A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 170

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“This is absurd!”
While I was out, I stopped by the Library, visited the weapons dealer, and went to the hospital.
(There’s nothing wrong with me. But one must maintain their health while they still have it!)
After completing all my errands according to plan, I returned home in the late afternoon.
The Emperor’s Imperial Attendant had arrived at the Mansion before me.
Everyone in the household had come out to greet the Imperial Attendant, who had visited to deliver the Emperor’s orders.
Cyprus must have done his job well. He’s already here.
“What is this! A bolt from the blue!”
And in the midst of it all, my Mother wailing.
Aspara, who had returned home before me, must have already tattled about everything that had happened, for Mother’s face had turned purple with rage.
“To think the Emperor’s own Imperial Attendant would visit!”
On this floor, Yujein—her face drained of all color—gripped the railing and peered down below.
When our eyes met, I sent her an apologetic smile.
‘I’m sorry for inviting you as a guest and constantly causing such a commotion.’
Yujein has seen nothing but embarrassing scenes since arriving at our home. I should have booked her a hotel if I’d known. Not that I have the money for it.
“You!”
Mother, who had been glaring sharply at me as I entered the foyer, grabbed hold of the Imperial Attendant and clung to him desperately.
“How could you entrust the position of Grand Duke to that child! Surely you know, Imperial Attendant, how inexperienced that child is!”
She knows nothing! Her judgment is lacking! All she does is chase after men! The insults poured forth endlessly.
Yet despite me being her own child, she had no hesitation in tearing me down before a complete stranger.
“It does not seem to be within my purview to evaluate the qualities of a Princess, Grand Duke.”
However, the Imperial Attendant remained unmoved.
With dignified bearing, the Imperial Attendant folded the decree and continued.
“But it appears the one truly lacking in judgment is the current Minor Duke, who could not restrain his gambling hobby and nearly sold off the entire family.”
I could tell from the way he frowned slightly when he said ‘gambling hobby’ what he really thought.
This man holds Aspara in contempt.
And who could blame him? Who thinks positively of a gambling addict?
“Boys will be boys! My son simply has a bold disposition, and he merely stumbled into a bad habit for a moment. Young men snap out of these things quickly enough, don’t they?”
…My Mother certainly has an optimistic outlook.
More enraged by the prospect of Aspara losing his Minor Duke status than by her own position as Grand Duke passing to me, Mother’s ears had turned red as she defended her son.
Aspara, hiding behind Mother, let out a sniffle.
Good heavens, truly a son worthy of the name—so bold.
“Surely you have children yourself, Imperial Attendant?”
“I do have children, of course, but fortunately none of them have fallen into gambling and attempted to sell their sister.”
“But I, as the mother, say it’s fine!”
“Have you asked whether it is fine with the Princess, the Minor Duke’s sister?”
“Of course she wouldn’t be fine with it! Girls are quick to sulk and petty, after all!”
“Then it seems I am a girl as well.”
For reference, the Imperial Attendant appeared to be a middle-aged man standing at least 185 centimeters tall.
“Why do you take only my daughter’s side, Imperial Attendant? It’s that child who’s in the wrong for being so resentful that she’d strip her brother of his title just because she’s the older sister! That’s what makes her wicked!”
“Exactly. If you had passed the inheritance to the firstborn regardless of gender from the start, none of this would have happened.”
“Pass it to the firstborn? That’s discrimination!”
“What the Grand Duke is doing right now—that’s discrimination.”
“What did I do!”
“…Let me rephrase. Why didn’t you simply pass the inheritance to the more capable one, without regard for gender or birth order?”
“That’s exactly what I did.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You’re being terribly biased!”
Listening to this exchange, I felt the last shred of affection I’d held for Mother evaporate entirely—and I hoped no one would call me heartless for it.
To Mother, I was no longer her child.
I was merely an obstacle blocking her precious son’s path.
‘If I’d been born in modern times, she’d march into the university and the dean’s office, demanding why my son’s grades were docked when he was absent due to his weak constitution, flipping the whole school upside down.’
The Imperial Attendant seemed just as exhausted with Mother as I was.
Ignoring Mother’s continued protests, the Imperial Attendant turned his attention to me and gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
“You’ve arrived at a most opportune moment, Princess. I’ve come to deliver His Majesty’s decree.”
The Emperor’s decree: stripping the Grand Duke title from Mother and appointing me as temporary head of the household.
Realizing the situation was irreversible, Mother cut off the Imperial Attendant’s words and lunged toward me.
“You!”
Just as she raised her hand—whether to grab my hair or strike—lightning crackled down with a sharp snap!
“What—what is this!”
Mother was startled, and even Aspara, who’d been watching from behind, jumped back in shock.
Frozen by the sudden lightning, Mother heard Yujein’s voice ring out from above.
“Stop right there! Don’t come any closer to Yusara! One more step and I—I won’t hold back!”
Her voice was hoarse as though she’d rarely shouted so loudly in her life, yet her momentum was formidable.
The lightning was formidable too.
The floor tiles were completely shattered.
The Imperial Attendant, witnessing Yujein’s power firsthand, raised his eyebrows.
