The Villainess Lives Twice

Chapter 259

The celebration banquet lasted seven days. The festival was also held for 7 days accordingly.

Cedric was frugal, and Artizea was a pragmatist. However, they knew the importance of the ritual.

With this one time event, they had to solidify Cedric’s position as Crown Prince. They had to show that the people were pointing to Cedric.

If he made a mistake, he might be at odds with the Emperor.

The Emperor could not arbitrarily dethrone Cedric, but he could continuously change his power.

Of course, the ultimate goal will be the dethronement.

‘There are other means, but…… you have to be careful. As much as possible, I don’t want to leave any doubts about Lord Cedric’s reign.’

Artizea called for the release of the enormous wealth the temple had accumulated so far.

She was different from Lysia.

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There were many priests who believed that the walk of the Saint should be inclined toward faith and servitude.

However, by their inclinations, such people had a difficult time confronting the political factions within the temple organization.

There was also the advantage of Brother Colton being the first to know that Artizea was a Saintess.

Bishop Akim’s work also became a blessing in disguise.

By eliminating him and cleaning up the factions, the temple organization was completely under Artizea.

Even the Archbishop could not ask for anything from Artizea because of the debt the temple owed at that time.

Artizea has ignored all their requests to show her divine powers due to her health.

Flowers and bread were constantly offered at the festival. The silver coins were also distributed to street performers and clowns.

If people go to the temple, they could eat meat and drink sugared tea at any time. Thanks to this, there was a continuous procession of blessing for the Crown Prince and his wife and offering flowers to the Saintess.

Just like the temple buying supplies and distributing them, the Imperial Palace released the money directly.

Gifts were bestowed not only at the Capital, but everywhere within the reach of administrative power.

Low-ranking officials were rewarded. Workers who did small jobs were also given considerable wages.

An unprecedented amount of aid was provided to the needy and orphanages. There was also a large scale-pardon.

In the Imperial Palace, it was difficult for nobles to remain still.

In particular, those who were hostile to Cedric increased.

At first, huge gifts pile up in front of the Crown Prince’s Palace as if to show evidence of loyalty.

But when they were rejected, they gave an unprecedentedly large donation and gave alms.

The Emperor also gave hints of advice to high-ranking nobles.

[“If we could convey good wishes to Sirs’ hometown, wouldn’t it double the fame of the family and my joy?”]

Thanks to this, the festive atmosphere spread throughout the Empire.

Of course, there were also shadows.

“It’s not going to be easy to fix.”

Treasury official Bellon lamented.

It might have a positive impact in the long run, but in the short term, he wasn’t sure if he would be able to control the supplies and money that was released into the Capital.

It goes without saying that the public security office was nervous.

“Take extra care so there’s no trouble during the festival. It could be interpreted as an ominous omen.”

The Emperor called and gave an order. The chief security officer nodded his head with a stiff face.

There was a confusing aspect to the Emperor’s attitude.

He seemed to be more pleased than anyone else.

At the Coronation Ceremony, he had a solemn attitude, but at a banquet held later, he expressed his joy generously.

[“I was worried that I had no heir for a long time, but it seems that God looked after me and gave me a wonderful son.”]

When the Emperor said that, there must have been a few people who thought of Lawrence.

But who would have dared to say such a thing?

People like Hazel and Mielle, who did not know the Emperor in his youth, were even surprised.

“I didn’t expect His Majesty to be so happy. I was frankly a little flustered.”

The Empress listened to Mielle’s innocent words, and she even smiled faintly.

“If you could see through Gregor’s true feelings, you wouldn’t be the Crown Princess’ lady-in-waiting.”

“His Majesty has lived for quite some time without hiding his true feelings. Few will remember who he really was.”

Artizea said. The Empress said as she glanced at the needlework she was ruining,

“Rather, you seem to have recognized because of that.”

“Because I was desperate to understand.”

Artizea answered calmly.

She had many other reasons, to be loved, to be similar, because she thought it would be helpful.

Perhaps there was a time when the Emperor was like that, too.

He became a winner and became a strong man. So she thought he had forgotten.

But it seems he hasn’t forgotten.

He was bowing down now. Because he doesn’t want to be stigmatized for being a tyrant against the will of the people who are delighted with the saint Crown Princess’ proclamation.

It is for that reason that he revealed exaggerated joy.

It would have been much better off if he had shown a displeased look. Because it’s sending a signal of relieving his discomfort.

If so, Artizea would have freed her mind if she had acted like a dog rather than the tongue in the mouth.

But the Emperor did not.

This meant that she was recognized as an enemy.

The Empress said,

“Gregor asked me how far my will was fulfilled.”

“His Majesty is the one you fear the most.”

“…… well.”

The Empress was silent for a moment.

Why did the Emperor keep her alive? The Empress sometimes questioned that.

