The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 24
Marie worked hard to keep a serious expression. No matter how cute it was, she couldn’t smile broadly. She needed to approach this as if it was a serious matter and offer advice.
“The Young Lord must have made this decision for your sake.”
“For me…?”
“You know how the Young Lord has always said you need a friend. Do you not like Lady Morten?”
Artizea shook her head. Still with a flushed face, she whispered, almost as if sharing a secret.
“Miss Lysia is really pretty and kind.”
“What do you think about her as a friend?”
“Someone like me… how could I…”
“Oh, you mustn’t say that! Is it Lady Morten’s daughter’s opinion that matters? And if you say ‘someone like me,’ it would make the Young Lord’s fiance seem like an undesirable person.”
It was clear that mentioning Cedric was the quickest way to convince Artizea. Artizea nodded quickly. She may think poorly of herself, but she didn’t want to lose her place as Cedric’s fiance.
“Do you think Miss Lysia won’t like me?”
As the first worry faded, a second one took its place. Artizea asked seriously, and Marie could finally let out the smile she had been holding back.
“Of course she likes you. You’re cute, pretty, and kind.”
Having gotten somewhat used to Marie’s compliments, Artizea didn’t deny it this time, though she blushed and buried her face in a doll.
She hadn’t had many chances to talk to Lysia, as Aubrey was always around when they met. Artizea thought about the sparkling, pretty girl and murmured,
“I hope she says she likes me.”
Marie gently patted Artizea’s shoulder. Though she didn’t know Lysia very well, she hoped the two girls would get along.
* * *
Lysia came to the estate holding Baron Morten’s hand four days later.
What Cedric had hoped for wasn’t just occasional playdates, but that she would live alongside Artizea, more like a lady-in-waiting than a companion. However, Baron Morten wasn’t very concerned about his daughter.
He believed that Lysia would do well anywhere. Frankly, being with Aubrey, who had a poor character, was far worse although the relationship with County Jordyn had kept him from saying it before.
Lysia, who had lost her mother at an early age, had often been entrusted to the Jordyn family, so this way of life wasn’t unfamiliar to her. Furthermore, having spent much time within the estate, she was quite familiar with the employees and was on friendly terms with them.
Cedric welcomed the two with a smile.
There was no village of traitors in this world. Baron Morten, instead of living hidden for the village, led his family as a respected noble, which warmed Cedric’s heart in ways he couldn’t express.
The same was true for Lysia. Here, she was a child without the burden of painful memories, and her future would not hold any harsh fate. Most importantly, Cedric knew he could protect her.
‘It’s better if she doesn’t meet with Lawrence, though.’
Even if they did meet, Lawrence in this world had clear limitations. As long as the Emperor’s legitimate children were alive, it was impossible for him to be considered as an heir.
When Cedric made eye contact with Lysia, she smiled brightly. He spoke kindly,
“I don’t think you’ll have trouble. Please take good care of Tia.”
“Thank you for thinking that. I will take good care of Lady Artizea, Young Lord.”
Lysia replied in a clear voice, though it was unclear whether she fully understood the meaning of the words.
Cedric wasn’t worried at all. So, he simply shared his wishes,
“I’m worried that Tia doesn’t like to go outside much, so please teach her some fun games.”
“Yes!”
“And you don’t have to call me ‘Young Lord.’ Just call me by my name. I’ll call you Lysia, too.”
This made Baron Morten look surprised.
“That would be too much.”
“I don’t think Lysia will do anything out of place just because she calls me by my name. So, it’s fine to think of me like an older brother.”
Without waiting for Baron Morten’s approval, Cedric smiled at Lysia.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Still, Lysia seemed hesitant to use his name. Cedric nodded and, seeing that Baron Morten was starting to feel uneasy, he said,
“I’ll take care of her, but she might get lonely, so please come visit her often.”
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
Baron Morten promised to come pick Lysia up on the weekend and left first.
Lysia thought that the butler would guide her from here, but Cedric led her directly to Artizea’s living room.
Her heart raced a little. Making a new friend was always a pleasant experience, and Artizea was a type Lysia had never met before.
Lysia had always thought of her as a delicate, finely crafted porcelain doll. She was completely different from herself and her friends, who played outside, getting dirty and covered in mud.
Lysia wondered if all children in the capital were like this, and she vaguely admired it.
When Cedric knocked on the door, there was a flurry of sounds inside. The door quickly opened.
“Welcome!”
Artizea greeted him with a voice full of nervousness. Cedric almost smiled when he saw her.
She had a pink flower pin in her hair, and she was wearing a pink dress with lots of frills. Her shoes were pink enamel, and even her socks sparkled with pink glitter.
It looked like she had dressed up with all the effort she could muster. Of course, to an adult’s eyes, it wasn’t much to look at.
It was a good thing. Cedric thought objectively. Artizea should be allowed to do whatever she wants. The fact that she had the courage to try was admirable.
However, Lysia, who was around Artizea’s age, unconsciously expressed her true feelings, unlike Cedric.
“You’re beautiful…”
Artizea blushed and twisted her body, embarrassed.
“Hello, Miss Lysia.”
“Hello, Lady Artizea.”
The two young girls greeted each other, lifting their skirts as if they were full-grown ladies.
“I’m sure you already know, but I’ll say it formally. From today, Lysia will be staying here. Be good friends and get along.”
“Yes.”
Artizea looked up at Cedric with sparkling eyes.
Realizing that she was expecting a compliment, Cedric smiled. If he was a typical thirteen-year-old boy, he might have been too awkward or too proud to offer such praise, but since he was older, he could give her exactly the answer she wanted.
“You look very beautiful.”
Artizea, already blushing, turned even redder, almost like an apple, and lowered her gaze.
Then, suddenly, she made eye contact with Lysia, who shyly spoke.
“Your flower pin is so pretty. And your shoes too.”
Artizea’s face lit up. The desire to boast flared up.
She looked at Lysia, and Lysia, also blushing, looked back at her. Gathering courage, Artizea asked,
“I have lots of pretty ribbons and pins. Would you like to see them?”
“Yes.”
The two girls, shy yet eager, quickly held hands and went inside.
Cedric, who had been thinking that he should stay with them until they were comfortable with each other, looked after them with a slightly amused expression.
He couldn’t help but think that Artizea might like Lysia more than him.
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