The Villainess Lives Twice

Chapter 238

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Proofreader: somnium

Grand Duke Roygar’s suicide almost caused the Empire to collapse.

There were many among those who were the Grand Duke’s faction, who believed that it must not have been suicide.

But no matter what they thought in their heart, the imperial decree was a trial, and the result was accepted as the truth.

[“Roygar cannot be forgiven for having his wife use the things of the Empress.
The title of Grand Duke shall be deprived of him, his position resigned, and all his property shall be confiscated.
His head will be decapitated, but his body will be allowed for burial.

Roygar’s wife, Garnet, dared to refer to herself as Empress, but only obeyed her husband’s will, and it is not believed that she knew it properly.
She is stripped of her title, resigned her position, and all her property is confiscated.
However, her life is spared and is imprisoned in a monastery in the West.

Roygar’s children are blood relatives of the traitor and cannot be forgiven.
They are stripped of their title, resigned their position, property confiscated, and executed.
However, considering their young age, their lives spared, and if they show remorse until they become an adult, they will be released.”]

Thus, the long order that began with the determination of the fate of Grand Duchy Roygar was published.

Numerous other punishments were decided.

The members of the households, including Grand Duke Roygar’s and his entourage, were executed or exiled.

The main entourage involved in the agreement and their families were also branded traitors.

Still, the punishment was relatively mild.

At the Ministry of Justice and the court, since Grand Duke Roygar realized his mistake and committed suicide, others pleaded to alleviate the crime as much as they can.

The Emperor accepted most of the petition.

Those who simply did what they were told to do as attendants were forgiven by serving in the Western Army for 5 years.

 

It was quite harsh for the lower nobles, the wealthy upper authorities, and the older people.
This is because, in 5 years, they will surely experience a monster wave at least once.

However, it was a merciful ruling just by not getting the family and relatives involved with the incident.

Whatever their intentions, they all expressed their gratitude to the Imperial Palace.

There was no forgiveness for the relationship that led to direct connections, such as the high-ranking nobles who were able to directly advise Grand Duke Roygar, Marquis Luden and their relatives.

It was concluded that they would be deprived of titles and have their properties confiscated, as well as have their key members of the family executed.

Of course, this didn’t really happen.

They had no way to try to execute those who fled to the East and those who were sitting in the territory of the family.

The Emperor did not immediately order the Eastern Army to arrest and confiscate the manor.

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He couldn’t afford the cost of them going out of the military.
Moreover, the Eastern Army will certainly resist in many ways.

They wouldn’t rebel against the Emperor right away, but they could have rebelled in other ways by didn’t obeying orders and made things worse by dragging along or leaking information.

And it would be a disgrace to the Emperor.

The Emperor had already decided not to do so.
So, for now, even if the authority was somewhat damaged, he did not give a decree to the East.

However, there were no exceptions for those caught trying to escape to the East.

Among those who escaped, about half were decided to be executed.

Blood flowed like a brook in the public execution ground.

 

The common people did not miss the great spectacle that the nobles’ necks fell.
The streets were colored with red excitement.

In the execution room, rumors spread that they didn’t know that Grand Duke Roygar was ruthless and thoughtless, and how greedy and foolish Grand Duchess Roygar was.

And they spread words of praise to the Emperor.

Many people hated the upper authorities and nobles who were relatively closer to them than the Imperial Palaces on high places.

There were also many who suffered direct visible damage.

Therefore, it was not difficult to praise the Emperor who executed the arrogant and cruel nobles and made the greedy upper authorities bow down.

The fact that the East was practically untouched was forgotten.
The Emperor’s authority, which had lost its light for a while due to the salt incident, rose again.

“Let’s think about the maintenance of the Eastern Army later.
Now is the time to deal with the matter of the Iantz Kingdom.”

The Emperor said so.

The foreign official bowed his head apologetically and said,

“It is unacceptable for the Crown Prince of Iantz to dare to incite treason, but the Crown Prince himself will come and apologize to His Majesty.
He presented the jewel box to the Grand Duchess as a flattering gift, but it was never intended to incite a conspiracy, and he also conveyed that he was ready to do anything to beg for forgiveness.”

“Well.
If the Crown Prince and his wife are to come in person, it is worth listening to their apology.”

“Yes.”

The foreign official rubbed his cold sweaty hand with the hem of his robe.

What the Iantz Kingdom suggested was that the Crown Prince would come as an envoy.

Bringing in even the Crown Princess was a hard-line strategy that was one step further.
Because it meant giving away two hostages.

“If you look at the upper authorities involved in this matter, there are probably many people who are related to the upper authorities of the Iantz Kingdom.”

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“Yes.”

“Tear the whole thing off.
If you show such sincerity, I will gladly accept the apology and welcome the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.”

The foreign official could not say it was difficult.

Already, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offended the Emperor with the Eimmel Kingdom and Iantz Kingdom issues.
He couldn’t afford any more leeway.

“What will the Eimmel Kingdom do?”

“Honestly, it is not worth the attention.”

The Emperor spat out as he looked at Prince Cadriol’s national letter.

