Lysia put her hand on her chest in surprise.

“Oh, you surprised me, sister Aubrey. What are you doing there?”

(T/N: Lysia calls Aubrey as ‘older sister’ or ‘언니’)

Lysia and Aubrey were cousins. Even if she did not live nearby, there was a degree of exchange.

When Lysia was young, they were closer. Because she grew up in the stronghold, left to Margaret’s hands to learn the manners and culture of the nobility.

However, even though they were the same age, the two were never close.

Lysia said.

“I didn’t see you in the banquet hall. I heard that you became a lady-in-waiting of the Grand Duchess…”

Aubrey came out to the place where the light of the lantern was reaching. Lysia frowned at her.

Aubrey’s clothes and makeup were excessively luxurious. Artizea’s was elegant and luxurious, but not excessive, so the difference was even more noticeable.

It’s okay if Aubrey herself is the main character, but this was a New Year’s banquet.

If Aubrey had entered the banquet hall as is, she would have become the lady-in-waiting who has more colorful clothes than her mistress.

Aubrey said sharply.

“That woman stopped me from entering the banquet hall.”

Lysia couldn’t understand who Aubrey was talking about. It was because she never thought she would call the Grand Duchess in words like ‘that woman’.

Not in the mood to ask who and what had happened, she said as if evading.

“…. Aunt Margaret was looking for you.”

“What did you talk to His Grace?”

“We didn’t talk much. I just listened to his story a little because it seemed that the Grand Duke had a problem.”

“Why to you?”

“It’s probably because I was nearby at the moment he wanted to talk.”

Perhaps the most important thing Cedric wanted to say was to take care of Artizea.

It may also be because he hoped that Lysia, as the representative of the rebel’s village, would not be anxious. He reminded her that he was not married in order to intervene with Lawrence’s succession to the throne.

But Lysia didn’t say that in detail.

It was because Aubrey wasn’t having a normal expression.

Aubrey questioned her with a hoarse voice.

“Is it because of that woman?”

“What?”

“Is it because of that woman? Yes. I knew it. He’s a wise man, so even if he was seduced for a moment, he would have immediately noticed what kind of person she is. Did he say anything about me?”

Lysia then realized that she was referring to Artizea.

“You don’t mean ‘that woman’ as the Grand Duchess, are you?”

“Why? Did I say something wrong? Then, should I praise a woman like that?”

“Sister Aubrey, how dare you say that?”

“Did I say something I couldn’t? Do you mean because she’s the Marchioness of Rosan? Who doesn’t know that the woman’s mother is the Emperor’s mistress? She claimed she was the daughter of the predecessor Marquis, but no one knows her birth father?”

“Sister, be careful what you say.”

“Well, she’s not an ordinary **********. She’s that kind of woman. What did she learn?”

“You have insulted not only the Grand Duchess but also the Grand Duke!”

Lysia raised her voice.

“Stop pretending to be good. It’s disgusting.”

Aubrey looked at Lysia with a disgusted face.

“Why don’t you want me to say that she’s not a good person? Because she’s above me? What kind of woman is she?”

Aubrey said in a voice filled with resentment.

Artizea had to respect her.

Isn’t that what the Evron Grand Duchess should do? She must, of course, adapt to the people of the Grand Duchy and respect Count Jordyn.

Even Cedric respects Aaron and Margaret. He himself considers Aubrey like a family.

But Artizea kept her standing endlessly, and treated her no more than a furniture. She made Aubrey be ignored by the maids, and even Cedric stopped paying her attention.

How can she do this to her, a descendant of the noble Count Jordyn?

“The Grand Duke always said he would choose the best suit for Evron. But is that ********** good enough for Evron?”

“So, if she has an inappropriate qualification as the Grand Duchess, and sister knows about it and speaks for His Grace, why can’t you tell His Grace directly? Now go into the banquet hall and give advice to His Grace, the Grand Duke, in front of everyone.”

Lysia pointed to the banquet hall. Aubrey raised her voice.

“That’s because she forbids me from going to the banquet!”

