The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly’s Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 11

Although it was already late afternoon and the salon was open, Millaira’s carriage was allowed to pass through the gates of the Empress’s palace without an invitation.

Thinking back to her argument with Viscountess Pescher the night before made her seethe, but Millaira managed to suppress her anger. She knew all too well that getting upset wouldn’t solve anything.

First, she would bring Artizea back. The matter of the engagement could wait. She didn’t know what the Emperor was thinking, but she had no choice but to navigate the situation as best she could.

‘How many times do I have to tell her to stay quietly at home?’

It was a secure home. It was neither cold nor hot, and there were no leaks. Most importantly, there were no threatening individuals coming and going.

So why couldn’t Artizea just eat her meals quietly and focus on learning cooking and sewing deep within the confines of their home?

‘Why does a young girl have so many thoughts?’

Artizea had plenty on her mind and many things she wanted to do. Despite being told she didn’t need to go, she still insisted on going to the temple. Even though it was discouraged to meet outsiders, she would eavesdrop on Lawrence’s lessons.

Millaira thought it was truly exhausting to raise a child, pressing her throbbing temples with her fingers.

The carriage soon came to a stop at the front door of the Empress’s palace. Millaira lifted her head high and stepped out.

An elderly butler was waiting by the door.

“Welcome, Marchioness Rosan. I am Ansgar, the butler of Grand Duke Evron’s household.”

“You were expecting me, I take it?”

Millaira asked sharply. Ansgar replied calmly.

“The Young Lord instructed me to receive you properly, as it seems you would be visiting today.”

“Yet you blocked my entry yesterday?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

Millaira’s expression reflected her disbelief. However, arguing with the butler would be futile. It was clear he would either play dumb or repeat that she’d be denied because it was after the Empress’s gates closed, which was hardly worth her time.

Right now, Artizea’s safety was far more important.

“Show me the way.”

“Please, follow me.”

Ansgar opened the path, and Millaira followed him into the corridor of the Empress’s palace.

Several salon guests, who had stepped out for a breath of fresh air, stared wide-eyed as they noticed her in the corridor. It was unusual for Millaira to come into the Empress’s palace.

She wasn’t even properly dressed for the occasion. Her brown hair was loosely cascading down her back, and she wore a plain gray outdoor dress instead of the usual formal afternoon attire.

Even so, her beauty was undeniable. The guests were inexplicably drawn even to her bare face, and they found themselves holding their breath, momentarily forgetting to whisper among themselves.

Even the attendants, who should not forget their duties, stood frozen in place, momentarily forgetting to hide as they stared.

Millaira navigated through their gazes with familiarity, following Ansgar. The broken nails of her fingers kept catching on the insides of her gloves, which was increasingly irritating.

The residence of Young Lord Evron occupied the entire eastern section of the first floor of the Empress’s palace. Two knights belonging to the Evron family were stationed at the large door set in the corridor, and they opened it after seeing Ansgar.

Ansgar guided her into the reception room and said.

“Please wait a moment. I will bring in some tea.”

“No tea. Bring my daughter here.”

“She will be here shortly.”

While Millaira wanted to throw away all the formalities and rush inside to bring Artizea out immediately, she knew she couldn’t do that here.

She didn’t take a seat, clearly showing her unwillingness to wait patiently.

Ansgar looked awkward but didn’t insist that she sit again. Millaira found this surprising; she had expected him to try to comfort her.

As Ansgar had mentioned, she didn’t have to wait long. The door soon opened, and a tall boy entered, with Artizea peeking out from behind him, her face resembling a frightened rabbit.

“Tia!”

Millaira shouted. She wasn’t angry. Seeing her daughter safe transformed the tension that had been building within her into relief, making her feel overwhelmed and bringing tears to her eyes.

As she rushed forward to hug her, the boy gently blocked her way.

“Tia is startled.”

“Tia, you…!”

“I’m, I’m sorry, Mother. I’m sorry.”

Artizea shut her eyes tightly, pleading. Millaira was momentarily taken aback, unable to retract her outstretched hand. She had never been blocked like this when reaching out to Artizea before.

Flustered, she looked wide-eyed at Cedric. He remained completely unfazed by her beauty or her fury. She instinctively realized that no matter how much emotion she displayed, whether she shouted or pleaded, it would only sink without a trace like something submerged in water.

Redirecting her gaze back to Artizea instead of Cedric, Millaira said.

“Mom is not angry. I’m not angry, I’m worried…”

“Mother…”

At that moment, Cedric slowly turned his body and pulled Artizea towards him.

Artizea hesitated but stepped forward. Once the initial emotional turmoil had passed, Millaira steadied herself and slowly extended her hand.

Millaira then grasped Artizea’s shoulders and carefully examined her from head to toe. Fortunately, there was nothing visible.

“Everything okay? Nothing happened to you?”

“Young Lord was very kind. So were the others.”

Artizea replied in a slightly trembling voice, worried that her mother might not believe her.

Hearing this, Millaira pulled her into a tight hug. Artizea almost burst into tears without realizing it. It had been a while since she had been hugged like this, and it truly felt like her mother was genuinely concerned.

“Mother.”

“I’m so relieved, so relieved. Let’s go home now.”

Millaira held Artizea and stood up. At that moment, Cedric lightly extended his hand to block her way.

“Please leave Tia here. She will be staying in Evron for the time being.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Young Lord Evron. I never gave my permission.”

Millaira retorted with a venomous tone. While she usually appreciated a handsome boy, Cedric’s calmness at this moment was intolerable.

He replied with a poise that was far from typical for a thirteen-year-old.

“The Emperor must have told you.”

“Tia is my daughter. No matter how much authority the Emperor has, he cannot arrange my daughter’s marriage without my consent.”

Millaira knew that this was not a wise stance. She had already fallen out of favor with Emperor Gregor once because of Artizea and understood well what it meant to defy his wishes. She had humbly begged for his favor back. She even resorted to extreme measures to seduce him, and that experience still left scars on her.

But she could not allow her daughter to be taken like this. Artizea was hers alone, something she had complete ownership of. The only being that loved her wholeheartedly.

Millaira bit her lower lip until it bled. Cedric remained quiet, maintaining his calm demeanor, as if waiting for her to understand that this was the Emperor’s will.

“Let’s go!”

“Ah, Mother!”

When Millaira finally turned in frustration, Artizea gasped in surprise. Millaira smacked her on the bottom and exclaimed.

“You foolish girl!”

“Ack!”

“Do you really think I would want you to stay here?”

However, Millaira couldn’t leave the reception room. Two knights from Evron were standing in the hallway, blocking her path. It was clear they had been waiting there for some time.