However, King Eimmel has already been taken hostage.
It was an apology for the fact that the Eimmel Kingdom occupied a few ports in the South and robbed the military stock.

Since the Duchy of Riagan’s coarse salt smuggling was put forward, rather it was something to reward him.

It could be said that Prince Cadriol was the one who gained the greatest reward in the imperial internal affairs.

The Emperor clicked his tongue.

“But now that the criminal, King Eimmel, has been handed over, we cannot hold him accountable any longer.
I will forgive him by demanding the dethronement of the King and the unconditional return of the occupied territories.”

In the end, it was also a story in favor of Prince Cadriol.
He eventually dethroned his father and ascended the throne at the request of the Empire.

“And really push forward with the part of the agreement on the subjugation and deterrence of pirates.
No, not like that, I’m going to invite Prince Cadriol here once.”

“If Crown Prince Iantz comes, it won’t be too bad.
It is impossible to solve the South Sea pirate problem without the cooperation of the Eimmel Kingdom.”

said Chancellor Lin.
Cedric was only wrinkling his forehead next to him.

The Emperor then decided on a list of rewards for those who made a contribution to this treason.

Among the investigators and members of the Guard, those who would receive a reward were written one after another.
At the bottom were the names of the nobles who were forgiven for their merit.

On the top line of the report, the names of Ian Camellia and Skyla Camellia were written.

* * *

The door opened and the servants entered one after another.
They were carrying colorful clothes and jewelry, one by one.

Skyla saw it and was captured in a tormented mood.

She was already held in the Imperial Palace at the beginning of this incident.

Marchioness Camellia had tried to send her away.
However, Skyla escaped from the carriage heading East on her own and she returned to the Capital.

And she was caught by the Guards before she was properly informed.

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Skyla was the accuser, not a fugitive.
She ended up staying in the Imperial Palace, not the prison.

The treatment was good.
The room was excellent, and the maids who served her were also competent.
The clothes in the dressing room weren’t completely new ones that were made for her, but they took new clothes and adjusted them to fit her body.

But the only one she could meet was Ian.
Even so, sharing a meal under the supervision of attendants was the only freedom allowed.

There was no way she could have a proper conversation with Ian because she was under a watchful eye.

She was anxious.
How are things going? Did her father and brother escape safely? Wasn’t it rather a hasty choice to send them to the East?

What is her mother doing? Could it be that she intends to work as a strategist by Grand Duke Roygar’s side until the end?

Then she would not be able to free her mother from the sins, no matter how hard she tried.

She saw Garnet leading the nobles into the Imperial Palace.

When she heard the news that Grand Duke Roygar had committed suicide, she thought her heart would explode.

Skyla barely ate.

It was painful to betray Garnet.
But she didn’t even think of betraying Grand Duke Roygar.

Grand Duke Roygar was not a victim of a conspiracy.
He himself was the conspirator and was in charge.

He failed to make her loyal, so he did not prove himself qualified to be her master.
It was just that.

At least, that’s what Skyla thought.

Still, her mind was strange.
She never thought that he would end his life by suicide.

Would she have been comfortable mourning if he had been executed? Or, did she think he was a loser and she would just forget?

Even if it was only for the appearance, it is true that he was a kind uncle.

The attendant said,

“His Majesty has invited Sir Camellia and Madam to a supper.”

“…….”

The words that she was Madam Camellia stabbed Skyla in the heart.

It was her decision.
She herself went to Ian with wedding vows, and it was also Skyla’s own decision to choose a small temple that would not be noticed and submit it.

However, the Emperor decided to call her ‘the wife’.
Instead of calling Ian ‘the husband’.

That alone showed whom he had decided to make a contributor.

Indeed, it will.

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Skyla was the niece of Grand Duchess Roygar, and cousin of the wanted princesses and prince.

Marchioness Camellia was still on the run.

Naturally, the Emperor would want to center on Ian rather than give her the achievements.

If she didn’t want to, she would have had to become a more aggressive traitor.

It should be like that from now on.
Nothing has been decided yet, and she could have been more useful to the Emperor than Ian.

But Skyla knew she couldn’t.

The dress that the servant chose was a light purple color that suited Skyla very well.

And the dress and custom made indigo purple sapphire necklace and earrings were given as a gift.
Jewels close to works of art shone dazzlingly in the light.

Even that made Skyla shabby.

Because it wasn’t what she wanted.

As she finished dressing up, Ian came to pick her up.

“You look good, Skyla.”

“You really think so?”

Looking at herself in her mirror, Skyla asked.

“…….”

Ian did not readily answer.
Her clothes matched well, and her figure was fine.

But Skyla’s face was gray.
She couldn’t get rid of it even when she covered it with cosmetics.

“You look tired.”

In the end, Ian spoke frankly.

Skyla wiped off the rouge that she had applied to her lips.

“I’d rather look pitiful.”

“…… Skyla.”

Still, one goal must be achieved.

Skyla swallowed her words.

And Ian held out his hand.
Both of them were conscious of the servants’ eyes chasing behind their backs.