The Villainess Lives Twice

Chapter 260

Proofreader: somnium

Cedric hardened his complexion. He had a face that could not even hide that he was hardened.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Princess is weak, and it has not been long since she woke up from the sick bed.”

“You know that I love the Crown Princess.”

Cedric didn’t answer. His hand, which he placed under the conference table, clenched into a fist.

“I am sending a weak child far away, will my mind be at peace? But that’s why we have to send her for the people.”

“…….”

“That is the duty of the Imperial Family. Now that you are the Crown Prince, you should think about that, too.”

Needless to say, those words must have caused Cedric’s wrath.

However, the Emperor had a calm face.

“Even if the Crown Princess was incapable, she would have to go and tell the will of the Imperial Family, as she is the Saintess. Besides, even if she was not a Saintess, I would have sent that child anyway.”

The Emperor continued.

“She is a competent Crown Princess, she is good with people, and besides, she has had a deep relationship with the temple from before, so there is no one better than her.”

“She is a member of the Imperial Family, I will go.”

“How many days has it been since you became the Crown Prince, and you say you will vacate the Capital?”

said the Emperor as if berating him.

“Have awareness as the one who will inherit the crown in the future.”

Cedric clenched his teeth.

***

However, Artizea, who heard the story, answered calmly,

“I will go.”

“It’s not possible.”

Cedric said without hesitation.

“His Majesty’s purpose is to separate you from the Capital.”

Would he simply send her that far and do nothing?

It couldn’t be.

If he decided to get rid of her, he shouldn’t stop at putting her away. There must be an assassination attempt.

If the Saintess dies while caring for the plague, there will be resentment against Evron and the Western Army who should have protected her.

The authority of the temple will also fall.

On the other hand, sympathy votes for Leticia will rise.

Then should he send additional escorts? It was equally dangerous.

After that, it will be the probability of being able to handle himself as he engages in a political battle.

Cedric knew he was still terribly lacking in that respect.

Unlike before, there were not only Evron people around.

There were officials from the central region, including Chancellor Lin. There were also aides who could function as strategists, including Belmond editor-in-chief.

Nevertheless, it would not have been possible without Artizea. It was as if he had lost his central axis.

But Artizea spoke plainly,

“It’s okay. Now, there are many places to go for advice. I think what I can do in the Capital is practically over.”

“Tia.”

Cedric opened his mouth. Artizea stopped him and continued to speak.

“Lord Cedric has to do the rest. You are to stand up and defend against the offensive. I have no more advice.”

“I am not talking about that. I cannot send you to the West.”

Cedric was serious.

“As I said, the West is still in danger of security and poor administration.”

“If you’re worried about assassination, I’m not that ignorant.”

“…….”

Artizea rolled her eyes and Cedric smirked.

“So you know, right? If there is an assassination attempt in the West, it is more likely that a military unit will disguise itself as the enemy and attack rather than disguise it as poison or an accident.”

This time, Artizea lowered her gaze and was silent.

Because that’s exactly what she had done.

In the end, no matter how many times she tried, it only resulted in raising Cedric’s reputation.

Cedric said sternly,

“I don’t doubt your abilities, but I don’t think there’s much you can do in the West.”

The conflict between the Western Army and the warlords and the Western Army and the Central Army is old.

Adding one more Evron to that would only increase the number of units to fight against.

Cedric himself was originally inclined closer to a military officer. He also has power in himself.

So he was able to unite them together with his authority and bring them into submission.

But Artizea was different.

Her tactical talent had never been put to the test. And she couldn’t suddenly create one without experience.

She has no military experience, so he cannot make her overcome it.

Even though they were loyal to the Crown Princess and respected the sainthood, the conflict between the troops was a separate matter.

There will be many who would give their lives to protect her.

However, there will be few who will sincerely admit her orders and follow them.

“Besides, if the Saintess who will become the Empress is going, there will not be one or two who will attack me.”

Even more so if they belong to the Western Army, but have already become an independent force and occupy the castle.

They must have tried to kidnap her and make her their wife.

“It will only be a burden to Lysia and the faithful priests in the West.”

“I have no intention of going to such a dangerous place. If I said I would only stay in the main administrative cities, would you allow me?”

“The road itself is dangerous.”

“But I…… I decided to go. I was considering His Majesty’s words even before he spoke of it.”

“Tia…….”

“I have to go see what my brother Lawrence is going to do.”

