The Villainess Lives Twice

Keshore jumped to his feet in great astonishment.

Hayley and Hazel, as well as Mielle, who did not know much about it, opened their mouths in surprise.

Artizea lowered her gaze into the teacup to hide her agitation.

And she asked calmly,

“What else did he say?”

“There is not. I was only instructed to go and let you know as soon as possible. The Grand Duke is going to the Grand Duke Roygar’s residence with the Chancellor.”

“Yes.”

The knight saluted and withdrew.

Keshore said,

“I escorted Grand Duke Roygar to his house yesterday. He was devastated, but I didn’t think he would choose death…….”

“Did he feel guilty until late into the night?”

“It could be. Anyway, I’ll have to go back to the Imperial Palace. Excuse me.”

Keshore greeted Artizea, and told Mielle firmly,

“If anything happens, you have to contact me right away. Never go out.”

“Yes.”

And Keshore hurried out.

Hayley looked at Artizea. Artizea was still peering into her teacup.

“Did you guess?”

“No. I never thought he would have the courage to die.”

Grand Duke Roygar is a selfish and quick-witted man.

Those who covet interests are usually ferocious. Those who love wealth want to live to enjoy them.

Even if he loved his family.

His love is ultimately his own. In order for him to think and judge based on others beyond the limits of himself, he needs to train continuously.

It is even more difficult for a person whose narcissism is strong.

Grand Duke Roygar, the master and head of the Grand Duke’s family, couldn’t have done such a training.

It is often thought that the family protects the members of the family, but in reality the family members are only engaged for the family’s purposes.

This relationship was also between the head and family members.

Moreover, he was a member of the imperial family.

As it descends from generation to generation, his lineage moves away from power and glory.

He was of the main imperial bloodline. But unless he ascended to the throne, his children were nothing but collateral.

In other words, the counting method was different from that of the noble family who tried to perpetuate the family through their own sacrifice.

He must have been well aware that his death would not keep his wife and children alive.

Yet, he chooses to die.

Artizea drank all her tea and stood up without a word. It was because her mind was too complicated to be in the nursery.

Hayley followed behind her.

Hazel hesitated. Mielle pushed her lightly.

“You go, too.”

“Oh, but…….”

“If you can’t, they’ll tell me to go. I just need to be next to the Princess.”

Hazel hesitated a bit, but she soon said, “I’m sorry,” and quickly followed Artizea.

Artizea returned to her own living room.

Hayley glanced at Hazel briefly, but she let her inside with her and closed the door.

Artizea said,

“Hayley, get ready to go out. I want to sneak out.”

“Yes.”

“Things got difficult.”

Artizea made a blurry face.

The death of Grand Duke Roygar was not profitable in the long run.

It was also a problem that the Emperor’s pressure would be focused on one person, Cedric.

However, above all else, the problem was that they did not have the room to clean up the East yet.

For a time they had to put all their efforts into cleaning up the salt business, and then they had to deal with diplomatic issues.

There was no situation where any force could be used.

It had been less than half a year since the Southern Conquest Army was sent.

No matter how enormous the productive power of the Empire, it could not raise an army one after another.

This was even more so in a situation where the national treasury revenue was declining due to the suspension of the salt business. Moreover, the opponent was the rich East.

Therefore, the Emperor must have kept Grand Duke Roygar alive and alienated him, trying to keep the cause of projecting power to the East at any time.

However, this case was closed when Garnet kept her pride and Grand Duke Roygar committed suicide.

When the East finishes mourning and memorial service, and gathers strength, it will surely become a source of trouble.

‘Once this has happened, even the Princesses and Prince must be found and killed.’

If the evidence of death is not certain, even an imposter will appear. To use it to unite the East.

“Hazel, take Mielle home, and I want you to go home, too.”

“What?”

“I will write you a letter, so go and give it to your father.”

“Ah yes!”

Hezel answered with enthusiasm, knowing that she was not trying to exclude her, but that there was a real purpose.

Artizea immediately took out the paper and began to write the letter.

* * *

When he heard the news, Cedric was with Chancellor Lin.

The two headed straight for Grand Duke Roygar’s residence. They didn’t have any special thoughts otherwise.

It was because they were so surprised and thought they should check the facts.

One of the guards came out to meet the two with a pale blue face.

Chancellor Lin asked,

“Are you sure it was a suicide?”

“Yes. There was also a will.”

He said that the will was sent directly to the Emperor.

