n

n

nChapter 70

nProofreader: somnium

nSubsequently, the vassals lined up and saluted. Those who met Artizea for the first time congratulated their wedding and even gave gifts.

nWords of blessing and laughter bloomed. Artizea was enjoying it, smiling in a slightly unfamiliar mood.

nShe seemed to understand why Cedric considered Evron Grand Duchy as his home and his vassals and the people as his family.

nThe Imperial Palace’s New Year’s banquet is an extension of the political and social world. It would have been the same for Miraila and Lawrence.

nSurrounded by countless people, she was struggling to read the true intentions of people who were coming and going.

nMiraila, drunk with alcohol, woke up in the evening on the first day of the year. Lawrence was more often buried in a second feast of debauchery in a woman’s house.

nSo, there was no such a thing as a New Year’s banquet in the Marquisate of Rosan. This is because there was no one to share good words and wishes.

nThis was probably a family-like atmosphere.

nIt was strange and unfamiliar to Artizea that she was naturally involved in it, because she never thought it was acceptable to her.

nIt’s not really hers.

nBut it wasn’t something she wasn’t allowed to participate. Because she will be a part of this even if she divorces and sits down in the seat of the servant.

nAs she thought so, she felt happy and heartbroken.

nIt was then.

nShe felt the air in the banquet hall changing. Artizea looked around.

nLysia was just entering the banquet hall.

nAs if she had been running in a hurry, she was holding the hem of her skirt together. Her clothes were a simple but fine violet-colored dress.

nMaybe she hadn’t had time to do her hair, she just braided her hair aside. There was no makeup on her face.

nBut she was more beautiful than anyone in this place. An overflowing light shimmered around her.

nLysia’s beauty was different from that of Miraila.

nIt was hard to say where she was pretty. It can be said that the light from her heart and the lively movement are beautiful.

n‘Lysia……’

nAs Artizea held her breath, she thought blankly.

nLysia immediately approached the two. She politely knelt down on one knee.

n“I’m sorry for being late, Your Grace. I am relieved that you are in constant health.”

n“It’s been a long time, Lysia. You’ve grown a lot. But are you alone? What about Baron Morten?”

n“My father is refraining from going out because his legs are uncomfortable in winter. This winter, I decided to come as the village representative instead.”

n“I see. Are you now eighteen?”

n“Yes, I had my birthday last month.”

n“If you’re eighteen, you’re old enough.”

nCedric said so in a complicated mood.

nAnd he looked back and gently introduced her to Artizea.

n“Lysia is the daughter of the Morten family. She is from the village you know.”

n“I’m Lysia of Baron Morten. It’s an honor to meet you, Grand Duchess. And, although it’s late, congratulations on your marriage.”

nLysia stood up and she turned her body towards Artizea. And she again knelt on her knees in front of Artizea politely.

nLysia’s lips touched over the ring of the Grand Duchess she was wearing. It was a sign of loyalty and obedience.

nArtizea knows that her heart has been crushed, so she can’t answer for a while. Her ring felt as hot as if burning.

n“It’s nice to meet you, Lysia.”

nThe tip of her tongue became heavy calling her name.

nIf there is a next world and I can live once more, then I hope you can call me Lysia by then.

nIt really did.

nBut what kind of relationship did Lysia hope for at that time?

nArtizea stood up, grabbed Lysia’s hand and raised it up. She shouldn’t have had to kneel to her.

n“Bring a chair.”

nThe servant who was waiting near her heard that, and quickly brought a chair.

nShe placed it next to Artizea. Lysia was embarrassed.

n“Thank you, Grand Duchess. But I can’t sit in a seat like this….”

n“Sit down. It’s okay. I need someone to talk to.”

nArtizea said so with a soft, calm voice.

nIt was difficult to talk to Lysia as if she were treating a subordinate, but she shouldn’t look strange to others.

nLysia’s cheek redded with joy.

n“Thank you, Grand Duchess.”

nShe felt guilty.

nIn her previous life, she was unable to protect Lysia. Cedric asked her the first and last time, but she couldn’t do anything.

nShe couldn’t even tell Cedric Lysia’s last word.

nLysia forgave her, but Artizea could not forgive herself.

nWhat did she think when she came back to the past and opened her eyes? As she offered a candle to the saint, what did she wish for?

nShe will protect her this time.

nShe thought so.

nShe thought of giving her all that she had stolen. She tried to give her back what she deserves.

nShe intended to make her the empress.

nShe actually wanted to meet her earlier. She ought to go and apologize for her mistake.

nThis was not possible because the place where Lysia lived was the village of the rebels.

nShe told Cedric that she knew about this place from the start.

nBut she couldn’t find it easily. It was the most sensitive area in Evron, which is closed to outsiders.