Artizea held her cold fingertips and lowered her eyes.

She could not understand Lawrence’s purpose.

If he wanted to become Emperor once more, he had no reason to fuss in the West. He had to come to the Capital and he had to be brought into the arms of the Emperor no matter what.

If the memories of his past had returned, he wouldn’t have not known it.

‘Is it because of pride?’

After all, after Lysia’s death, Lawrence became incomprehensible to Artizea as well.

Before that, she could know what kind of mind he was moving with.

So she could give him advice, and he could go along with her as master and servant.

But after that…….

‘No, I can derive the results from…… logic.’

If destruction itself was the goal, it made sense.

And there was no suitable place other than the West to fight.

The central and southern regions are tightly controlled by the Emperor.

Considering his birth, the chances of occupying a leading position in the East were infinitesimal. Moreover, the eastern region was now in chaos by the will of the Emperor.

Therefore, the means by which Lawrence can acquire force in a short time is to persuade the warlords of the West.

When Cedric was reorganizing the Western Army, there was no way everything went smoothly.

There must have been some who hated Cedric among those who had already firmly established their domain as warlords.

Because the Monster Wave was the reason they were able to maintain their power and strength.

‘Brother Lawrence knows that in order to gain power in the end, he needs the support of force.’

The imperial power that does not receive military loyalty is just a thought.

‘Even so…… The purpose is still unclear.’

So she had to go further.

“If you go, nothing will change. It just increases the risk.”

Cedric said,

“If it’s because of the anxiety, I’d rather bring Lysia back here for you.”

“To listen to?”

Artizea said skeptically. She even had a bitter laugh.

“It’s not necessarily because of Miss Lysia. There are some things that you have to go up close to see.”

What Lawrence does is her own responsibility. It was even more so if he remembered.

All the evil deeds he committed were backed up by her. All the evil deeds he will do in the future must come from his own head.

Cedric wiped his face with both palms.

“All right. If you really need to go, then…”

He answered heavily and let out a long sigh. And he said,

“I will go with you.”

“Don’t speak nonsense. Your Majesty told you to stay in the Capital.”

“In the West, what I am and what I do not have will be the difference between heaven and earth.”

“Someone has to protect the Capital. And are you going to leave Leticia alone?”

Cedric was speechless.

“You said you were going to raise the child yourself, so you have to take responsibility.”

“That……Yes, but…….”

Artizea patted his cheek for a moment, as she pondered her thoughts.

Without any doubt, there is nothing better than that.

She thought about it for a moment.

Even if it seems that the power is diminished for a while, and it seems that they are being oppressed by the Emperor or being driven out for a crime, it might be better to empty the Capital.

He has military power, so if something happens to the Emperor during her absence, he will be able to handle a civil war in the Capital.

But even if it’s not going to happen, Cedric had to be here.

‘If you want to get rid of me, it could mean that Cedric is still in your heart.’

Above all else, as long as Leticia was there, he couldn’t leave either.

She made Natalia stay in the Crown Prince’s Palace. She also informed Marcus and the ladies-in-waiting of various dangerous situations.

But that was not enough.

The absence of the parents would be a good cause for the Emperor.

She should never be taken away. Otherwise, Leticia will become Cedric’s enemy at some point.

Artizea said softly,

“I will not do anything dangerous.”

“I can’t trust your promise.”

Cedric answered, and stood up.

“Think about it. Ask Lysia for her opinion as well.”

“It is too late for that. Above all else, this is the will of His Majesty.”

“Isn’t that something that should be stopped?”

Cedric said coldly,

“Have you never thought that what is good for the enemy is not good for you?”

“I have.”

“His Majesty must not have done it without thinking, so you can’t be so docile.”

Cedric bent over and placed his hand on the armrest of the sofa Artizea was sitting on and met her eyes.

“What did you not tell me?”

Artizea cast her gaze aside.

“Tia. Didn’t you decide that you had nothing to hide from me?”

“Because life is at stake.”

It was when Cedric sighed.

The Imperial Palace, which had been quietly asleep, woke up all at once. Even in the living room of the Crown Prince’s Palace where they were, the lights from the Imperial Palace were lit up brightly.

“What happened?”

“I will go and find out.”

Cedric stood up.

Before he could even leave the living room, he heard urgent footsteps.

“Your Highness, there is a fire at the port!”

That was the second case.