“I don’t think that’s it. You couldn’t come out even though His Grace was here a while ago.”

Lysia said sharply.

“If you come through the official route to give advice, there is no way that the Grand Duchess will reject it. Instead, you insult, criticize and curse her behind her back.”

“This, this!”

Aubrey raised her hand in anger.

Lysia clasped Aubrey’s wrist before it slapped her in the cheek. And she said coldly.

“Don’t even think about it, sister Aubrey.”

“Let go!”

“It’s because you’re jealous. If you think about it, you’ll get the answer right away.”

Aubrey’s face was stained with anger and shame. Her hair stood on top.

Lysia then said.

“His Grace has undeservedly loved you like his own sister. But that’s because your parents, aunt and uncle have sincerely served His Grace. It’s not that sister was special.”

“I told you to let go of me! You do whatever you want, you can crawl to her in a servile manner.”

“Grand Duchess is someone who doesn’t need your approval. Because she is the mistress of this land that the Grand Duke has chosen himself.”

Aubrey went wild trying to get rid of Lysia’s hand, but she couldn’t beat Lysia at her strength.

Lysia held her tight, she said.

“I can’t let you go. I don’t know what you’re going to do. As long as you insulted her by making a noise like this, it’s not just about you. I can’t let you cause any more trouble to the Grand Duke.”

Aubrey was struggling and her hair was all loose and messy. A silver pin with a flower in her hair fell to the floor. Her face and ears were also reddened.

The fuss grew. Soon after hearing the news that the two were fighting, Margaret ran.

Margaret saw Aubrey’s appearance and took her by the shoulder, dismayed by the view.

Lysia released her hand and sighed long. Her arms were stiff.

“Aubrey, what the hell did you do, where did you go?”

“Oh! Mom! Why are you even like this, Mom!”

“Go!”

Margaret grabbed Aubrey’s wrist.

“What did I do wrong? I can’t accept that such a ********** is His Grace’s companion!”

Aubrey yelled. Margaret hurriedly closed Aubrey’s mouth, but the sound rang throughout the hallway.

The servants and the maids were frightened, each bowed their heads. They pretended not to hear anything and left.

***

Thud!

The door was roughly closed.

Aubrey, who was left alone, swung around the room, huffing and puffing.

Margaret dragged her to the temple, not to the Jordyn Estate.

She was afraid that if she took Aubrey to the Mansion, she would be said to protect Aubrey.

The temple was chosen because there are many vacancies, it’s a public place, and not a prison.

Even during the day, she didn’t know things would go this far.

However, the rant in the hallway today couldn’t be tolerated. She couldn’t even imagine how much worse she had said in front of Lysia,

She couldn’t cover it by sending her quietly to a country cottage anymore.

[The Jordyn family has been the vassal of the Grand Duke until now, and has been trusted by His Grace as well. To your mom and your dad, that was our lifelong pride. In such a case, you will destroy our family. I can’t let that happen.]

[What did I do wrong? What’s the big deal about a maid injured?]

[With you as the lady-in-waiting, you threw the mission entrusted by the Grand Duchess to the floor and wounded the head of her favorite maid. In addition to that, unforgivable abusive remarks about the Grand Duchess. If you were a member of the Knights, you would have lost your neck on the spot.]

Margaret said with a suffocating face.

[How did I raise my child like this.]

[I haven’t done anything wrong. I don’t think I said anything I couldn’t.]

[When the snow stops, go to the convent. Don’t come out of there forever and live reflecting on yourself.]

[Mom!]

[How fortunate are you that Her Grace will forgive you just by removing you from her sight?]

Margaret said so, and she shut the door. She ordered servants to watch Aubrey in two shifts.

Aubrey couldn’t beat them. Although she is angry at Artizea, she is also angry with Lysia.

Why did Cedric not say a word to her, but he was telling Lysia that?

It was then.

The door opened.

“Who is it!”

Aubrey shouted sharply. The two fallen servants collapsed inside the door.

It was a young man with fiery red hair who kicked the servants. Three or four armed men entered after him.

“Wh… who are you?”

Aubrey was terrified.

