The Villainess Lives Twice

Chapter 248

Proofreader: somnium

Artizea hoped that somehow it would be quiet until the Crown Prince’s Coronation Ceremony.

Cedric’s status was not firmly established even if he had a relationship with the Emperor or entered the Crown Prince’s Palace. It simply meant that Cedric had become the Emperor’s son.

It is said that there is nothing private about the affairs of the Imperial Family, but it was a relatively private matter, and it was a matter that could be reversed by the Emperor’s personal decision.

But the position of the Crown Prince was different.

The Crown Prince was officially declared to be able to take the place of the Emperor.

At the Coronation Ceremony, he writes down his name to the god and announces it to all the people.

The position of the Crown Prince was also sealed, and it could not be dethroned without a just cause, just as the Emperor could not arbitrarily deprive the titles of other nobles.

So, they just have to successfully hold the Coronation Ceremony.

Then, there was no problem even if something happened. Honey water will always overflow from the glass.

Even if the objective of inheriting the government from the Emperor without chaos was not achieved, he would be able to ascend to the throne with legitimacy as the next Emperor.

‘Until then, nothing will happen.’

Artizea lowered her head and looked at the teacup.

On the day of the welcome ball, she just smiled and passed the day, but the information Cadriol gave was unusual.

‘Who is it?’

Artizea wrote several names on the white tablecloth in her heart.

To attack Cedric, it should be right before the Coronation Ceremony.

But realistically, there was no reason to gamble with uncertainty when there was only one heir left.

Now, the struggle for power had to take place over the position of the Empress, not Cedric.

‘If someone tries to block the Coronation Ceremony with that fact in mind, it means that the purpose is to bring down Lord Cedric.’

The only reason she could think of was hatred.

As long as Leticia is present, religious reasons are less likely.

‘Brother Lawrence? Or, the opposition of the temple? Was there any collateral lineage of the Imperial Family that I did not know?’

Or revenge.

If not, there could be someone who is purely trying to cause confusion.

‘Has the East already begun to seek independence? Count Brennan is moving in a different way than before.’

At the time Lawrence was made Emperor, Count Brennan was in a cooperative relationship with Artizea.

But now it was different. Count Brennan is a spy planted by the Emperor, but in the end she moves for her own benefit.

The Eastern Nobility is now dividing. One of them could have plotted something like this.

Artizea erased the enemy names one by one in her mind.

She certainly had few plausible ones. However, if she lowers her standards, there are not many people who can do it on the contrary.

It was then.

Someone knocked on the door.

“It’s Freil, Your Grace.”

“Come in.”

Artizea erased the name all at once and lifted her head.

As Freil entered, the door closed. And he glanced around the spacious living room.

Outside the window, two Evron knights stood guard. Probably the same for the room on the other sides.

Artizea was sitting in the middle of the living room.

Freil walked closer to her, beckoning her and sat down in the seat.

“It seems that there are people who seek information in the stronghold.”

“Yes. It has gotten worse since you entered the Crown Prince’s Palace. When we started accepting multiple alliances last year, it became impossible to track the actions of outsiders.”

Artizea let out a low sigh.

After leaving Mel to run it, Evron’s stronghold became more open. It was partly because of the change in Cedric’s reign, and partly because of a generational change.

That in itself was a good trend. However, information leakage was inevitable.

“There used to be a leather dealer that traded exclusively.”

“Yes.”

“Those who came from his side are digging for Karam because of rumors that they have seen Karam in the stronghold.”

Freil’s face hardened.

“I don’t think Dame Mel would have handled it so poorly. They say it’s harder to manage than before, but it’s not that she can’t tell the outsider apart.”

“Still, if they’ve known each other for a long time, they might not have been particularly vigilant. Rumors may spread by soldiers telling relatives what they saw.”

“Yes.”

Freil nodded his head. And he said his opinion,

“The leather merchant was Marquis Luden’s vassal. If anyone is looking for information, it must be an Eastern noble.”

“Then, it’s rather a relief. They will wait until Lord Cedric ascends the throne.”

Then they will try to become independent, saying that they cannot serve the monarch who has communicated with Karam.

“The problem is when you try to dig out the issue and other things come up. Because there is something going on with the Jordyn family.”

“I see what you mean.”

“Anyway, nothing should happen until the Crown Prince’s Coronation Ceremony.”

“Yes. We will also track down the leather merchant separately.”

“Yes.”

Freil lowered his head with a nervous expression on his face.

Artizea motioned for him to step down.

Freil retreated. Artizea thought a little more, fiddling with her bracelet.

If the background is an Eastern noble, she has plenty of time. But for Lawrence, the situation was quite difficult.

‘Especially if the Eastern noble and Brother Lawrence got together.’

The Emperor was disappointed with Lawrence.

