The Villainess Lives Twice
chapter-25

Chapter 25. Saintess Olga’s Heart (6)

Translator: Gold / Editor: Kassy

Marchioness Camellia slowly raised her teacup to hide her expression.

Judging by the time that passed before she spoke her next words, it was clear that many things went through her mind.

However, Marchioness Camellia did not lose her composure.

“I don’t know what you are talking about. Do you think Grand Duke Roygar is somehow related to Baron Yetz, Lady?”

She spoke in a graceful tone.

But her mind was still in disarray.

Baron Yetz was one of Grand Duke Roygar’s most important sources of funding.

Although this did not mean that he played an important role in the Grand Duke Roygar’s faction.

He simply gave large amounts of money in exchange for certain benefits. Because the Director of Public Security and the Minister of Finance were men of Grand Duke Roygar’s faction, as well as key officials.

It was not a relationship created by loyalty, so it did not matter if it ended.

Certainly, it would be best to sever all connection with Baron Yetz. Especially if it was true that Cedric had taken his ledgers.

Now that Cedric was involved, there was no chance that things would be quietly get resolved through behind-the-scene negotiations or political agreements.

Since Mr. White’s daughters and the jewel were related to this issue, the newspapers would make a lot of noise about it.

The emperor would use scapegoats rather than risk appeasing the people’s anger by force.

Baron Yetz would not be enough to appease the people’s anger, so he would have to offer a piece of higher status.

She had to avoid becoming that target.

Anyway, all Baron Yetz had to offer was money. It was a lot of money, but not something indispensable. It was not the time to feel pity for it.

But she could not simply accept Artizea’s words. She wondered how far she should believe what she was saying.

Cedric Evron hated politics behind closed doors.

Marchioness Camellia had also heard the rumour that he had fallen in love with Lady Artizea.

Is he the kind of man who gave up what he has to do at the behest of the woman he was in love with?

It was a mystery. Cedric was a young man, and several men only truly showed their genuine nature after falling in love.

Although there was no guarantee Artizea could sever the connection between Grand Duke Roygar and Baron Yetz’s business, there was also no guarantee she could not.

Artizea put down her teacup and looked at her.

“Baron Yetz is a vulgar man. He offers bribes to anyone who can benefit him. I am sure he has given gifts to many influential figures, all to gain protection at times like this. However, it is not wise to receive a gift from such a person.”

Artizea smiled.

“A lady of your standing would never have imagined that the jewel the Baron gave you as a present had been acquired by swindling a good person.”

Marchioness Camellia slipped her fingertips over the edge of the teacup.

Artizea put the teacup back on her lips. Marchioness Camellia watched Artizea carefully.

The corners of Artizea’s mouth were gently curved. Her eyes shone, as if she were in a pleasant situation. Her every movement was elegant and calm.

She wore a frilly dress, but it did not stand out. It looked cheap and shabby from so much washing, and moreover, its sleeves were short.

Although she was still young, she acted like one of those old sly foxes within high society.

Until now, she never gave Artizea any importance. Miraila’s daughter, a poor girl. That was what she thought of Artizea until now.

Although she was the successor to the Marquisate Rosan, she didn’t have it in her own hands. She was Lawrence’s sister, but she would not be useful, even for a political marriage.

She would be devoured by Miraila like a parasite for the rest of her life, and Lawrence would try to gain his freedom by feeding his obsessive mother to her sister.

Marchioness Camellia took pride in knowing human nature well. Miraila would never give up her daughter.

Many parents considered their children as their alter ego… or rather, their possessions.

Many people found pleasure in tormenting, controlling, and abusing others.

But there was a clear difference between beating a servant and abusing a child.

Nothing satisfies one’s desire for power and possession more than the pleasure one felt when one beats their own child to death, and then starts to hear their cries, longing for your embrace and affection.

To give up such a well-tamed possession was meaningless.

Therefore, they would not be someone to worry about.

But now the girl in front of her was not the poor girl Marchioness Camellia had always thought she was, but a genuine lady.

In the eyes of the Marchioness Camellia, there seemed to be a turquoise fire burning inside Artizea.

‘It is a pity we did not meet sooner.’ The Marchioness thought.

Sometimes friendships can be more intense than romance, but her daughter was far from being able to gain this girl’s trust.

What about her son? Her son would have been suitable, but Cedric had already met her first.

Standing up from her seat, she asked Aritzea to wait for a moment. Then she returned with a velvet jewelry box.

Inside, there was a diamond necklace.

Artizea could recognize that the jewel embedded in the center was the Saintess Olga’s Heart.

“This necklace was designed especially for the Saintess Olga’s Heart. Please take it as it is.”