The man was wearing a short sword and had a tanned face. At first glance, he was not a northerner.

The man pulled a chair and sat down and smiled.

“I’m from the South Sea. I came up without knowing the northern weather, and got tied up. Thankfully, the temple took pity on me and gave me accommodation.”

“Lies.”

“It’s a foreign identity, but it’s true that my feet were tied because I didn’t know the northern weather well, and it was true that the temple felt sorry. Sit down, Lady Jordyn. I didn’t come to harm the Lady.”

Aubrey slowly relaxed.

Well, what wickedness could that man do here?

This is no ordinary place, but a temple of the stronghold.

“That’s bold. No. I’m not condemning it. That’s exactly what I like. You need guts to negotiate.”

“What’s your purpose? What are you going to negotiate?”

“I’m here to get my woman back. I think the Lady can help with that.”

“Your woman?”

The man laughed.

“Exactly, I’m trying to get my girl back. It’s amazing to hear the news when I’m on my way to propose and she married another guy.”

Aubrey trembled. This is because she realized that the man was talking about Artizea.

Isn’t that so? Artizea and her maids are the only foreigners in Evron’s stronghold.

She is the only one who could have a relationship with a man from the South Sea.

“That woman, she’s a really funny woman. You mean she married the Grand Duke with a lover aside?”

The man did not answer the question and smiled and said.

“Lady Jordyn. Rumor has it that the Lady hates the Grand Duchess quite a bit…. Will our purpose be quite aligned?”

Aubrey nodded her head without thinking.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

...A/n: this is the second book for the Villainess Lives Twice, I have posted the first 71 chapters in the first book and am continuing it from where i left. You can go read it first. Please like and comment, and please do not report it. (Reminder: this story, and picture aren't mine. Credits to the original owner.)...

Lysia became Artizea’s lady-in-waiting..

This was what many people expected. If she was the successor to Baron Morten, her status and position would be appropriate for the lady-in-waiting of the Grand Duchess. Her age was also the same.

In addition, Artizea showed her more than usual favors from the start.

Artizea gave Lysia a room next to her. She also attached three personal maids.

She picked the best of her own clothes, repaired them, and even presented them as a gift to Lysia.

There were quite a few clothes in her closet that she hadn’t worn yet, and in Evron Grand Duchy it was hard to get a fine cloth. Even though they have the money.

Lysia refused, bewildered.

“You can’t give it all to me like this, Grand Duchess. Besides, these clothes were a gift from the Grand Duke…”

“Don’t worry. I know it’s not polite to give what you have received as a gift to others. This is all I bought separately, so I hope you don’t mind and accept it.”

Artizea said so.

“Because my lady-in-waiting’s outfit is related to my status as well.”

Lysia looked embarrassed, but she accepted it gratefully.

In fact, she only had one or two dresses, so she needed such consideration in order to stand next to Artizea.

Baron Morten is poor. The village of the rebels itself was like that as well.

It was supported by the Evron Grand Duchy. However, creating a village cost a lot of money. They had to avoid the imperial eyes, too. They couldn’t guarantee a generous life.

Lysia wasn’t very interested in luxury from the beginning.

So it was Artizea’s desire to put her in fine clothes and hang jewels around her neck.

At times Artizea felt skeptical, she seemed to be trying to compensate for her guilt that way.

But she had no reason to hold back her desire to do so.

At least as much as she received from Cedric, it was right to repay it to Lysia. It was originally Lysia’s.

Artizea also sent a person to the Baron Morten. It was to help Lysia bring any items she needed and to take care of Baron Morten’s affairs.

Naturally, the maids became polite to Lysia. It was because unlike Aubrey’s time, they realized that Lysia was going to be the second-in-command.

She wasn’t able to return after the New Year’s banquet, so she wrote a letter to her father.

[To my father,

I am doing well. I’m sure you heard the news that I’m now working as the Grand Duchess’ lady-in-waiting.

I apologize for not being able to discuss it in advance because it is sudden.

However, for the Grand Duchess, there is no other lady-in-waiting at the moment, so I cannot leave her. As it was, Aubrey would have been there, but she made a mistake and was kicked out.

