The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 5
“Why is Tia at the palace? Who does Lord Evron think he is, taking my daughter away? And you! You just stood there and let it happen?!”
Furious like a raging fire, Milaira slapped Bill across the face.
Smack!
Bill’s head snapped to the side. He quickly fell to his knees, groveling.
“I’m sorry, Madam! But what could I do? It’s Lord Ev, kugh!”
Thud!
This time, a sharp heel kicked him in the shoulder. Bill collapsed flat on the floor.
Lawrence, who had been watching coldly, spoke in a calm voice.
“What will you do now?”
“What do you mean, what will I do? I have to go get her.”
“Lord Evron resides in the Empress’s palace. Is Mother planning to go there?”
Lawrence’s tone was both calm and indifferent. While it might have sounded like he was treating the situation as someone else’s problem, it felt mocking to Milaira. The flush of anger drained from her face, leaving her pale.
“I’m not going anywhere I shouldn’t. Who’s going to stop a mother from going to find her daughter?”
“Is that so?”
Lawrence replied without much emotion. Milaira hardened her expression. She wasn’t so lost in her fury that she hadn’t considered the embarrassment it might bring to her precious son.
“You should go home first. I’ll go find Tia and bring her back.”
“Yes.”
“Bill, take Lawrence back to the mansion.”
Bill looked at Milaira with concern, but Lawrence strode ahead, unfazed and left the lounge. A servant stepped forward to guide him to the carriage, and Bill hesitated before hurriedly following Lawrence.
Left alone, Milaira adjusted her hat. After straightening her appearance, she ordered the remaining servant.
“Bring me a mirror! A large one!”
No matter the reason, she couldn’t go to the Empress’s palace looking disheveled. Milaira shouted with a fierce expression.
* * *
The commotion at the main gate of the Empress’s palace occurred long after sunset. Dinner had ended, and it wasn’t a night for a party, so the palace had fallen quiet.
Milaira’s carriage came to a halt in front of the main gate. The guards, aware that it belonged to the formidable Marchioness Rosan, felt intimidated, but they still couldn’t allow her passage.
“The gates to the Empress’s palace are already closed. You may submit a request for an audience tomorrow.”
“We’re not here to see the Empress. Please contact Lord Evron.”
A servant who had followed Milaira spoke, beads of cold sweat on his forehead. Both the guards and the servant had equally troubled expressions, knowing that a dispute among subordinates would lead to nothing.
Milaira opened the carriage door and looked out at the guards.
Under the pale moonlight, her beautiful figure was illuminated. The guards momentarily lost their composure, gazing at her in awe, only to be jolted back to reality by her sharp shout.
“Open the door! Who says I can’t see the Empress? I’m only here to find my daughter!”
“I’m sorry, Marchioness Rosan…”
Before the guard could finish speaking, Milaira stepped out of the carriage and strode toward the gate. The white moonlight glimmered on her long eyelashes. Her striking eyes seemed to ignite with fire as they glared at him.
“Move aside. I’ll leave as soon as I find my daughter.”
“There seems to be some misunderstanding…”
“Misunderstanding? Move aside right now! Who do you think you are to stop me?”
Milaira pushed the guard aside and advanced toward the door. The guards, unwilling to touch her, formed a barrier in front of her.
Milaira stomped her feet in frustration. While it wasn’t entirely unexpected, she couldn’t contain her rising anger.
To force her way in, she would need the Emperor’s authority. But she couldn’t seek help from him regarding Artizea’s situation. Yet, leaving without her daughter was not an option. Milaira found herself in a tight spot, and her rage boiled over.
The fact that the ones stopping her were merely guards only fueled her frustration.
“Do you think what you’re doing is because of the Empress’s orders?!”
“Even if this were not the palace, a polite person would not visit at this hour. What brings you here, Marchioness Rosan?”
At that moment, a clear voice came from behind the guards. It was Viscountess Pescher, the head lady-in-waiting.
Once the person in charge arrived, the guards finally relaxed and dispersed.
The main gate opened, revealing Viscountess Pescher, elegantly accompanied by dozens of attendants holding lanterns. Though she had a comfortable indoor dress topped with a gown, her perfectly arranged hair showed she had not been resting.
Milaira took a deep breath to calm herself. She couldn’t lash out at Viscountess Pescher, so she needed to approach her calmly.
“I have no intention of disturbing the Empress. I was informed by a servant that Lord Evron had taken my daughter. I just want her back.”
Milaira glanced at the servant who had delivered the news. Viscountess Pescher’s gaze naturally followed hers, and the servant lowered his head as if he was guilty.
With a gentle smile, Viscountess Pescher replied.
“I will look into it and get back to you.”
“What do you mean?”
“If, as you say, the young Lady has come to the Empress’s palace at the invitation of Young Grand Duke Evron, there is nothing to worry about, is there? It’s already time for her to be in bed, so I will ask and contact you tomorrow morning.”
“No! My daughter is only eight years old! How can you say such nonsense after stealing an eight-year-old child from her mother….!”
Milaira shouted again, but Viscountess Pescher maintained her impenetrable smile and repeated her words.
“I will contact you tomorrow morning.”
Through the window of Cedric’s quarters, the line of lights in a row held by the attendants accompanying Viscountess Pescher were visible. He watched them for a moment before glancing towards the bedroom.
After having the snacks, Artizea had quickly fallen asleep. She was likely relieved and satisfied. She must have been quite tense since hiding in the carriage to come to the palace.
Regardless, he intended to let her sleep peacefully until morning. If she realized it was nighttime, she would likely be startled and panic again.
Cedric decided to move the sleeping Artizea to his bedroom. There was no guest room attached to his quarters, and the guest rooms in the Empress’s palace were too far away. It felt unsafe to leave her that far.
‘It was quite cute to see her struggling to stay awake.’
As Cedric smiled to himself while lost in thought, he suddenly felt a gaze and looked up. Empress Catherine was watching him with a curious expression, holding a cup filled with warm milk instead of tea.
“What is it, Your Majesty?”
“Do you have such a fondness for that girl?”
The Empress asked. Cedric awkwardly scratched his cheek.
“Thank you for granting my request. I promise not to cause any more trouble.”
“That’s not what I meant. You needn’t worry about causing any trouble, and you can ask for as much as you need.”
The Empress continued.
“Besides, it’s hardly a difficult task to keep Milaira from entering for just one night. However, I’m curious about what you plan to do with that child.”
“I intend to look after her.”
“If you’re doing this out of misguided sympathy, Cedric, that’s a misjudgment.”
The Empress spoke sternly. She had heard through the servants that young lady Rosan was being treated harshly even by her servants. There were even bruises on her body as well.
It was understandable that kind-hearted Cedric would be concerned after witnessing such a scene.
But even so, he couldn’t take responsibility for someone else’s life just out of pity. After all, Cedric was only thirteen, and Artizea was the daughter of Milaira and the heir to the Marquisate.
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