nIt was better to wait to meet naturally and bring her to her side.

nIt was a rational conclusion.

nApart from that, however, Artizea knew that her own heart was completely unjust.

nOne day, two days, she delayed meeting Lysia.

nShe could have asked Margaret to call her to come naturally. She has already said that she will choose her lady-in-waiting among the vassals of the Grand Duchy.

nShe also knew that Margaret had made her own list of girls Artizea’s age. So, she could choose Lysia among them and ask Margaret to bring her here.

nBut she didn’t.

nArtizea newly realized her own inferiority.

nShe just wished that she would be allowed to be by Cedric’s side a little longer. She must have been slowing down with such an unscrupulous mind.

nShe knew for herself that she did.

nShe couldn’t control her mind and she was obsessed with Cedric. She felt foolish and she couldn’t stand it.

nHer heart was sore and painful. She originally felt like the world was getting darker just by thinking that she would lose the affection, even if it wasn’t hers.

nHowever, it’s not up to her to decide.

nShe knew this wasn’t the place where she would sit. It was Lysia’s seat.

nIt’s only for 2 years, she only needs to sit for a while before she has to give it back.

nShe knew.

nShe then felt as if the time she had with him would go on forever. She hoped so.

nThen her thoughts of Lysia finally stopped.

nThe band began to play dance songs.

nCedric stood up and reached out to Artizea.

nArtizea looked at the hand in a feeling of hopelessness.

n“What’s wrong?”

nEveryone was looking at them.

nIt was customary for the first dance to be held by the host or the top person.

nShe placed her trembling hand on Cedric’s. Cedric held her hand and led her with a soft, natural touch.

nThis was the fourth dance.

nOnce at Lysia’s wedding, once at Count Enda’s ball, and once at the wedding.

nAll three times, Cedric kept the distance respectfully.

nThey had a conversation and came close enough to see the shade on the lashes.

nHowever, he kept to all the manners he had to obey.

nThere was never a force in his hand that held her. The only thing that supported Artizea’s body was his arm.

nWhile leading Artizea, who was not good at dancing, he never touched her body even though she made a mistake.

nBut today it was different.

nHis hand on Artizea’s back came deeper than it was.

nInstead of politely touching her back to support her, he naturally wrapped her waist around him.

nWhen Artizea put her arm on his shoulder, it was as if it were in his arms.

nAnd Artizea was compelled to admit that, just as she was accustomed to be in his embrace, her own body was already used to leaning against his arm.

nBut she couldn’t dare dance like this in front of Lysia’s eyes.

nCedric, who misunderstood the reason Artizea hesitated, said in a smiling voice.

n“Don’t worry. If you make a mistake, I’ll cover it up. You know I’m good at dancing, right?”

n“I’m not worried about that.”

nArtizea muttered in a split voice.

n“I will make you the most beautiful dancer in the world.”

nCedric assured her. Then he led Artizea and slipped into the middle of the banquet hall.

n***

nAubrey was near the banquet hall.

nEventually, Margaret failed to find Aubrey first.

nAubrey is also someone that has lived in the stronghold since birth. It wasn’t just a day or two where she ran to hide after a scuffle with her mother.

nAubrey went home and hurriedly, getting mad at her close maid and changed into the most gorgeous dress she had.

nIt was a dress that had gold thread embroidered Iantz embroidery around the hem of the rich skirt, and spread around the chest.

nMargaret said she hated the clothes because it overflowed. It was made by designers from the capital and it cost quite a bit. Aaron thought that his youngest daughter was cute so he gave anything to her and was able to make the dress.

nShe wore it, ran through her mother’s jewelry and wore the most expensive ruby necklace of Count Jordyn.

nIn her opinion, today’s self was pretty. And it was mature.

nAt this point, she thought she would be able to draw attention of the banquet hall.

nBut Aubrey couldn’t even get into the banquet hall.

n“There was an order from Countess Jordyn that you could not enter the banquet hall.”

nThe guard did not know the details.

nAubrey had always had a small incident, so he only thought it would be like that this time.

n“Please wait here for a minute, Miss Aubrey.”

nThrough the blocked door, Aubrey saw Artizea dancing her waltz in Cedric’s arms.

nThe hem of the heavy skirt spreads out like a flower and goes round and round with the fur inside.

n‘Damn it.. Damn it, damn it, damn it!’

nAubrey clenched her teeth. It felt as if Artizea had taken her place.

nShe turned around and ran out.

n“Oh, Miss Aubrey!”

nThe guard shouted.

nThere was a command to catch Aubrey, but the guards thought it was the usual mother-daughter fight.

nIn Evron, there was always a problem with Karam and the mainland of the Empire, but there was never a problem with the people in the castle

n