Many were afraid because Count Jordyn’s daughter had been kicked out.

But in two or three days, everyone understood the situation and the stronghold quickly returned to normal. Her Grace, thankfully, did not hold aunt Margaret or uncle Aaron accountable.

I think it’s because she favored me as a lady-in-waiting.

The Grand Duchess is cool, but she is a dignified and elegant person. She has certain rewards and punishments to match her authority.

It was the same this time, the Grand Duke didn’t interfere with the work of the Grand Duchess.

Evron has never had a mistress for too long. At first, everyone felt a little confused, but now it is ordinary.

According to Aunt Margaret, even though she stood by the predecessor Grand Duchess, she was married young, and she was sick all the time and died early.

Besides, the Grand Duchess is full of wit and intelligence. The officials are afraid and respectful because she has already discovered problems with the territory many times in unexpected places.

Above all else, she loves and trusts the Grand Duke.

She’s not far from politics, but she doesn’t seem to be the one who will pull the Grand Duchy into a political battle, as my father concerns.

The Grand Duke did not marry for that purpose.

If there is anything I am anxious about, it is that the Grand Duchess is undeservedly too generous to me.

I’m afraid I don’t live up to expectations, and I’m worried that I won’t be able to return the loyalty and favor as much as she has given me.

Her Grace is planning to pick up only the loyal subjects of the Grand Duchy and bring in two more ladies-in-waiting. When that time comes, I’ll go home once.

Lysia.]

As Lysia was finalizing her letter, Artizea came into the room.

Lysia quickly stood up from her seat. Rize put the tea tray down on the table.

“Just sit down. Are you writing a letter?”

“No, I’m done.”

Lysia shook the letter to dry the ink, fold it, and press it on one side.

And she quickly opened the lid of the tea container.

“What are you going to do?”

Artizea asked. Lysia blushed her face.

“If you allow it.”

“Yes, you may.”

Artizea said so as she sat down.

Lysia wasn’t very good at pouring tea.

She first scooped the tea leaves with the tea spoon and transferred it to the teapot. Her hand, pouring the hot water, trembled.

When Artizea did it, it was very simple and beautifully done.

But she didn’t know why it was so difficult when she did it herself. It was even more so when someone was watching.

“You just have to practice slowly.”

Said Artizea.

“In a warm area, it is said that thinning the water stream and dropping it from a high place makes the water softer, but in this place the water cools down. It is natural that you are not used to it.”

“Because we didn’t have all the tools at our house.”

Lysia said. In her childhood she was educated. However, she did not actually have a chance to practice.

“I’ll learn it thoroughly before the winter passes.”

Lysia knew that Artizea brought tea these days to teach her and do it in front of her.

When Artizea heard the words, she smiled faintly.

“I don’t think that the beauty that the social world demands is indicative of the dignity of the person and the culture.

“Yes.”

“But, the one who cares can reduce the risk of being attacked. Because it is related not only to themselves, but also to the eye of the person who chose them.”

Artizea said so, thinking about the time when Lysia became Empress.

She is the Saint Empress and will receive the love and support of the whole empire.

However, it was the imperial socialite where Lysia really had to live.

Being the daughter of Baron Morten was one of the factors that made her an easy target.

The pious ladies sided with her, but not a few laughed at her for not being educated because Lysia was from a rural village.

Of course, Lysia wasn’t sorrowed or saddened by that.

Still, it was not bad to reduce her weakness in advance.

Lysia took Artizea’s words completely differently. She thought that ‘the person who chose her’ was not Cedric, but Artizea.

She smiled.

“Yes, I will practice hard and become a lady who will not embarrass you.”

Artizea looked at her with a slightly surprised expression. And she lowered her gaze down.

“I’m grateful that you treated me with a sincere favor.”

“Why do you say that when it’s a natural thing?”

“Actually, I thought I couldn’t help it if you were a little more stubborn. Aubrey was rude to you and was disloyal to the Grand Duchy, but you think that’s normal.”

Artizea sighed lightly.

