The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 87
Although the two girls didn’t know it, it was Cedric who had advised the Marchioness Camellia on this matter.
He wasn’t fond of Marchioness Camellia. Though they had never fought directly in either of their two lives, he was aware of her misdeeds, and her past had not vanished this time either.
Still, Cedric did not prevent Artizea and Skyla from becoming friends. The primary reason was that they had been introduced by Garnet, and secondly, he believed it was wrong to arbitrarily restrict Artizea’s social circle.
Perhaps also because his wife felt some sympathy toward Skyla.
However, as Skyla became closer to Artizea, Cedric’s perspective changed.
He no longer wished for young Skyla and Luca to be caught up in the family’s internal power struggles. Moreover, if anything unfortunate happened to Skyla, it would cause Artizea sorrow.
Looking back, leaving things as they were would hardly allow Ian Camellia and his sister to escape an unhappy life.
No matter how good the intentions, interfering in others’ lives rashly is unwise. One should not extend a hand unless prepared to take responsibility until the end. But Cedric had spent his life shouldering responsibility for others.
Even if mixed with some personal feelings, it was right to speak out.
Since deep friendships among children naturally lead to interaction between their guardians, meeting with the Marchioness Camellia was no trouble.
[I understand that Marquis Camellia’s nephews are alive.]
[How did you find out…?]
[Please don’t ask about my sources. Just know I have my ways. It may seem improper for an outsider to speak on Marquisate Camellia’s family affairs, but I felt it necessary to advise you.]
Marchioness Camellia looked at him, unable to hide her surprise. Cedric calmly continued.
[Wouldn’t it be better to eliminate any grounds for inheritance disputes?]
[What do you mean all of a sudden…?]
[If you want to give your children a good future, the bad blood of the parents must end with the parents.]
It might be unfair to call the Marchioness and her husband ‘bad blood’ as they are the perpetrators, but Cedric was not there to accuse them.
[Skyla and Luca will eventually learn everything about you two. Will you just let them be disappointed then? The hardest legacy to pass on is not the family or bloodline, but dignity and pride.]
[….That’s something only you could say, being the only son of Grand Duke Evron.]
Marchioness Camellia paled and swallowed once before responding. Cedric did not directly deny this.
[You may be right, but I doubt Lady Skyla thinks so. She loves her mother.]
[….]
[To be realistic, consider if Marquis Luden will willingly place someone he holds anger against as the next Marquis Camellia.]
At this, Marchioness Camellia pressed her lips tight. Her sharp and ruthless mind first thought of the simplest way to prevent all problems, to kill Ian Camellia and his sister.
But she hadn’t done that for a long time. The thought of seeing her husband’s tears again made her chest feel tight and stifled, and Cedric’s words weighed heavily on her.
What they could inherit was only the family. And that was burdened with the huge yoke of Marquisate Luden above their heads.
What kind of parents can pass on pride? Could Skyla view a mother who is a servant to her biological father as a source of pride?
She suddenly thought of Marchioness Luden and the legitimate children. Even if they lacked dignity, instilling pride was no easy task.
Cedric spoke again.
[Consult with Aunt Garnet.]
[What?]
She asked in disbelief, but Cedric continued with a steady expression.
[If you fear losing Marquisate Luden’s protection, seek Aunt’s. Marquis Luden is unlikely to use violence immediately, and if he does, Uncle will stop him. Uncle will follow Aunt’s wishes.]
[Your Grace, is it so easy to say that…?]
[If you worry about being ostracized by society, that’s something Aunt can handle well. She can make up for any shortcomings in strategy. The leader of the Eastern noble alliance isn’t Marquisate Luden but Grand Duchy Roygar.]
It was a reasonable argument. Marchioness Camellia couldn’t help but admit that her reluctance to confront Marquis Luden stemmed from emotional issues rooted in childhood.
Still, she couldn’t easily nod. Being protected by Garnet? She had never thought that way. Garnet was someone to be protected, not someone who could protect others.
But Cedric said firmly.
[Marchioness Camellia, Aunt Garnet is not a mere ornamental flower but a true noble who knows pride and honor, and she can become strong for the sake of her family.]
[Your Grace.]
[And aren’t you her sister? Aunt will gladly do what you cannot.]
These words deeply shocked the Marchioness.
Though she believed she was devoted to Garnet more than anyone, she had never truly trusted or relied on her. Even caring for her had been done with cunning manipulation, without Garnet’s knowledge.
She believed that guiding Garnet this way was for her betterment. If Garnet was a flower, she was the one regulating the sunlight and tending the soil to help it bloom fully.
What could Cedric know? Even if he had a keen eye, he was still just a young man of twenty-three. Judging human bonds based on personal friendship was difficult. Although the Evron and Roygar families had frequent exchanges over the past ten years, he could hardly know Garnet better than she herself.
Nevertheless, drawn by his conviction, Marchioness Camellia nodded.
And so it was done.
For the first time in over twenty years, she confided in Garnet deeply and revealed the dark secrets of the Luden family before her eyes.
Garnet sat stunned, absorbing the long history of sins committed by her father and sister.
But Cedric had been right. Garnet eventually accepted everything and willingly decided to share in Marchioness Camellia’s atonement.
That’s how the winter trip to the East came about.
Skyla learned of the incident surrounding her father’s succession to the Marquisate after the Marchioness and Garnet decided to personally visit Ian and his sister.
She was quite shocked. While her mind understood why her mother had been so obedient to her grandfather, her heart had not yet accepted it.