The Villainess Lives Twice

Chapter 200

Proofreader: somnium

Leticia Maureen Evron’s naming ceremony took place modestly at home.

A naming ceremony was a ceremony in which the baby was named as a human being who would receive divine protection.

Therefore, if a newborn baby did not grow properly and died, their parents immediately came up with any name and ran to the temple.

For the nobility, it was a ceremony with meaning apart from faith.

After the naming ceremony, the baby could be listed in the family genealogy. Inheritance rights also bestow. They are finally recognized as a member of the family.

Therefore, the naming ceremony of the eldest child who will be the heir has always been an important event.

It was common for the great nobles to rent the largest chapel even in the great temple. Of course, the reception in the mansion is held separately.

But Cedric and Artizea did not.

The two had no intention of taking the baby out of the house and exposing it to the public eye.

However, just because the event was modest, it did not mean that the face of the attendees was small.

Some important officials from the government and the military, including Chancellor Lin, whom Cedric had asked for guardianship of the baby, were of course to attend.

As a family, the vassals of Grand Duke Evron, who had departed in time for childbirth, arrived.

Although no one had commanded them, the knights wiped their plate armor till it shone and lined spears with spears.

From the time of Leticia’s birth, the momentum began to rise and continued for several weeks. Morale was rising as if it was possible to go out and break through the wall like this.

Cedric was embarrassed and told Artizea.

“Won’t it look like it’s just provoking the Imperial Palace by making a fuss?”

“No, that’s not the problem. The knights are fine. It’s Evron.”

Everyone will do that. He can’t say that he’s not nervous, though.

Even though access to the nursery was prohibited, the vassals and knights often stood in front of them openly.

It was useless to say that there was nothing to happen before the 100th day.

Marcus, who was officially appointed as Leticia’s nanny, shouted resolutely every time.

It was said that the sound of footsteps echoed through the floor, waking the precious baby from sleep.

After that, the knights raised their heels. A few days later, Ansgar took pity on them and spread a thick carpet in the hallway.

On the temple side, Bishop Nikos and several other bishops visited with holy relics. It was no exaggeration to say that it was the bishop-level activity.

Since he had politely refused the Archbishop’s visit in advance, that was enough.

Above all, the Emperor was present.

With this alone, the status of this naming ceremony was determined.

“The Sun of the Empire is coming down to this lowly place, I don’t know where to place myself.”

Cedric and Artizea knelt politely in front of the Emperor and said,

“How can I not come to celebrate the birth of such a healthy child in the midst of the imperial family?”

“I am grateful for your grace. Had I known that Your Majesty was coming, I would have prepared a better revenue.”

“If your home is a lowly place, the only thing that can be called home in this Empire is the Imperial Palace.”

The Emperor said jokingly.

“Did the temple say anything?”

“It is only because of His Majesty’s grace that God’s grace was bestowed upon the altar of the Harvest Festival. Thanks to that, Leticia’s and my lives are saved, and we are blessed. What will we do?”

Artizea said, bowing her head deeply, almost with her forehead on the floor.

The Emperor looked at Artizea’s head, then turned to Cedric and asked.

“Do you think so, too?”

“My wife’s will is my will.”

The Emperor knew that Artizea’s words could not be sincere, Artizea herself knew, and Cedric knew it.

But if they are afraid of the Emperor, he will let it be.

The Emperor was willing to do that.

“God must have blessed you to live a good life. It’s a good thing, I want to give her a name.”

Cedric unintentionally tried to clench his fist. However, it was Artizea’s hand that was held in his hand, so he struggled to get rid of his strength.

Artizea’s finger lightly touched his palm. Cedric released the strength from his hand.

It was one of the things expected when the Emperor announced his attendance.

“Let’s call her Hellge. She has been blessed with a divine blessing, so we must leave that meaning.”

“It’s a good name.”

Bishop Nikos, who was listening by his side, intervened with a smile.

On Leticia’s matter, the bishops’ conference reached an agreement that a miracle appeared during the ceremony and saved the lives of the Grand Duchess and Princess.

In fact, they wanted to know more than that, but there was no way for them to find out.

So now, they hoped that they could show people how precious the divinity is by getting into a high position worthy of the same blessings the princess has received.

Cedric said with his head bowed.

“We cannot afford that.”

It is conceivable for the Emperor to give a name. But they were not usually given a third name.

It is the imperial family that has three names. The direct line of the imperial family is a member of the Krates family, but since they dare not add the name of the Empire to their own name, the last name that was used instead is the family name.

If there was an imperial prince and a princess, it wouldn’t matter. It is because it is possible to grant glory of the third name on special occasions.

However, Emperor Gregor now has neither a prince nor a princess. Giving only Leticia three names becomes symbolic.

