The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 19
Aubrey trembled with frustration. It felt as though she had been betrayed.
However, her mother gently urged her again, nudging her arm. All eyes were on her, and Aubrey realized for the first time how unpleasant and frightening the gaze of others could be.
“Hmm.”
Pavel made a sound, as if intrigued. Aubrey didn’t know who made the noise, but she felt humiliated and, reluctantly, bent her waist slowly.
“Aubrey of County Jordyn…. Greets Lady Rosan.”
Frustration welled up, and tears gathered in Aubrey’s eyelashes.
Artizea, sensitive to others’ approval or disapproval, immediately sensed that Aubrey hated her. She anxiously grasped the hand Cedric had placed on her shoulder.
Cedric, offering a reassuring gesture, squeezed her shoulder once before releasing it. Artizea, summoning her courage, finally managed to bow respectfully.
“I am Artizea of Rosan. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Jordyn.”
Aubrey’s lips trembled, and, seeming furious, she abruptly stormed out of the room. Margaret, startled, rushed to stop her, but was a step too late.
Kissel hastily followed Aubrey out, not knowing what to do. The bewildered governess was given space by Cedric’s entourage and the guards following them, but no one had a pleasant expression.
Aaron apologized.
“My apologies. I have failed in teaching my daughter properly.”
“She will do better in the future.”
Cedric didn’t say it was fine.
While he thought that perhaps Aubrey had changed, given how the world had shifted, he also knew that her ingrained temperament wouldn’t change so easily. Aubrey needed stricter discipline.
It wasn’t fine either. He was concerned about how Artizea had looked, her face filled with worry. After all the effort and time he’d spent trying to ease the worry from this young child’s mind.
Aaron and Margaret apologized again. Not only to Cedric’s party, but also to the vassals who had stayed in Evron. The damage to their family’s honor was immense.
Next, Fiona and Hayley stepped forward.
“Fiona, second daughter of County Jordy, greets the Young Lord, Prince and Lady Rosan.”
“Hayley, third daughter of County Jordy, greets the Young Lord, Prince and Lady Rosan.”
Their formal bows were enough to slightly ease the strain on Aaron and Margaret’s dignity.
Though still young, Lysia also greeted them with poise.
“Lysia of Barony Morten, greets the Young Lord, Prince and Lady Rosan.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Pavel.”
Pavel seemed to be in a better mood as he responded casually.
Cedric noticed Artizea staring at Lysia with a somewhat dazed expression and smiled.
“It’s been a long time, all three of you. Lysia probably doesn’t remember me very well though.”
Lysia, embarrassed, blushed and didn’t respond.
“While you’re here, take good care of Artizea. I hope you can be close and think of her as family.”
“I will do my best.”
Fiona, who was at the age where she needed to look after rather than play with others, replied politely.
Cedric turned to look at the others and spoke to them as well.
“I know there may be a lot on your minds, but there’s no need for that. Even though she’s my fiance, who knows what will happen in 10 years? Just think of her as my little sister.”
Aaron and Margaret, who had been informed of this beforehand, nodded and bowed their heads, as did the other vassals.
“Shall we go see Tia’s room?”
“I’ll guide you.”
Aaron said, quickly leading the way.
Cedric lightly tapped Artizea on the shoulder before holding her hand and walking towards the Grand Duke’s family’s quarters.
Artizea, who had been standing there in a daze, came to her senses with a flushed face. Cedric, asked kindly.
“What’s bothering you?”
“I was just surprised by how pretty Lady Mortens is.”
Artizea stammered. Cedric chuckled.
“Lysia is beautiful, yes, but you’re even more beautiful.”
“…es.”
“What was that?”
Cedric asked, not quite catching the quiet murmur. Artizea shook her head quickly in response.
Pavel, with a bored look, interlaced his fingers behind his head.
“Am I not a guest too?”
“Why?”
“I’m a guest too, so why hasn’t anyone said anything like ‘please take care of me’?”
“Tia is the one who needs attention.”
Cedric responded, implying that Pavel didn’t. Pavel nodded, ‘hmm’. Artizea was the child here, while he was the adult.
Cedric, seeing through Pavel’s thoughts, smiled. Well, Evron was a straightforward place. It wasn’t a problem if Pavel tried to act a bit more adult.
* * *
Artizea’s room was set up within the Grand Duke’s family’s quarters. Margaret had specially decorated it, the room that would have been used by a daughter of the Grand Duke’s family if one had existed.
Whether she would truly become the Grand Duchess was still uncertain, but by coming here, she was effectively the First Lady. Moreover, if the fiance, who had been arranged by imperial decree, were to fall ill here, the entire Grand Duchy Evron could face scrutiny.
Most importantly, Cedric had sent a letter in advance, instructing that everything be prepared well, as Artizea was delicate and prone to catching cold.
Additional heating systems were installed, and tapestries were hung on every wall to block drafts. To prevent any injuries, all furniture with sharp corners was removed, and instead, the room was filled with round, pretty white furniture scattered throughout the entire castle.
For the first time in her life, Artizea had her own living room, bedroom, and a toilette room. But she didn’t feel completely happy about it.
Her maid, Marie, who had accompanied her to attend to her, asked worriedly.
“Is there something bothering you?”
The incident with Aubrey forcing herself to greet Artizea and then running off had already spread throughout the castle. Marie was worried that this might have hurt the fragile heart of Artizea, who was already so sensitive.
Artizea, who was showing a surprisingly mature level of melancholy, shook her head slowly. Marie knelt down in front of her, matching her eye level, and asked kindly, as she would with her own child.
“Then, was there something sad that happened?”
“No.”
“Please tell me, just a little. I promise I’ll keep it a secret.”
Still, Artizea didn’t seem ready to speak. Marie continued gently.
“A lot of things can feel better just by talking about them. So…”
As Marie urged her to speak, Artizea’s face turned red and she lowered her head as she held Marie’s hand.
“Isn’t an engagement the same as a betrothal?”
“That’s right.”
“Lord Cedric… doesn’t like me, does he? He said not to worry about the engagement…”
Artizea understood that what Cedric said about the future being uncertain was true.
Ten years from now felt like an eternity to an eight-year-old. But still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Cedric had said it that way because he didn’t really like her as a fiance. He had asked the others not to treat her seriously, telling them to think of her like a younger sister… because he felt sorry for her and had decided to take care of her.
Thinking like that made her sad. Artizea liked Cedric. She liked him very much.
Marie, seeing right through the child’s thoughts and expressions, smiled. This was clear signs of a first love in the young Miss.
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