The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 94
Seeing Artizea flustered, Viscountess Pescher smiled and said.
[It’s been said for a long time that this should be given to the bride of Grand Duke Evron. Though it’s a treasure of the imperial family, the Emperor has graciously permitted it, so please accept it with gratitude.]
[Ah, but…]
[If you’re worried because of the broken engagement, there’s no need to fret. The Empress has already heard the news.]
Artizea’s face turned red with embarrassment. So even the Empress had heard about it.
She wished it could have remained just a small private matter between her and Cedric. Of course, now Pavel, Graham, and Eloise knew too, so that was impossible.
Since she had no strong reason to refuse, Artizea followed Viscountess Pescher’s advice, expressed her thanks, and accepted the gift. She promised to find time soon to personally thank the Empress.
After bathing and applying fragrant oil to her body and hair in the bathroom, she began drying and combing her hair. Marie asked with some concern.
“Are you really going out without a partner?”
“Yes. It’s my birthday, after all. But I’m still going to have the first dance with Lord Ced.”
“Hold on, let me put some cream on your lips first.”
Sophie generously applied cream to her lips. Artizea was still young and didn’t need heavy makeup, but it was good to have at least this.
After drying and styling her long hair, she changed into the dress Eloise had chosen, which suited her perfectly. She pinned a silver chain decorated with blue jewels into her hair.
Her makeup was light. While Marie carefully shaped her eyebrows and applied pink on her lips and cheeks, she smiled seeing Artizea’s eyes closed.
“You used to love pink so much when you were little.”
“That’s…”
“Don’t tell me now.”
At Sophie’s warning, Artizea quickly shut her mouth, her cheeks flushed bright red with embarrassment.
Alice added with a shy smile.
“You also used to like red once. No matter how much we persuade you that brown suits you better, you wouldn’t listen.”
“No, it wasn’t that bad. Though it was cute, there was a time when trying to make her look pretty was really difficult. The dresses from back then are probably still in the dressing room.”
Marie, who could be said to have accompanied Artizea most fully in her childhood, complained proudly. Sophie teased Marie, saying that if she stayed like this, she wouldn’t even need to add color to her cheeks.
“I know that too. But it’s not like she only wore pink as a child, though it was a significant part.”
“That was all thanks to me.”
Artizea, having cream brushed on her lips, couldn’t protest and only complained silently in her mind.
“There, all done. Do you like it?”
Sophie finally let go of her face. Artizea looked in the mirror and smiled unconsciously. The makeup was still light, which she somewhat was a little dissatisfied with, but she looked pretty enough today.
“Thank you, Sophie.”
“You’re welcome.”
Just then, there were three knocks at the door, and it opened. Lysia poked her head in.
“Are you ready?”
“Oh, Lysia.”
Artizea turned happily but saw that Lysia looked much the same as usual. Her hair was neatly combed and tied high, but instead of a dress, she wore the uniform of the Evron Knights. Since she was not yet formally commissioned, there were no shoulder epaulets.
Knowing that Lysia hadn’t prepared a dress, Artizea had arranged one, but Lysia apparently decided not to wear it.
“You’re going as you are?”
“Yes. After thinking it over, I think this is better. After all, it’s Lady Tia’s birthday today.”
“?”
Artizea thought about how that related to whether Lysia wore the dress or not, but Lysia smiled brightly and said.
“I want to escort Lady Tia. I can’t miss the place Lord Ced gave up.”
Artizea laughed.
“Have you forgiven me?”
“Lady Tia already got punished first, so it’s okay. But Lord Ced…”
Lysia shook her head.
Artizea understood the explanation. Well, more honestly, she comprehended Cedric’s train of thought.
But if that’s the case, why hadn’t he just talked seriously from the start? At the very least, he should have explained things to Ansgar or his own close aides beforehand.
Artizea had planned to go alone, but gladly took Lysia’s offered hand.
“You’ll dance the first dance with me, too.”
“Ah, but…”
“You know that, right?”
Lysia responded with an unusually firm tone demanding an answer. Artizea looked embarrassed and couldn’t reply.
Knock. The second guest knocked on the open door. It was Pavel.
“Brother Pavel, you’re early!”
Artizea greeted him warmly. Pavel looked at Lysia, scratched his cheek, and said.
“I lost the chance.”
“Huh?”
“Since Ced broke off the engagement, I thought I’d escort you today, so I came early.”
Artizea didn’t think an escort was necessary but appreciated the thought, so she smiled happily.
“Shall the three of us go then?”
“That sounds good.”
Lysia reached out her hand. Artizea took it and stood, linking arms with Pavel.
And firmly declared.
“But the first dance is with Lord Ced.”
Pavel was about to pinch her cheek, saying, ‘Is that even the time to say that?’, but failed due to Sophie’s scream and grumbled instead.
The three headed together to the hall prepared for the party.
By dusk, Grand Duke Evron’s residence hall was bustling with early arrivals.
Every year, a party was held at the Grand Duke’s residence for Artizea’s birthday, but never had so many invitations been sent.
Usually, the gathering centered around young ladies who interacted with Artizea, with themes that were more cozy and childlike, lots of whipped cream pastries or doll decorations that guests could take home.
Nor was there a party for Cedric’s birthday. He preferred to spend his birthday quietly with family, having lunch with imperial family members who grew up together at the Empress’s palace, and hosting a dinner for Grand Duchy Evron’s retainers in the evening.
Besides that, there were few occasions to hold parties at the Grand Duke’s residence, there were no mistress to actively organize parties or social gatherings.
So, today’s invitation was exceptional.
“Effectively, this is Lady Rosan’s coming-of-age ceremony. Since she was betrothed so young and never had an engagement ceremony, this should be regarded as her formal betrothal.”
That was the general opinion, up until three days ago.
Rumors of the broken engagement between Grand Duke Evron and Lady Rosan had not only reached Duke Riagan’s residence and the Empress’s palace. Well-informed servants spread the news to their masters, and it quickly spread through social circles.
Rumors that Duke Riagan, who cared for Lady Rosan, had punched Grand Duke Evron became a massive scandal that shocked society. If he had been an ordinary man, he would have been internally injured.
Since the period was so short, no one had yet confirmed the facts with Grand Duchy Evron, but there was strong circumstantial evidence that the Lady had a loud argument with Milaira at Marquis Rosan’s residence. The news that Milaira fell ill was an added detail.
“I thought it was impossible, but sometimes ‘impossible’ kills people.”
As a social gossip, Hazel couldn’t just let the rumor slide. She was among the first to arrive at the party venue.