TVLT 05

Chapter  05

Unable to think of anything to say, Artizea simply turned her head away.

Artizea had intended to take care of Alice’s remaining family for the rest of her life. After all, Alice had remained loyal because she trusted that promise from the beginning.

But after Artizea was imprisoned, had Alice’s family really been safe?

The same was true for the families of all the others who had died for Artizea.

Artizea had arranged things so that their pensions would continue to be paid no matter what happened to her.

Just in case, she had also been careful to hide both the money and her connection to them.

Looking back, she had paid even more attention to keeping things hidden after eliminating all her political enemies. Perhaps she had suspected Lawrence much earlier than she realized.

“My lady, are you smiling?”

“Was I smiling?”

“Yes. Like this.”

Alice imitated her expression and smiled.

Artizea immediately erased even the faint smile from her face and turned away.

Even if this was someone she had not seen for twenty years, she was not the type to happily embrace someone and openly express her joy at seeing them again.

“I’m going out. To the temple.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Alice, come here.”

Artizea beckoned her closer.

Alice quickly leaned down and brought her ear close to Artizea’s lips.

Artizea whispered instructions to her.

When Alice straightened up, Artizea said,

“Then go to the kitchen and have them pack a lunch. Something like sandwiches. Make them filling, with meat.”

“Oh, my lady. Does this mean you’ve decided to stop dieting?”

“I think I need to build up my strength.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ve always said the best diet for you is to eat more.”

“It would be awkward to eat alone, so make sure they prepare something for you, too. Tell them to make plenty with meat. At least five servings. And make sure they look nice. Also bring the tea set for a picnic.”

“Yes.”

Alice tilted her head in confusion. But she had never questioned anything Artizea did.

“We don’t have much time, so hurry. Sophie will help me get dressed.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Alice hurried out.

Artizea slowly made her way to her room.

Since it was customary to change into an afternoon dress after breakfast, Sophie was waiting outside the dressing room.

“Which dress should I take out for you?”

“Beige…… No, let’s go with green.”

Artizea chose that color because she thought it would be troublesome if the dress got dirty.

Artizea did not have many clothes.

Unlike Milaera, who had four entire dressing rooms, Artizea’s single dressing room still had plenty of empty space.

Nor did nearly twenty maids rush around her whenever she dressed, as they did for Milaera.

Sophie was the only maid who helped Artizea with her clothes.

Just hearing Artizea say “green” was enough for Sophie to know exactly what she meant, and she quickly ran to the dressing room.

Even having clothes suitable for going out was a relatively recent development.

Milaera disliked taking Artizea outside and did not want her having contact with outsiders, either.

She claimed that having her ugly daughter wandering around in public was embarrassing.

Artizea had never taken those words completely at face value.

From Milaera’s perspective, Artizea was evidence of her betrayal of the Emperor, so she probably did not want to show her to other people.

Even though Artizea understood all of that, she still could not look straight into a mirror and judge her own appearance.

Sophie removed Artizea’s outer garment and seated her in front of the vanity.

Then, even though she knew Artizea usually had little opinion on such things, she asked,

“How would you like your hair done?”

“Neatly…… No.”

Artizea took a deep breath.

Then she said something she had never said in her entire life.

“Make me pretty.”

“Oh.”

Sophie looked startled.

Then she broke into a bright smile.

“Well, you are at that age, after all.”

“What age is that?”

“The age when you want to look pretty and start wanting to date handsome men.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m going to the temple.”

Without realizing it, Artizea clenched the hand resting on her thigh into a fist.

“You might meet someone at the temple. Perhaps a very handsome knight.”

“Who would look at me that way?”

It was the first time she had ever said something like that, too.

Artizea could hardly believe herself.

Appearance mattered. Considering what she planned to do today, being pretty would actually give her some advantage.

But it had no meaning beyond that. Her value did not lie in her appearance.

And yet, it seemed as though some part of her genuinely wanted to look pretty.

Even though she knew she would never have such a relationship with the person she was going to meet today—and that she must not.

Sophie’s eyes widened before she let out a little laugh.

“My lady, you’re looking forward to it too, aren’t you?”

“Sophie.”

“Don’t worry. I may not be able to make you so beautiful that everyone passing by turns around to stare, but I can certainly make you pretty enough that anyone who meets your eyes will take an interest in you.”

Sophie chatted cheerfully as she brought over the brazier and placed the curling iron inside it.

“You’re naturally pretty, my lady. You could easily become the most beautiful woman in high society. It would be even better if you gained a little weight. And if you started sleeping properly at night.”

“Enough with the nonsense.”

“Whose daughter are you, after all? Honestly, considering Madam’s age, the jewel of high society should now be…… Oh.”

Sophie quickly fell silent when the door opened.

It was Milaera.

It seemed Lawrence had finished his meal.

Milaera glanced around the dressing room.

Then, when she saw Artizea with her hair hanging loose, she said disapprovingly,

“You’re not seriously planning to go out with that ugly face of yours, reeking of desire as though you’re trying to seduce some man, are you?”

Sophie could not say a word and merely stirred the curling iron in the brazier.

Artizea calmly replied,

“I’m going to the temple. What would I do by seducing a priest, Mother?”

“Then why are you wearing your hair down like that? Are you planning to curl it up tightly and go looking like an old woman?”

Artizea looked at Milaera through the mirror.

Milaera plopped down onto the sofa in the dressing room.

There were only the bare necessities in Artizea’s dressing room. As a result, the sofa where Milaera occasionally sat was the most extravagant thing in the room.

“Did Brother say he wasn’t going out today?”

“He already left.”

Milaera sighed heavily.