The incident in the Marquisate of Rosan became rumored not only in social circles, but in some media.
The main character of the story was Miraila and not anyone else.
The emperorâs lover abused her daughter and refused to have her married to maintain her wealth.
The story is a mixture of three scandals: beauty, wealth, and violence. It couldnât be boring because there was even a little romance and politics sprinkled on it.
The rumors flared up as the papers published a story from a man who worked as an employee in Marquisate of Rosan.
This made Cedric a hero who saved people on two different occasions. One of them was saving his poor lover.
And that girl would now be the Marchioness of Rosan and also marry him.
People also paid attention to how the emperor would respond.
Neither side was convinced that this would diminish Mirailaâs favor.
The emperorâs attitude of Miraila was similar to caring for a mean cat where it would sometimes get angry or act terribly.
However, no matter what she did, he did not get angry for long. He would smile bitterly, hug her and say, âit canât be helped because sheâs a foolish woman.â
But Artizea had a different problem.
Many people speculated that Artizea made a disturbance by causing a scandal with Miraila.
The emperor didnât. He simply responded to Cedricâs petition letter in a civil manner.
However, the emperor stamped a seal on the document that allowed the guardianship without saying anything.
And in a personal position, he spoke with an air of pity on Artizea.
âTia is a kind and timid child. Sheâs very filial. If Miraila gave her a little sweetness, she would have paid her back ten or twenty times. Itâs totally different from the kids Iâve been hoping for these days. How could you not be shocked to treat that little girl like that? Miraila did too much.â
And this is what he said about Miraila.
âMiraila has a hot temper, so if she gets angry, she canât see whatâs in front of her. But, itâs all my fault. If I really treated Tia like a daughter, she wouldnât have gone so far. Even though she said that there was no need for that, I guess the misunderstanding between the mother and the daughter has led to this.â
This wasnât a reaction he had in public, but an intimate thought that he confessed while with his daughter, Countess Eunice.
[Lady Rosan,
When Father said that the Lady was weak, I almost said no.
However, I did that because it would be a favor for the Lady who didnât say anything. I believe this has been a reward for your last advice.
Father said that the Lady is still young, but one day she will be able to understand the sincerity of Madame Rosanâs feelings.
He pitied both of them, and was rather angry with Lawrence. He failed to mediate between Lady and the Madame and allowed the situation to escalate.
There is something I would like to add to that as well, but I will save it for the day when I meet the Lady someday.
Anyway, Madame Rosan did something stupid. Had this not happened, Cedric would not have advocated to manage the estate and property of the Marquisate of Rosan.
After being scolded for Count Eisenâs troubles, Lawrence has been out of sight for a while. Did he go back to the capital?
After scolding Lawrence, Father has shown me and my children a deeper and more genuine affection than ever before.
If I hadnât come to the separate palace because I didnât like Madame Rosan, I wouldnât have had the opportunity to do so.
A few days ago, my husband even gave me the permission to fish, which I have been really wanting to do. I was very surprised and happy because I had not been allowed to do so for three years.
Next week, we will follow His Majestyâs direction and return to the capital. At that time, I believe that there will be time for quiet, long hours for us to build a proper friendship.
Weâll soon be cousins.
May peace be endless until the day we meet again.
Charlotte Eunice.]
Artizea showed the letter to Cedric.
âI thought Charlotte hated me. I understand that sheâs trying to get along with you, but I didnât think sheâd put the word cousin there,â Cedric said with a subtle face.
âItâs my mother and Lawrence that Countess Eunice hated, not Your Grace Cedric,â Artizea said with a smile.
âAnyway, I donât have to worry about Your Graceâs problem anyway with this. I want to finish the issue of the Marquisate of Rosan before he changes his mind.â
âDonât overdo it until late at night. They said you looked at the papers until the candles were all gone last night. Rize told me.â
âShe now has a habit of informing Your Grace when the smallest things happen.â
âIsnât that because Iâm worried about you? You need to gain some weight above all else. Youâve only eaten two pieces.â
âAh yes.â
Artizea, embarrassed, took out a bite-sized crispy roll of wheat bread from a snack plate and put it in her mouth.
