The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 33
Cedric knew what was going through Artizea’s mind, but there wasn’t much he could explain, so he simply left it alone. The Empress was strict, but she wasn’t a cruel person. She had compassion, and once she got to know Artizea, she would surely love her.
“But, is it really okay for me to come along?”
“You’ll have more courage with me there. And Pavel will be happy to see you.”
“Alright.”
At the mention of Pavel’s name, Lysia’s face brightened. Though there were many frustrating days when they saw each other almost every day in Evron, over time, they had grown fond of each other.
When Lysia heard about Pavel, she seemed to think it would be like visiting a friend’s house, and her face relaxed, now looking more at ease.
“Look. We’re almost there.”
The large building was visible from a distance, and as they passed the city buildings and the crowd completely disappeared, the majestic palace came into view.
Lysia nearly stuck her head out of the window, but Artizea was more composed. Her worry was much stronger than her anticipation.
The carriage slowly circled the wide garden as it approached the front gates of the Empress’s palace.
“Hoo, ha, hoo, ha.”
Artizea took deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves. Cedric smiled.
“We’re just here to greet her. You don’t have to be so nervous.”
“Yes.”
Since she had raised Cedric, the Empress was like a mother figure to him. Artizea didn’t want to upset her.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the front of the Empress’s palace. Viscountess Pescher, who had come to greet them, opened the carriage door herself.
“Welcome, Lord Cedric.”
“It’s been a while, Viscountess Pescher.”
“It’s the first time you’ve been away from the Empress’s palace for such a long time.”
Viscountess Pescher said softly, slightly shifting to open the way for him. When Cedric was younger, she used to hold his hand to help him down, but now that he was thirteen, she figured he would rather not have that.
As expected, Cedric didn’t expect to be escorted. Without a second thought, he stepped down from the carriage. Then, he held out his hand to help both girls down in turn.
The Viscountess smiled as she watched this. Before Cedric left for Evron, she had thought he was suddenly becoming more mature, but now that she hadn’t seen him for a while, it was clear how much he had grown.
“You’ve grown quite a bit.”
“I haven’t measured, but I had to hem all my pants.”
Cedric answered nonchalantly. The growing pains made his legs ache every night.
He turned his gaze toward Artizea and introduced her.
“This is Viscountess Pescher. I’m sure you’ve met before?”
“I understand she is one of the Empress’s ladies-in-waiting. I’m Artizea of Rosan.”
Artizea bowed first. Viscountess Pescher, not thinking of her as just a child, responded with a polite and respectful bow.
“I’m Ellaway Pescher. It’s a pleasure to meet you in such good health.”
The Viscountess glanced briefly at Lysia. Lysia, still a bit dazed from watching the Viscountess’s graceful manners, was startled and quickly bowed as well.
“I’m Lysia of Morten. I’m Lady Artizea’s companion.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The Viscountess greeted her with the same respectful tone. Lysia’s heart raced.
Cedric spoke.
“She became close with Pavel in Evron, so they’ll likely meet again, which is why I brought her along.”
“I’m sure the Empress will be pleased to see you.”
The Viscountess smiled and said, leading the three of them inside.
The Empress wasn’t waiting in the audience room but in the courtyard’s tea room.
Since the weather had grown chilly, the terrace windows were all closed, and a couple of ceramic brazers had been lit. The Empress had likely been there for some time, reading a book with a teacup in front of her. When Cedric entered, she looked up from her reading.
“Welcome.”
“We’re back, Your Majesty.”
Cedric approached the table and bowed.
Artizea and Lysia hesitated at the door, but after seeing Viscountess Pescher’s subtle gesture, they followed Cedric inside.
The Empress silently observed Artizea. Cedric stepped aside, indicating that she should greet the Empress. With no one to block her path, Artizea had no choice but to tremble as she bowed.
“I, I’m Artizea of Rosan, Your Majesty.”
“It seems you’ve been doing well.”
The Empress spoke in a soft voice.
Her words were sincere. The last time they met, Artizea had looked pale, weak, and very much unlike a noble lady. She had seemed deeply uncomfortable, but now, after a few months, she had gained some weight and her complexion had improved.
She wasn’t quite chubby yet, but overall she had become much rounder. With her hair neatly combed and well-fitted clothes, she finally looked like a precious child.
Although she was still nervous, it was perfectly normal to have that kind of fear when meeting the Empress.
‘How on earth did Milaira raise this child?’
She clicked her tongue inside, then gestured for the two girls to come closer. Lysia, who had taken Artizea’s hand, approached the Empress.
Though it wasn’t exactly according to etiquette, her bright, smiling face wasn’t unpleasant. The Empress smiled back.
“So, you’re Lysia.”
“Yes, I’m Lysia of the Morten family, Your Majesty.”
“I’ve heard from Pavel. He said you’re better at darts than him?”
Lysia’s face turned bright red.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“You both must have had a tough time, keeping up with that loud boy.”
The Empress said this as she picked up a chocolate cookie from the tea table and handed one to each of the girls. Artizea quickly grabbed hers with both hands after letting go of Lysia’s hand.
Lysia, looking slightly unsure, followed her lead.
Cedric joked.
“Are you not going to offer us tea?”
“Are you planning to stand and drink it, then run off?”
Had that happened before? Cedric didn’t recall, but it seemed the Empress believed it could very well have.
Two footrests were placed next to the chairs. Cedric directed the two girls to sit down on their own chairs before sitting down himself.
Soon, Viscountess Pescher served Cedric a slightly sweet herbal tea, and the girls were given milk with honey.
Artizea and Lysia carefully held their milk cups with both hands. The tension in their movements, as if afraid of spilling, was so obvious that Cedric couldn’t help but smile at how cute they were.
The Empress, watching this, chuckled with a smile of her own. To her, Cedric looked no different from Artizea, yet here he was smiling at her as if she was his own child.
‘I thought Pavel was just making up nonsense.’
The youngest son had said that Cedric thought of Artizea like a daughter, but she hadn’t taken it seriously at all.
‘I thought I should have never allowed it, even if I had to fight with Gregor.’
Looking at them now, though, she thought maybe she had made the right decision.
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