The Villainess Lives Twice

Artizea opened her eyes dazedly.

It was the familiar bedroom of Grand Duke Evron’s residence.

The sight she saw was a little different from what she had been accustomed to for a while.

She has never slept well since she became full term, and she has never been unconscious of her belly. So this time, as usual, she turned her gaze towards it.

‘Ah…….’

It was slimmer.

Deep in her stomach was throbbing and painful. There was a long burning sensation on the skin of the lower abdomen.

‘It’s not stillbirth, isn’t it?’

She only lasted nine months.

“Madam!”

“Miss, miss, are you okay?”

Alice, who was next to her, raised her body in a hurry and asked. The maid chief hurried outside.

Artizea looked at Alice without energy.

“The, baby?”

“She’s safe. She is a very healthy princess. Don’t you remember? You went to the Harvest Festival and started labor.”

Artizea nodded her head.

In fact, her memory faltered after labor began in front of the harvest altar.

The doctor who was in the room right next to her ran in.

“Your Grace, excuse me.”

The doctor examined Artizea in order. He listened to her heart, took her temperature, checked her pupils, and opened the gown she was wearing to see the wounds.

It was then that Artizea saw that there was a stitch wound on her stomach.

When the mother died, there were quite a few cases of slitting her belly to get the baby out. He was a doctor from Evron, so he was good at treating trauma, so the scars were small and well stitched.

“You slept all day. The wounds are healing well. You will probably be in pain, but it will be fine.”

“A day……?”

Artizea asked curiously. Although she was not versed in medicine, it could be easily believed that this wound was made at least two days ago.

However, the doctor did not answer her question and spoke first of what was necessary.

“You are dehydrated, so drink a little water and juice. I’m sure it’ll be fine, but if you have any fever, you should tell me.”

Artizea nodded her head.

“You’ll probably have pain.”

He said hesitatingly, in an attitude he wasn’t sure about.

“If you can’t stand it, I’ll prescribe a pain reliever. However, this is a normal reaction, so don’t worry too much. It means that the organs are finding their place well.”

“I see.”

Alice took a cup of warm water and placed it in Artizea’s hand. She took a sip and she seemed to liven up a little.

“The midwife will help you with any other inconveniences that come with childbirth.”

Click.

Then the doorknob suddenly turned. Then she heard shouts of rebukes from outside. It was Ansgar.

“Didn’t I say that Madam will be surprised?”

“Uwaaangg!”

And then there was the sound of a baby crying.

Artizea gave strength to her hand holding the glass of water. Because she didn’t know what to do.

Artizea didn’t say anything, and there was no response from the doctor, the maid chief, and the maids.

Because they knew that some of the ladies were reluctant to show their husband how they looked after giving birth.

Some of the ladies who suffered so much from childbirth did not want to see their baby at all.

Alice moved. It was because she knew that Artizea was not reluctant, but that she was just frozen.

Cedric and Ansgar were wandering about in front of the door. The awake baby was crying very well as Cedric was comforting it and swinging it.

Cedric couldn’t even get his hands and feet out in a mixture of worries about Artizea, the thought of having to show the baby, and the fear that the baby’s cry might be bad.

Ansgar, who could not stand it, took the baby and held her.

Then, like magic, the baby stopped crying.

“You will have to work harder.”

“Wow, it’s amazing. Why is it okay when you hold her?”

Cedric, who is prone to the baby cringing whenever he holds her, asked awkwardly.

It was at this time that Alice opened the door.

Just by looking at the two of them standing, it was easy to guess what was going on. Alice said as she tried not to laugh in front of her superiors.

“Madam is healthy.”

Cedric stepped inside.

The maids put the cushions and pillows on Artizea’s back to raise her torso up.

Cedric saw Artizea’s face pale, but otherwise normal, and sighed in relief.

Then he came over to the bed and sat down. Ansgar held the baby and followed.

“How is your body?”

Cedric took her hand and said. Artizea’s eyes fluttered, unable to focus on the baby.

“Thank you for your effort. I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I almost killed you because of my greed.”

“No.”

Artizea answered in a cracked voice.

“I wanted to give birth.”

Her gaze moved towards the baby several times. But she couldn’t get her focus straight and her eyes shook again.

Cedric reached out to Ansgar. Ansgar carefully gave him the baby.

This time she did not cry.

“She is our daughter.”

Cedric showed Artizea the baby’s face.

“She was born prematurely, but she is said to be very healthy. It is said that there is almost no difference from babies born on appointed days. If it were delayed, you would have been in danger.”