‘I’ll report this to the Emperor immediately.’
Regardless, Yujein cried out loudly.
“Yusara! I support you becoming the Grand Duke!”
With both fists clenched in what she clearly meant as encouragement, she looked like a valiant little hamster.
“I’m sorry about breaking the floor! I earned some compensation from an experiment with Mascarpone today, so I’ll pay for it!”
“Don’t worry about it! I’m the owner of this house now!”
Living with a broken floor has its own charm!
If it becomes unbearable, Cyprus can just buy me a new house!
I watched Mother trembling right in front of me.
“You….”
In Mother’s eyes, blazing with fury, there was no affection for me, no pity, no curiosity about why I’d done this.
To Mother, who saw me only as ‘the enemy who stole her precious son’s future,’ I asked quietly.
“Why didn’t you warn me? About Cyprus. You warned Aspara, but not me.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden….”
“Cyprus told me everything. I know what Mother did in the past now.”
“What?”
“I suppose I realized far too late that not all parents are worthy of respect.”
“You….”
“Aspara probably doesn’t know the details of exactly what Mother did.”
“….”
“I won’t tell. As long as Mother behaves herself. So please disappear quietly from my sight.”
I turned to the Blonde Head Maid, who had been fidgeting nervously in the background, watching the situation unfold.
“Prepare to send Mother and Aspara to the Southern Villa. Right now.”
“What? Why the Southern Region of all places….”
“Why do you think? That’s the punishment I’m imposing on Mother.”
“How cruel…. This is exactly why I can’t bring myself to care for you!”
“Send Servants with them and make sure Aspara doesn’t go anywhere. Watch him thoroughly.”
“Do you hear me?! This is why I hate you! You’ll never be loved in your entire life!”
“Am I late?”
At that moment, a familiar deep voice cut through Mother’s desperate cries.
A single ray of sunlight breaking through the heavy feeling that inevitably weighed down upon me.
Praha, who had ridden his horse right up to the entrance, leaped down from the saddle without even stopping.
With his hair disheveled by the wind and carrying the scent of the road, Praha gestured to the Imperial Attendant.
“That temporary order isn’t needed anymore. I’ve brought the official decree.”
“An official decree, Your Majesty?”
“Yes. It formally transfers the Grand Duke title to Yusara, the eldest daughter of the family. So you can take the temporary order back.”
With those words, Praha turned to look at me.
“Are you prepared to become Grand Duke?”
“…I am, but… this quickly?”
“Yes. This quickly.”
“….”
“You are no longer a Noble Lady. You are now the Grand Duke, the master of this household.”
The Imperial Attendant had already left with the temporary order, so the new command was scheduled to be delivered at dawn.
“I wanted to tell you as soon as possible, so I came myself.”
Praha said.
“It’s good news, after all. I wanted you to know right away.”
“…Yes. It really is wonderful.”
“No! Who do you think you are!”
Mother shrieked desperately, but no one paid attention to her words—words that had already lost all authority.
“No, no, noooo!”
Not even the Maids.
“Hey!”
“Would you like me to silence that person?”
“It’s fine.”
With just those words, the servants who now clearly understood where true power lay rushed to Mother’s side and grasped her arm.
Praha knelt on one knee before me. Unlike someone sent in the Emperor’s stead, he personally placed a cushion beneath my knee, then drew the ceremonial sword he had brought and tapped my shoulders in turn.
“Please rise now.”
Praha, who helped me to my feet by taking my hand, spoke.
“And one more thing.”
As I looked up in bewilderment at how he held my hand far longer than necessary, a handsome face came into view—one gazing at me with unwavering intensity.
When had this expressionless face stopped feeling cold to me?
Praha spoke.
“Grand Duke Yusara, would you do me the honor of attending the Ball with me?”
“…What?”
My eyes widened at the unexpected words. Praha brought my hand to his cheek and buried his face in my palm.
“Please say yes. For that one day, I will make you the most precious and happiest person in the world.”
Though his words were directed at me standing right before him, his voice rang loud.
As if ensuring everyone present heard every word.
With such a pitiful gaze urging me to answer, I found myself enchanted into responding.
“Just for that one day?”
“No. From that day onward, always. No. From this very moment. Forever and ever.”
“Very well. Please do.”
“I keep my promises.”
At last, I’m becoming your partner. Praha smiled with satisfaction and pressed his lips to the back of my hand.
The onlookers’ jaws fell open.
Among them was Mother, who had cursed me mere moments before, saying I would never be loved by anyone.
“Kyaaah!”
Yujein, tears glistening in her eyes, sent lightning bolts streaking across the ceiling.
A person who loved me just as much as Praha did.
My friend.
I turned to Mother, who stood as if her soul had left her body, and spoke.
“Oh, Mother. Did you know?”
“….”
“I injured my hand. That’s why I had bandages on when I returned home. Though you never noticed.”
It didn’t matter.
I was happy.
At this moment, I was utterly content.
…And that contentment lasted exactly one week.
[The dress colors chosen by three people]
Yusara: Blue
Yujein: Gold
Mascarpone: Green

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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