The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 93
Torben was surprised and flustered, unsure of what to do. Yet, the other retainers all looked at him as if it was natural.
When he hesitated to step forward, the Young Marquis moved first, approaching him as the retainers cleared the way.
He quickly bowed his head. After all, he was just one among many retainers, not someone in a position to represent them. He wasn’t the one who should greet the Young Marquis first.
“Lift your head. I should be the one apologizing to the Hanson family, not making you bow like this…”
Though an apology, her tone remained dignified without sounding arrogant. Torben, still embarrassed, raised his head again.
The Young Marquis’s eyes shone like starlight.
“I sincerely apologize for the unfair treatment the Hanson family has endured.”
“I… I’m not here as a representative of the family.”
“Even if you’re not a representative, you’re one of the people who should accept my apology. As the heir of Marquisate Rosan and a daughter of my mother, allow me to apologize for wrongfully accusing you and causing you pain until now.”
“…It wasn’t the Young Marquis’s doing.”
“I also apologize for having postponed responsibility because I was young. From now on, I intend to take full responsibility and make amends for the mistakes Rosan has committed.”
Torben trembled. Artizea spoke calmly.
“I heard that Marcus Hanson, the former head butler, is staying at your farm.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“After finishing the necessary business in the capital, I would like to visit. Would you be able to wait for me?”
“I… yes. Uncle Marcus will be glad. No, that’s not it.”
Torben quickly changed his words.
“If you permit, I will return first and inform them. There will be other relatives eager to meet the Young Marquis!”
Artizea smiled gently.
“Good. If possible, I want to meet everyone in the family and express my apologies.”
Perhaps Marcus and other relatives might refuse the apology.
Even if Artizea personally apologized, the past wouldn’t be reinvestigated, nor would Milaira be punished. The deeply etched wounds would still leave scars. Some might not even want to revisit those painful places.
But at least Torben felt relieved. Hope returned with the waiting, and the chance to trust was granted.
Artizea smiled.
“You’ll still attend my birthday party, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
Torben answered without hiding his joy.
Her attitude helped settle the disputes among the retainers. Those who sided with Milaira and persecuted the Hanson family stiffened with tension but uttered no reproach.
Artizea then turned back to Marek and Garen.
“Thank you all for taking care of the family affairs for so long. I look forward to your continued support.”
“You can count on us. We’ll do our best.”
The retainers all bowed to her. Artizea shook hands individually with more than fifty retainers. Some, like Torben, had no special business but came simply to see the Young Marquis’s face. She gladly shook hands and promised to have deeper conversations later.
Only then did Marek bring out the documents. Artizea sat and signed them with her pen.
She returned to her room well past lunchtime.
Though she had already discussed everything with Cedric and was mentally prepared, accepting responsibility for the Rosan family herself was somewhat overwhelming. Also, her mother’s sins weighed on her heart.
She truly grasped what it meant to become an adult and how Cedric had protected her until now.
Still, her steps were light returning to her room. It was her eighteenth birthday, and many would come to celebrate.
While Grand Duke Evron’s residence had celebrated her birthday every year, none had been as grand as this.
This was actually due to Ansgar’s misunderstanding. But not only Ansgar. Everyone in the house except one believed this would effectively be her coming-of-age ceremony, and so did all the invited guests.
Three days earlier, after announcing the broken engagement, Ansgar had fallen ill. After hearing the doctor’s explanation of exhaustion and apologizing, Artizea had been reassured by his gentle laughter.
[It’s alright, miss. Although I never imagined you two would make such a decision, your eighteenth birthday is still a very important day.]
Artizea didn’t know where to place herself. Cedric looked unfazed but then lowered his head and said,
[I think you were probably tense because you expected to immediately start wedding preparations. Since that’s no longer necessary, you should rest well.]
[…I’m sorry.]
[No need for apologies. What matters most is your wishes. When you’re young, you often forget that there are old people around who worry excessively.]
She couldn’t tell if that was forgiveness or a gentle reproach.
The entire mansion had been turned upside down. Artizea quickly explained to Lysia but hadn’t publicly called all the servants together. Besides, rumors spread faster and more stubbornly than any explanation.
News of the broken engagement between Grand Duke Evron and Lady Roosan quickly spread beyond the mansion and even reached Duke Riagan’s residence by the time Pavel had returned, bathed, and changed clothes.
Thanks to that, Cedric was suddenly attacked by his cousins that night. Fortunately, skilled enough to fight armed knights with bare hands, he ended the scuffle with just a few bruised marks on his back instead of being beaten or dragged away.
It was natural for the shocked Artizea to cling to Pavel and offer excuses on his behalf.
Though the day was truly confusing, thinking back two days later, she found it amusing. Surely it will become a funny memory years from now.
As Artizea giggled alone, Alice asked.
“Thinking of something funny?”
“No, nothing. Just trying to think happy thoughts.”
Returning to the parlor, Sophie waited with a comb and fragrant oil and happily said.
“You’re a bit late. The bathwater is ready. Come on in. I’ll wash your hair. I prepared osmanthus oil.”
“Okay.”
In the toilette room, the dress Eloise had sent was displayed on a mannequin. It was different from the one picked at the Crown Princess’s palace last time and came as a set with a sapphire necklace sent by the Empress.
Selenea and Viscountess Pescher, who had come along on errands, smiled and said.
[We made the dress based on the measurements taken that day, but honestly, this was the gift chosen from the start. The Empress herself selected the necklace first and then requested the design to match it.]
[The necklace was worn by the late Princess Floella on her eighteenth birthday. Since it was originally an imperial jewel, the Empress has kept it safe until now.]
[Is it really alright for me to receive something like this…]
Artizea felt both very happy and overwhelmed.