Even though it was not too late, it was dangerous, so Cedric felt complicated as he spoke.

“Hold it.”

Cedric held out the baby for her. However, Artizea did not readily reach out to her.

“Tia.”

“I’m fine.”

It was only Alice who realized the meaning behind those words.

Alice risked being rude and bent over opposite of Cedric and crouched down next to Artizea. And she said quietly.

“It’s okay, Miss. The baby won’t remember.”

“That, that…….”

“You don’t even remember what you did when you were this young.”

Tears welled up in Artizea’s eyes at those words.

“I’ll hold it.”

Cedric smiled brightly.

Ansgar, afraid that the clumsy master might make the baby cry again, intervened and helped.

Artizea still had no strength in her arms. Ansgar placed a cushion under her arms and rested the baby comfortably on Artizea’s chest.

Artizea was captured by a strange feeling at the small weight and body temperature that reached into her arms. She didn’t realize that the baby was in her stomach just the day before.

“She looks like Lord Cedric.”

“Is that so?”

Cedric said with a puzzled face. Everyone said she was, but he thought it was just a compliment.

But Artizea doesn’t have to say such things.

“It was similar. How amazing.”

Artizea spoke in a low voice, as she lightly touched the baby’s cheek with her index finger.

It was fortunate that she had nothing to worry about. Artizea was worried that the baby’s face would resemble hers, but she was very worried that she might resemble Miraila.

But it’s good that the baby looks like Cedric. She was more than happy. There was nothing more she could wish for if the same goes with her personality and physicality.

“Have you thought of the name?”

“Uh…….”

Cedric let out a worried moan.

He had already been urged three months ago. He would like to prepare a few name candidates.

But there was nothing on his mind. Old vassals wished it to be named after its ancestors, and some suggested that they pass on the names of their own ancestors.

Cedric didn’t want to do that. Even if he doesn’t do it that way, the baby will eventually carry Evron when it grows up.

“The naming ceremony should be done within a month.”

“Think about it with me, too.”

Cedric said, holding the baby again in Artizea’s exhausted arms.

The baby mumbled her mouth. Cedric looked at Ansgar in bewilderment because her face was on the verge of crying.

Ansgar said as he took the baby from Cedric and held her.

“I will take her to the wet nurse. Please talk to each other.”

“Ah.”

Artizea tried to reach out her hand.

Because she thought she might have to breastfeed her. The midwife who was attending said.

“You won’t be breastfeeding yet. Your health is also important, so leave it to the wet nurse for now.”

Artizea nodded her head. She was just thinking that she should be, but she already knew that breastfeeding in her own condition would be difficult.

Ansgar went outside to comfort the baby who began to cry. Artizea looked at his back.

Alice placed the sugar water in her hand again and urged her.

Artizea wet her throat little by little. Cedric carefully took Artizea’s other hand and kissed on the palm of her hand.

And he asked the doctor.

“Does she need to see more treatment?”

“Oh, no. Please speak to each other. But don’t overdo it. Her Grace has been starving for more than a day, and she’ll be in pain.”

“I see.”

Cedric replied.

Following the doctor, the midwife and the maid also withdrew. Alice closed the door at last and checked the room.

This was to prevent any words from leaking out.

“Are you alright? The healing power worked, so there won’t be any major problems.”

“Yes. It hurts, but…….”

Artizea let out a long sigh. The pain, as if her stomach was shaking, attacked her. But for now, it was tolerable.

Then she opened her eyes wide.

“Healing power?”

“Don’t you remember? Healing power came into your body when you started labor on the altar.”

Artizea lowered her eyes and recalled her memories.

The pain was so severe that she felt the memory did not belong to her. But she remembered the warmth and light that circulated in her hands and feet.

People kneeling under the altar.

It was obviously a holy power. And it was a blessing full of warm heart, wanting to help and heal, unlike Artizea’s own power.

Artizea staggered in dizziness and then laid down on the pillow as if she had fallen.

Cedric, who thought it was because she was sick, was surprised and quickly looked into Artizea’s face.

“Are you okay? Shall I call the doctor?”

“No. No, it’s okay. I understand. So that’s why the wound healed so quickly.”

The scars from the operation could not be considered a wound that was only a day or two old. The pain itself was definitely the same.

Artizea stuttered and said.

“Miss Lysia, this…….”

“That’s right. It seems that Lysia’s blessing has now manifested itself.”

“Then, did her memories come back?”

Artizea grabbed Cedric’s arm and asked.

“It is not a blessing I received before I died. That blessing was already used up when I was charged with treason.”

So it meant a new blessing was bestowed.