their recent lives.

Cedric, usually not one to go into detail about his work, shared more this time because he thought talking about the recent campaign against Karam would ease her concerns.

“So, in the end, there was no escalation. Compared to four years ago, it passed relatively peacefully.”

“Hmm. It’s something to be glad about, of course, but I think the next attack will either come sooner or with a larger force. That thought weighs heavily on my mind.”

“Did I ever say something like that to you?”

“I focused on studying history over the winter… Bishop Akim…”

Hearing Artizea’s sigh, Cedric gave a wry smile. He didn’t have the best memories of Bishop Akim, and the thought of him being Artizea’s mentor now made Cedric chuckle bitterly.

But regardless of his character, it was clear that Akim was learned and his teaching methods suited her well. Cedric faintly remembered a time long ago when Bishop Nikos had predicted that she would make a good priest.

“Anyway, the influx from Karam is due to population pressure. Hmm…” 

Artizea murmured, lost in thought while picking at the omelette on her plate. She had only eaten half of it. 

Cedric understood the mature decision she had reached. He also knew that there was no one right answer in such political matters. Yet, he also knew that her decision had solved a myriad of issues, though he chose not to point it out.

The situation was different now compared to then, and more importantly, there were no negotiable high-ranking officials on the other side, which was why Cedric couldn’t act on it directly.

Artizea raised her clear eyes and spoke.

“Thinking about it now, it’s not something I can change. The monster wave in the west happens for similar reasons, but we’re not unable to control it just because we don’t understand why it’s happening.”

“Hmm…”

“Why?”

Cedric lightly shook his head at her question. Artizea was soon turning eighteen, and at that age, she should be able to manage her own household and begin standing on her own. However, it was still too early to discuss delicate political matters. It wasn’t because she lacked the ability; it was just that she still needed protection.

Cedric knew that Artizea sometimes had a blind trust in him, which made him even more cautious. If he left her bound to Evron out of kindness, how would that differ from what Millaira had done?

“There are just too many practical problems. All we can do is stay vigilant and do our best.”

So instead, he wrapped up the topic and shifted the conversation.

“I’ll be meeting with His Majesty in the morning and attending a military meeting in the afternoon. I should be free for dinner.”

Cedric paused briefly, smiling before continuing.

“If you’re free, that is.”

“I’m fine, just some assignments piling up.”

For a moment, Artizea considered asking if she needed to meet anyone else, but she suppressed the thought. She would need to pay her respects at the Empress’s Palace, and since it had been months since her return, she would have others to meet. 

But she wasn’t willing to give in.

Cedric nodded. Artizea carefully cut a small piece of the fruit that had replaced dessert.

“Any special outings planned?”

Artizea tilted her head. Cedric, having finished his fruit, took a drink and looked at her.

“Since you’ve done your makeup, I thought you might have something important planned.”

Artizea’s face turned red instantly. So he hadn’t missed it!

“I… I just did it.”

“Really? You look beautiful. It suits you.”

Cedric’s tone was neutral and kind, with no hint of surprise. Artizea’s face turned even redder, and she lowered her head.

At that moment, the assistant butler, who had been serving the meal, informed them of the time. Cedric apologized to her and stood up first, as he had an audience scheduled for early in the morning and needed to leave immediately.

Artizia, still holding the last piece of fruit in her mouth, chewed absentmindedly, forgetting for a moment. After a while, she finally managed to swallow. 

The sweet taste lingered in her throat.

***

As Artizea returned to her room, still feeling a sense of defeat, both Alice and Sophie were eagerly waiting with excited expressions.

“How did it go?” 

Sophie asked with her eyes shining brightly. She was sure that he had looked at her again. If a man could overlook someone as beautiful as Artizea, he couldn’t truly be a man.

However, Artizea shook her head with a sullen expression. She had heard the compliment that she was beautiful, but that wasn’t the kind of praise she wanted to hear. 

It was the same as when she was told she was cute at ten years old. Nothing had changed.

Sophie stomped her feet in frustration. She couldn’t bring herself to directly tell her mistress how unfair this was, but the words almost escaped her.

Alice, too, seemed troubled.

“How about trying something more direct?” 

“More direct?”

“Like asking him on a date…”

“He’d probably say yes. But nothing would come of it…” 

Artizea said in a voice full of disappointment and sunk heavily into her chair. She spoke again, in a weary tone.

“Please bring me the letters. I’ll just reply to those.”

“Yes, of course. Oh, and the Crown Princess sent you a letter.”

“Then let’s start with that one.”

Alice brought over the letter she had set aside and carefully opened the seal with a letter opener, handing the envelope to Artizea.

Artizea quickly skimmed the contents. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. The Crown Princess mentioned that she was getting a new dress made that afternoon and asked if Artizea could come along to help choose it, offering to pick something out for her as well.

“Hmm.” 

Artizea pondered for a moment. Helping the Crown Princess with something like this was a task many who sought power would crave, but somehow…

‘She’s going to tease me about it…’ 

She was already feeling anxious just at the thought.

Still, it might be a good opportunity. Eloise was one of the few people Artizea could discuss her problems with Cedric. Her friends tended to be too biased, and Garnet just smiled and said that everything would be fine once she was married and offered little actual advice.

But she couldn’t talk to Pavel about this. Despite their deep friendship, the difference between being close as friends and being of the opposite gender made such discussions difficult.

Although she would likely be teased… Artizea knew she would have to endure it.