“Then I will pay you for the rest of the necklace.”

“Lady Artizea, that won’t be necessary. As you know, you have already paid a reasonable price. Besides, I think I can imagine who you want this jewel for.”

Marchioness Camellia spoke in a soft and gentle voice about her memories.

“In the past, when I was not recognized as the daughter of Marquess Kwaimar, and was not even acknowledged as a noble’s daughter, the most honorable lady in high society used to attend the same ballroom as me.”

“Yes.”

Artizea responded cautiously, so as not to reveal her emotions.

“Now it is different, my husband cares about me, and Her Grace the Grand Duchess Roygar recognizes me as her older sister, she submits to me. Now, even the other nobles look up to me. ”

The Marchioness Camellia continued.

“At that time, I couldn’t imagine greeting Her Majesty nor anything close. I was so envious when she treated her friend with affection and praised her family’s precious jewel, that I could not forget it. ”

Artizea knew the reason why the Marchioness Camellia spoke this way.

‘Acting as if this were a gift for the Empress, it gave the impression that the jewel was not being taken away from her. Thus denying her relationship with Baron Yetz while maintaining a pleasant atmosphere. In reality, she could not accept that such a precious jewel was in the hands of such a vulgar man, who was not even a true noble.’

“So after having this memory of my youth in my hands, I felt the need to exalt its beauty. This is a temporary measure because the Statue of the Saintess Olga has disappeared and we have not been able to find it, so the gem was temporarily placed in this necklace.”

“I see.”

Artizea spoke naturally.

Of course, the words of the Marchioness Camellia were not credible.

She was not the kind of person who would consider this a memory. But if she were truly telling the truth regarding her admiration and memories of the Empress, she would have already presented this diamond to Her Majesty.

Artizea thought this was probably a trophy for the Marchioness Camellia.

A reward for her youth, wherein she felt slighted and inferior to Viscountess Fischer.

Now, she had in her hands the proof that she was in a much higher position than Viscountess Fischer, with an influence that not even the Empress could afford to ignore.

But for Artizea, Viscountess Fischer’s life had been much fuller compared to that of the Marchioness Camellia. Because she was able to meet her master, the person to whom she wanted to dedicate her life; she earned her trust and died for her.

Then Marchioness Camellia smiled before finally expressing,

“I trust that you will convey my feelings properly to Her Majesty.”

“I will bear that in mind.”

Artizea took the jewelry box and stood up.

“I apologize for having come at this time of night. May the hands of the goddess of the night allow you to have a pleasant dream.”

“Don’t you think we can be good friends? Come visit me often in the future.”

Artizea just smiled.

Although that was not a bad idea, she and the Marchioness Camellia were not destined to be friends.

Marchioness Camellia wanted to turn Grand Duke Roygar into the Emperor, or so it seemed.

Yet conversely, Artizea would one day bring down Grand Duke Roygar.

***

When Artizea left Camellia’s estate, the moon was already tilting towards the west and a morning star was rising in the sky towards the east.

Everything was in motion, and now nothing could stop it.

She did not go to the main entrance of the Marquisate Rosan’s mansion, but got out of the carriage near the rear entrance.

She didn’t want anyone to know about tonight’s departure. She had left in an unmarked carriage.

The night breeze was cold. Alphonse put a cape on her shoulders.

“Lice.”

Artizea called one of the two maids who followed her.

Lice Hanson, who had arrived in the Marquisate Rosan yesterday and did not yet know what role she would play, bowed slightly and replied, “Yes milady.”

“Your grandfather is staying in the Grand Duchy of Evron at the moment, right? Are your other relatives there too?”

“No, but my uncle is staying in the capital.”

That was the answer Marcus had told her to say in case Artizea asked.

“I see.”

Artizea nodded her head. Perhaps it meant that instead of Marcus, his eldest son had the means to contact his relatives.

She pulled a letter from her chest.

“Then go to your uncle and give him this letter. That will be best.”

Sending a letter to the Grand Duchy of Evron late at night would be risky, so this was the best course of action at the moment.

The return of the Hanson Family to the Marquisate Rosan still had to be prepared behind the scenes.

“Don’t worry. All you have to do is give it to him. Your grandfather and your uncle will decide the important things.”

“I understand.”

“Get in this carriage. It’s too late for you to get another one. After you hand over the letter, you can visit your grandfather on the way back. Just try not to attract the attention of the other maids.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

After receiving the letter, she kept it in her chest and bowed politely to Artizea.

Soon the carriage was gone. Artizea went inside the mansion.

She had finally finished the preparations to take control of the Marquisate Rosan.