The Villainess Lives Twice

Chapter 237

Proofreader: somnium

Artizea’s voice came down through the ground.

Marchioness Camellia looked at Anne, who had come in with her basket. Anne said in surprise,

“It’s not me, Mia. As you said, I checked to see if anyone was following me, and I came back after passing by two stores.”

But considering the time interval she came in, it was clear that Anne was being pursued.

Mia let out a small sigh.

“I don’t doubt you.”

If they had sold her for a price, Artizea would not have come in secret like this, but the Guards or investigators would have come.

They’re also a much more accessible opponent for Anne to contact.

The question is how Artizea could have known of Anne’s existence.

Anne was a maid who had been a close friend of Marchioness Camellia when she lived in the attic. They used to work together in the laundry room.

Laundry work was hard, and among the maids in the mansion, she had the lowest rank.

Even in that small world, there were all kinds of politics and ugly human relationships that you can see in the social world.

Because of their hardship and poverty, there is not even a skin of hypocrisy and facade left behind, so it is in their stark form.

It was an unbearable time without friends. And even though she hardly ever saw such a friend, this friend became someone to remember for the rest of her life.

For Marchioness Camellia, Anne was such a person.

When she became Garnet’s lady-in-waiting and she had the first money she could spend, she paid for half of Anne’s wedding cost.

She hadn’t seen her after that. She wasn’t particularly hiding to seek Anne’s help at a time like this.

The main reason was that her life had changed and that they had stopped seeing each other. And that she wanted to sever ties with the past.

When it happened, Marchioness Camellia thought of Anne.

If it was Anne, Anne would help her. And no one who has done a fair amount of background investigation would ever think of investigating Anne.

So she piled up all the carriages and sent them away. She added a few more preparations to one of the carriages to instill the belief that the real Prince and Princesses were riding it.

She hid herself with Anne’s help and took the Prince and Princesses.

With only the children, it would be safer to hide in the Capital. In case of emergency, she planned to send them one by one to an orphanage.

Unlike Garnet, the face of the Prince and Princesses was not widely known outside. There are portraits, but children’s faces change little by little as they grow up.

If they were hidden like that, it would be difficult to find them, even for the Emperor. Because there were countless orphans in the Capital, and no one ever knew where they came from.

If they want to remember their bloodline and maintain their status, they have to go to the East.

However, the probability of being captured during the journey was not low. Even if they arrive at the East safely, they will become a tool in the struggle for power, and they will face the threat of assassination.

Garnet’s wish would not have been that way.

So Marchioness Camellia made it her first priority to save their life.

After the troubles subside, all she has to do is have wealthy guardians collect them.

She had planned to hide with the children until then, without risking escaping the Capital.

To hide her completely, she relied solely on Anne. She also gave up getting information.

As Marchioness Camellia, if she moved her intelligence network, it could not help but catch the eyes of the Emperor’s investigators.

Artizea knew Anne. Even before her return, Marchioness Camellia was eventually forced to seek help from Anne.

But it was unimaginable for Marchioness Camellia.

It was natural.

“Auntie, is a scary person here?”

The second Princess asked with a frightened face. She is the most sensitive and quick-witted child, so even though she refined her environment and reassured her, the child was hardly reassured.

“It’s okay, Princess. Please go inside.”

Marchioness Camellia comforted the child and brought her into the inner room.

She then tried to fix her collar and, unable to straighten the creases, decided to put a thick velvet cloak over her.

It could not be called a house coat. But she thought it was better to wear clothes that didn’t fit the situation than to look shabby.

She hadn’t thought of that in a while. But in such a situation, she was conscious of it.

“Anne, can you go outside and tell the people to come in?”

“What? Yes…….”

“Cover your face and talk, then you go home.”

Anne had a face of relief.

Marchioness Camellia did not dare to mention that those outside would already know both her name and her identity. Because it only makes the anxiety worse.

Instead, she took off the ring from her finger and gave it to Anne. A piece of gold jewel the size of her thumb would be difficult for Anne to dispose of at full price.

“Mia.”

“I’m giving it because I’m grateful. It was the one I cherished the most. Don’t ever dispose of it within 5 years because you might get involved. If you sell it after that, be careful not to forget that it should be expensive enough to become a favorite of the Marchioness.”

Anne opened up her handkerchief and took it. Her face looked like she was about to cry.

Marchioness Camellia urged Anne again to go.

Anne hesitated and then she went outside.

Marchioness Camellia opened the basket Anne had brought.

There was a betel leaf that she asked for because her headache didn’t stop.

Marchioness Camellia put the tea leaves in the hot water, and a small amount of chopped betel nut.