“You mean there were so many people that you couldn’t stop it? They should have been watching.”

“The search was already over in the study, so we were not worried and guarded outside. When we heard the gunshot and ran in, it was right after the Grand Duke put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.”

“No way, hoo…….”

“The investigators, servants, and knights who were in charge of the mansion search all went to get a check.”

The Emperor made it impossible to leave a single blade in the mansion just in case.

He changed even the bottles and glasses to silverware and took away all the paper knives.

But it seemed that something was missing.

The guard knight who was in charge of the security of Grand Duke Rougar and the investigator in charge of the search were stunned and arrested all those involved.

Grand Duke Roygar was still lying in his study. The attendant spread his arms and legs straight, took a blanket, and covered his head as well.

Because the Emperor’s order had not yet been issued.

The pistol used for suicide was lying on the desk. The blood was dry.

As Cedric looked at it, the guard said with a sorry face,

“The investigator said that he thought it was a valuable item rather than a weapon, so he left it alone. It’s a gun that only fires a single shot, and it’s useless without gunpowder and ammunition anyway.”

“They wouldn’t have left the ammunition box in the house, would they?”

“Yes. All was cleaned away. But it is said that a bullet was hidden in the candlestick.”

A candlestick split in half was thrown across the desk. There was an empty space. Originally, it seemed to be a space made to hide documents and jewelry.

It was said that the servants, the investigators, and the knights fought fiercely.

According to the investigator, all objects that could hide something were dismantled and confiscated. A candlestick with a secret space is no exception.

According to the knight, no outsiders had ever come in.

The servant said that he had no idea that there was such a thing as a secret space in the candlestick, and that he considered it only as an object like other candlesticks in the Grand Duke’s residence.

Hearing that, Cedric opened the desk drawer.

“You must not touch anything, Your Grace.”

The guardsman said in surprise. But Cedric didn’t mind, and he found the sealing wax and took it out.

He then lit a candle on one side of the desk to melt the wax.

Realizing what he was going to do, the knight shut his mouth.

Cedric knelt down next to Grand Duke Roygar, who was lying flat on the floor, and rolled up the quilt slightly.

Then, he closed his wide-open eyes and glued them together with wax.

Still, his face seemed to be staring at something he was afraid of.

“The Grand Duchess will be shocked…….”

The official of the Ministry of Finance who followed the two of them murmured.

Cedric covered Grand Duke Roygar’s face again. And he asked.

“Is it because of responsibility?”

“Responsibility…….You mean?”

“The will probably contained a confession. Isn’t that what he was doing to save Aunt’s life?”

At those words, Chancellor Lin contorted his face.

“Well…… . If the Grand Duchess has committed a crime, even Grand Duke Roygar would not be quick to get involved. Grand Duke Roygar is the Prince. But the treason has not yet been established.”

“…….”

“Shame…… Or is it fear?”

said Chancellor Lin.

“I know His Majesty put a lot of pressure on me. His Majesty must have been trying to save Grand Duke Roygar, but…….”

He blurred his words.

Cedric understood what he meant.

Grand Duke Roygar may have resisted fear. Or he might have fled to death.

It is unknown whether he was cold enough to think of overturning the table upside down with his own death.

However, there was clearly a desire to save his wife and children.

Cedric had a complicated mind.

Just because he was his uncle did not mean that he had special affection.

When he was really young he hated and despised him.

As he got older, his understanding grew. But apart from that, when he threatened Artizea and Leticia, he had serious intentions to kill him.

He was determined to become Emperor, so he knew very well that one day he would have to fight.

Even so, he was also dizzy.

‘There is no such thing as an honorable death…….’

Cedric stood up.

“I am very worried about how to inform the Grand Duchess.”

Chancellor Lin said sullenly.

Cedric nodded his head gloomily.

“First, go back to the Ministry of Finance. It would be better to request an audience with the Emperor.”

“Yes. That would be good.”

An official from the Ministry of Finance said cautiously. Lin agreed and suggested that Cedric go.

“…….”

Cedric followed the two outside with his mouth shut.

Before he went to meet the Emperor, he wanted to meet Artizea first. He hesitated, however, as he thought it would not be wise to be exposed outside while discussing with her.

And it was when he arrived near the Chancellor.

Cedric saw a black carriage parked. The pattern hanging on the carriage window looked familiar.

He told Lin to go in first, got off his horse and headed for the carriage.

As he approached, the door opened from inside.

Artizea was riding it.