The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 32
Tears rolled down Milaira’s wide-open eyes. An overwhelming emotion surged up from deep inside her, choking her chest, but she couldn’t identify it.
“Ungrateful. How could I have given birth to you?”
Her mutter began weakly but soon became filled with venom.
“If you’re so great, go ahead and do whatever you want! Who but family would put up with someone like you…”
“Marchioness Rosan will leave!”
Before Milaira could utter any more hurtful words, Cedric shouted coldly toward the door.
Artizea tightly gripped his sleeve. Even though she was crying, she didn’t want to see her mother being thrown out.
With Artizea still in his arms, Cedric took a step toward the door. Before leaving, he turned and coldly spat, “You are not fit to be a mother. Don’t come here again without permission.”
Milaira wanted to argue but before she could, the door slammed shut.
She desperately tried to scream, but before she could, two Evron knights entered. The tears rolling down Milaira’s face were almost beautiful, like jewels, and the knights instinctively looked away.
They couldn’t treat her with kindness, but it wasn’t easy to remain cold toward a beautiful woman crying.
“Please leave.”
Milaira took out a handkerchief and wiped her face. Even though she was furious and felt deeply wronged, she couldn’t explain why she was crying.
‘Young Lord Evron, what does he think he is? That fool thinks he can win her over just by being nice to her.’
She consciously repeated the words, lifting her head high.
But it was still the truth. She was being expelled. She knew it better than anyone else. She had truly lost her daughter.
* * *
Artizea woke up late in the afternoon the following day.
She couldn’t remember exactly when she fell asleep. She remembered telling her mother she was staying and crying, but the rest was blurry. She wasn’t even sure if she had said everything she wanted to say while crying.
Cedric was lying beside her, still in his clothes, holding her hand tightly.
“Ah.”
Artizea gasped in surprise and quickly closed her mouth. But it was too late. Cedric, apparently having woken up, opened his eyes slightly.
“Uh…”
He mumbled sleepily, blinking a few times as if the light hurt his eyes.
“Ah.”
He let out a short exclamation and smiled gently.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Uh, I…”
She was about to ask if he had fallen asleep because of her, but her voice caught in her throat and she couldn’t get the words out.
Cedric lay still for a moment, looking at her with a smile on his face. Then, he gently covered her face with his palm.
“This isn’t the time.”
“Lord Ced?”
Her voice came out hoarse. She felt like blood was rising in her throat, so she coughed a few times.
Cedric sat up and looked at her face.
“Your eyes are swollen.”
“I… “
“You don’t have to say it. Your throat must hurt.”
“But…”
“I slept well too. I was so tired that I just fell asleep here.”
Cedric said that, but Artizea could guess that it was because she had been holding onto him and crying that he had ended up like this.
Her face, already swollen, grew even redder with heat. Cedric gently placed the back of his hand on her cheek, then tugged at the rope and left the room without saying anything.
Watching him go, Artizea felt a sinking feeling in her chest. She was certain he must have been fed up with her crying.
But Cedric returned shortly, carrying a large cup of water filled to the brim.
“First, drink some water.”
Relieved, Artizea took the cup and drank it down quickly. She hadn’t realized how thirsty she was, but after taking a sip, her thirst surged.
“You cried so much, that’s why. Your throat must hurt, right?”
“I’m fine.”
She said it in a voice that clearly wasn’t fine at all. Cedric hugged her again.
How much determination must it take for a child to give up the comforting embrace of their beloved mother?
Was it the right thing to do? Cedric felt conflicted and a bit regretful. Perhaps he shouldn’t have let Artizea make that decision on her own.
Eventually, their relationship would end with her letting go of her attachment to Milaira. But perhaps, until she became an adult, he should have shielded her from the harsh reality.
It was a difficult decision. Still, he found some comfort in the fact that Artizea seemed to rely on him so much that she was willing to part from her mother. That brought him some reassurance.
Artizea with her face buried against his chest, whispered softly,
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t say that.”
Cedric gently kissed the top of her head and continued.
“Your family isn’t just Marchioness Rosan and Lawrence anymore. Me, Lysia, and everyone here are your family now. Do you understand?”
Artizea didn’t answer but nodded slightly. Cedric stroked her head once more and kissed her again.
The door creaked open, and the butler and a maid entered. Cedric gently pulled Artizea away from him, inspecting her swollen face.
“Now, let’s wash your face and change your clothes. If you stay like this, you’ll get sick.”
Artizea nodded without saying anything.
“Then we’ll have breakfast together, and after that, I’ll show you around the mansion. Alright?”
“Yes.”
She answered quietly. Cedric, reassured, stroked her cheek once more and spoke kindly.
“And you’re beautiful.”
“What?”
Artizea flinched at his sudden words and looked up at him with a puzzled expression. Cedric spoke seriously.
“To me, you’re the most beautiful and cute in the world. So, don’t think you’re ugly.”
Her face turned red, not just from the swelling, but from the shyness as well. Cedric was glad he said it.
After meeting Milaira, he thought she might have been caught up in such negative thoughts, and it seemed he was right.
He handed Artizea over to the maid’s care and stood up. He, too, needed to wash and change his clothes.
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