“It’s foolish, of course, that Aubrey couldn’t hide her true intentions, but I think her punishment could be enough. That’s why Count Jordyn wasn’t penalized for it.”

“Your Grace is mistaken. You being the Grand Duke’s choice is enough to receive our loyalty and love.”

“Is that so?”

“I think it was a very good choice.”

Lysia put her hand on her chest and said politely. And she smiled.

“But, even if Your Grace was not the kind of mistress that the people of the Grand Duchy wanted… I would have been very happy.”

“Lysia….”

“Because then His Grace would choose not for his responsibility, but for his own happiness.”

Artizea turned her head away to hide her trembling sigh.

Although she was sincerely happy with Lysia’s words, she felt the pain that felt like a big needle pricking the inside of her chest.

Although she was temporary, she felt sorry that she was married. Because it seemed she didn’t return Cedric to Lysia in full.

Nevertheless, she feels secret joy in hearing Lysia says that she is Cedric’s wife. She felt guilty for it too.

Artizea’s facial expressions became complicated, so Lysia thought that she had made a slip of the tongue.

She looked carefully at Artizea. Artizea knew, then said, as if making excuses.

“I hope you don’t get it wrong. It has nothing to do with His Grace’s preference.”

“Grand Duchess.”

“Cedric is a good lord to serve. That’s why he decided to trust the Marquisate of Rosan. That’s all.”

Lysia looked embarrassed.

There was a knock on the door. Lysia checked her watch. It was snack time.

Rize opened the door. As usual, Cedric stood with a plate of cookies in his hand.

Artizea naturally stood up from her seat.

“Welcome.”

“Just in time.”

Cedric smiled as he saw the tea ready.

Lysia brought a new cup and put it down in front of Cedric.

“Her Grace prepared it in time.”

Cedric put down the plate of cookies and sat down.

Artizea picked up one of the teacups and its saucer and moved about a third of the homemade cookies. She then told Rize to bring a tray and placed the cup and cookies on it.

Cedric wrinkled eyebrow.

“If I’m interfering, I can leave.”

“No, it doesn’t, I have some work to do. Lysia, could you serve His Grace with the tea instead?”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ll do it for you.”

Lysia said in confusion.

“It’s because I don’t want to be disturbed.”

“But Your Grace…….”

“Isn’t it the lady-in-waiting’s job to serve guests on my behalf when I’m busy?”

“But……”

Artizea pressed Lysia’s shoulder lightly to indicate her to sit.

And she slightly bowed her head to Cedric.

“Excuse me.”

The wrinkles in Cedric’s brow were like fluctuating change in the earth’s crust, turning into towering mountains and deep valleys.

Whether she noticed or not, Artizea left the room as it was.

Rize bowed with a face like a guilty prisoner about to be executed. Then she picked up the tray and followed.

Cedric, who was left behind, sat for a while without saying anything.

Lysia stood up from her seat, not knowing what to do.

Cedric asked her.

“What did I do wrong?”

“I don’t know.”

He didn’t know how many times this was.

Cedric didn’t seem to have spoken properly with Artizea these days.

Is it because she has a lady-in-waiting to be left behind? Cedric thought, rubbing his eyebrows with his index finger.

Or, did he say something that had disappointed her without knowing?

Lysia said.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to follow after her, instead of worrying about it?”

“I should.”

Cedric stood up.

Lysia briefly wondered if it was because of her.

“Surely.”

No matter how much she thought about it, there was nothing to be misunderstood about her relationship with Cedric. She thought the idea was too self-centered and she forgot it.

***

Artizea was in the library.

It was true that she had several documents to write. She wanted to get her plans in order before the winter was over.

She thought it was a decent break, but it wasn’t. She had so many things to do as she went back, but her mind was irritated.

She had no craving appetite. She’s got a few sweet pieces of cookies, and even that didn’t go down well. Artizea knew that she couldn’t eat anything, and she put it down.

In Artizea’s mind, she has begun to picture some specific details after all of her work is over.

If she luckily doesn’t die, she’d better build a villa somewhere in the eastern, quiet countryside.

