The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly’s Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 3

“Kyaak!”

Bill, the butler of Marquis Rosan’s household, dropped Artizea onto the floor and clicked his tongue as he scolded her.

“What are you crying about now?”

“B, but….”

“Can’t you stay home quietly? I’m exhausted because of you. Just think about how angry Madam will be!”

“Hiccup!”

Artizea whimpered, perhaps imagining her mother’s wrath. She knew she would definitely be in for a severe scolding.

She understood that sneaking into the carriage without permission was something she would get in trouble for.

But she was too curious—too curious about what her brother’s ‘Father’ was like, and what a family gathering was.

She wanted to be with her mother and brother. Artizea had even dreamed of it, imagining the ‘Father’, whose face she barely recognized, hugging Artizea warmly as a father would.

She knew such a thing wouldn’t happen. So she planned to just take a quick peek and return home without being caught.

However, the palace was different from home, and she had no idea where to hide. In the end, Artizea was discovered the moment she stepped out of the carriage.

The palace guards would never have thought the child dressed in shabby clothes was the Marquis’s daughter, but since she had come out of Milaira’s carriage, they handed her over to Bill, the butler.

According to regulations, she should have been dragged out and charged with trespassing, but she was too young to be held responsible.

Bill, grinning weakly, explained the situation to the attendant. When the attendant realized the child was the Marquis’s daughter, he hurriedly provided a lounge for her, and Bill had dragged Artizea there in frustration.

His annoyance boiled over. Why was he having to deal with this unnecessary trouble? Of course, he had to face Milaira’s anger too.

The perfect outlet for his frustration was right in front of him. He glared and shouted, “Stop causing me trouble!”

Startled, Artizea curled up on the floor in fear.

Just then, a sharp voice came from the direction of the door.

“What is going on here?”

Bill turned in surprise to see a tall boy standing there, accompanied by a servant and a knight.

Bill might not have remembered everyone in the palace yet, but he could tell from the boy’s attire and demeanor that he belonged to a noble family. He quickly lowered his head and spoke cautiously.

“It’s nothing important.”

The boy strode over to Artizea, and Bill hurriedly stepped in front of him. Though he was quick-witted, the strong urge to protect Artizea in this palace overshadowed everything else.

“How dare you!”

An attendant following the boy scolded Bill. He flinched but stood his ground.

“I apologize, but this is a matter concerning Marquis Rosan’s household…”

Cedric ignored him and approached Artizea. He helped her sit up and carefully checked if she was injured.

Artizea blinked her large, watery eyes in fear. From that alone, Cedric realized she hadn’t returned to the past with him.

But he wasn’t disappointed. In fact, it might be a good thing. She likely hadn’t yet borne even a fraction of the sins and pain she would have to endure.

This thought warmed Cedric’s heart.

Kneeling in front of Artizea, he spoke gently, as he would to children.

“Hello. I’m Cedric of Evron.”

The greeting was similar to one he had dreamed long ago—something he might have said if they had met in a world without problems.

“He, llo. I’m… Artizea of Rosan.”

Artizea stammered, clearly flustered. Given that she was eight years old, it was evident she had rarely introduced herself formally.

Cedric secretly recalled the Artizea from his memories and smiled. Even at eighteen, her manners had been nearly flawless. Thinking about how much effort she must have put in to reach that point stirred a sense of pity within him.

Suppressing the urge to gently stroke her cheek, he asked.

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m … I’m fine. It was my fault.”

Artizea stammered and made excuses, and Cedric felt hurt in his heart. She claimed she was fine because she had done something wrong, as if being treated poorly was a given.

Cedric now had some idea of how to speak to her. So he gently grasped her small hand as if it was an egg and asked.

“I want to know if you’re in pain anywhere.”

“I’m not in pain anywhere.”

Of course, Cedric didn’t believe her. Unbeknownst to Artizea, his hand was already gripping the cuff of her sleeve.

Perhaps made deliberately large to fit for a long time, her loose dress had wide sleeves. He easily rolled up the cuff, revealing her slender arms.

There were several layers of bruises on her skin. Cedric furrowed his brow. He had suspected it, but seeing it up close made his anger boil over.

Noticing his fury, Artizea flinched in fear. Cedric offered her a gentle smile.

“It’s okay. I’m not angry with you.”

“Yes…”

“I’m on my way to get some snacks. Would you like to come with me?”

Artizea’s eyes widened in surprise at his suggestion. He spoke calmly.

“You were waiting for your mother here, right? If so, you can wait in my quarters while having some snacks. Let’s ask your servant to deliver the message.”

“Mo, Mother will be angry if she finds out…”

“I’ll make sure to explain so she won’t be too angry.”

At his words, Artizea looked up at Cedric with hope. Since he had planned to take her with him regardless of permission, he lifted her into his arms.

“Ah!”

“It’s alright, you’re light.”

Although an eight-year-old wouldn’t usually be light enough for a thirteen-year-old boy to lift effortlessly, Artizea was smaller and thinner than her peers. Cedric was already entering his growth spurt and was naturally strong.

Artizea flailed her arms in confusion.

As Cedric turned to leave, Bill blocked his path with a pale face.

“You can’t do that!”

When he had first heard Cedric was from Evron, he was shocked enough for the color to drain from his face, but this was a whole different matter.

“Are you really going to take a young noble lady away without her parents’ permission? If Marchioness Rosan finds out…”

“We’re in the same palace. Do you not trust me?”

“It’s, it’s not that, but still, this is unacceptable!”

“Tell Marchioness Rosan to come to the Empress’s palace once her business is done. Until then, I will take care of the young lady.”

Cedric’s voice was icy. Bill tried to argue, but he was suddenly overwhelmed by an oppressive force and fear on his shoulders, leaving him unable to speak.

Cedric brushed past him. Bill desperately tried to grab him again but found himself rooted in place.

Thud!

The door slammed shut.

A sigh of relief escaped Bill’s lips. The thought that he had saved his own life surfaced in his mind, only to vanish just as quickly.

Artizea going to the Empress’s palace! If Milaira found out, she would be furious enough to tear him apart.

But as he prepared to chase after Cedric, one of the remaining knights raised his sword, blocking his path.

“Hahk! What, what the—!”

“Why would a scoundrel who bullies a young lady think he can follow her? You should just wait here for your punishment.”

The knight had seen the bruises on Artizea’s arms, and there were fresh marks on her wrists as well. Knowing those were clearly from this b*astard, they seethed with rage.

Cedric’s intangible pressure was easier to understand than this direct threat, and Bill found himself unable to say another word. Filled with frustration and injustice, he could only wait for Milaira to arrive.