The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly’s Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 31

She missed her mother, but she was also afraid of her anger. Though she was used to being scolded, it felt scarier this time because it had been so long.

Ansgar, seemingly trying to offer her comfort, hugged Artizea tightly. But soon, she realized it wasn’t the time to act childish, and she started to move as if to get down.

Cedric’s gentle voice broke the silence.

“If you don’t want to meet her, it’s fine. I’ll send her back alone.”

“It’s okay.”

Artizea shook her head. She knew that Cedric was trying to protect her by saying that, but she couldn’t leave the meeting with her mother up to someone else.

She didn’t want Cedric to bear her mother’s anger, and there were things she needed to say as well.

Still, she didn’t feel confident enough to go alone, so she asked carefully.

“Could you come with me?”

“Of course.”

Cedric reached out his hand. Artizea extended her small hand and placed it in his.

His palm was firm and much warmer than hers. The sensation somehow gave her a sense of relief, and Artizea sighed softly, then smiled.

“Lysia can rest first. I’ll go and come back.”

“Yes.”

Lysia looked concerned but didn’t say anything else.

Artizea took Cedric’s hand and went downstairs. Her heart raced with nervousness.

* * *

Milaira was calmly sitting in the parlor.

The few months Artizea had spent in Evron had given Milaira the space to calm down as well. Now that the engagement, approved by the Emperor, was settled, Milaira finally accepted that she couldn’t undo it. She had known this before, but only now was she able to truly accept it.

Once she regained her composure, the current situation became clear.

High society had genuinely accepted this engagement. Milaira knew that this was an opportunity Artizea would never get again.

‘Honestly, I don’t think she’ll manage well, though.’

Even if the engagement were called off later, being raised by Grand Duchy Evron wouldn’t be a disadvantage for Artizea. It would actually be better than growing up under a mother like her.

It was deeply upsetting to think that she’d be getting close to the Empress and her children, but in reality, that might not be a bad thing. In fact, she might become a bridge between Lawrence and his half-siblings, so it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Over the past few months, whenever she felt her emotions heating up, Milaira had desperately suppressed them, trying to think this way.

Realistically, if she couldn’t undo things now, there was no point in making a fuss. She would have to wait until Young Lord Evron grew tired of it.

And yet, she had come here. There was no specific plan in mind; she simply felt she needed to check on how Artizea was doing.

‘The only one you can trust is family.’

That belief hadn’t changed. Her daughter was hers, and no one could keep her safer than she could.

After waiting for a short while, the door to the parlor opened.

She had expected the head butler, always sticking his nose into everything, to come in first, but surprisingly, Artizea entered first. She was holding Cedric’s hand tightly, and he followed behind her.

“Mother.”

“Tia!”

Milaira opened her arms in a welcoming gesture. But Artizea didn’t rush to her in joy.

Well, she was happy. There were happy tears gathering in her large turquoise eyes. However, instead of running into her mother’s arms, she held Cedric’s hand even tighter.

She wasn’t foolish. She knew her mother’s warmth and affection were genuine, but she also knew it wouldn’t last long.

If she ran into her mother’s arms now, all her resolve would crumble.

Artizea didn’t fully understand the emotions and determination that shaped her feelings. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was afraid of.

But right now, even if her mother embraced her, Milaira would eventually get angry. Everything that hadn’t been said would pile up, and it would be terrifying.

Cedric silently held her hand. Artizea mustered the courage to look at her long-missed mother’s face.

“Have you been well, Mother?”

“Tia.”

Milaira called her name in disbelief. The child who would always rush into her arms when she extended her hands, now stood there, holding her fiance’s hand instead.

“I had a lot of fun on my trip. Evron was amazing. The people were kind, too.”

“I’m glad to hear you had a good time. It looks like they treated you well here, too.”

Milaira’s voice was tinged with a slight sourness as she looked at Artizea’s beautiful clothes and neatly tied hair. It was good, but for some reason, it left her feeling uneasy.

“Yes, they really treat me well. Lord Ced and everyone here.”

“So now, you don’t need me anymore?”

She had intended to coax her gently, but her sharp tone slipped out unintentionally. Artizea flinched and shook her head.

Of course. The thing a child needs most is their mother. Milaira thought this as she reached out her hand.

“Then let’s go home. You’ve had enough fun for now, haven’t you?”

Despite her attempt to speak kindly, Artizea flinched, sensing the faint anger underneath, and took a step back. But her voice was clear.

“I’m not going.”

“Tia.”

“I’ve been told by Lord Ced that I can stay here as long as I want. I want to stay here.”

Milaira momentarily opened her mouth in shock, but then managed to suppress her rising anger with a deep breath. Yet, the emotions she had trouble swallowing were evident in her face and voice.

“So, you’re saying you want to cut ties with your mother and brother? This is why people say not to have children…”

“That’s not… that’s not it…”

Cedric felt he should intervene, but before he could, Artizea, her hands trembling, tightly gripped his hand and spoke.

“Some… some families are happier when they’re apart.”

“What?”

“So, I… I’ll stay here.”

Artizea’s voice cracked as she said it, her tears starting to fall silently. There was so much she wanted to say, but she couldn’t put any of it into words or sentences.

She wanted to say she missed her mother. She wanted to tell her she loved her and wanted to be loved, and she wanted to say she wanted to be happy.

But she knew that her mother didn’t need her. She was just a bothersome burden. Maybe it would be better for her mother if she stayed here.

“I’ll… I’ll grow up quickly. I’ll grow up and be an adult that you can be proud of, and then…”

She couldn’t finish her sentence.

The eight-year-old child silently let tears fall onto the floor.

Cedric, unable to watch any longer, pulled her into his arms and hugged Artizea.

“Huh, hnng, wahh….!”

Finally, her sobs broke free. But even her crying wasn’t like a typical child’s. Her sobs were muffled, so Cedric could do nothing but hold her, glaring at Milaira.

Milaira watched Artizea with a breathless face.

She had seen her cry countless times before. There had been times when the sound of her tears had irritated her, and she had pushed her away or punished her.

But this was the first time the child had clung to someone else instead of her.

Cedric glared at Milaira with a cold voice and said.

“It’s time to go now, Marchioness Rosan. I believe the conversation is over.”

“… Tia.”

Milaira mumbled in a strained voice.