How about buying all the books she wants to have and putting them together? It would be nice if she walked every day, read books, and wrote letters she couldn’t send.

She was thinking about that when the door opened.

Rize said cautiously.

“Madam, the Master….”

Cedric came through the door without permission and stood there asking.

“Am I interrupting?”

“I didn’t tell you that.”

Artizea sighed a little and sat back.

Cedric knew that she had allowed his entry and stepped inside.

“Tia.”

“Do you have anything to say?”

“If I don’t have anything to say, can’t I join your tea time?”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Tia.”

“If you have nothing to say, I have to do my job.”

“Tia.”

He called in a stern voice. Artizea raised her eyes.

Cedric thought that it had been a long time since his and her eyes made contact.

But even if he matched her eyes like this, there wasn’t much difference from when it wasn’t.

Her eyes, which had always had a deep color, were now as emotionless as blue jewels.

Artizea put her eyes down again.

“If you have any business, please tell me. I will listen.”

Cedric finally sighed.

“I just wanted to talk to you.”

“Do it later when I have time. You don’t have to make me spoiled. Lysia is taking good care of the snacks these days.”

If she said this while turning away, Cedric couldn’t speak any more.

“Okay, I won’t disturb you anymore.”

“Sorry.”

“I’m going to the hunt early tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, I know. You said it was like a New Year’s event.”

Winter hunting has been around since the time when food was scarce in the middle of winter. It is for an intermediate replenishment of food.

However, winter hunting is dangerous, so when there is a place where a lot of knights gather, there is a custom of going out hunting together.

Naturally, it was immediately after the New Year’s banquet. Again, for unity, a hunting plan was scheduled for several days.

“Maybe it will be about 5 days to a week. It could be longer if the weather conditions are good.”

Artizea nodded at Cedric’s words.

“It seems to be very dangerous because it is right after it snows, please be careful.”

“Tia.”

“Although I think the knights know much better than me.”

Cedric reached out. However, his hand could not reach Artizea. This is because Artizea preemptively avoided his hand.

“…..Do you have anything else to say?”

Cedric asked.

There was no way there would be, but Artizea did not know.

Cedric looked at her fingertips. So Artizea held her hand together and hid her cold fingertips.

“Okay.”

“Yes.”

“I’m leaving tomorrow early in the morning, so I probably won’t have time to say hello. It’s going to be a few days away, so please take care.”

“Yes, don’t worry about it, have a safe trip.”

Cedric eventually couldn’t hold her hand or kiss the back of her hand.

He turned his back and went outside.

Artizea looked at his back for a while, then lowered her head when the door closed.

***

It was fussing at dawn. The butler tried to quietly lead the hunting procession away, but that couldn’t be done.

The excited dog barked, and the knights shouted as they lined up the soldiers.

Artizea barely slept that night.

Her heart was restless. She heard the sound of a cold wind as if she had a hole deep in her heart by an awl.

She kept thinking of the hand that Cedric had stretched out.

She knew that his heart was inclined quite a bit to her. She knows that if she reaches out her hand, he may hold her.

That was the most painful. She thinks she’ll fall for the temptation.

But it shouldn’t have been.

Artizea came down from bed. She tucked her feet into the fluffy fur slippers on the floor and found her gown.

“Huh? Madam?”

Alice, crouched asleep on the couch, spoke sleepily, but she was startled and tried to get up.

Artizea shook her head.

“It’s okay.”

“Shall I get you water? Or…”

“Just sleep.”

Looking for a gown over her pajamas, she opened the door to Cedric’s bedroom.

Cedric never locked the door on his side. If Artizea wanted to open it, she could open it anytime.

It’s been a long time since the owner of the bedroom had already left, so the room was bleak. It was after the servants finished all tidying up.

Still, it wasn’t without human traces. Artizea briefly looked around the room and sat down on the bed.

She heard the sound of a horn in the distance.

Artizea stood up and approached the window. When she opened the shutter slightly, the torch of the hunting procession was already far away.

The wind was so cold she quickly closed the window. And she came back to her room.