If she puts it in this way, instead of putting it in the stage of properly covering the tea, it will spoil the fragrance. But Marchioness Camellia didn’t care.

Soon the door leading to the warehouse floor opened.

The first to come in was Belmond editor-in-chief. After that, Artizea came down.

Marchioness Camellia looked at her with sullen eyes. It was surprising that the only followers were Belmond editor-in-chief, Hazel, and Alice.

“You are still brave, Your Grace. I may be accompanied by a few escorts.”

What Marchioness Camellia said ‘may’ was referring to the night Artizea came to see her alone.

What was reminiscent of that day was that Artizea was imposing even in her shabby maid outfit.

She thought it was a surprise that even that day she didn’t feel ashamed of the frayed sleeves and the dress she had worn ruffled.

Marchioness Camellia thought anew that dignity was not determined by an outward appearance.

On the other hand, she seemed to be the one who had to ask for help.

She’s still wearing her cloak because she doesn’t want to greet Artizea in a plain robe.

“Sit. Can I get you a cup of tea?”

“From what I smelled, it looked like betel nut was added, so it didn’t fit my body.”

Artizea said,

“Please understand that there is no other meaning. I wish I could just have a glass of hot water.”

“…….”

Marchioness Camellia handed Artizea warm water by pouring it into a teacup.

Artizea took a sip of it. Both Hazel and Belmond editor-in-chief were surprised. Both of them intended to taste it first.

Marchioness Camellia could not wait for Artizea to speak. What was regrettable was her own side.

“Your Grace is here because you have something to suggest, right?”

“Yes. It is both a suggestion and a piece of information.”

Artizea smiled.

“I hope you will not doubt what I will say from now on, Marchioness. If I had intended to take all that was left from Marchioness, I would not have come to see you alone like this.”

Marchioness Camellia thought she had already lost everything she had. When Skyla betrayed her, she had already lost all hope for herself and all her wishes.

But she didn’t have to answer.

“Did you hear that Grand Duke Roygar committed suicide?”

“…….”

“They said he used a pistol.”

“Aahh.”

A brief sigh escaped from the lips of Marchioness Camellia.

Artizea said with her smile widening.

“I think Marchioness probably knew what my husband had promised to that pistol.”

It was.

It was because there was the best chance of saving Garnet by ending the situation with the death of Grand Duke Roygar.

To put an end to the situation, they need the final person responsible for carrying the crime, and someone from outside to convince the Emperor to save Garnet’s life.

So Marchioness Camellia put the pistol box out on the study desk. A candlestick with the bullets was also placed on one side of the study.

She knew that he loved his wife in his own way, and that he truly loved the children.

She thought the chances were half and half.

What Grand Duke Roygar was thinking as he pulled the trigger didn’t matter in the least to Marchioness Camellia.

He died at her will, so she was grateful.

She was skeptical as to whether Cedric would keep his promise.

But she did everything that could be possible.

Whatever the East now was, it was no longer of interest to Marchioness Camellia.

Her power and her status, which she had longed for, were lost to her. But as Skyla is the first traitor, she will be able to enjoy the sweet honey.

All she had left was to do Garnet’s favor and protect her.

Artizea said,

“It’s my husband’s decision, so I have no intention of breaking it. But I can’t do everything.”

“…….”

“Grand Duchess Roygar will not be executed, but will be exiled. His Majesty won’t mind what happens after that. That’s all we can do for you.”

If so, they can take her out on the way to exile. Artizea’s words meant that the Emperor would understand as long as they didn’t do it too openly.

“Is there a price you want?”

“Please come to the hiding place we have arranged for you.”

Marchioness Camellia’s face hardened.

Artizea said as she took another sip of water,

“Although it is cold in the North, it is far from the capital politics and it is also the place where His Majesty has the least eyes. Nothing to worry about. It will be difficult to live as luxuriously as before, but as a lady and as children of a noble family, I will make sure that you do not lack anything.”

At the same time, it will be a hostage and a hidden card against the East.

Marchioness Camellia understood the meaning.

She clenched her throat. She felt humiliated.

However, it was Artizea’s side that held the hilt.

Children who received imperial blood were political beings just because they were alive anyway.

They’ll have no choice but to endure that much.

If she could live with the children in a quiet place, that would be the life Garnet wanted.

As long as the East doesn’t do something stupid like putting up fakes, Artizea will choose to just let them live as if they were dead.

Marchioness Camellia said after she had made her decision,

“Help the Prince and Princesses get out of the Capital.”

“Let me do that.”

Artizea nodded her head.