The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 4
The employees in Cedric’s quarters in the Empress’s Palace were all taken aback. He had returned from the Empress’s tea time with a disheveled young girl in tow.
However, Ansgar showed no sign of surprise. He trusted Cedric’s character and believed there must be a reason for the sudden appearance of a young guest.
“Prepare water for washing hands and some snacks. Also, get the medicine box.”
“Understood.”
Cedric then took Artizea to a small garden attached to his quarters and gently set her down in a chair in front of a white tea table.
Artizea looked up at Cedric with a slightly dazed expression. She was struggling to understand what was happening. Occasionally, there were people who worried about her, but they always withdrew when family matters arose. The mention of her mother’s name made it even worse.
Yet this person seemed to be on her side?
“But this person looked angry.”
Was he angry for her sake? Really?
That seemed unlikely. She had learned that the only people she could trust were her blood relatives. For her, that meant her mother and her brother. No matter how kind someone was, they usually showed interest for only a brief moment before leaving.
‘If I did something wrong, I should be punished.’
Thinking this way, Artizea felt a sudden wave of sadness and held back her tears. She thought that if she cried carelessly, this kind boy would likely get angry with her too.
Soon, the snacks were brought out. In front of Artizea was a large cup of cocoa with marshmallows and a plate of various cookies.
Artizea gazed at them in awe. It had been years since she had received such sweet treats.
With her small lips pursed, she was entranced by the sweet aroma until Cedric placed the cup in her hands and she finally came to her senses.
“Ah, um…”
“It’s fine. Go ahead and eat.”
“Girls shouldn’t eat… cocoa and cookies…”
“…Because they’ll gain weight?”
When Cedric asked, Artizea nodded while swallowing hard. Her mother always said that girls should remain slim and light as a feather.
Cedric let out a quiet sigh that Artizea couldn’t hear. He then picked up a cookie, broke it in half, and brought it to her lips.
Reflexively, Artizea accepted the cookie, got surprised, and tried to stand up. As she nearly dropped the cup, Cedric quickly caught it.
“You’re too thin.”
“I—I shouldn’t get heavy.”
Artizea replied as she chewed and swallowed the cookie quickly. Cedric patiently waited for her to finish before speaking softly.
“You’re as light as a feather. Even a kid like me can lift you easily.”
Artizea tilted her head, looking up at him. Cedric smiled and added.
“I’m thirteen. I’m still far from being an adult.”
Surprised, she covered her mouth with both hands and looked at Cedric. He was tall and handsome, making her think of him as an adult. But thirteen. Yet he was only one year older than her brother.
“You know how light you are, right? So it’s okay.”
Still, the thought of eating without her mother’s permission lingered in her mind. However, the temptation of the sweet taste she had just experienced was too strong for Artizea to resist, even with Cedric’s kind words.
Eventually, she lifted the cup with both hands and took a careful sip.
She had meant to savor it, but the cocoa was perfectly warm and smoothly slid down her throat. Artizea’s face lit up with delight as she took another sip, the melted marshmallows sweetly melting on her tongue.
A rosy glow spread across her otherwise pale cheeks. Cedric smiled and asked.
“Cookie?”
“Ah.”
Artizea set down the cup and, with both hands, politely accepted the cookie from him. The cookies, larger to suit Cedric’s hands, and fit perfectly in hers.
As she carefully nibbled at the edge of the cookie, her eyes widened in surprise.
“Is it good?”
“It’s delicious!”
Despite the excitement that could have raised her voice, her childish tone dropped to a whisper. She was too enchanted by how tasty it was.
Artizea diligently munched on the cherry-flavored cookie. She was worried that if she finished it, she might feel too full.
Perhaps noticing her hesitation, Cedric playfully snatched the half-eaten cookie from Artizea’s hand and offered her something else instead.
“Try this too.”
“Oh, but.”
The half-eaten cookie was already in Cedric’s mouth. Artizea was taken aback.
“What?”
Seeing her surprise, Cedric looked puzzled. It startled her that a noble would casually eat what she had left behind, and his nonchalant attitude made her wonder if she had misunderstood something.
Cedric encouraged her to eat again. Unable to refuse, Artizea took a small bite of the cookie he offered. This one had a peanut flavor.
“It’s delicious.”
Again, Artizea spoke in a soft voice, carefully nibbling as if afraid the cookie would disappear.
Cedric watched her with a smile and thought.
‘I thought maybe things would be different in this world… but…’
It seemed Milaira had not changed. If that was the case, he realized he couldn’t send Artizea back home.
* * *
Bill, who had been pacing around the lounge, pulling at his hair in distress, finally saw Milaira when it was nearly night. Bill hadn’t eaten lunch or dinner but hadn’t noticed his hunger.
Milaira arrived in the lounge, holding Lawrence’s hand. Her face was pleasantly flushed. Dinner had been delicious, and she had even had a drink.
She felt happier sitting at a proper table with her son than spending the day unwrapping gift boxes while perched on the Emperor’s knee. Today, Lawrence had displayed remarkable composure and excellent manners and the Emperor said,
[It’s a bit bittersweet to see Lawrence growing up so fast. Don’t rush into adulthood too quickly.]
Although the words were tinged with sadness, he was smiling proudly.
There could be no greater compliment than that. Milaira felt satisfied. Compared to the children of the infuriating Empress, she couldn’t help but feel proud that her son stood out.
When the attendant guided Milaira to the lounge instead of the carriage, she thought there must be a gift waiting for her, so she took it lightly. However, she found Bill, who was drenched in cold sweat, waiting for her.
“What’s going on? Is something wrong?”
Milaira’s irritation flared up suddenly as she asked. Why couldn’t he just wait in the carriage? Did she really have to come all the way to the lounge because of Bill?
“It’s a serious matter, Madam.”
“A serious matter? What do you mean?”
“Lord Evron has taken the Miss.”
“What? What are you talking about? Speak clearly.”
The words were nothing she didn’t know, but the sentence made no sense to her. Bill wiped his forehead with a damp handkerchief as he tried to explain.
“Miss Artizea hid in the carriage and came to the palace. I was supposed to have her wait in this lounge, but Lord Evron…”
“What?!”
Before he could finish his explanation, Milaira let out a sharp noise.
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