If Artizea was right, there was no reason to keep her alive. It was hard to see the ulterior motive.

He didn’t necessarily need to make Miraila an Empress. Wherever he was, he could take a beautiful lady from a moderately powerless family and put her in the Empress’ Palace.

Perhaps, it was a courtesy to someone who once was his colleague. Perhaps, it was compassion for the mother of his dead children.

Or, he must have been enjoying the feeling of a winner while looking at the closed Empress’ Palace.

It must have been all three.

The Empress remembered what the Emperor had said about old age and emptiness.

‘If you are old enough to think like that, you should use your heart right now.’

Then, Cedric wouldn’t be able to go against him harshly due to his personality.

It is not only because of Grand Duke Roygar that the Emperor will be able to spend the rest of his life comfortably with respect.

‘But, who can he put on his head? He couldn’t tolerate even those sitting next to each other, so he threw them all away.’

The Empress looked at Artizea from afar while thinking such a thing and said,

“You’d better stop sewing. A cloth like that cannot even be used as a rag.”

Artizea’s face turned red.

“If the Crown Princess is good at sewing, the other ladies will have no place to stand, Your Majesty.”

Countess Martha let out a laugh.

＊＊＊

The first incident occurred before the afterglow of the festival had yet to leave the streets.

A messenger from the West ran like a gale through the streets where the candle wax had not been cleared and entered the Imperial Palace.

After the banquets and festivals were over, the Imperial Palace that had fallen asleep immediately woke up.

Military personnel were called first. Then the administrative officials ran into the conference room.

The Emperor placed the documents brought by the messenger on the table in the conference room.

“There is a plague in the West. Only roughly confirmed cases occurred simultaneously in 17 villages.”

“The officials are doing well. All thanks to Your Majesty’s usual vigilance.”

said Chancellor Lin.

“They say it’s a plague I’ve never seen before, can you say it so comfortably?”

The Emperor said coldly.

“If God looked after the Empire, would something like this happen?”

His gaze slowly turned around the crowd and finally reached Cedric.

“Besides, what is the story of a deserter from the Western Army who burned a village out of fear?”

“The problem of deserters in the Western Army has been around for a long time. They said they would fix it, but they couldn’t solve it completely, so I apologize.”

Cedric lowered his head.

The Emperor clicked his tongue.

“I didn’t think we would have solved all of those problems at once. But what is this? The deserters are using gunpowder.”

He exhaled coldly.

“It’s unavoidable to walk around carrying a few spears and a few knives. But how did the Western Army manage such an important munition as gunpowder that deserters can access it?”

The Emperor rebuked him.

Grayson, a liaison officer for the Western Army, flinched. He wanted to refute.

Gunpowder is also used by civilians.

In the West, there were few mines, so it was not commonly used. However, if they go through the caravan group in the East or central region, they can get it any number of times.

How can he be sure it came from the Western Army?

Besides, what about the warlords?

Among those warlords, there were those who received the title of Count from the Emperor and were officially recognized.

It was unlikely that the deserters would have boldly burned the town, in Grayson’s mind.

It is undoubtedly the work of a warlord. If a plague occurred near their realm, they were those who would burn and dispose of the infection.

However, the Emperor seemed to be determined to put this responsibility on the Western Army.

“Besides, it has already been nearly a week since this incident happened, so why was it reported so late?”

said the Emperor sharply.

“I am suspicious of the Western Army and Western officials. Is there some reason to hide it without reporting it to the Imperial Palace?”

“The West is a vast land. It would have taken a while even if the messenger had run with the fastest horse as soon as they understood the situation.”

Cedric answered calmly.

“Of course, if there is a problem with the management of gunpowder, it should of course be strictly governed by the military. How about sending an inspection?”

“…….”

The Emperor looked at him silently.

The expression could not be read. But Cedric didn’t pay particular attention.

It’s a matter of looking at government affairs. He did not dare to think of conspiracies and tricks.

He knew this news through Artizea first. After the Ceremony was over, she showed him Lysia’s letter.

The two talked about forces that Lawrence might have recruited from the West.

But even if he hadn’t, he would have responded the same way.

All he had to do was do the same thing. Aside from what Lysia went through, the news came fast enough.

The Emperor took a step back.

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“Yes. I’ll have to send an inspection. By the way, what about the plague?”

“I think we need organizational support. The temple seems to have figured out a way to deal with it, so I’ll have to seek their cooperation as well.”

said Chancellor Lin. The Emperor narrowed his eyes and said,

“I’ll leave that to the Crown Princess.”

“Your Majesty, that is.”

Cedric gave a strong voice without realizing it.

“No worries. Do you think I will tell the Crown Princess to directly jump in among the sick?”

“Your Majesty…….”

“However, if the Saintess goes to take care of it herself, she will be of great comfort to the fear-stricken believers in the West.”

It was a very calm voice.