The Villainess Lives Twice
Chapter 187

The harvest festival is held on the day the last wheat is harvested.

The custom arose when the great temple had not yet been built. There were temples back then, but they were not as organized as they are now.

Early temples worshiped the same god, honored saints, and followed the same customs, but each led their own faith.

The rituals were also slightly different. Areas of influence were a few villages or a city or two.

So it was possible to offer sacrifices on the very same day after the last harvest in the land.

With the centralization of temples and the consolidation of secular power into the imperial court of the Krates Empire, this was no longer possible.

The imperial family did not want to consolidate its influence on the residents through the rituals of the temple.

The temple’s bishops wanted to establish the temple’s authority by controlling the ceremonies.

Therefore, the New Year Festival and Harvest Festival were to be held only at the great temple.

And in these two ceremonies, the Emperor must personally attend and light candles.

Even in this era, when the center of wealth is clearly shifting to commerce and industry, the importance of agriculture has not diminished at all.

It was no exaggeration to say that the imperial power came from the fact that it occupied all the fertile land.

Even if there are displaced people due to disasters every year, the population as a whole has steadily increased. Even if it was devastated by war and exploitation, it was restored after two or three years of abundance.

When the Empire stopped trading and seized food and raw materials, no country could survive.

Not to mention the North, which was subjugated to the Empire due to food problems in the first place, even the wealthy Iantz Kingdom, whose population would all have worn silk socks, even any commoner along the way, was bound to starve to death if the Empire blocked the port.

And the Emperors of the past were well aware of that fact.

When the Emperor personally came to the Great Temple and offered an offering, the nobles were also expected to follow.

Now, there were few nobles who were interested in the New Year Festival or the Harvest Festival itself.

The important thing is that this is a large-scale official event with the Emperor as a head. After all, it is a ritual.

It was to show the direction of power by who appears in what kind of outfit and stands next to whom.

The nobles who arrived early scattered around the large garden of the Great Temple in groups of twos and threes and ate light refreshments.

There was still a lot of time before it started. There was no news that the Emperor’s family had even departed.

“Will Her Majesty the Empress not attend this year?”

“I wondered last year, too, but in the end she didn’t come.”

“It’s different from last year. Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Evron are also in the capital.”

Whispers echoed all over the place.

“By the way, it’s very refreshing to not see Miraila.”

“I didn’t know about banquets, but it was really rude to go out at an official event like this.”

“His Majesty was too much. No matter how Sir Lawrence…….”

“Shh.”

“What? There is no need to be careful anymore.”

The lady who brought it up at first responded coolly.

The person who had been careful, spoke with a lowered voice.

“Still, you have to be careful. It is said that His Majesty seldom goes out of the palace these days, but who can guarantee that he is really depressed?”

Then people started to join in.

They did not know where they were or who they were, but everyone knew that the Emperor had a secret organization.

It was not a story that could be shared in such an open place.

Thud! Thud!

At that moment, there was a sound of heavy footsteps resounding. The fallen leaves on the ground trembled.

The eyes directed towards that way.

Grand Duchy Evron’s carriage entered the garden. They did not carry any weapons, but the knights in armor were wrapped around the carriage in the front and back.

The people who were chatting became quiet.

The carriage stopped. From inside, Grand Duke Evron got off first. The young ladies raised a small cheer at the tall figure dressed in black and blue robes.

Grand Duke Evron reached into the carriage and held the Duchess with his own hands.

The Grand Duchess was in full bloom.

Despite the fact that it was something to celebrate because she was originally fragile, she looked a bit gloomy.

The tense atmosphere in the garden loosened.

Originally, no horses or carriages were allowed into the gardens of the Great Temple. The only exception was the carriage of the Emperor and the Empress.

However, for some other reason, it seemed that the knights and carriage were allowed.

“It’s safe.”

Viscountess Pasto covered her mouth with a fan and whispered in a low voice into the ear of Marchioness Camellia.

Artizea had not gone out after she was 5 months into pregnancy.

She didn’t know in the early days of her pregnancy, and she had to return the congratulations, so she still met people.

However, after Lawrence returned from being dismissed from the Southern Conquest Army, she did not go out and did not receive guests.

Because of that, there was a lot of rumor to say.

The Grand Duchess is weak from the beginning, so she’s hiding the fact that she had a miscarriage, or maybe she’s never been pregnant in the first place.

But it turned out that it was all nonsense.

Marchioness Camellia smirked.

“If it’s time to give birth anyway, everything will be revealed, so why would she lie?”

“Hmm, but……. It was a mess. She almost had a miscarriage. Because of the temple.”

“If she lied to get on the offensive, then she would have said she had a miscarriage.”

And Artizea could do it, but Grand Duchy Evron’s vassals wouldn’t have been able to tell a lie. Even more so when they bet on an heir.