As the crispy skin broke, the hot filling seeped out. Artizea closed her mouth with her hand in case the fillings spill.
âItâs not just that, Ansgar and Marcus are very worried because you always leave your meals. Iâve been ordered to give you the snacks today. Itâs not tasteless isnât it?â
âNo, itâs delicious.â
âDo you know how much you eat?â
Artizea shook her head. It wasnât that she wasnât eating because she was full.
âLooking at you these days, it seems like you keep forgetting to eat even if you have snacks next to you.â
âYes⊠because Iâm not used to it.â
âHow much can you eat?â
Cedric pointed to the plate.
Artizea pointed at about half on the plentiful plate after contemplating.
Then Cedric split that up, grabbed the rest in a handful and poured it in his mouth.
âNow, you can just empty everything else and reassure the cook.â
âDo you eat it all at once?â
âIsnât it a snack anyway?â
Artizea opened her mouth slightly and looked at it.
Then she laughed a little and put one in her mouth.
Cedric refilled her teacup with herbal tea.
âSo it turns out, where and what is Lawrence doing?â
âToday he returned to the mansion of the Marquis of Rosan.â
Artizea replied. Cedric was a little surprised.
âYou know whatâs going on. Did you let them in?â
âItâs the house he used to live in. I canât keep him from coming in. My mother is there tooâŠâŠ. Theyâll continue to do so. Iâll just take the safe and my belongings, and keep the mansion as it is. So are the employees. I canât keep my family out.â
âTia, I donât think there is a need for that. Lawrence has enough wealthâŠ..â
âThey have to stay where they are now.â
Artizea prevented Cedric from even commenting. With her index finger on his lips, she lifted the corner of her mouth and laughed.
âI think I know now that when you laugh like that, itâs when youâre having scary thoughts.â
Cedric sighed.
âYou canât overdo it. You understand?â
âYes, I know.â
âIf something happens or is likely to happen, please discuss it with me.â
âI know that too.â
Artizea replied with a smile.
Then the maid knocked on the door and carefully raised her head.
âLady Artizea.â
âHmm?â
âMaster Lawrence has come. Heâs waiting in the parlor.â
The maidâs face was pale.
Cedric stood up. Artizea grabbed his sleeve.
âI want to meet him alone.â
âTia.â
âItâs okay. Itâs not a big deal. Iâll shout if something happens.â
Cedric looked at her with an anxious face. Artizea smiled.
She left Cedric and stepped outside. Alice, who was waiting after leaving the room, hurriedly followed.
âLady, what are you going to do? Master Lawrence is hereâŠâ
âI expected weâd meet. Donât worry.â
âLook at the mirror, Milady. Iâll fix your makeup.â
Artizea hesitated for a moment.
She had light makeup on her face. It was to make the scars and bruises look lighter.
âDonât do that, bring a wet towel.â
âWhat?â
âI have to wipe the makeup off.â
âYes.â
Alice replied with a tight, nervous face, and hastily left the hall.
Artizea returned to her room with slow steps.
Soon Alice brought a bowl of hot water and a towel.
Alice soaked a towel in water and handed it over to Artizea. Artizea covered her face with the towel.
She wiped it off once and then again, working hard to wash her face. And again, looking in the mirror, she meticulously wiped the makeup.
There was no girl with a spring face in the mirror.
In the past, the appearance of her in her mind was similar to a skinny witch with white hair.
The bones on the back of her hands were ugly and her complexion was pale. She looked like death.
Returning to the past, she learned that for the first time that she had red cheeks.
Sometimes she looked in the mirror and she was surprised by how beautiful she looked. The goddess of the underworld said she put on her youth by putting on makeup, so she believed that to be true.
However, she was now completely back in the past.
Artizea smiled at the familiar person in the mirror.
After all, it must be this face she wears when facing Lawrence.