The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 86
The May sunshine was bright and warm enough to almost tickle the skin, and the river was filled with gentle ripples stirred by a light breeze.
Artizea and Lysia were among the last to arrive. As they stepped down from the carriage holding their escort’s hands, Cadriol, who had been standing near the gangplank talking with the crew, approached them with a brisk stride.
“Welcome, Lady Rosan. A pleasure to meet you, Lady Morten.”
“Thank you for the invitation. We’re not too late, are we?”
“Not at all. You’re right on time.”
Cadriol pretended to check a pocket watch and winked. In reality, they were quite late, so Artizea felt a bit apologetic.
Cadriol snapped his fingers.
“In proper etiquette, the lady is supposed to arrive a bit later. Hasn’t Grand Duke Evron taught you that?”
“This isn’t a date, though.”
“What a disappointing thing to say. I have been eagerly looking forward to seeing you again.”
Cadriol placed a hand gracefully on his chest as if about to request a dance.
Artizea just smiled and casually brushed off the comment. She was beginning to understand the prince’s character. He seemed to lighten his words and actions to put others at ease.
Not that he was frivolous or a mere flirt. Though he had his surprising and teasing moments, in that regard, he was similar to Eloise.
“Oh, you both have arrived!”
Pavel, already aboard, waved from the ship’s side. Lysia waved back enthusiastically and politely thanked Cadriol.
“It’s an honor to be invited to Prince Cadriol’s gathering, even though I feel somewhat inadequate.”
“Inadequate? Lady Morten is a close friend of Lady Artizea and is said to be like a sister to Duke Pavel. I’ve always wondered what kind of person you are, so it’s an honor to meet you.”
Cadriol gave the same polite greeting to Lysia and personally led the two toward the gangplank.
Artizea took his hand and stepped onto the plank. Pavel, standing on the ship, reached out and helped her up. Lysia followed behind. Though she wore boots and didn’t need escorting, she happily held the hands of the two men.
The two greeted Graham, whom they hadn’t seen in a while, and then exchanged pleasantries with another guest, Countess Marta and her young daughter Agnes. Finally, they approached Skyla with warm smiles.
“Skyla, it’s been a while.”
“Hello.”
Skyla greeted them with a withered expression. Artizea tilted her head in confusion.
Skyla had gone on a trip to the East last winter with Garnet and Marchioness Camellia and had only returned as spring was in full bloom.
Artizea had written to her, but the replies were sparse and lukewarm.
At first, she thought the letters must have crossed in transit, but even after Skyla’s return, the situation hadn’t improved. The letters weren’t entirely absent, but the message—”I’m busy because my cousin came with me”, had an unspoken meaning that she didn’t want to contact.
Artizea grew worried unnecessarily, wondering if she had somehow offended Skyla. Without Cedric’s comforting words, her anxiety might have deepened.
[Marchioness Camellia has been going through some complicated issues lately. Don’t worry too much. She’s smart and knows well how to protect her children.]
[Does that mean there’s a serious issue for Camellia and Luca? Is there perhaps a sibling alive who could contest the inheritance?]
Artizea didn’t know the full story, but she was aware that the Marquis’ siblings had all died young, making the Marquis the rightful heir. Cedric thought for a while and said:
[It’s not something I can’t tell you, but this is a story the Marquisate wants to keep hidden. Since you’re Skyla’s friend, it’s better you hear it from her directly. Still, if you want to know, I’ll tell you.]
Artizea ultimately chose not to ask. She didn’t ask Garnet either. As Cedric said, it was better to hear from Skyla herself. From the mention of her cousin coming together, she could guess a few things, and since Garnet didn’t seem overly worried, she wasn’t too concerned.
And today, she met them. Artizea observed Skyla and then looked up to meet the eyes of a young man standing beside her.
The man, likely just over twenty, had a sun-darkened face and hands. Unlike Cadriol’s well-kept appearance, his was mottled. His eyes nervously darted beneath lowered lashes, uncomfortable with the gathering.
Skyla spoke in a dismissive tone,
“This is Ian Camellia, my cousin. Ian, this is Artizea Rosan, Young Marquis Rosan and fiance to Grand Duke Evron.”
“Pleased to meet you, Young Marquis.”
“Pleased to meet you, Lord Camellia.”
Artizea returned their greetings politely and glanced at Ian. Though he understood etiquette, his upbringing was clearly different from hers, who had been rigorously trained from childhood.
“I heard from Garnet that you came from the East together. Is this your first time in the capital?”
“Yes. It’s my first time since I was very young.”
Ian replied stiffly. Both he and Skyla seemed reluctant to attend the gathering, and Artizea felt awkward. Without proper preparation, she lacked the grace to handle such a situation.
Just then, Cadriol had checked everything from the gangplank to raising the anchor and approached lightly.
“We’re about to depart. Were you in the middle of a conversation?”
He took a glass from the attendant and handed one to each of them.
“We’ll be toasting shortly, so please wait before drinking.”
“Yes.”
Cadriol went on to distribute glasses to the others.
The sail was furled, and the boat began to drift slowly down the river. Ian stared blankly at the flowing water with glass in hand.
Artizea, almost linking arms with Skyla, whispered softly.
“Are you engaged?”
“…How did you know?”
Skyla’s voice rose in surprise but dropped again before finishing the second word.
“Well, you couldn’t not have guessed. Strictly speaking, it’s not an engagement yet… but we’ll be married right after my birthday.”
Artizea’s eyes flickered with emotion.
“The Marquis and Marchioness decided this? You don’t want to, do you?”
“…..”
Skyla said nothing. Artizea didn’t let go of her arm and gently pulled her away from Ian, keeping enough distance so he couldn’t hear.
“Skyla, are you really okay with this? Your marriage?”
“I’m not exactly against it. I’m just surprised. I never thought I’d marry this early.”
Skyla’s face darkened. She understood the necessity of this marriage that the Marchioness had spoken of and agreed there was no better alternative.