In any case, it was obvious why the carriage was able to come in.

The temple had once put Artizea in danger.

This time, she was in full-term. They would have had no choice but to provide convenience.

It was a situation where words could not come out, so their eyes were fixed on it.

Cedric carefully wrapped Artizea’s shoulder as if trying to hide her from gazes. And he asked.

“Is there anywhere uncomfortable?”

“It’s okay. There are still more than two weeks left until the due date.”

“I said I could come alone.”

“It is an official ceremony. It’s good to show my face once in a while.”

It wasn’t very easy to move, but she decided it’s better to come out.

It was Cedric’s first major official event since he became Secretary of State.

Grand Duke and Duchess Roygar have left the capital as the special envoys. At this time, Miraila and Lawrence, who were always by the Emperor’s side, even in informal moments, were absent.

In other words, Cedric was the only imperial family to follow the Emperor to the altar.

He couldn’t miss this moment. Cedric can make a much better impression standing together with his spouse than alone.

And the topic was the same.

Artizea was well aware of the rumors circulating outside. It was clear without even asking questions.

Showing a full-term appearance at this time will help to leave a strong impression.

Cedric and his men were all overly concerned. However, even if the labor pains suddenly came, it was a time when the baby would not have any problems.

Bishop Nikos came out to meet them.

“Welcome, Grand Duke, Duchess. We set up an awning and set up comfortable chairs.”

“Thank you.”

Artizea thanked him and, following the guidance of Bishop Nikos, headed to the chair under the awning built near the altar.

Cedric said.

“I’ve brought a doctor and a midwife, just in case, Bishop.”

“I see. I will order a room to be cleared.”

Bishop Nikos had a slightly bewildered face. But it wasn’t something he couldn’t take care of.

“You worry too much.”

“We came here in a carriage for a short distance. You don’t have to worry too much.”

Cedric said so and sat Artizea in the chair.

She said she was fine, but her legs and back were throbbing, so Artizea leaned slowly in the chair with Cedric’s support.

And she smiled.

“It’s much better to get some fresh air outside.”

“Then I’m glad.”

Cedric sat next to her and supported a cushion on her waist.

“Aren’t you thirsty? Can I bring you something?”

“It’s okay. There’s water here, too.”

Artizea held up a glass of water from the small table next to the chair.

Cedric looked around. He was looking for something else to do.

Being used to this, the escort knights stood there without thinking.

Embarrassed by the feeling that his presence had only been a hindrance, Bishop Nikos bowed slightly and walked away.

Artizea waved her hand saying it was really fine.

“There is nothing particularly uncomfortable today. I will rest quietly while smelling the fall wind, and return as soon as the ceremony is over.”

“That’s a promise.”

“I can rest, but Lord Cedric shouldn’t rest.”

Artizea said, pointing to those who stood from a distance and anxious to greet.

Cedric let out a small sigh.

“I know.”

“No matter what you see today, don’t forget that Lord Cedric knows nothing.”

“I am mindful. I was so busy with military affairs that I didn’t pay much attention to the other business in the Grand Duchy.”

Artizea smiled at Cedric’s words and nodded her head.

“I also have to greet the wives I’ve known for a long time.”

Cedric didn’t want to leave Artizea alone, but he had no choice. It was also promised in advance.

Finally, after receiving Hayley’s glare, Cedric mumbled and stood up. As if they had waited, several people came to greet him.

Few people approached Artizea. It was because she hardly had any personal acquaintances, she had too high a status to just talk leisurely, and it was not easy to get close to the pregnant Grand Duchess.

Countess Eunice and her daughter Fiona were the first to approach Artizea.

“It’s been a while, Your Grace. It’s normal to have aches and pains here and there even when you’re still, are you okay?”

Countess Eunice said with a kind face. Artizea also answered with a smile on her face. In fact, it still hurts everywhere.

“The fetal movement is severe.”

“Isn’t it time to gradually decrease?”

“I heard that it will decrease at the end, but I think our baby is still doing it. Because it was very active in the beginning……. When the maid saw it, she said it was going to be a son.”

“It has nothing to do with that. My second daughter also kicked me so hard.”

Countess Eunice shook her head.

“She still looks like a tomboy. Taking apart clothes with frills.”

“It’s nice to see her lively.”

“But it’s not like she’s really good at martial arts or horseback riding. She just likes to play outside. Her face is charred.”

“Lady Larnie is still young. Isn’t it best to be healthy?”

Artizea said so. However, as she had already begun to care for the education of the baby in her womb, she could understand Countess Eunice’s concerns.

“What are you talking about?”

Then, they were interrupted by Marchioness Camellia.

Countess Eunice looked at her with a vigilant face.