What if she had opened this door when he was there?

It’s meaningless even if she thinks about it.

She was a vicious woman. She was generally as vicious to everyone, but she was more vicious to Evron.

She shouldn’t forget that. Artizea locked the door again. And she crawled back into bed.

In the meantime, her hands and feet were sore as if her body temperature had dropped. She covered the blanket all the way to the end of her head, but her breath formed like dew on her limbs and made it colder.

Artizea suddenly realized that she was still wearing the diamond bracelet.

‘This….’

She had been wearing it from the time she was proposed, so she forgot.

She pulled it out and put it down on the side table.

Her sleep was unlikely to come again.

***

It was two days later that a guest came.

“From the South Sea, a leather dealer?”

At the words of the treasurer in charge, Artizea was quite surprised.

“Yes, it’s said to be a small business of the Eimmel Kingdom. It took so long to check the identity card, that’s why I’ve only got to post it now.”

Said the treasurer with a regretful face.

“In this season?”

“They didn’t know that the sea would be frozen, so they came up, but I guess their feet were tied up. Sometimes fishing boats from the mainland do the same.”

“Where are they staying now?”

“At first, they stayed at an inn, but in winter, the inn also closed its business…. Now it seems that the temple is taking care of them. There are many empty rooms.”

It wasn’t common, but it wasn’t something that had never happened before, so the treasurer said without doubt.

“It’s been said that Evron leather was being received through the business of the mainland so far. Middleman traders have raised the price unacceptably, and now they want to trade directly.”

“I see.”

“Previously, when Her Grace’s secretary was negotiating with the leather dealer, it didn’t go well. They said that they want to meet in person.”

“Okay. I think it’s possible. Let’s meet.”

Artizea nodded her head. It was an opportunity to see how much profiteering the middleman traders had been making.

There was nothing to delay, so the merchants were called in that very afternoon.

Artizea decided to meet them in the reception room of the Grand Duchy.

Privately, Cedric entrusted her with full power. However, she did not want to give the impression that she had just married and that the Grand Duchess took over the official office.

Lysia sits by her side, and Alphonse stands behind her. Four financiers took seats on the left and right.

The entrance to the reception room was bustling.

Merchants who had been called entered the reception room.

“I heard that everyone is a sailor, but the physique is quite…..”

One of the treasurers mumbled.

Artizea wasn’t listening to that.

She stood up in astonishment when she saw the red-haired man who came in at the forefront.

“Ah…!”

But she couldn’t put the name out of her mouth.

It was because at this point in time, as a normal person, she didn’t know.

The man laughed.

“It’s been a long time, Marchioness Rosan. How long has it been? You probably haven’t forgotten me already?”

The eyes and expression were bright.

Then, she realized that he already knew her.

“His Majesty Cadriol of Eimmel.”

“I’m relieved you remember. My head is still tingling after I got hit by you.”

Alphonse felt a strange hint and moved.

However, Cadriol’s men were faster.

A man spit out a knife thinner than a finger from his mouth. And with it, he poked his companion’s belly next to him and pulled out a round object from his stomach.

Alphonse, who noticed the strange feeling, was already running at him.

Lysia screamed.

“No, Sir Alphonse! Her Grace’s side!”

But both were already late.

The smoke bomb exploded and the room was filled with sticky purple smoke.

The smoke bomb was a melee weapon that Eimmel’s navy was proud of.

All of Cadriol’s subordinates were elite among the elite of the Eimmel Kingdom, and through the smoke, they could see ahead like in broad daylight.

However, there was only one Alphonse from the Evron Knight.

The guards plunged into the room, but couldn’t find their direction in the dark smoke.

Cadriol ran to Artizea and snatched her.

Alphonse ran after him with his senses alone. Six blades blocked his way.

He broke the blade in his way and cut the neck of his opponent.

However, he did not get Artizea back from Cadriol’s hand.

Lysia went out by touching the wall.

Smoke bombs exploded in succession. Soon the hall was full of smoke.

“Call the knights! Close all doors of the stronghold! “

Lysia shouted out loud.