But if he succeeds in conspiring enough to cancel the Crown Prince’s Coronation Ceremony and overthrow Cedric…….

‘With great joy His Majesty must want to hand over everything, even if it slightly harms his power and honor.’

Just like it was in the past.

That’s why the Crown Prince’s Coronation Ceremony is more important.

Cedric always believed that she would find the best way. But Artizea herself didn’t feel that way.

So far, she has given up on safe and efficient methods and has chosen the precarious path.

Risk factors piled up to the point of collapse.

‘In the end, you have to pay the price.’

If she wouldn’t hide it by covering it with someone else’s body, she had no choice but to seal it with her own blood.

Artizea rested her hand gently on the table. and pulled the rope.

Hayley, who must have been in the room next to her, soon came with a handful of letters.

“Did you call, Your Grace?”

“What about Hazel, are you organizing the letters?”

“There are too many letters. I wanted to see letters from foreign ambassadors, important people, and people related to the East.”

Hayley’s eyes lit up.

She always complains that it’s too much work and that it’s hard, but honestly, for the most part, she was self-sufficient.

“If it’s not an invitation, it would be a meaningless letter.”

“It has become fashionable. I have already received over a hundred letters of admiration from yesterday.”

“Leave it to Hazel.”

“But…….”

“If you’re worried about the information leaking to Belmond, I don’t mind. Because it doesn’t matter at all.”

“If you say so, I’ll be relieved…….”

Hayley set aside the bundle of thick letters.

“I wondered if there was a letter or something mixed with them. Some are from His Highness Prince Eimmel.”

“It’s a smoke screen anyway, so you can burn it.”

“Yes.”

Hayley tried to explain the other letters, but Artizea put it off so she could talk later.

And she said,

“Write a letter, and go and invite Her Highness Natalia yourself.”

“All right. I’ll also prepare some presents. When is the time…….”

“Go now. Her Highness Natalia probably doesn’t have any important plans yet. It would be nice if she could come early. If the Crown Princess wants to come with you, that’s fine.”

“Yes.”

As she answered, Hayley had a slightly questionable face.

Artizea asked,

“Why?”

“Please don’t think it’s rude, Your Grace. Do you intend to have Crown Princess Natalia as a guest at the Crown Prince’s Palace?”

“Yes.”

“I am against it.”

Hayley said.

“If you invite only one Crown Princess, it will make sense, but if you invite the Crown Prince as well, even the Grand Duke will be denigrated for being too close to the Iantz Kingdom.”

Even if Crown Prince Iantz wasn’t directly involved in the treason of Grand Duke Roygar, it was even worse since he was responsible for the matter.

But Artizea said,

“Because that’s less important than Leticia’s safety.”

“…… .”

Hayley was silent.

Artizea waited for Hayley to interpret her words.

Hayley took a deep breath.

“Do you think there will ever be anything that will make you need a witness?”

“…… The Coronation Ceremony is imminent. No matter what happens, it’s not strange.”

“Until now, you said that it should be quiet without any disturbance, because of the Coronation Ceremony. Did something happen?”

“Let’s say that.”

Artizea took a low breath.

She trusted Hayley quite a bit. But that trust was not yet enough to reveal everything.

Hayley knows how to judge herself. And she could have stopped Artizea through Cedric.

While Artizea was silent, Hayley seemed to have completed her own interpretation.

“I am against it.”

“I haven’t said anything yet, Hayley.”

“Aren’t you thinking that Your Grace, yourself, will become a bait and smash the hostile forces hidden within the Grand Duchy Evron and within the Imperial Palace? If you need a witness.”

Artizea smiled bitterly at her.

It wasn’t wrong. She was aiming for it, and she was slowly spilling her tracks through Alice’s side.

But at least this wasn’t the purpose. If the spies are aware of the Karam problem in Grand Duchy Evron’s dominion, the target is Cedric, not herself.

“I want to put an extra layer of safety for Leticia.”

Artizea could speak honestly.

“If I am attacked while Her Highness Natalia is in the Crown Prince’s Palace, it will turn into a diplomatic matter, so it won’t be anything rash.”

First of all, the Emperor would not stand still.

Hayley asked,

“Why don’t you tell the Grand Duke about this?”

“It’s about taking guests to the Imperial Palace. Of course.”

Hayley smiled reassuringly at the answer. And she said she’ll write a letter and find a suitable gift.

Artizea nodded her head.

She will only tell Cedric the purpose of inviting Natalia.

Now was too important a time to tell the story of Lawrence, whose whereabouts are still unknown.

Cedric was focused only on the Coronation Ceremony, and there was not enough time to do estate work.

It was enough for her to talk after some specific information that came out.

‘I have to send Sir Alphonse west.’

Artizea decided only that.