The Emperor smiled softly.

“It is natural for the parents to be honored through their children.”

Artizea grabbed his hand again before Cedric could harden his face.

And she answered instead of Cedric.

“I’m grateful for your grace.”

“Then let’s do that.”

Bishop Nikos manually rewrote the documents for the altar of the naming ceremony in gold-colored ink.

After the documents were placed on the altar again, Marcus in a dark blue robe came out holding Leticia.

A newborn baby wrapped in white linen might not have looked great, but the knights cheered. He tried to warn them several times, but to no avail.

“Huweee!”

Surprised, Leticia burst into tears. The knights stopped shouting.

The first knight to shout was punished from both sides. Seeing this, the other attendees laughed out loud.

Marcus held Leticia and headed towards the altar. Cedric and Artizea also went with him.

The naming ceremony simply ended by pouring the blessed wine on the documents placed on the altar and burning them.

After that, the short procedure was completed by recording Leticia’s name in the genealogy of Grand Duchy Evron kept in the noble house, and adding a new record to the documents kept by Grand Duchy Evron.

Cedric then hurriedly took Leticia and held her.

Uncomfortable, Leticia struggled with her arms. Marcus took the baby back from him and held her.

After hugging her for a long time, Leticia stopped crying and rolled her tears-soaked eyes.

Bishop Nikos looked into Leticia’s careful face, as if trying to find any sacred marks on her face.

Leticia made a sound like a grumbling. The Emperor laughed.

And held out his hand.

“Let me hug my granddaughter.”

“Ah, it’s too much, I’m grateful.”

Artizea intervened in embarrassment. Marcus didn’t know what to do.

“Don’t worry. Are you afraid I might drop the baby? I’ll be better at this than you or your husband.”

There was no way they could stop the Emperor.

The Emperor skillfully took the baby and embraced it as he had said. He didn’t hate babies. He had never raised them himself, but he used to hold all of his children and grandchildren.

“Let’s see. You got Cedric all the way.”

“Yes.”

Cedric answered with an uncomfortable attitude.

“Oh my. The vassals of Grand Duchy Evron are very impatient.”

The Emperor laughed as if it was funny. Then, he lifted Leticia up and down.

It was clear how it would appear to people’s eyes.

＊＊＊

After the naming ceremony, the first guests invited to the nursery were Hazel and Mielle.

Artizea had been planning to take the two of them as her lady-in-waiting from the start.

In Hazel’s case, she was equipped with agility, inquisitiveness, and observation. She was well aware of how rumors in the social world worked.

She also had the peculiarity of being the daughter of the Belmond family.

The fact that they have the largest press in the capital, she had the power to make even a family member, not technically noble, a member of the social circle.

Such changes are recent.

Hazel herself had a useful talent, but more than that, Artizea decided to keep Hazel in her entourage, hoping Leticia would understand the new world from an early age.

Mielle was accepted for stability as opposed to Hazel.

It was clear that Mielle could not function properly as a lady-in-waiting.

However, by bringing in the two cousins and sisters together, she relieves Hazel of the burden of her new status that she feels, and she fulfills the Keshore couple’s wish that Mielle can enjoy a little bit of an ordinary life.

And there was the trust that both of them could not be persuaded by other powers to harm the baby. Being used unknowingly is another matter, though.

‘Right now, I can’t be part of Miss Leticia’s surroundings because I don’t want to betray her or even think about being used without my knowledge. In fact, no matter how loyal a knight is, it is inevitable.’

Hayley thought so as she guided the two of them.

“I heard about the naming ceremony. Did they say that the princess resembles the Grand Duke that much?”

Hazel asked in a cheerful voice. Hayley replied bluntly.

“Yes. To be honest, I thought the faces of newborns were indistinguishable, but she really looks the same as the Duke.”

“His Grace looks very manly. But since he’s handsome, the princess must also become a beauty, right? I look forward to it.”

“Hazel.”

Mielle patted Hazel’s arm lightly and stopped her as if embarrassed.

Hayley looked at them with a frown.

Artizea seemed to have high expectations for Hazel.

However, from Hayley’s perspective, who does not know Hazel’s future, she only thought that she was a bright, sociable, and conversation-loving lady. In many senses.

[“Until she learns how to restrain her mouth and how to suspect and not spread disinformation, I will have to pay more attention on her.”]

Freil, who had been quietly listening to Hayley’s lament that things were getting worse, asked.

[“But honestly.”]

[“Honestly?”]

[“Aren’t you jealous? Of Lady Hazel.”]

[“Are you crazy?”]

Hayley answered immediately. Freil shrugged his shoulders. The words ‘if not, nevermind’ were written on his face.

Hayley thought she had answered too soon, but it was too late.